Our goals when redesigning the magazine for Juniata College were to develop a more systematic approach to content planning and ideation, putting a premium on Juniata’s close student/faculty relationships and experiential learning and building in consistent coverage of Juniata’s differentiators: its location in rural Pennsylvania and the Programs of Emphasis (POE) approach to study. We also wanted to tap into alumni pride in Juniata’s rich traditions with stories that celebrate seminal moments in the college’s history while also focusing on the present and looking ahead.
Setting the Stage
The table of contents is a reflection of the newly established editorial hierarchy, giving prominence to the themed cover story package and including short promos and images for other features while more quietly listing recurring departments.
“The magazine looks great — from printing to design. We’ve been hearing from alumni and parents who have commented on how good it looks.”
Elizabeth Homan, VP, Strategic Marketing and Communications
Featuring the Liberal Arts
We embraced Juniata’s rich liberal arts tradition and interdisciplinary approach to learning with a themed cover story package. With thought-provoking stories built around a central theme, we nestle three recurring columns within the longer anchor story. With the first issue, the theme, Lessons in Nature, explores living and learning at Juniata’s field station. Woven into the story are a first person account from the recently retired field station director, a photographic study of the sugar bush tapped at the field station for the past 100 years, and an alumni insight into environmental efforts influenced by the great outdoors.
Departments
The newly redesigned issue kick-offs with Place, a two-page, environmental “beauty shot” that captures Juniata’s campus and is tied to the season. Other unique departments include Past Comes Alive: highlighting the college as an active learning laboratory, Class Notes: featuring alumni of different ages and at different stages of their careers, @Juniata: a round-up of responses to popular social media posts, and In Memory: obituaries with featured remembrances. Key sections are set off with large campus photography, offering moments of nostalgia and school pride.