Sister Schnapp Receives Award from Michigan Campus Compact

Siena Heights English faculty member Sister Pat Schnapp received the Michigan Campus Compact Community Service Learning Award. This prestigious award is given annually to faculty and staff of Michigan institutions who excel in community service and higher learning. It is the highest honor the MCC can bestow on faculty and staff in the state.

Peeradina’s Poetry Reviewed by World Literature Today

A review of SHU English faculty member Saleem Peeradina’s latest book of poetry, “Slow Dance,” was released in the November-December 2011 issue of “World Literature Today,” one of the oldest magazines to feature Inter- national writing. 

SHU Nursing Hosts 2011 Miss River Raisin Festival Ashleigh Allen

The SHU Nursing Program hosted 2011 Miss River Raisin Festival Ashleigh Allen for a teen cancer awareness and prevention event Dec. 7 on campus. Allen, a SHU senior fine arts major, spoke on her platform, “Target Teens: Cancer Awareness and Prevention.” SHU Director of Nursing Dr. Sue Idczak also discussed the impact of nurses on teen cancer prevention/treatment as well as the many opportunities the SHU Nursing Program offers current and prospective nurses. Miss America 1988 Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, a resident of Monroe, Mich., made a special appearance.

Heckman Presents Paper; Named Editor

SHU English faculty member Davin Heckman, who is teaching and studying this year in Norway on a Fulbright Scholarship, presented a paper at the University of Barcelona (Spain) for the Mapping e-lit: Lectura i anàlisi de la literature conference. His talk was on “Sub- versive Writing and the Digital Text.” Also, he was recently named editor of “Electropoetics” at the Electronic Book Review. EBR is a peer- reviewed journal of critical writing produced and published by the emergent digital literary network. In continuous publication since 1994, EBR is among the longest running open-access, literary-critical journals on the Internet.

Pettit Speaks at Mental Health Conferences in London, England

Linda Pettit, director of SHU’s Counselor Education program and assistant professor of Counselor Education, spoke at two international conferences on mental health in London, England, last December. She shared an under- standing about the spiritual principles behind the human experience that provide all human beings with the potential to access mental health (love and understanding, wisdom, common sense, compassion, humor, etc.) no matter what they have been through or what they are experiencing.

Vietnamese Students Visit Siena Heights

In January, Siena Heights University welcomed a group of 11 students and two chaperones from the Olympia Schools, Hanoi, Vietnam. During their stay in Lenawee County, some of the students stayed on campus in the residence halls, eating meals in the dining room and sitting in on classes. Guests also visited several places of interest in southeastern Michigan.

Father Thomas Hughson Featured at Lecture Series on Ethics

SHU’s 11th annual Chiodini/Fontana Lecture Series on Ethics Feb. 8 featured guest speaker the Rev. Thomas Hughson, SJ, PhD. His lecture was entitled, “Love and Citizenship: Catholics in an Election Year.” Father Hughson, an associate professor emeritus of Theology at Marquette University, specializes in the social context of Catholic systematic theology. The Chiodini/Fontana series was established to provide students and the community the opportunity to reflect on matters of moral significance that touch many dimensions of today’s society.

Zonta Club Honors Sister Sharon Weber

SHU Vice President of Academic Affairs Sister Sharon Weber, OP, PhD, was honored by the Zonta Club of Lenawee County Feb. 2. She received the 2012 Amelia Earhart Award, which is given to a woman who exemplifies the pioneering spirit and the excellence in her field that were characteristic of Amelia Earhart, in addition to advancing the status of women in her community.

Gordon to Exhibit at Immigration Museum

SHU Library Director Dr. Robert Gordon will have his photography exhibition “So I Come to America” shown from June 28-Sept. 3 at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York City. From 1980-84, he interviewed and photographed 50 Detroit immigrants who came to the U.S. prior to World War I in 1914.

SHU Students Listed in Who’s Who Publication

Several SHU students were listed in the 2012 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. They included: Kyrie Bristle; Brianna Chrenko; Lauren Coe; Marcella Ehmann; Randy Hanning; Mackenzy Hickner; Alyssa Hoff; Nicholas Hullibarger; Lauren Jagger; Amanda Martino; Abigail Norris; Linda Pancone; Tiffany Ruddy; Peter Sarnacki; Andrew Switzer; Alessia Vagnini and Amy Wicker.

Frost Attends Education Seminar in Cuba

Siena faculty member Dr. Julieanna Frost attended an educational seminar on Cuban Politics and Culture from Feb. 4-11 in Havana, Cuba, with the Center for Global Education. The mission of the Center for Global Education at Augsburg College is to provide cross-cultural educational opportunities in order to foster critical analysis of local and global conditions so that personal and systemic change takes place, leading to a more just and sustainable world.

SHU Students Shine at Biology Conference

SHU biology seniors Maria Butler, Ciara Feko, Jared Pirkle, Kara Cripe, Lauren Coe, and Marcella Ehmann presented the results of their research projects at the regional Beta Beta Beta Conference at Purdue University and brought home gold and silver. The seniors were led by Lauren Coe and Maria Butler, who placed first and second, respectively, while competing against students from six universities representing four states. Ehmann, Pirkle and Coe were originally awarded grants from Beta Beta Beta to support their senior research projects.

Open House Celebrates New KCC Location

SHU’s Kellogg Community College program had an open house March 14 in its new location in the Lane Thomas Building. KCC students, faculty and staff as well as the community attended, including KCC President Dr. Dennis Bona, who is pictured with SHU President Sister Peg Albert.

Krokker Named Southwest Michigan Regional Director

The College for Professional Studies announced that LeAnn Krokker ’90 is the new Southwest Michigan regional director. She oversees SHU’s degree completion and graduate programs at Lake Michigan College and Kellogg Community College. She formerly served as the assistant director at LMC. Lesley Weidner ’09 remains the Central Michigan regional director, and her responsibilities will now include the Jackson Community College and Lansing Community College undergraduate and graduate programs. Finally, Shelly Bruner transitioned to a full-time advisor/recruiter position for SHU’s Jackson program.

SHU Faculty Members Complete Doctorates

SHU faculty members Ken Kelso and Linda Campbell recently completed their doctorates. Kelso, who teaches in the criminal justice program, received his PhD in philosophy from Wayne State University with a concentration on family. Campbell, a business faculty member, received her PhD from the University of Toledo’s College of Education in higher administration. Her dissertation was entitled, “A Study of Student Involvement Variables in Higher Education: Their Influence on Success on the Uniform CPA Examination.”

Join the New SHU Crew!

The SHU Crew started in 2012 and is a new spirit group on campus. The organization is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Those interested in joining the group can contact Kate Hamilton at 264-7138 or khamilt2@sienaheights.edu.

Acapelicans Compete at ICCA Tournament

The Siena Heights University Acapellicans competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) tournament Feb. 18. This is the only international tournament that showcases the art of student a cappella singing. The Acapellicans, directed by Michael Yuen, competed in the Midwest Region quarterfinals against groups from Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan and Oakland.

Sigma Beta Delta Inducts New Members

The Business Administration division had its annual Sigma Beta Delta induction and honor awards. SHU alum Josh Burgett will be the guest speaker and was an honorary inductee into SBD. Those students honored were:

Business Administration & Management
Brittney Rhodes, Isaac Ashong, Kelly Ferguson

Accounting
Kimberlee Conolly, Kelby Allen

Sport Management
Brett Kuebler

Business and Management
Darrell Gudenau, Mariann Weiss

Students inducted into the Sigma Beta Delta were: Ruben Becerra, Debra Blohm, Kyle Hanson, Christopher Schurr, Isaac Ashong, Nana Ampong, Roselinda Odhiambo, Austin Harper, Ashley Tillotson, Thomas Koomson, Nathaniel Snyder, Adam Schmaltz, Leslie Grob, Kaitlin Ludwig, John Lyszczyk and Derek Henning.

Creative Stages Summer Arts Camp June 18-29

Siena Heights University is offering a unique art immersion program this summer for students who love to create! The Creative Stages Summer Arts Camp is an addition to SHU’s regular Creative Stages summer program and will include experiences in music and movement, visual arts and drama. The camp is from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday from June 18-29 on the Adrian campus. Through this summer’s theme, “It’s All Greek to Me,” students in grades 1-12 will delve into a variety of myths, masks and merriment. Each day’s creative experience will be guided by SHU teaching artists to seek out and expand students’ creative potential. On the final day of camp, there will be a celebration of experiences. Some of the class varieties include youth choir, guitar, piano, musical theater workshop, book and paper making, a TASK installation art experience and 2D/3D design. Cost for the morning camp is $105 per student. There are also additional afternoon classes available. For more information, contact Amy Sturtevant at 264-7890 or Program Coordinator Joni Warner at 264-7901.

SHU Students Honored by Monroe Soroptimists

Tracy Sudduth and Billie Jo Dye, both students at SHU’s Monroe County Community College center, were honored at the 17th annual “A Celebration of Women” event March 29 sponsored by Soroptimist International of Monroe County. The award is the Soroptimist’s major women’s education project. The award helps women get the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. Sudduth received the Women’s Opportunity Award for her efforts as a working, single mother who is working towards her bachelor’s degree. Dye was named the second runner-up for the award. She is currently employed at the nonprofit Monroe County Opportunity Program.

Morris New Director of International Studies

Dan Morris ’04, ’09 was recently named the new director of International Studies. His primary duties will be to not only grow the international student population at Siena Heights, but to act as a resource and support advocate for Siena’s current international student population.

SHU Choir Performs at St. Patrick’s Day Event

The SHU Choir performed March 17 at the 178th Gathering of the Faithful St. Patrick’s Day Mass and Pageant of Praise in Detroit. The event was at the Most Holy Trinity Church on Porter Street and is attended by many state dignitaries, including the governor and mayor of Detroit.

Siena Students Receive Heart & Soul Award

Twelve SHU students received the Heart & Soul Award from the Michigan Campus Compact. Students earning the honor were Abraham Battjes, Rose Bonney, Corey Caldwell, Cecil Clark, Aubrey Crosby, Elizabeth Fertig, Justin Holubik, Daneille Lipa, Abigail Norris, Linda Pancone, Cody Ross and Amy Wicker.

SHU Announces New Program Partnership

Students at Monroe County Community College can now earn a bachelor of arts in professional communication from Siena Heights University right on the MCCC campus. At a news confer- ence in the La-Z-Boy Center April 11, MCCC President Dr. David Nixon and SHU President Sister Peg Albert officially announced the launch of the new program offered through the SHU Degree Completion Center, which is located in the Life Sciences Building on the MCCC Campus.

Holi Festival Celebrates Peace and Happiness

Several campus organizations sponsored the inaugural Holi Festival on the Adrian campus. The India-themed event celebrated unity and a message of peace and happiness. The festival included Indian food with a showing of the movie “Slumdog Millioniare” and a traditional henna artist painted temporary tattoos on students. There was also a Ceremony of Bonfires with a powder distribu- tion and the festival of colors. The festival was an effort of Residence Life, Student Activities, Multicultural Student Services, SPARHC and International Student Services.