Saints Athletics Feature—Donovan Campbell

Siena Heights Junior Donovan Campbell Strikes a Balance Between Football, Family

Editor’s Note: This is an edited version of a feature that ran in the Adrian Daily Telegram in October 2013. Used with permission. By Greg Garno—Daily Telegram Special Writer.

The story of Siena Heights University tight end Donovan Campbell begins five years ago.

Five years ago, Campbell didn’t play organized football. Five years ago, Campbell wasn’t fielding offers from other colleges to come play football. Instead, five years ago, Campbell was taking care of his youngest brother
to help his mother.

But fast forward to today. Campbell, now a junior, excels on the field as a vital part of the Saints offense. More importantly, he has been a catalyst for Siena Heights this season in arguably the toughest football conference in the NAIA.

“He affects our football team in a very positive way,” said SHU coach Jim Lyall. “You can tell the difference between him and some players is it’s not so much what you want, but how badly you want it. He wants to be the best, very badly.”

Campbell has led the Saints in receiving the past two years, including last season in which he was the only member from Siena Heights to be named the All-MSFA Mideast first team. This year, he was a preseason NAIA All-American, and living up to the billing.

World Class

Educational Process Does Not Stop Over the Summer for SHU Faculty

King Guest Conducts at World Renowned Juilliard Music School

Wes King was in rare company last July in New York City. King, Siena Heights music instructor and director of Bands, was only one of 10 people worldwide to be selected to conduct at the Juilliard Conducting Workshop for Music Educators.

“I had thought about applying for it for a few years but I didn’t think I would be strong enough to get in,” said King, who is in his second year at SHU. “It was a big surprise for me and my family. It was just a really cool opportunity.”

King had to apply via a DVD audition. Required was a 15-minute performance and 15-minute rehearsal. For the rehearsal part of the audition, King used his work conducting a John Philip Sousa march with the Siena Heights band.

Out of more than 200 applications, only 48 were chosen. And only 10 were allowed to conduct at Juilliard, known as one of the finest schools for the arts in the world. He received another unexpected surprise when his younger brother, Greg, and his mother, helped fund his trip.

“You had people coming in from all over the world,” said King, who joined conductors from Japan, Scotland and South Africa among others. “And I was with people who had doctorates, who were working professionally. There were only a few band directors.”

SHU’s New ‘Crown Jewel’

Take a Guided Tour of the McLaughlin University Center –Through the Eyes of the People Who Use It

By Doug Goodnough

The new “Crown Jewel” of Siena Heights University was sparkling during Homecoming Weekend 2013.

The new $9.1 million McLaughlin University Center was dedicated Oct. 5 as part of the Homecoming celebration on the Adrian campus (picture above).

Major benefactor Mary Spencer and a contingent of more than 30 of her family members joined her to dedicate the facility that was named after her parents, Delbert and Donna McLaughlin. Joining Spencer and SHU President Sister Peg Albert for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Steve and Sally Hickman of the Hickman Family Foundation, which provided the lead gift for the project.

The McLaughlin Center officially opened its doors on Aug. 1. The 34,000 square-foot student and community facility houses the University’s dining service, which includes a Mongolian-style grill, a snack shop featuring Starbucks coffee and the Barnes & Noble College Bookstore.

SHU Dean for Students Michael Orlando was involved in the early planning of the facility, and he said to see the impact that it has already made has been remarkable.

“This is because students wanted this space on campus,” Orlando said. “It was really refreshing that we were able to modify the design so it did have student input. … Although it’s just a building, it’s an indicator that this is where students are meant to be.”

Since this is a student-and people-centered facility, the staff of Reflections thought it appropriate that the people who use it every day should take readers on a guided “tour” of sorts to show off some of the favorite features.

The Online Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Siena Heights University