Class Notes—Fall 2021

Notables:

James Ebben, former dean and interim president at Siena Heights between the terms of Lou Vaccaro and Sister Cathleen Real, passed away Nov. 30, 2020. In 1987, he became the first lay president of Edgewood College, a position he held for 17 years.

Dr. Mike Dawson passed away on Nov. 16, 2020. Siena Heights University hosted a memorial service for the former board member and benefactor Aug. 14 in O’Laughlin Stadium and Dawson Field. “Doc,” as he was affectionately called, left a great legacy at Siena Heights, as well as in the Lenawee community. He was a member of the SHU Board of Trustees for 21 years, serving as chair of the Academic Affairs Committee for many years. He also was a volunteer football coach, and was a very generous benefactor to the university, particularly in athletics. In fact, the field at O’Laughlin Stadium is named after Mike and his late wife, Lynne. “We are a grateful community to Mike and for Mike,” said SHU President Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD. “He served this community in so many ways over so many years. He is an example to all of us as one who persevered through adversity, who cared enough to support the things he loved, and who found his way into our hearts in special ways.”

From the Alumni Office

Kate Hamilton ’15/MA<br />Director of Alumni Relations — Kate Hamilton ’15/MA
Director of Alumni Relations

Hello Saint Alums and Friends:

Greetings from your Alumni Office and blessings to you during the upcoming holiday season. While I miss the hustle and bustle of a typical year of SHU in-person events, I am grateful that we have been able to keep in touch and offer some gatherings. It was wonderful to have many of you join us on campus for Homecoming in October. That fabulous #SaintsPride was and is alive and well. I know you will join me in thanking our Alumni Board and Saintly Supporters for volunteering to keep all events running smoothly. Mark your calendars for next year’s homecoming taking place on September 30-October 2, 2022.

Last year we were not able to host our annual dinner theatre event, but we are moving forward with plans to bring it back this spring! Mark your calendars for April 9, 2022 and make plans to join us for a delightful dinner and fabulous production of Big Fish. As you know, we have incredibly talented students and staff who put these productions together and with the recent updates to our facilities, it promises to be a truly magical night.

From the Editor:

Are You One of Those People?

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Siena Heights?

Maybe it was an event like Homecoming Weekend we recently celebrated on the Adrian campus.

Or perhaps it is the majestic magnolia trees in full bloom in front of Benincasa Hall on a calm, sunny spring day.

However, when I think of Siena Heights, I think of people.

There are thoughts of the many colleagues, students and alumni I’ve gotten to know over the years. They come and go, making an impact in their own unique way. Some are high-profile, some not so much. But they all add up to what I know to be the Siena experience. Or the “Siena Effect.”