Alumni Focus

The Adrian Schools Educational Foundation named its outstanding teachers for 2012, and they include Dawn Huggins, Cammy DiPietro and Ryan Bills. All three are Siena Heights graduates. They were recognized Oct. 4 at a reception.

Ryan Bills ’02, 09/MA is currently an art and technology teacher at Adrian High School. He is also the International Baccalaureate Programme art instructor. He teaches the Stage Craft class at AHS where students design and build scenery for all the districts plays and musicals. He has taught middle school and elementary school art, coached middle school boys track and high school cross country and served as the technical director for high school musicals and plays. Bills has both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts from Siena Heights.

Cammy DiPietro ’87, ’00/MA is a fifth- and sixth-grade language arts, reading and social studies teacher at AMS 5-6, where she has been for eight years. She taught the same subjects at the seventh- and eighth-grade level at APS, where she also served for many years as student council and peer mediators supervisor. She is the school liaison for the “Reading is Cool” program, and also has her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SHU.

Dawn Huggins ’93, ’98 is currently a kindergarten teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. She has also taught first and second grade. She has two bachelor’s degrees from Siena Heights University. Huggins’ nominators recognized her ability to understand each student’s learning style and use the right combination of emotional and academic support to challenge her students to learn.

Sister Pat Schnapp Honored

Patricia Schnapp, RSM, now in her 26th year on the Siena Heights University English faculty, became an honorary member of the Alumni Association this fall. Her record—as a creative and inspiring teacher, accomplished author and editor, dependable mentor and fan of students, dedicated prison volunteer and advocate for the homeless, irrepressible lover of literature, and faith-filled friend to all at the University—surely qualifies her as a true Saint. Known to provide rhyming verse for any occasion, she wrote and recited the following on the occasion of receiving the 2012 Honorary Alumni Award.

A Short Ode of Tribute to Siena Heights University

By Sister Pat Schnapp, RSM—Honorary Alumna of SHU

Siena to me has been more than hospitable, its kindnesses generous and quite unforgittable.
It’s infused with the spirit of Sisters Dominican, who can sure keep their charism vital—if iny kin!
Deans ‘n colleagues are sharp and are always congenial, and they rarely show flaws either mortal or venial.
Yes, salt of the earth are Siena’s professors, though I’ve never consulted their shrinks or confessors!
They’re gen-rous with time and their talents and knowledge, which makes this a vibrant, unique, and fine college.
Our students come here both to work and to learn. Well, the bulk of them?—and it is rare that they spurn . . .
Our exertions in class. And indeed they remind us, that from them will come the next Thomas Aquindus!
By our fine arts pursuers we’re constantly wowed, And our athletes continue to make us all proud.
As precious as once was the heavenly manna, is Adrian’s jewel and pride—our Siena!
And if in the future I ever feel glum, I’ll remember: I’m an Honorary Siena alum!
This thought will revive me and make my heart cheerful. And here ends my verse—since you’ve had quite an earful!

2012-13 Alumni Association Board of Directors

Michael Kirk Lane ’05, President
Mary Small Poore ’76, Vice President
Carlene Staton ’06, Secretary
Dennis Reeder ’78, Past President

Maricruz Avitia ’06 (Southfield)
Mary Beaubien, OP ’55
Christopher Foerg ’94, ’12
Diane Porretta Fox ’89
Mary Kloeckner Halley ’89
Katie Hatch ’07
Rob Hemmig ’07, ’09
Manuel Joe Hoskins, III ’03, ’06 (Monroe, Southfield)
Leslie Love ’93
Bethany McCaulley ’06
Michael P. Morgan ’83
Nick Oliverio ’05
Jacob M. Pifer ’03
Wendy Kirkbride Rusie ’99
Denise M. Washington ’00, ’05 (Battle Creek)

Andy Switzer ’13, Student Representative