Tell Us Your Stories about Sister Leonilla Barlage, OP

The Alumni Office wants to expand its memory bank about Siena’s early faculty. We have dates and titles, but we want your input—anecdotes of personal stories to bring those teaching legends to life. In the last Reflections, we asked about Sister Ann Joachim (see below). This time the spotlight is on Sister Leonilla Barlage.

Here’s what we know: Professor of English, Speech and Drama (1934-45, 1948-69). An innovator who directed yearly productions including the annual Lenten play. She established the “Little Theater” for productions in the basement of Sacred Heart Hall, across from the radio station she established (now SHU marketing and an adjoining faculty office) where students went on-air for a local radio station (far left, photo right,).

What can you tell us about Sister Leonilla? Bring the picture to life.

Send your stories and recollections to:
SHU Alumni Office, 1247 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221
or email to alumni@sienaheights.edu.

Insights into Sister Ann Joachim, OP

Thanks to all who sent stories about Sister “AJ.” Here are a few:

“I met Sister ‘AJ’ within a week of my arrival at Siena. I was a lowly freshman. We students were eating lunch when this Dominican nun—in my eyes she was 6’ tall—came striding into Benincasa cradling a shotgun! ‘I’m gonna get that crow yet!’ she announced. Later, of course, I got to know her as an inspired political science teacher.”—Marianne Egan McKeague ‘54.

“You did not cross your legs in Sister’s class. If you forgot, her stern look reminded you immediately.”—Rose Marie Campbell Freeman ‘56.

“I was impressed seeing Sister Ann study from 3×5 cards she always carried with her as she walked everywhere. I was an immigrant from the Netherlands and Sister helped prepare me for the examination and citizenship process.”—Maggie van Staveren ‘69.

Speaking Your Mind: Reports on Recent SHU Alumni Email Surveys

You & SHU: What did you get? What do you want? What can you give?

In late August, the Alumni Office sent a quick survey to all alumni with current email addresses on file. We asked three questions: What did you get from Siena? What do you want from Siena? And what ideas can you give to the Alumni Association? At their retreat a few days later, the Alumni Board focused on the same questions. Responses from the two groups were quite similar:

• Most (but not all) people thought they got a great education from SHU, with valuable extras such as faith, purpose, “encouragement as a young woman,” “sensitivity to people problems” that job experience had not provided, and leadership skills.
• Responses to the “what do you want from Siena” question ranged widely, but included: more and better ways to network, communicate and connect (with each other and with the University); opportunities for academic and professional development; career support; fun events and travel opportunities; spiritual nourishment; and defined alumni benefits.
• The third question—ideas for the Alumni Association—was the hardest for both the email group and Alumni Board members. The Board finally identified six areas to investigate: programming (professional development, etc.), career connections (networking, mentoring students), alumni perks, community-building, enriched communication, and engagement with SHU current students.

Thanks to all who took the time to respond thoughtfully to our outreach. The Alumni Board is always interested in your views; share your ideas anytime at: alumni@sienaheights.edu.

Detroit Area Alumni Events:

Following last spring’s trio of Thursday after-hours alumni gatherings in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and St. Clair, the alumni office solicited feedback via “Survey Monkey.” Here’s what you told us:

• Communication about the event was well above average (69% of respondents ranked it “excellent”). The two most relied-upon types of communication were email followed by U.S. mail; but more than half of respondents also rely on phone or Facebook.
• Almost everyone was interested in the updates on Siena (offered by SHU President Sister Peg Albert and VP Mitch Blonde); and refreshments at all events earned high marks.
• Event locations (Majestic Theater in Detroit, River Crab in St. Clair, Kapnick Insurance at Briarwood in Ann Arbor) and meeting times (weekdays after work) were mostly convenient or very convenient; no one found the venues or times inconvenient.
• Fully 92% of respondents gave the events an overall “excellent” or “above average” rating and everyone agreed they would attend future alumni events, with dinner theater and Homecoming finishing 1 and 2 respectively in the “likely to attend” ranking. One responder summed it up this way: “Attendance at an alumni event is a great way to unwind, meet alumni, network and stay connected.”

Thanks to those who responded. We value your opinions and suggestions; and will keep them in mind as we schedule this year’s outreach events in Michigan/Ohio and across the country.

Upcoming Alumni Events: Mark Your Calendar

• February 1, 2014—Child Drama 50th Anniversary Gala & “A Midsummer Night’s Midterm”
  Adrian Campus: details—jwarner1@sienaheights.edu
• February 20, 2014—Alumni After-Hours at Toledo Museum of Art
• March 10-14, 2014—Events TBA: San Diego and San Francisco, CA
• April 2, 2014 Alumni—After-Hours at the Hilton, Chicago, IL
• April 3, 2014 Alumni—After-Hours at Clara’s on the River, Battle Creek, MI
• April 5, 2014 Alumni—Dinner & Theater: “Pride and Prejudice”, Adrian Campus
• May 13, 2014 Alumni—After-Hours at Holiday Inn, Southgate, MI
• May 15, 2014 Alumni—After-Hours at Lochmoor Country Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
• June 20, 2014—Siena Summer Spectacular for Scholarships, Adrian Campus
• Summer 2014—Lansing Lugnuts and Toledo Mud Hens events, TBA
• September 26-28, 2014—Homecoming 2014

2013-14 Alumni Association Board of Directors

President—Mary Small Poore ’76
Vice President—Katie Hatch ’07
Past President—Michael Kirk Lane ’05
Secretary—Carlene Staton ’06

Maricruz Avitia ’06 (Southfield)
Mary Beaubien, OP ’55
Marcus Carter ’12 (Southfield)
Christopher Foerg ’94, ’12
Diane Porretta Fox ’89
Rob Hemmig ’07, ’09
Manuel Joe Hoskins, III ’03, ’06 (Monroe, Southfield)
Ashley Nelson Hudson ’05, ’08
Christopher Hudson ’07
Tonya Jackson-Wilson ’09 (Southfield)
Tracey Ladd ’93
Todd Marsee ’94
Bethany McCaulley ’06
Michael P. Morgan ’83
Douglas J. Miller ’74, ’83
Gerald Peterson ’01 (Lansing)
Jacob M. Pifer ’03
Wendy Kirkbride Rusie ’99
Pam Pierson Schwartz ’83
Denise M. Washington ’00, ’05  (Battle Creek)

Student Representative—Matthew Robinet
Faculty Representative—Dr. Julius Nagy