From the Heights—Fall 2013 Campus News

SHU Welcomes Largest Freshman Class in History

This fall Siena Heights welcomed the largest freshman class in the institution’s history (photo above). A total of 311
full-time freshmen began classes Aug. 26 on the Adrian campus, according to SHU Vice President of Enrollment Management George Wolf. “The largest freshman class in the University’s history is further evidence that Siena Heights continues to develop itself as a highly valued college choice,” Wolf said. “This large class continues the planned growth and development of Siena Heights University to offer an affordable and flexible high-quality education.” The University also experienced record enrollment this fall in its degree completion centers, which include locations in Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Jackson, Lansing, Monroe, Southfield and online.

Dr. Sue Idczak Honored with IU Alumni Award

Siena Heights Director of Nursing Dr. Sue Idczak was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University School of Nursing. The award honored her national recognition for “significant professional and academic contributions to the field of nursing.” She also was recently published in “Reflections on Nursing Leadership,” a peer reviewed international online nursing journal. The article was titled “Fall Into Presence.”

Siena Heights Names New Graduate College Dean

Siena Heights University named Dr. Linda Sandel Pettit, Ed.D., as its new dean of the Graduate College on July 8. Pettit most recently served as assistant professor of Counselor Education and the program director for the graduate Counseling program at SHU. In her new role as dean, Pettit is responsible for leading Master of Arts programs in leadership, teacher education and counseling and for exploring opportunities to expand the University’s graduate offerings. Pettit, a licensed psychologist, has a doctorate in counseling psychology from West Virginia University, a master’s degree in counselor education from Siena Heights and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University. Before joining SHU in 2011, her career spanned psychological counseling, life coaching, international speaking and training, consulting, teaching in higher education and public relations management. She has worked in hospital, community agency, private practice, business and academic settings.

Walk right in. Sit right down!

Campus Benches Commemorate Alumni, Friends

By Jennifer Hamlin Church

Outside the main entrance to the McLaughlin University Center, Alice Robie Resnick ’61 on one side waves to her faculty mentor, Sr. Ann Joachim, OP, on the other. At the opposite entrance, the 2012-13 Alumni Board sits for a spell.

And in Trinity Garden, Marjorie (Mickey) Gable Reagan ’44 tosses her red curls and laughs, inviting classmates to stop for a visit as they pass by.

OK, so those people are not here, not in body anyway; but they—and others—are back at Siena in spirit, engaged in today’s University thanks to the new commemorative benches all around campus. Ten benches, each with its own plaque, invite students, faculty and visitors to rest for a moment and—perhaps—remember or imagine the people named there.

When the bench project reached mailboxes a year ago, Jim Reagan, Mickey Reagan’s eldest son, was one of the first responders. His mother had died recently. He and his four brothers—Bill, Dan, Chris and Shawn—thought a bench on campus would be “a wonderful tribute to our mother who had great memories of her days at Siena Heights.” The daughter of a St. Joseph Academy alumna, Mickey Gable came from Lorain, OH, to enroll in Siena’s two-year secretarial program. Pictures from 1943 and ’44 show her smiling—always—with friends: laughing at the top of a flagpole pyramid in front of Sacred Heart Hall, perched on the railing overlooking Trinity Garden, posed in front of the archangel sculpture on a spring day as the snow melts. Mickey’s bench now sits under the Trinity Garden gingko tree, just outside Benincasa, a welcome resting spot for students between classes.

2013 Alumni Award Winners

Taking the Mission to Heart, and Out Into the World

Award Winners Honored at Homecoming Ceremony

The Acapelicans began the ceremony with a rousing version of “Hall of Fame” and the Siena Heights Cheerleaders brought down the house with a surprise tribute cheer at the end. In between, this year’s Alumni Award winners shared inspiring stories of service, challenge and accomplishment. Central to each person’s journey? The commitment to becoming more competent, purposeful and ethical—to teaching and learning through life—and to respecting the dignity of all. What a great kickoff for Homecoming!