(Posted October 26, 2000)

Juniata College recently announced the recipients of the 2000 Community Contribution Award during the half-time ceremonies of the Fall Fling 2000 homecoming football game on October 21.

The award was established to recognize students who give their time and energy in the service of others. Students, faculty, administration, and staff nominated students for the award based on their services to the Juniata community, their hometowns, local communities, and other areas of the world. A committee consisting of students, alumni, faculty, and administration then chose the nominees.

This year?s recipients include:

Jessica L. Baker of Palmyra, Pa, is a member of the senior class and a 1997 graduate of Palmyra Area High School. Majoring in peace and conflict studies, Jessica is co-president of the Brethren Student Fellowship and has volunteered for Model UN and the Bethesda Mission. This summer, Jessica will also participate in the Ministry of Summer Service program at the Palmyra Church of the Brethren.

Todd A. Fortney of Mount Union, Pa, a member of the senior class and a 1997 graduate of Mount Union Area High School. Majoring in biology, Todd participates in many organizations on campus. He is the treasurer of Circle K, chairperson of the Speaker Committee for Juniata Activities Board (JAB), and a member of the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) and Tri-Beta, the biological honor society. In the past, Todd has served as the vice-president of Cloister Community Board and treasurer of Tussey and Terrace Community Board. His internship experience includes the Appleby Drug Store in Mount Union.

Deborah A. Hess of Freedom, Maine, is a member of the senior class and a 1997 graduate of Mount View High School. Majoring in health science, Deborah participates in many activities on and off the Juniata campus. Deborah is an Extended Orientation (EO) instructor, a Phone-A-Thon caller for the Juniata Fund, a summer orientation leader, a student ambassador, and a member of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). Deborah also performs for the Juniata College Theatre. Off campus, Deborah has tutored incoming freshman students at Unity College and has worked at an Easter Seals camp in Northern California for children with developmental disabilities. Last year Deborah also studied abroad in Australia where she volunteered at a massage therapy clinic and for an Occupational Therapy Ward in War Memorial Hospital in Waverly, New South Wales, Australia.

William C. Koeppen of Oostburg, Wis., is a member of the senior class and a 1997 graduate of Oostburg High School. Majoring in geology and physics, William is involved with many activities on and off campus. At Juniata, William is the former secretary and current member of Habitat for Humanity. He participated in two spring break Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenges in North Carolina and Georgia and is looking forward to this year?s trip to Kentucky. William is also a former member of the Water Quality Steering Committee, former treasurer for the Conservation Club, and current member of the Recycling Committee. William?s musical interests include serving as the current librarian and former vice-president of the Pep Band and a participant in the Wind Symphony. Off campus, William studied abroad last year in Cochin, India and interned in Pasadena, Calif. with NASA in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. William is also president of the High Adventure Explore Post for a Boy Scout camp.

Parisha P. Shaw of Ebensburg, Pa, is a member of the senior class and a 1997 graduate of Central Cambria High School. Majoring in molecular biology and health communications, Parisha is president of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). Within this program, she works with JC Blair Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon and CHIP (Children?s Health Insurance Program) to increase awareness of funding for parents who cannot afford insurance for their children. Parisha is also a college tour guide, a chairperson for Juniata Activities Board (JAB), a member of Flute Choir, a student ambassador, and a tutor for the Writing Center.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.