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The Online Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Siena Heights University
Siena Heights Graduate Enjoys Distinguished Career as Director of Photography
Darryl E. Smith casts a long shadow standing 6 feet, 8 inches tall. However, that shadow pales in comparison to the one he has cast as a director of photography in Hollywood.
The 1985 Siena Heights graduate has an impressive list of credits and clients, including MTV, Disney, Coca-Cola, CBS, the NFL Network and HBO. The owner of his own production company, Darryl E. Smith Productions, for the past 14 years, he said his path to success was a winding one. And his starting point was Siena Heights University.
Originally recruited to play basketball at Siena by former coach Ben Braun, Smith said Siena Heights was the only school that showed interest in him as a student—not just as a basketball player.
Martin Moreno ’88 Leads Lenawee County Mural Project
Siena Heights was involved with the Lenawee County Mural Project headed by SHU alum and nationally recognized muralist Martin Moreno ’88 last summer. Moreno was commissioned to head the project, which included creating a mural on the side of the Fishes and Loaves building in the city of Adrian (above).
The project began in June was finished in July. SHU student, faculty and staff volunteers painted and helped with design. The project was coordinated by SHU Arts Engagement Coordinator Joni Warner (right).
Moreno also donated a smaller mural to be auctioned off at the annual Siena Summer Spectacular for Scholarships on June 21. Moreno is pictured below with members of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, who won the live auction for his artwork. The Spectacular raised a record $80,000 this year for student scholarships.
Jackie Corser Helps Open Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Monroe
After owning two Big Boy restaurants in the Monroe, Mich., area for many years, Jackie Corser ’14 and her husband, Fred, decided it was time to “rewrite the menu” of their business.
“We knew two years before (making a change) that we were going to change the concept into a more personalized owner-
ship without a franchise,” Corser said.
Before that change happened, however, she went back to school. She completed her associate’s degree from the culinary program at Monroe County Community College, then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University’s MCCC campus. The Corsers sold one Big Boy franchise, remodeled the other, and partnered with George and Maria Darany to open the Public House Food & Drink in downtown Monroe. The revamped Big Boy is now a farm-to-table restaurant and bar that serves locally grown and sourced food.
“The concept was well-accepted by our community, as well as the outside community,” said Corser, who serves as chef as well as co-owner of Public House. “It was something in our hearts that we wanted to do, and so we were going to try it. … Because of all our experiences, we have the ability and all the restaurant experience to do something cool and creative. That’s how Public House was conceived.”
