From the Heights—Spring 2013 Campus News

Siena Bids Farewell to Longtime Employees

Siena Heights University bids farewell to several longtime employees who are retiring or moving on to different careers.

Pat Palmer is retiring in June after more than 30 years at Siena Heights. He has served the University in many ways over the years, including as a coach, athletic director, faculty member, dean and most recently as the vice president of Enrollment Management.

English faculty member Saleem Peeradina retired in December 2012 after more than 23 years at SHU.

Rick Smith retired in March 2013 as director of the custodial staff after more than 10 years at SHU.

Director of Admissions Sara Johnson ‘02 took a new position at Jackson Community College after nine years of working in the Siena Heights Admissions Office.

: SHU Chaplain Father Tom Helfrich is also leaving the University after accepting his new role as pastor of St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Clarklake, Mich.

Anne Hooghart is also pursuing a different career path after serving as a faculty member and most recently as dean of the SHU Graduate College.

English faculty member Davin Heckman is leaving SHU after accepting a similar position at Winona State (Minn.) University.

Alumni News—Spring 2013

Tell Us Your Stories about Sister Ann Joachim, OP

The Alumni Office wants to expand its memory bank about Siena’s early faculty. We have dates and titles; but we want your memories—anecdotes and personal stories that help to bring those teaching legends to colorful life. Our first faculty focus is Sr. Ann Joachim.

Here’s what we know now: Teacher of Social Science, 1931-32, ’36-’38; Legal Counsel and Professor of History, 1939-71. Practicing attorney and the first nun admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court (1936). Known for her demanding oral exams (“If you don’t hear it the first time, there’s no second chance!”). Served as vice mayor and city commissioner in Adrian, 1971-75. Coached basketball. Also a tennis champion and licensed pilot. Fought to keep the Wabash Cannonball rolling up into Adrian.

What can you tell us?

Send your stories and recollections to:
SHU Alumni Office, 1247 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221
or email to alumni@sienaheights.edu.

From the Alumni Office:

Outstanding Faculty: The Heart of Siena Heights

Jennifer Hamlin Church Associate VP for Advancement & Director of Alumni Relations

From its earliest days, Siena Heights has been known for the quality and caring of our faculty: demanding and dedicated, wise and wonderful.

In 50 years as a women’s college, from 1919 through the 1960s, Siena teachers were almost all Adrian Dominican Sisters. Alumnae of those decades spoke (and still speak) with awe and affection of professors like Sisters Helene O’Connor and Jeannine Klemm in Studio Angelico; Sister Mary George in the business office; Sister Leonilla in the Little Theater; Sister Miriam Michael in the chemistry lab; Sister Ann Joachim in history class and on the basketball court.

As Siena Heights transitioned into coedu-cation at the end of the ‘60s, men appeared in the faculty as well as the student body. Fr. David Van Horn, who taught art for almost 30 years, was the first male teacher to become a long-time legend of the faculty. In 1979, a young John Wittersheim arrived in Studio Angelico and began teaching metalwork.