James Troha is named Juniata College's 12th president.

James Troha, vice president for institutional advancement and university relations at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, since 2009, has been named the 12th president of Juniata College. Troha will begin his official duties on or about June 1, 2013.

Troha takes over the presidency from Thomas R. Kepple Jr. who served as president of Juniata from 1998-2013. Kepple will retire May 31, 2013, after serving the college for 15 years as its chief executive. Juniata College is a Church of the Brethren-related school in Huntingdon, Pa.

Troha comes to Juniata after a successful executive career at Heidelberg. His responsibilities at the university include directing all elements of the institution's fundraising, marketing, and university relations efforts. In just over two years, he has helped raise more than $38 million toward a $50 million campaign goal for Heidelberg and helped secure several multimillion dollar cash gifts, the largest in university history. He also was responsible for overseeing record fundraising years for the university's unrestricted Heidelberg Fund.

In 2011, Heidelberg received the 2011 CASE Fundraising Award, one of 24 institutions nationwide to be honored. Troha also took leadership in organizing, writing, and launching Heidelberg's Academic Comprehensive Campaign for Excellence, the first of its kind for the university.

In addition, Troha has significant executive experience, serving as Heidelberg's interim president for a year, 2008-09. In that time, he oversaw several critical projects during challenging economic times, including refinancing the university’s $17 million in state-issued bonds and leading Heidelberg's transition from college to university. As part of that transition, he oversaw the integration of a new marketing program and branding effort.

He began his academic career in 1993 when he was hired as area coordinator and coordinator of Greek life at the University of Evansville, Ind. In 1995, he was dean of students at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England, the British branch campus for the University of Evansville. By 1997, Troha had been named dean of students at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., a post he held until 2001. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1991 and went on to earn a master's degree in counseling in 1993, both from Edinboro (Pa.) University. In 2005, he earned a doctorate in educational policy and leadership from the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

"I think Jim Troha will be an excellent leader at Juniata because of the experience he will bring to areas where we have great opportunities," Kepple says. "Jim has experience in international education, from both sides of the relationship, which is increasingly something that sets Juniata apart from our competitors. Jim also brings great experience in fundraising and enrollment, two key areas where Juniata is poised for greater things. Dr. Troha's entrepreneurial character will be an asset for Juniata as the college looks to the future."

Troha will work with Kepple on Juniata matters for several months before taking over the presidency in June.

-- John Wall is director of media relations for Juniata College.

Source: 11/29/2012 Newsline