Siena Bids Farewell to Longtime Employees

Siena Heights University bids farewell to several longtime employees who are retiring or moving on to different careers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethics Lecture Addresses “The Quest for the Common Good”

The 12th annual Chiodini/Fontana Lecture Series on Ethics on April 10 featured guest speaker Dr. Jean Keller. Her lecture was entitled, “The Quest for the Common Good.”

Dr. Keller is a philosopher who teaches courses in ethics and feminist theory at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, two Catholic, Benedictine institutions in central Minnesota. Her interest in the common good stems from discussions with students in her ethics classes, her

research on the German philosopher Jurgen Habermas and her observations on the recent elections. Keller’s professional writing has primarily focused on the ethics of interpersonal relationships. She has published articles on friendship, autonomy, motherhood, adoption, care ethics and the teaching of men’s studies. This event tied into the academic theme of “The Common Good” the University adopted this year. The Chiodini/Fontanta 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. The series explores theoretical issues in ethics, current issues of moral importance, and the nature and meaning of Catholic identity. The endowed Chiodini/Fontana series is funded by Catherine Reuther and Warren Reuther, with additional support from the Edward M. and Henrietta M. Knabusch Trust.

Biology Students Earn Research Awards

SHU Biology students Stephen Porter and Kelci Schock were awarded first and third place, respectively, after presenting the results of their research projects at the regional Beta Beta Beta conference at the University of Dayton. For their research projects, Porter examined the effects of a mutation on the growth and seed germination of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, while Schock studied the diversity of dragonflies and damselflies in Adrian. They were joined by Michael Balinski, Phil DeVries, Becky Elliot, Ryan Gumbleton and Maggie Morrison, who also presented at the research conference along with more than 100 students from 10 universities representing three states.

Michigan Campus Compact Honors
Siena Heights Students

Eight SHU students were honored by the Michigan Campus Compact at the 17th annual Outstanding Student Service Awards Celebration April 13 in East Lansing, Mich. Vijay Caplon (right middle) was one of only 33 students statewide to receive the Commitment to Service Award. It recognizes students’ breadth or depth of community involvement or service experiences. Abraham Battjes, Julia Cassell, Koreena Hemker, Abby Norris, Linda Pancone and Jessica Rinehart received the Heart and Soul Award, which recognizes students’ time, effort and personal commitment to their communities through service. The Michigan Campus Compact is a coalition of college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purpose of higher education.

Nowinski Accepted as Fellow to Summer Institute

SHU Assistant Professor of History Sheila Nowinski been accepted as a Fellow for the 18th annual Holocaust Education Foundation Summer Institute on Holocaust and Jewish Civilization at Northwestern University. According to the program description, this renowned program is an intensive two-week course of study designed to broaden and deepen the background of current and prospective Holocaust educators. It is open to faculty at the college or university level and to graduate students who are pursuing a Ph.D. Approximately 25 Fellows are selected annually, each of whom receives free room, board and tuition during the program.

Warner Accepted Into Summer International Drama Program

Assistant Professor of Theatre and Youth Theatre Director Joni Warner was accepted into University of Maryland’s summer intensive “International Approaches to Drama in Education” program at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. The international focus of this program will give the opportunity to further develop frames of reference regarding approaches to drama in education as well as pedagogical and transnational priorities in integrated arts education. She will participate as a teaching artist, student and educational arts practitioner.

Spectra Launches New Website and Logo

Spectra, SHU’s student newspaper, has launched an updated version of its website at www.shuspectra.com. Articles are currently being published several times a week. Please follow Spectra on Facebook or Twitter (SHUspectra). Spectra also recently unveiled a new logo.

Griffith Visiting Artist Exhibits Fiber Works at Studio Angelico

Griffith Visiting Artist Julie Tourtillotte conducted a demonstration of the Shibori dye techniques on Sept. 19, 2012, in Gallery 10 of Studio Angelico. Her visit was part of Siena’s Art Department hosting the exhibit “Fabrications: The Fiber Works of Anne Lemanski and Julie Tourtillotte,” in the Klemm Gallery on the Adrian campus (left).

Justin Verlander’s Parents Visit Campus for Book Signing

The parents of American League MVP and Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander visited SHU on Oct. 25, 2012, to promote their newly released book (right). Richard and Kathy Verlander signed their book “Rocks Across the Pond,” and led a discussion. In “Rocks Across the Pond,” the authors tell the story of raising Justin and younger son, Ben, starting on the front lawn, where father and son threw their first pitch together, to Comerica Park, where Justin now pitches as a member of the Detroit Tigers. The book explains the joys and pitfalls of raising a modern day superstar. The book signing was sponsored by the Student Engagement Office.

International Dinner a Big Hit on Campus

The International Dinner, the grand finale of International Education Week, was Nov. 18, 2012, in the Fieldhouse. There was food featuring 48 different dishes from countries all over the world. Those involved with SHU’s International Club provided one or two dishes from their homeland. As in previous years, there was also musical entertainment featuring a variety of different cultural genres and a fashion show (left) in which traditional clothing from various countries were modeled.

Porath Receives National Advising Award

SHU Director of Academic Advising Wiona Porath received the 2012 Outstanding Advising Award in the Academic Advising-Primary Role category from the National Academic Advising Association. This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding academic advising of students or outstanding academic advising administration. The Academic Advising-Primary Role category includes those individuals whose primary role at the institution is the direct delivery of advising services to students.

“A Hunger Game” Helps Annual Siena Heights Food Drive

The Siena Heights men’s and women’s basketball teams tipped off at the 8th Annual Siena Heights Food Drive Nov. 17. The Saints played conference rival Aquinas College in an event billed as “A Hunger Game.” The kick-off event for the drive, which ran from Nov. 26-30, 2012, raised even greater awareness for the drive—and area hunger. The color orange, for hunger awareness, was the “adopted” spirit color for the games.

 Walter Named New Religious Studies Chair

Sister Pat Walter, OP was named the new chairperson of the Religious Studies Department, effective Jan. 7, 2013.

Caplon Honored with MLK Jr. Service Award

The Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award selection committee announced that this year’s Siena Heights award winner is Vijay Caplon. Caplon was honored as part of the Martin Luther King Community Dinner Jan. 21. Caplon was also honored by the Siena community during the special program “Dr. King: His Legacy, Our Future” Jan. 21 on campus.

SHU Jazz Ensemble Performs at Jazz Festival

The SHU Jazz Ensemble performed at the Liberal Arts Jazz Festival Feb. 16 at Hillsdale College. The festival included guest artists Sunny Wilkinson and Paul Ferguson.

Acapelicans Compete at Regional Competition

The Siena Heights Acapelicans again competed in the ICCA varsity vocals quarterfinals competition this winter in Stamps Auditorium on the campus of the University of Michigan. SHU competed against teams from Michigan,
Central Michigan and Oakland.

Raab Appointed Editor of “Merton Annual”

SHU Associate Professor of Religious Studies Dr. Joe Raab was recently appointed as editor of the “Merton Annual” by the International Thomas Merton Society at Bellarmine University. The “Merton Annual” is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Fons Vitae Press in Louisville, Ky. Dr. Raab begins his tenure with Volume 25, which was published in March.

Barst Article Published by “Pedagogy”

Siena Heights University Assistant Professor of English Dr. Julie Barst published the article “Pedagogical Approaches to Diversity in the English Classroom: A Case Study of Global Feminist Literature” in the Winter 2013 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Pedagogy (volume 13.1, pages 149-157).

SHU Named “Military Friendly” for Fourth Year

Siena Heights was named a “Military Friendly School” by Victory Media for the fourth consecutive year. The 2013 list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students. The 2013 list was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide.

SHU Group Participates in
National Anti-Slavery Event

The College Life group hosted a ‘Stand for Freedom’ event on March 12 in which at least one student stood at all times in a highly populated area of campus throughout a 27-hour period to help shine light on the 27 million slaves worldwide. The event culminated with a human trafficking speaking event March 13 on campus (right).

SHU Math Department Again Hosts Conference

For the second consecutive year, the SHU Math Department hosted the Michigan Undergraduate Math Conference. Undergraduate mathematicians from across Michigan and Ohio were at Siena to share their work and experiences. The day was filled with talks, poster presentations and activities. This year’s keynote speaker was Bowling Green State University Professor Jim Albert, whose research interests include Bayesian statistics and analysis of sports data.

SHU Recognized Again by Michigan Gift of Life College Challenge

For the third time in five years, Siena Heights University won an award in the 10th annual Michigan Gift of Life Campus Challenge. SHU registered the most people as a proportion of the student population, with 4.13 percent. SHU also took home a trophy in 2010 and 2009. The Gift of Life Campus Challenge is the largest college-based organ donor registry drive in the nation and has been recognized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services for its success.