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From the Alumni Association:


Mary Small Poore, President—Alumni Association Board of Directors
Mary Small Poore, President—Alumni Association Board of Directors

The Siena Heights Mission: Alive and Well

The Mission of Siena Heights University leads us all “to be more competent, purposeful and ethical through a teaching and learning environment that respects the dignity of all.” No time in my recent past have these words spoken to me more clearly than a recent week in April.

I was privileged to attend the Siena Heights University Honors Convocation held on April 25. That ceremony reminded me of all that is great about this school. The students, faculty and staff honored were but a small percentage of the incredible people who constitute this university. Their achievements and accomplishments are all outstanding. Later that same day I attended a reception for the graduates of our Metro Detroit campus. There I met non-traditional students who, along with all of their other personal and professional responsibilities, had achieved excellence in the classroom while striving to create better lives for themselves and their families. As a former traditional student 40 years ago, I could not imagine how difficult their journey must have been. As I told them that evening, I am in awe of each of them.

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Center Stage—College for Professional Studies News

Editor’s Note: “Center Stage” is a new feature that highlights news of interest from around our College for Professional Studies degree completion centers statewide and online program.

Siena Heights Opens New Center at Henry Ford College

On May 13, 2014, Siena Heights University opened a new University Center at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Mich. This is the first new SHU location since 2004. “Siena Heights University is pleased to expand its presence in metro Detroit with its partnership with HFC,” said SHU President Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD. “By allowing Siena Heights to offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs on its campus, HFC is providing even more opportunities for students to continue their education on the Dearborn campus,” she added. “Our collaboration with Siena Heights University on this new University Center will serve as a model for future endeavors like this, and provides a strong foundation for increased student success,” said HFC President Stan Jensen. “Providing students the opportunity to complete their first years of college at HFC and save money, then work toward their bachelor’s degree on campus at a high-quality four-year institution like Siena Heights gives them the best of both worlds.” SHU’s office is located in the Welcome Center on the HFC campus.

Shane Horn
Shane Horn

Battle Creek

Shane Horn ’04 (left) was appointed the city administrator for the city of Adrian in March 2014. Horn previously served as utilities director for the city. He began with the city in 1992 as a wastewater treatment plant operator, was promoted to water plant superintendent and was then appointed utilities director in 2007.

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From the Alumni Office:


Can We Talk?

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

Yes, in so many different ways!

For almost a year, the Alumni Board of Directors has been discussing networking as a way for alumni to connect with Siena Heights. Early conversation focused on how alumni might assist current students—offering mentoring or job shadowing opportunities, welcoming student interns, or simply sharing the wisdom of experience. In a pilot effort, a few alumni did some wisdom-sharing at Homecoming last year, discussing careers with students over Saturday morning coffee.

The talk since then has gone in many directions: How do we bring students and alumni together? What programs or activities might work? And, at our February Board meeting, this question: What are the benefits of connecting undergrads and graduates? Does it make a difference?

Katie Hatch ’07, vice president of the Alumni Board, recalled the impact of a now-nameless art alumna who spoke in a long ago class in Studio Angelico: “She was a woman who worked, had a husband and children, and did her own art, too,” Katie said (attending this Board meeting by Skype from her snowbound home near Akron). “I thought, ‘Wow. If she can teach, have a family, and also do art—I can, too.’ After that, I was ready to major in art. It was a pivotal moment.”

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