From the Editor:

Are You One of Those People?

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Siena Heights?

Maybe it was an event like Homecoming Weekend we recently celebrated on the Adrian campus.

Or perhaps it is the majestic magnolia trees in full bloom in front of Benincasa Hall on a calm, sunny spring day.

However, when I think of Siena Heights, I think of people.

There are thoughts of the many colleagues, students and alumni I’ve gotten to know over the years. They come and go, making an impact in their own unique way. Some are high-profile, some not so much. But they all add up to what I know to be the Siena experience. Or the “Siena Effect.”

From the Editor:

Siena Heights Will Be Ready and Waiting for You

Well, that didn’t turn out the way I thought it would.

That probably was the collective feeling of us all entering the year 2020. As the chair of the Centennial Committee, I was looking forward to the end of Siena Heights University’s 100^th anniversary year with a slew of events and activities, culminating with Commencement Weekend.

Instead, you all know what happened. A worldwide pandemic shut down almost everything in its path, including the best laid plans at Siena Heights.

In fact, since the Adrian campus closed in mid-March, I have only been on campus twice since late July. For the past few months, my new office has been the patio room of my home. My new office mate is my cat, and thankfully, he sleeps on the job most of the time.

During the early stages of my mandated stay-at-home work order, a phrase came to mind that our president, Sister Peg, has said many, many times over the years: Siena Heights is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s about the people.

From the Editor:

History in the Making

If there was a PhD in Siena Heights History, I would probably have it.

During my past 13-plus years in my role here, I have had the opportunity to learn about the history of the University in so many different ways, from so many different people.

Over the past couple of years in my role as chair of the 100th Anniversary Committee, that education has only intensified. For starters, I was one of the many “editors” who had a chance to preview/review the “Hail Siena!” anniversary book Jennifer Hamlin Church has authored. By the way, you will want to buy this book. It’s fantastic!

My office has also worked with the historians and archivists at the Adrian Dominican Sisters to gather old photos, video and other artifacts from the past as we prepare to celebrate the anniversary year on many fronts.

There are so many “living histories” that I am around almost every day. People like legendary coach and athletic director Fred Smith, who is retiring after more than 42 years at the institution. Or Norm Bukwaz, the “Godfather” of the Bachelor of Applied Science program who was around at the very beginning of Siena Heights’ venture into adult education more than 45 years ago. What a privilege and honor to sit at the feet of these greats and listen to the stories of the past.