From the Alumni Association
My Siena, My University: Then… And Still!
Fast Forward . . . April 13, 2012. This same, not so young lady is driving to Jackson, MI. As Vice President of the Siena Heights University Alumni Association, she will be welcoming some of the newest alumni to the association – graduates from the Jackson, Lansing, Battle Creek and Distance Learning programs. Siena Heights University now consists of seven sites around the state of Michigan, as well as an online program.
The university now boasts 50+ undergraduate programs, including a new top-rated nursing program, and more than 20 graduate programs. Graduates of the performing arts program are accepted to top national graduate programs. Alumni, students and staff participate in community service projects around the country, giving back to others in need. In the past year, football has come to Siena Heights— along with an incredible multi-sport performance stadium which also hosts its men’s and women’s lacrosse, soccer and nationally-ranked track and field teams. The baseball team has just dedicated its new field. The University Center is rising up on the west end of campus, near the Campus Village apartments which house many of our students.
Flash back . . . Labor Day weekend, 1972. A young lady from northwest Ohio arrives at Siena Heights College as a freshman. What a growing year this will be for her – and Siena. For only the third year, men will be living in the dorms….4th floor only! Siena will have its first male intercollegiate baseball team. Prior to her graduation, more changes will occur. New academic programs are added, including a criminal justice program with many of “Adrian’s finest” enrolled at Siena Heights for the first time ever. More sports are brought on campus, including wrestling and basketball. Home games are played in small, local venues. Weekend life includes parties in Sage Union (does anyone really know how to spell Wapatoola??), traying down the hill in front of Ledwidge Hall, movies in Benincasa, Sunday night Mass in Ledwidge Ballroom. Read more . . .