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The Online Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Siena Heights University
“Rising Stars” is a new feature making its debut in this issue of Reflections. It profiles Siena Heights University alumni who have graduated within the past 10 years and who excel in their careers, occupations or community service accomplishments. To be considered for the “Rising Stars” piece in an upcoming issue of Reflections Magazine, please 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.
Chet Hesson
Graduation year: 2009
Current title/position: Assistant Athletic Director & Director of Compliance, Stetson University.
What Chet is doing: He is responsible for the administration and full oversight of a comprehensive NCAA Division I, Atlantic Sun Conference and Pioneer League rules compliance program at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. His primary duties include investigating and reporting rules infractions, administration of a comprehensive rules education program, preparation of waivers and releases, transfer evaluations, monitoring of playing and practicing seasons, recruiting, potential extra benefits, campus visits, social networking and the Stetson athletics website.
Favorite moment/story while a student at SHU was: My four years at Siena were very challenging between the academic rigor, working part-time, participating on two athletic teams, multiple surgeries and injuries that derailed me not only physically but mentally. But when it’s all said and done, that was the path that was laid out and it made me enjoy the successes, friendships created and resiliency needed to be successful and enjoy the simple things in life.
Favorite person at SHU was: History Professor and Advisor Sr. Jeanne Lefebvre.
Ultimate goal in life: Positively affect the lives of everything and everyone I come in contact with—a lofty goal, but that’s why we set goals, right?
Best advice for SHU students is: Work for a cause, not an applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt. Also, college is a very impressionable time period, take the time to reflect while enrolled at SHU to feel the moment and who you are becoming. If you love yourself and who you are becoming, great; if you don’t like who you are becoming, change.
Life upon the wicked stage ain’t nothin’ for a girl,” according to the Broadway musical Showboat. But Siena’s Little Theater stage? Now that was something else!
Students at Siena Heights from the 1940s through the ‘60s found inspiration, encouragement, hard work, even careers
in The Little Theater in the basement of Sacred Heart Hall. And also in the classroom, in the radio and later TV studio, and on the Walsh Hall (now Sage) stage—all under the direction of speech and drama teacher Leonilla Barlage, OP.
The late Betty Theisen ’44, a pillar of the SW Michigan arts community as the St. Joseph High School drama teacher for 40 years, found her life’s work on Sister Leonilla’s stage.
Virginia Robertson Buckle ’53 did, too. Under Leonilla’s demanding direction, she appeared in almost every Siena production including the annual Passion Plays (right). As seniors, she and fellow thespian Phyllis Coscarelly ’53 co-starred in “Their Hearts Were Young and Gay” and in the senior drama recital. But even the stars shared in the hard work of theater; Sister Leonilla made sure of that. “We would sit in a circle with the huge, black velour theater curtain on our laps re-hemming or repairing rips in the heavy fabric—then lug it back to Walsh Hall to rehang it,” Virginia remembers. With Leonilla’s recommendation, Virginia received a scholarship to the University of Michigan, where she earned a master’s in radio and television. Almost six decades later, she continues to act on stages near her home in Ventura, Calif.
Tell Us Your Stories About Sister Patricia Hogan, OP
The Alumni Office wants to expand its memory bank about Siena’s early faculty. We have dates and titles, but we want your input—anecdotes and personal stories to bring those teaching legends to life. In the last Reflections, we asked about Sister Leonilla Barlage, OP. This time the spotlight is on Sister Patricia Hogan, OP. Here’s what we know: Taught philosophy and history, 1966-73. Director of philosophy program from 1979-91. Known for her sense of humor and commitment to international students. What you can add? Bring this picture to life.
Send your recollections to: SHU Alumni Office, 1247 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, MI 49221,
or email alumni@sienaheights.edu.
Tootie Horn ‘68 and Sister Maura Phillips, OP ‘39
100 Reasons to Celebrate:
Sister Maura Phillips, OP ‘39, who directed musical activities at Siena Heights for many years, celebrated her 100th birthday on April 25, 2014. Now living in the Dominican Life Center on the Adrian Dominican Sisters cam- pus, Sister Maura is currently the oldest living Adrian Dominican. She is “still very alert and mobile and does use a walker for stability,” according to Tootie Horn ‘68, who helped organize a birthday party for Sister Maura. SHU Music faculty member Dr. Beth Tibbs and her choir performed for the occasion. “I saw Maura’s toe tapping,” Horn comment- ed after the celebration. “Her head was down a lot, then would pop up and she would be smiling. I know she was honored!”
