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The Online Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Siena Heights University
Sunshine and blue skies put a golden glow on every part of last fall’s Homecoming. From Friday’s alumni awards and art activities, through Saturday’s athletics and reunions, to Sunday’s Mass, brunch and golf—the 2014 alumni gathering put smiles across the campus.
Whether your interests run to music, art and theater—men’s and women’s sports—football tailgating—connecting with pals—or meeting a few new friends: Homecoming is the place to be.
So save the date for this year: October 16-18, 2015.
Nick Ford ’02 played and sang outside Studio Angelico Friday evening to celebrate the John Wittersheim Memorial Sculpture Park and the gallery welcome reception.
Why I come to the Adrian campus—and you should, too!
By Jerry Peterson ’01—Lansing Center
A large number of Siena Heights alumni (myself included) completed their studies without ever setting foot on the main campus in Adrian. This is the result of SHU’s success developing a nationally recognized online program as well as a network of remote learning centers where students can attend classes locally.
I can think of three great reasons to make the effort to go the main campus; and I have availed myself of all them. The first of these was to be part of the graduation ceremonies. I had never thought I would obtain a degree; so when I did, I wanted to note that accomplishment with a celebration and not just add another line on my resume.
Secondly, I wanted to feel the pride of attending a collegiate football Homecoming as an alumnus. Although the football program is relatively new, it has all the festivities including the makings of a fun and boisterous tailgate tradition. SHU has additional activities before and after the game to make a day of it.
Fran Parker ’88 Leaves Retirement to Direct UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust
Fran Parker ’88 doesn’t walk away from a challenge—even one as big as creating and then leading a trust that manages the medical benefits of hundreds of thousands of United Auto Workers retirees.
Parker, after “retiring” in 2008 as president and CEO of the Health Alliance Plan (HAP), soon jumped back into the workforce. She was named executive director of the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, which manages the benefits of approximately 750,000 retirees of the “Big Three” automakers of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.
“(The UAW) came to me to do this because of my background,” said Parker, who has more than 40 years of health care experience. “Taking the membership of three different organizations, Ford, GM and Chrysler, with no infrastructure, you had to create (the trust) from nothing. You knew that come January 1 of 2010, these retirees depended on you.”
When the trust launched in 2010, it became the largest non-governmental purchaser of retiree health care in the U.S. The trust is governed by an 11 person Committee of Directors. All of the retiree health care liabilities were transferred to a new independent Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA). Parker said she is enjoying her latest challenge, and considers it one of her greatest career achievements.
“I kind of divide the day into thirds,” Parker said of her typical day on the job, which usually begins about 7 a.m. and ends around 6 p.m. “A third might be day-to-day running of an organization. Another third (is) trying to keep abreast of regulatory changes. And (then) some time on strategy. I try to interact with staff and others, and I spend time with our insurance carriers and medical providers.”
As a leader, Parker considers herself to be “fact-based” and “data-driven.” However, she said she also values the opinions of others in the decision making process.
