Class Notes—Summer 2017

Notables:

Sister Nadine Foley, OP (left) passed away May 13. She served on Siena’s Board of Trustees in the 1970s and ’80s and served as Siena Heights’ interim President during the winter and spring of 1994. Sister Nadine began her relationship with Siena Heights as a first-year student in 1941, and was a faithful alumna, attending Homecoming dinners and football games in recent years. She also taught philosophy and religious studies as an adjunct faculty member. In 1992, Siena Heights recognized her scholarship and leadership in the Church among women religious by awarding her the Siena Medal. Sister Nadine also served the Adrian Dominican Sisters Congregation as a member of the General Council from 1974-78; as the Vicaress from 1978-82; and as Prioress of the Congregation from 1986-92. She also was president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious from 1988-89 and a U.S. delegate to the International Union of Superiors General from 1989-92. In 1994, she became the Congregation Historian, a position she held until 2016. Sister Nadine published numerous papers and articles, including two volumes of the history of the Adrian Dominican Congregation: “Seeds Scattered and Grown” in 2006, and “To Fields Near and Far” in 2015.

The Siena community mourned the deaths of a current student and a recent graduate. Dont’e Fox passed away Jan. 5 after a brief hospital stay. Fox was a member of the Saints football team, a communications major and a student leader who was scheduled to graduate this May. Members of his family were present on May 7 to receive his bachelor’s degree. Mikayla Ferer, who gradu-
ated in May 2016, was killed in a car accident on Feb. 13. She was a former women’s soccer player who received her degree in nutrition. Members of the Siena community participated in a memorial run to fund a scholarship in her name.

SHU Announces 2017 Alumni Award Winners

This Year’s Recipients Were Honored Oct. 14 During Homecoming Weekend

Sister Ann Joachim Award

Margaret Lawler Michael ‘82, ‘85/MA
South Lyon, Mich.

A Licensed Professional Counselor and a board certified Professional Christian Counselor, Michael is currently the director of Restore Ministries at Oak Pointe Church in Novi, Mich. The organization provides counseling support and training as part of its ministry. Recently completing her advanced certificate in Biblical Counseling, she he has worked in high schools, community colleges and universities as a guidance counselor and faculty member. She is also actively involved as a volunteer for several organizations in the metro Detroit area. The Sister Ann Joachim Award recognizes significant contributions to the University and/or community through activities that demonstrate strong leadership and the capacity to confront issues head on while maintaining the image and spirit of Siena Heights University.

From the Heights—Fall 2016 Campus News

SHU and Chinese Institute Collaborate on Business Degree Partnership

Siena Heights University and the Shijiazhuang Vocational Technology Institute of China recently announced a business administration bachelor’s degree articulation agreement in August 2016. SVTI marketing and planning majors will have the opportunity to attend Siena Heights during their final year of study. Under the agreement, SVTI students will complete the first three years of coursework in the marketing and planning major at Shijiazhuang, then can attend SHU and take courses in SHU’s business administration program to complete their major. Students will also take English language courses and live on campus during their time in the U.S.

Environmental Science Students Conduct Research in Florida

In April 2016, Siena Heights Environmental Science majors/minors traveled to Florida’s Ponce Inlet and the Indian River Lagoon, the most bio-diverse estuary in North America covering two climate zones and 156 miles from Ponce Inlet to Jupiter Inlet. Students researched current environmental issues impacting a particular local habitat or species. They then toured or caught these species (live catch and release). Subsequent research involved tours of local conservation/preservation sites developed to protect these same habitats or species.

Reuss-McCann on Panel at BGSU

Professor of Sport Management Dr. Peggy Reuss-McCann was a panelist at the Social Justice through Sport and Exercise Psychology symposium April 1-2 at Bowling Green St. University. She
participated in a discussion on community engagement and social justice.

Siena Heights Hosts Inclusion Event May 20, 2016

Siena Heights hosted the American College Personnel Association’s Equity and Inclusion Summit May 20. SHU Director of Diversity and Inclusion Sharese Mathis co-chaired the event, which had a theme of “Practicing Authenticity, Integrity and Self-Care as Students and Educators.” The objective was to bring graduate students, student affairs practitioners and faculty together to discuss the challenges in student affairs, equity and inclusion and social justice work.