Couple pledges support to Juniata music facility
Pair originally met because of college band
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An Altoona couple has made an estate plan to give $2 million to support a new music facility at Juniata College in Huntingdon where they met.
Barry J. Halbritter, president of Midstate Tool & Supply Inc., and his wife, Marlene, are Juniata alumni who attended in the '60s.
"We were in the band together at Juniata. That's what led to our marriage," said Barry Halbritter, 75.
The Halbritters have long been supporters of the arts in the area.
They have long supported Juniata College, as well as The Village at Morrisons Cove, Blair County Arts Foundation,
Home Nursing Agency, Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Kiwanis International, Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation and the Carson Valley Church of the Brethren.
The performing arts center at Juniata is named the Marlene and Barry Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts.
The Halbritters' latest donation could pave the way for a possible music major at Juniata. Halbritter said that is his hope.
"More than 20 percent of Juniata students are either in vocal or instrumental arts. And 80 percent have been involved in all types of arts including performance arts," he said, noting the college does not yet offer a music major.
"The money will be there for students long after we are gone, whether it be for choir or instrumental or even a music major," he said.
The Halbritters' financial commitment was part of the Campaign for Juniata, a fundraising effort with a goal of raising more than $115 million, the largest philanthropic investment in the student experience in Juniata's history.
Juniata College President James A. Troha announced that the campaign's efforts had already raised $80 million in gifts to the college since 2014.
Troha said recent gifts will benefit the college and support the three key aims of the campaign: supporting faculty, providing access for students to pursue their education and enhancing learning spaces on the campus.