2019 Honors Convocation Award Winners

Lucas Durling accepts his Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award from President Albert.

SHU conducted its annual Honors Convocation April 26 to honor academic achievement during the 2018-19 academic year. The following award winners were honored during the ceremony:

Thomas Emmet Student-Athlete Award: Madisyn Reed (women’s golf); Aaron Bitz (men’s golf, eSports).
Team Academic Award: Women’s Volleyball.
Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Laura Hubbard.
St. Catherine of Alexandria Medal: Grace Carey.
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award: Lucas Durling, Lucielle Gould.
Staff Excellence Award: Kate Daisher, Ruben Tapia.
Sister Jean Cecile Hunt Outstanding Advisor Award: Cathleen Emery.
Sister Eileen Rice Award for Outstanding Teaching: Julie Barst.
Jack Bologna Innovative Teaching Award: John Labriola.
Staff Emeritae: Wanda House.
Faculty Emeritae: Dr. Linda Campbell, Dr. Peggy Motsch.

Summer 2019 Athletics News

Saints Have Nine Scholar-Teams

Nine SHU teams were honored as NAIA Scholar-Teams for their efforts in the 2017-18 academic year. With the fourth highest grade point average in the NAIA, the women’s golf team led the Saints as it sported a 3.84 GPA. The dance team earned a 3.62 GPA, followed closely by the softball team with a 3.59 GPA. Other teams honored by the NAIA include women’s volleyball (3.50), women’s soccer (3.44), women’s lacrosse (3.40), men’s golf (3.26), baseball (3.13) and cheer (3.04). For a team to be considered for the award, it must have a minimum 3.0-grade point average. The team grade point average includes all eligible varsity student-athletes.

Student-Athletes Excel in the Classroom (Again)

A total of 522 SHU student-athletes earned a 3.15 grade point average in the 2018 winter semester. Leading the way in the classroom was the women’s golf team with a 3.86 GPA, followed by softball (3.62), women’s soccer (3.53), women’s volleyball (3.52) and women’s cross country (3.51). All 11 of the women’s teams earned a 3.0 GPA or higher, with an aggregate of 3.41 for the women. On the men’s side, the men’s bowling team led the way with a 3.18 GPA, followed by the baseball team (3.16), men’s golf (3.13), men’s soccer (3.03) and men’s cross country and men’s volleyball (3.0). The men’s aggregate GPA for the semester was 2.95.

The Saints’ 610 student-athletes had a cumulative 2.94 grade point average for the fall 2019 semester. The women’s volleyball team led the way with a 3.54 GPA, with women’s soccer second (3.49) and softball third (3.46). The top men’s team was cross country with a 3.05 GPA.

Rising Stars

“Rising Stars” is a regular feature in Reflections. It profiles Siena Heights alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years and who excel in their careers, occupations or community service accomplishments. To be considered for “Rising Stars” in an upcoming issue of Reflections, fill out the online form at www.sienaheights.edu/risingstars. Those who are selected to be included in an upcoming issue of the magazine will be contacted by the Reflections staff.

Kayla Herold

Graduation year: 2017.

Current title/position: Lesotho (Africa) Peace Corps Volunteer.

What Kayla is doing: She is currently a Peace Corps volunteer serving in Lesotho. She is placed in the village of Ha Dinizulu and teaching at the primary school Serooeng. She is helping to coach the teachers in English and life skills in grades 4-7. She also hopes to do phonics with all grades in her second year of service. Her other project is to have all her teachers trained in how to teach phonics and life skills so that her education project is sustainable after her service time is complete.

My favorite moment/story while a student at Siena Heights was: “My favorite moment was the very first Saint Catherine of Siena (feast) day. It was so great to have so many people come out and celebrate one of our patron saints!”

My favorite person at Siena Heights was: “Kevin Grasley. He was a wonderful professor and I learned so much from him!”

My ultimate goal in life is: “To be a Peace Corps volunteer. …So now I need a new life goal.”

My best piece of advice for SHU students is: “Don’t be afraid to branch outside of your “group.” College is a time for meeting all kinds of people. Keep an open mind and you never know what you can learn about someone.”