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.

New MBA Program to Focus on Ethical and Sustainable Business Practices

Siena Heights University announced it is starting a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program. The first classes begin in January 2018, and will be completely online.

SHU Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies Dr. Cheri Betz said before designing its MBA, Siena Heights first asked employers and business leaders about their current and future needs. Using their input, SHU developed a curriculum focused upon ethical and sustainable business practices.

“We have designed Siena’s MBA program to train strong, ethical business leaders who can leverage the markets in a manner consistent with our Dominican values,” Dr. Betz said. “Siena’s reputation for developing students who genuinely live its mission of being more competent, purposeful and ethical makes for a distinction among existing business programs.”

“It made sense to offer the MBA as an online program, since we have built an outstanding reputation nationally in online education,” said SHU President Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD. “Our online program is ranked first in Michigan and tied for 24th nationally. We also rank as one of the best in the nation in student engagement, according to the U.S. News and World Report. That speaks to its quality. Adding the MBA to our online offerings will be a winning combination. We look forward to showing what the ‘Siena Effect’ can bring to the MBA.”

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.