With a 100th Anniversary theme of “Legacy,” a Siena Heights education has been a family affair for many over its distinguished history. Reflections Magazine asked alumni to submit their family legacy stories, and the response was fantastic! Over the following pages, learn about how “The Siena Effect” impacted the lives of these families in so many ways.

Chi Family

Legacy names: Margaret Chi ’82 (aunt); Jane Chi ’82 (aunt); Maurice Chi ’84 (nephew); Jacob Chi ’85 (nephew).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Maurice Chi—The Chi legacy started with my Aunt Margaret Chi, who received a full scholarship from Siena Heights College in 1948. It was her dream! But because of the civil war in China at the time, she was not able to obtain the passport. Soon after when the country changed its political system and shut off from the world, so did her dream. It was not until 1978, thirty years later, did she finally have the courage to write to Siena Heights College. The sitting president, Dr. Louis Vaccaro, welcomed her not only with her scholarship reinstated, but also granted her sister, my other aunt Jane, a full scholarship. Together they came, and both pursued their Master’s degree in education. They graduated in 1982. Then in 1981 my brother Jacob and I also attended SHC. I completed a double major in math and CIS with the Outstanding Male Student Award in 1984. Jacob received his B.A. in music a year later. Without the generous financial support from the college, none of these would be possible. We built successful careers thereafter: Jacob held the baton for the Pueblo Symphony and led other orchestras across the continent, and I became an IT professional in corporate Americas like IBM and Thomson Reuters. We are forever grateful to the college for the knowledge, the friend-
ships, the fulfillment, the value of being, the faith to God, and the love from the Dominican Sisters who enlighten us all.

Forner Family

Legacy names: Kathryn L. Forner ’73; Susan L. Forner ‘72 (sister); Marlynn (Mimi) Steele ‘72 (cousin); Kellie (Brogan) Schneider ‘86 (cousin); Deborah (Forner) Shipman ‘75 (sister); Andrew C. Forner ‘06 (son).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Kathryn Forner—Each one of us changed dramatically because of our endearing time at Siena Heights! We all made life-long friendships, grew closer in our spirituality, learned to value ourselves and the importance of spreading justice and unconditional love to people of all ethnic backgrounds. On a personal note, when my son decided to join the Siena ranks in 2001 (we were living in Dallas at the time), I was thrilled at the continuation of our legacy. But Andrew seemed apprehensive at the time. His entire life changed for the better because of his five years at the “shoe” (ha ha)! I saw him grow from a young, insecure boy into a loving, confident and spiritual young man. The camaraderie he shared, with both classmates and professors, was astounding. For my sisters and me, our experiences at Siena helped shape our bond of closeness and professional expertise in our careers as teachers. I often time reflect on
those years, and always with a warm and nurturing feeling of ‘wholeness’ as to what they meant to me (to all of us!). The cozy ‘homespun atmosphere’ of Siena was an additional plus. The professors (especially Sister John Mary, Sister Pat Schramm, Sister Therese Craig, [former] Sister Trudy McSorley and our beloved chaplain at the time (1970s), Father John Keefer, were so inspiring and accepting and challenging and unconditional in their love and belief in us. It took us all to new levels of continuing the notion of ‘paying it forward.’ This is all because of Siena!

Lapham Family

Legacy names: Renee Lapham Collins ’80; Mary Catherine Lapham ’85; Lisa Lapham Heusted ’87; Anne Lapham Micol ’95AA; John David Lapham ’96; Lisa Collins Watterson ’16.

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Renee Lapham Collins—My mom, Norma Boxrud Lapham, attended Siena in the early 1950s for art, but did not graduate. She encouraged us to pursue college and we’d go past campus frequently and she’d talk about her time there. Siena was the only school I applied to and the only one I wanted to attend. I graduated from Siena in 1980, my sister, (Mary) Catherine Lapham in 1985, my sister Lisa Lapham Heusted in 1987, and my brother John Lapham in 1996. My sister Anne Lapham Micol finished her associates in chemistry at Siena but then got a job out of state and went elsewhere for her bachelor’s. My daughter, Lisa Collins Watterson, started at Siena in the mid-1990s, but only finished her degree about two years ago. Now, her daughter, my granddaughter, Lauren Watterson, is planning to attend Siena in the fall and study nursing.

Kingsley Family

Legacy Names: Mary Ann Werstein Kingsley ’74 (Mother); Kateri Kingsley Mocny ’96, ‘02 (daughter); Nicholas Kingsley ’02 (son); Annie Kingsley Shaw ‘08 (daughter).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Kateri Kingsley Mocny—Our family legacy at Siena Heights began in the fall of 1970 when my mom began her freshman year. She loved the close knit community the University provided. Class sizes were small, professors were easily accessible and always ready to assist if needed and were aware and able to identify when help was needed. When I was ready to start off to college I did not want to go far so decided on staying closer to home and was planning on attending Siena for two years and then transfer out. My mind was quickly changed as I also found the Siena community more to my liking and decided to stay and complete my degree there. Also went back there for my Master’s degree. My brother and my youngest sister had the same experience as we did and couldn’t imagine leaving the Siena “family” and decided to complete their degrees at Siena. Our family is so blessed to have had made so many lasting memories and friendships.

Graham Family

Legacy Names: Virginia Fuller Graham ’85 (mother); Camille Whitfield ’95 (daughter); Eutha Wilson ‘85 (sister); Cavin Wilson ’19 (nephew).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Virginia Fuller Graham—I searched for a school that would accept the education I received from other colleges, because, I was passed over for several promotions at the City of Detroit in nursing due to a lack of advanced education. Siena Heights accepted all of my credits from the colleges and I received my Bachelor of Science degree in 1984. My career excelled and I was promoted as Director of Nurses. I shared my experience with my sister Eutha (Fuller) Wilson. She had hopes to advance her career. She attended and graduated from Siena Heights in 1985 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. After several promotions she accepted the position of Executive Customer Consultant at DTE Energy.

My daughter Camille (Graham) Whitfield became disappointed with Kentucky State and left. Her Aunt Eutha advised her of the benefits of Siena Heights, transfer of credits, flexible schedules and their supportive staff. Camille attended and graduated from Siena Heights in 1995 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is currently a Medical Buyer for Beaumont. My nephew, Cavin Wilson, (Eutha’s son) transferred his credits and also received credit for Lifelong learning. He is a Planner at DTE Energy, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Science and will graduate from Siena Heights in August 2019. We are all grateful for the credits Siena Heights accepted from the many colleges we previously attended and obtained our bachelor’s degrees that made a difference in our careers which allowed us to pursue our dream.

Fox Family

Legacy Names: Robert Curtis Fox ’88 (father); Diane Porretta Fox ’89 (mother); Patrick Robert Fox ’07 (son).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Diane Porretta Fox—Father, mother and son Siena Heights University graduates launched their careers in their chosen professions. Robert Curtis Fox ’88 was the first to graduate with a BA in general studies, followed by his wife Diane Porretta Fox ’89 with the same BA degree. Then their son, Patrick Robert Fox ’07, who graduated with a BAS in public safety studies. SHU created the ethics, people centered, and commitment to excellence foundation for the professions chosen by these family members. Robert has excelled as a Real Estate Broker recently achieving the 2019 “Realtor of the Year” award and past “Golden Rule” recipient. Bob has a generous commitment to community service including Board member of Lenawee Habitat for Humanity, Lenawee Economic Development. Bob is also a member of Lenawee County Association of Realtors, Chair of Tecumseh City Planning Commission, and Chair of Tecumseh DDA. Diane has developed a life-long learning philosophy with University of Michigan BS in Nursing (Magna Cum Laude) in 1997, Eastern Michigan University (MSN) in 2003 and Educational Leadership Doctorate (EdD) in 2015. Dr. Diane Porretta Fox, Associate Professor Nursing at EMU, has published scholarly journal articles, presented research and scholarly work at numerous international conferences and is Eta Rho Sigma Vice President. Dr. Fox received the Thank-a-Teacher Award, and recently created the online Introduction to Inter-professional Education at EMU. Patrick has excelled in law enforcement with several promotions. He is also a CYO football coach. Patrick and his wife, Melissa, have four children who may continue the Fox SHU Legacy.

Marowelli Family

Legacy names: Donna Marowelli ’12, ‘14MA (mother); Tayleen Theisen ’14 (daughter); Koby Marowelli ’14 (father).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Tayleen Theisen—Attending Siena Heights gave my family a memory that we will cherish forever. May 2014 was the year my mother, father and I walked across the field house stage and received our diplomas together. My twin sister, Tenille also graduated in 2014 from Spring Arbor University. I am so proud of the legacy and the accomplishments we achieved as a family.

Kremer Family

Legacy names: Marilyn Kremer (mother); Kelly Whitman Parkinson ’95 (daughter); Jordan Parkinson ’21 (grandson).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Marilyn Kremer—What is a legacy? Webster defines it as a gift by will; a bequest, or as something received from the past as an ancestor or predecessor. For our three generations it is also a continuation of the spirit of a life taken all too soon. My daughter, Kelly Whitman Parkinson, graduated from Siena in 1995, while I was still attending as a graduate student. She went on to get her master’s degree in sports medicine and returned to Siena two years later to fulfill her internship requirement, working for the summer as an athletic trainer. She then married and in December of 1998 had her son, Jordan Parkinson. Two months later her life was cut short by a fatal car accident on a very foggy morning while on her way to work. While an undergrad at Siena, Kelly was one of Coach Bauer’s track students, specializing in the heptathlon events, and subsequently qualifying for and attending nationals her junior and senior years. Eighteen years later her son, Jordan, was accepted as the third generation to attend SHU. Jordan is also a track stand-out for Siena, also running for the same Coach Bauer that coached his mother. And as I write this, he is boarding the bus to travel to track nationals in Alabama. Jordan’s talent is in running and he is a part of the 4×800 relay team. Our three-generation legacy SHU family – grandmother, mother, grandson – is an unbroken line that is yet unfinished as Jordan has only reached his half-way mark as a Saint. That line is keeping Kelly’s spirit still alive at SHU. And she’d be proud.

Vaccaro Family

Legacy names: Michelle Vaccaro ’86 (daughter); Frances Vaccaro Lewis ’84 (daughter); Victoria (Theisen) Vaccaro ’82 (daughter); Dr. Lou Vaccaro (father, former SHU President, ’16 Hon.)

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Michelle Vaccaro—My two older sisters and I attended and graduated from Siena Heights College in the early 80s. We have each followed different career paths; Vicki in the nursing field, Fran in law and myself in counseling and teaching. We each were impacted by the talents and wisdom of the Dominican sisters, faculty, staff and many friends during our time there. All three of us participated in the study abroad program in Florence Italy run by Sr. Agnes and Fr. Van Horn of the Art Department. This experience helped us grow and learn in many ways beyond academics and gave us a better sense of Siena’s history and mission.

Howard Family

Legacy names: Thomas Howard ’94AA, ’96, ’06MA (father); Pam Howard ’96AA, ’06 (mother); Jason Williams ’08, ’12MA (son); Kristin Silberhorn ’11AA, ’12 (daughter).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Pam Howard—Siena has been an integral part of our lives for many years. Continuing the family legacy at SHU is our youngest daughter, Nicole, who is presently taking courses while completing her high school education.

Cochran Family

Legacy names: Lynn (Gaylord) Harrison ‘81 (first cousin), Lisa (Shegos) Cochran ’89 (first cousin), Maria Hernandez ’19 (daughter of Lisa).

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Lisa Cochran—My cousin Lynn attended Siena for Fashion Merchandising and that was the field I also wanted to pursue. The experience she had sounded so great and I visited her at Siena and knew it was for me also. A quote from Lynn … “Siena was the best! Great memories. I cried all the way back to Jackson, after graduation”… I attended Siena fall of 1984, and graduated in 1989, leaving with so many memories, great friends and more love for the campus. When my daughter Maria was looking into what college she wanted to attend, she’d heard all about it from us and then loved Siena herself after visiting the campus. Maria graduated this May 2019.

Garno Family

Legacy names: Amy (Garno) Anderson (sister) ’12, ’13, ’17MA (sister); Dan Garno ’06MA, ‘08 Spec. (brother); Mary (Garno) Gano ’16 (sister); Brittanee Toth (Mary’s daughter) ’17.

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Amy Anderson—Siena Heights is a strong liberal arts University that has helped our family develop our skills and talents and be active members in our community. Our mother, Bev Garno, was the first in our family to go to Siena Heights in 1959 to study English shortly after she and our dad, Ken, were married. They then started growing their large family and ended up with 15. They enrolled many of us kids in music, art, and drama at Siena Heights throughout the years. They strongly believed the arts helped us develop our minds to think creatively and critically in all areas of life. As young adults we were still encouraged to enroll in Siena Heights. Our mom often said, “Siena Heights is an extension of our family!” Amy, Dan, and Mary, numbers four, six, and nine in the Garno family took classes years ago in the classroom and returned to take classes online as well as classroom classes. Brittanee Toth, Mary’s oldest child, took mostly classroom classes. Amy earned a BA in Art with a minor in Psychology in 2012, a BFA in Art in 2013, and a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2017. Dan earned a MA in Organizational Leadership in 2006 and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership in 2008. Mary earned a BS in Health Studies with a minor in Health Care Management in 2016. Brittanee earned a BS in Business with a minor in Spanish in 2017. Siena Heights’ legacy lives on in the Garno family by providing a strong foundation for our success!

Thompson Family

Legacy names: Beverly (Mapes) Thompson (grandmother) ’45; Kenneth Thompson (father) ’77; Mary (Fitzpatrick) Thompson (mother) ’76; Elizabeth (Thompson) Davis (daughter) ’00; Bridgid Thompson (daughter) ’03; Ian Thompson (son) ’11.

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Kenneth Thompson—The legacy of Siena Heights University runs deep in the Thompson family. It actually began with my grandmother, Marcella Mapes, when she worked in the dorms as a “house mother” during the 1930s. Then my mother, Beverly Mapes Thompson, attended Siena during WWII, graduating in 1945. During the late 1960s, my sister, Mary Joellen Thompson, attended. In 1973, I came to Siena at the wonderment of the male to female ratio and graduated in 1977. It is at Siena where I met my wife of 44 years, Mary Fitzpatrick Thompson, class of 1976. To continue the legacy, we’ve had three children, all of whom attended Siena. Our daughter, Elizabeth Thompson Davis, graduated in 2000 and is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at her alma mater. Her twin sister, Bridgid Thompson, graduated in 2003. Then our son, Ian Thompson, completed his second degree at Siena in 2011. We patiently await the next generation of Siena alums out of our pool of four grandchildren.

Keller Family

Legacy names: Deborah (Carrington) Keller (mother) ’74, ’75MA, ’02 Spec.; David Keller (father) ’75; Matthew Keller (son) ’02; Priscilla (Burch) Keller (daughter-in-law) ’08.

Our Siena Heights legacy: from Deb Keller—Saintly family! After arriving from New Jersey in 1970, I met David (a student at SHC in 1973) during my junior year. We were married after graduation in Lumen Chapel in May 1975. Matthew is our oldest son who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2002, the same year I received my Specialist of Arts degree, the first earned and presented at SHU. Then Priscilla, who was dating Matthew at the time, earned her teacher certification at Siena Heights after having graduated from Calvin College. Adam, our youngest son, graduated from the other “Saints”: Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. After 38 years at St Joseph Academy as a teacher and then principal, I am beginning my 12th year as the Executive Assistant to the President at Siena Heights University. Truly a Saintly family.