Editor’s Note: This is an occasional Reflections series, and this issue features Siena Heights graduate Todd Marsee ’94, who was selected as the Artist in Residence by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In fall 2017, Marsee spent three weeks in the Upper Peninsula park capturing the beauty of the picturesque rock formations in watercolor paintings. Reflections recently sat down with Todd to reflect on his experience and career.

Explain the process of applying for this opportunity and how it came about.

“My coworker sent me an email she received from the DNR looking for applicants to the Porcupine Mountain State Park Artist in Residence (AIR). I looked into it but it was too rustic for me, as the cabin they offered artists had no running water or electricity. My process involves a fair amount of water, so I thought I’d look into other Michigan AIR programs. I was in luck, both Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore had programs. However, since the source of my inspiration is from Pictured Rocks, I applied to this program. They offered more flexibility in lodging options which appealed to me. Applications are due end of the year and notifications are sent out in April. Applications consist of digital samples of your body of work, a CV and a letter of purpose. These are juried by park staff and sometimes a local artist. Accepted artists are to donate one piece of their work from the residency, and also give at least one interpretive program that advances the park’s mission. In my case, I invited park rangers to the cabin to choose from several paintings. I gave demonstrations on my process at Miners Castle Information Center on National Parks Day.”

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Darius Price ’18 was not thinking about a career in the National Football League when he arrived at Siena Heights University in the fall of 2013 as a lightly recruited football student-athlete out of Saginaw (Mich.) High School. In fact, he wasn’t sure he would ever make it on to the field for the Saints.

“It was definitely a struggle,” said Price, who said the college environment was at first overwhelming both on the playing field and off. “I did not have the skill at the time to even play on the field with my colleagues. It was frustrating.” He said it was equally as frustrating in the classroom, where he had to learn the basic study skills needed to complete college-level coursework.

What Price did have, however, was work ethic and a desire to improve. More than four years later, he made his mark on the football field, in the classroom and with the Siena community. With bachelor’s degree in hand, he is currently attempting to become the first Saint in school history to make a roster of any of the major professional sports. Price has drawn interest from the NFL, and his goal is to earn a roster spot this fall.

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