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The Online Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Siena Heights University
“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.
Rob Hemmig
Graduation year: 2007, 2009/MA.
Current title/position: Corporate Partnerships Executive, Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Mich.
What Rob is Doing: He works at Michigan International Speedway alongside many other SHU alums. His role is to find ways for companies to utilize MIS’s assets when it comes to entertainment, marketing and activation. He started as a ticketing intern in 2007 and has worked his way up to his current position.
My favorite moment/story while a student at Siena Heights was: “I think my favorite memory outside of baseball would have to be seeing the students I recruited while coaching complete their degrees from Siena Heights University.”
My favorite person at Siena Heights was: “There are so many to pick from, but Joni LeMay and Melissa Growden were always there to make sure that things were going in the right direction.”
My ultimate goal in life is: “Be successful and happy.”
My best piece of advice for SHU students is: “Create your own experiences at SHU, don’t just follow the group. Each person will and should have a different experience while in college. Get involved in activities that you normally wouldn’t do. You never know, you may find a new passion.”
Jennifer Hamlin Church, Associate VP for Advancement & Director of Alumni Relations
“So in the deepest gratitude for years that too
swiftly fly…”
As I write, the glow of Homecoming 2015 still surrounds me and my mind is filled with recollections of rain, sun, snowflakes, fun, inspiration and re-connection:
the powerful testimony of alumni award winners Lois Hueneman Chazaud ’49, Jacqueline Battalora ’88, Michael Donovan ’75 and Honorary Alumna Deb Carter;
the laughter and liveliness of tailgates and tailgate trophies;
the energy of athletes—varsity, alumni, and Hall of Famers;
the inquiring minds of faculty, students and alumni at the Coffee Curriculum;
the creativity of SHU musicians (Acapelicans, Choir, Band), actors (the cast of Urinetown), and artists (Kelly Papcun Burke ’07, Brett Lawrence ’95);
and upholding it all, the Dominican foundation of faith; of competence, purpose and ethics; of respect for the dignity of all—and a Homecoming Mass presided over by Fr. Dan Lannen ’05 and SHU chaplain Fr. John Grace.
Warm greetings to all of you! The beginning of this traditional academic year held many blessings for us as a Catholic, Dominican University.
First of all, our chosen theme for this year is “Justice,” which comes forth from our Catholic, Dominican traditions. And how timely this theme is in relation to the visit of Pope Francis! Surrounded by all the excitement of his visit, he remains a simple, holy man. I was touched by his kindness, warm human gestures, his prayerfulness and his call for all of us to live our lives in a just way.
Justice calls us to take a look at our own lives and to see how we are positively or negatively affecting the common good of all God’s people. How does what I do affect how other people live? Am I concerned about the poor and the marginalized and the systems that keep people in those boxes, or do I move out of my own comfort zone to make a difference? This is a question all of us have to answer individually.
As president of this fine University, we also have a responsibility to educate and instill in our students a sense of social justice. We can do that through Catholic Social Teaching and our Dominican values.
