From the Heights—Fall 2014 Campus News

Siena Heights Spanish Students Featured in Chicago Tribune

A group of SHU Spanish students and “Maestro” (A.K.A. Associate Professor of Spanish) Nick Kaplan (below) were featured last spring in the Chicago Tribune after completing the Fox River Taco Challenge. Maestro Kaplan and Siena alumnus Lee Rincon invented the challenge based on an article written by Tribune writer Kevin Pang. Following a map of taquerías (taco restaurants) along the Fox River (west of Chicago), the students ate one taco at each of the 11 restaurants before returning to Siena.

Siena Serves Group Travels to Jamaica

A group of five students and two advisors from Siena Serves traveled to St. John Bosco Home for boys in Jamaica in May. Bosco is a home for orphaned and homeless boys. Karin Barbee Has Two Poems Published Assistant Professor of English Karin Wraley Barbee recently published two poems, “The Young Pictographer” and “Diving Lessons,” in the Spring 2014 issue of “Natural Bridge: A Journal of Contemporary Literature.” Natural Bridge is a publication of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Rickinger Named New Director of Residence Life

SHU named Rachel Rickinger as its new director of Residence Life. Rachel previously served as a residential learning coordinator at Valparaiso University. She began at SHU June 16.

Crane Remembered for Work at Croswell, Siena

Glenn Crane Remembered for Work at Croswell, Siena

Editor’s Note: This edited article is reprinted with permission by the Adrian Daily Telegram.
By Arlene Bachanov—Daily Telegram Special Writer.

A man devoted to the history of theater, a dynamic teacher who made sure his students and those he directed onstage paid attention to the details, and a person who was constantly teaching, both in and out of the classroom.

Those are only some of the ways Glenn Crane’s former students and theatrical colleagues have described him in the days since his Sept. 1 death in Florida, where he and his wife, Alice, were living in retirement.

Crane was part and parcel of Lenawee County’s theatrical community for years as a professor of theater at what is now Siena Heights University and at the Croswell Opera House.

One of the countless theater people whose lives Crane touched over his years in Adrian was Mark DiPietro, who today is the chairman of SHU’s Division of Visual and Performing Arts as well as a longtime Croswell actor and director.

“In 1975, I’d never heard of Adrian,” said DiPietro, who grew up in Livonia. But then he came to the Croswell’s production of “The Music Man,” in which Crane played Professor Harold Hill.

Center Stage—College for Professional Studies News

Editor’s Note: “Center Stage” is a new feature that highlights news of interest from around our College for Professional Studies degree completion centers statewide and online program.

Siena Heights Opens New Center at Henry Ford College

On May 13, 2014, Siena Heights University opened a new University Center at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Mich. This is the first new SHU location since 2004. “Siena Heights University is pleased to expand its presence in metro Detroit with its partnership with HFC,” said SHU President Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD. “By allowing Siena Heights to offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs on its campus, HFC is providing even more opportunities for students to continue their education on the Dearborn campus,” she added. “Our collaboration with Siena Heights University on this new University Center will serve as a model for future endeavors like this, and provides a strong foundation for increased student success,” said HFC President Stan Jensen. “Providing students the opportunity to complete their first years of college at HFC and save money, then work toward their bachelor’s degree on campus at a high-quality four-year institution like Siena Heights gives them the best of both worlds.” SHU’s office is located in the Welcome Center on the HFC campus.

Battle Creek

Shane Horn ’04 (left) was appointed the city administrator for the city of Adrian in March 2014. Horn previously served as utilities director for the city. He began with the city in 1992 as a wastewater treatment plant operator, was promoted to water plant superintendent and was then appointed utilities director in 2007.