SHU Dedicates New Sculpture “Chaos Getaria”

Siena Heights University acquired a monumental piece of artwork this spring by internationally celebrated sculptor Jedd Novatt and conducted a special dedication ceremony April 18 on the Adrian campus.

The 18-foot stainless steel sculpture entitled “Chaos Getaria,” was completed in 2014 at Novatt’s studio in the Basque region of Spain. Novatt lives in Paris and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College. His work has been shown in museums and galleries around the world, and is part of numerous private and public international collections.

Novatt’s work has also been included in five of the highly prestigious exhibitions with Sotheby’s at Chatsworth House in the United Kingdom—the annual exhibition of monumental work by the world’s leading sculptors.

From the Editor:

The Other Side of “The Ask”

Although I work out of the fundraising (Advancement) office here at Siena Heights, but I’ve never considered myself a fundraiser. However, I’ve grown to appreciate the role our area plays.

I like the term Advancement. It rings true. It’s not just “fundraising” or “development,” as some other institutions or organizations prefer. Our department literally “advances” the University on many fronts, including raising money to support the institution.

During my time at Siena, I’ve come to appreciate my colleagues who travel the area, the state, the country—and sometimes the world—in search of crucial resources. Although they often share how rewarding the experience is “friendraising,” I know it is not an easy job.

As a graduate of another institution, my tendency is to recoil when I get a letter in the mail or a phone call from my alma mater asking for donations for a cause or campaign. I’m sure as a graduate of Siena Heights that is not the case with you (!), however, after seeing the need on the other end first-hand, let me tell you that their efforts are worthwhile.

Our high-profile events such as the Siena Summer Spectacular for Scholarships do a great job communicating the need for student scholarship dollars. But there’s so many other “below-the-radar” projects and initiatives that often don’t get that much attention. Let me point out a few:

From the President:

Siena Heights: This is Holy Ground

The University’s theme for this academic year is Contemplation and Action. This year’s Common Dialogue Day is entitled, “Get Some Perspective,” which grew out of the Contemplation and Action theme.

I have a little picture in my office with a line from Psalm 46 which says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Be still, and know, experience, that I am God. This is what I have come to know as contemplation
in my life as a Dominican.

St. Catherine of Siena called it creating your inner cell. Be still, and go to that place within you where God is and speaks Truth to your heart. That truth that flows from contemplation must be shared with our world, and, I believe, that’s when we are compelled to act. Thus, we can see the relationship between contemplation and action.

But what does all of this mean to us as a Dominican higher education institution? We live in a very busy world where we are bombarded with things that distract us. How do we overcome these distractions and spend quiet time to contemplate and reflect on all that goes on around us?

Contemplation can truly influence our perspectives on things. Let me give you an example. The University recently made a statement about those coming across our borders, offering to assist to educate those who may be college-ready, but also challenging our government leaders to act in a responsible, compassionate way.