INSIDE: Star Track

Far from Haiti, Close to Home

Ray of Hope

SienaSIENA NEWS • A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS • SUMMER 2011

Pilgrims in Italy

INSIDE: Commencement

Riders of the Storm

Reunion

Siena College community members participate in a life-changing experience

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Message from the Editor

Features | 6 Saints Corner | 20 On Campus News | 13 Alumni Connection | 23Faculty and Staff News | 18 Class Notes | 28

departmentsPage 6 : Siena’s Pilgrimage

Commencement, Reunion and a pilgrimageto Italy. These are just a few of the Sienajourneys covered in this issue of Siena News.

As members of the Class of 2011 embarkedon the next phase of their lives, alumni returned to campus to renew friendships, reconnect with the College and see its growth. Whether alumni had graduated 55 years ago or five years ago, they all spoke abouthow nice it was to see Siena maintain its identitydespite all of the physical changes over the years.

The 11-day trip to Italian cities of significance to the Franciscan tradition was a transformational experience for those who participated. The pilgrims felt the spirits of Saints Francis and Clare and many rekindled their faith. Two staff members from our Communications Office captured thesefeelings in their story on page six.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed producing it. As a reminder, we love hearing from you at communications@siena.edu.

P.S. - The electronic version of Siena News was honored by the Albany Ad Club of Professional Communicators at the 2011 NORI Awards.Check out the prize - winning e-zine at www.siena.edu/siena_news.

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Siena College pilgrims walk along

Via San Francesco in Assisi, Italy.

In the background is a breathtaking

view of Umbria and lower Assisi. The

dome in the distance is that of Saint

Mary of the Angels Basilica, which

was built to enclose the Porziuncola,

Saint Francis’ home church.

from the president

Siena News - Summer 2011 Published by: Siena College 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462518-782-8300 • communications@siena.edu

• Publisher: Delcy Fox• Editor: Jim Eaton• Contributing Editors: Mark Adam, Fr. Bill Beaudin ’76, O.F.M., Mike Demos, Jodi Ackerman Frank, Eric Guzman ’12, Cameron Hawkins ’11, Ken Jubie ’04, Allison Maloney ’06, Paul Murray, Ph.D., Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D., Lynn Ryan, Kyle Schnitzer ’14, Jason Rich ’98 and Jack Sise ’75• Online Editor: Allison Maloney ’06• Art Director : Sergio Sericolo • Alumni Class Notes Design: Jean Higgs• Alumni Class Notes Editors: Mary Beth Finnerty ’85, Jacob Hill ’09 and Eileen Verno • Photography: Academic Community Engagement, Mayowa Adelugba ’14, Athletics Office, Dave Boswell ’12, Development Office, Mike Hemberger, Allison Maloney ’06, Paul Murray, Ph.D., Tom Pillsworth ’61, Tony Purificato, Kris Qua, Sergio Sericolo and Michael Valiquette ’14• Printer: The Lane Press, Burlington, Vt.

Thomas L. Amell ’89Ronald E. Bjorklund ’85J. David BrownMichael Bucci ’73Robert F. Campbell ’66Judy Capano/Michaelson ’87Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D.Robert M. CurleyRobert T. Cushing ’77Susan Law DakeVirginia L. Darrow ’83Howard S. Foote ’74Violet T. Grennan, M.F.I.C., D. Min.Robert L. Guido ’68Douglas T. Hickey ’77Rev. Kenneth R. Himes ’71, O.F.M., Ph.D.Pamela McCarthyRobert J. McCormick ’87James J. Morrell ’66Very Rev. Kevin J. Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D.John F. Murray ’79John J. NigroVery Rev. John F. O’Connor, O.F.M.Walter A. Osterman ’87Kenneth M. Raymond, Jr.William E. Redmond, Jr. ’81Mark S. Rose ’65Rev. James P. Scullion ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D.David M. Stack ’73Christine L. StandishNimmi M. Trapasso ’98, M.D.Dennis L. Winger ’69

2011 - 2012 Board of Trustees

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A few months ago, two Franciscans died on the same day in Florida. Their passing was reported by a newspaper in Buffalo, N.Y. The BBC also picked up the story. Then, there was a segment on NPR, followed by a big spread in The New York Times. Suddenly, the whole world was hearing and reading about two men who, in their lifetimes, had preferred the background to the limelight, the private world of the friary garden and the woodshop to the public world that usually provides fodder for the media.

Of course, these weren’t just random Franciscans. They were Julian and Adrian Riester, identical twins who were born a few minutes apart and died within hours of each other after spending the bulk of their lives as Franciscan brothers. At St. Bonaventure University, where they worked side-by-side for decades, the twins were surrounded by stars of greater magnitude, real or imagined: learned professors, renowned scholars and famous sports figures. Yet, none of these garnered the kind of attention that two humble friars received in the days and weeks following their deaths. No doubt, the identical twin angle attracted the attention of the press. But I suspect there was something deeper at work, something that resonated with the journalists who told the twins’ story and with the people who followed it across the globe. The Riesters’ dedication to duty, their lifelong commitment to a cause far greater than themselves, and their serene witness to God, to the Gospel and to the values of St. Francis — all these seemed to capture the imagination of a world that desperately needs the very spirit these twins embodied. I am pleased to report that this spirit is alive and well at Siena College. I see it every day in the men and women of this community who are so incredibly devoted to Siena’s mission. They live it out in their classrooms and offices, in the dining halls and residence halls, in the maintenance shops and garages, and they do so with the kind of quiet dedication that the Riester brothers exemplified and which too often goes unnoticed and unheralded. Siena News may not have the reach of the BBC or The New York Times. But it is a worthy outlet to broadcast my gratitude to the people who make Siena the splendid institution that it is. I suspect the Riester twins would be proud to call you brothers and sisters. I know I am.

Fraternally,

Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M.,Ph.D.President

Siena News - Summer 2011 Published by: Siena College 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462518-782-8300 • communications@siena.edu

• Publisher: Delcy Fox• Editor: Jim Eaton• Contributing Editors: Mark Adam, Fr. Bill Beaudin ’76, O.F.M., Mike Demos, Jodi Ackerman Frank, Eric Guzman ’12, Cameron Hawkins ’11, Ken Jubie ’04, Allison Maloney ’06, Paul Murray, Ph.D., Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D., Lynn Ryan, Kyle Schnitzer ’14, Jason Rich ’98 and Jack Sise ’75• Online Editor: Allison Maloney ’06• Art Director : Sergio Sericolo • Alumni Class Notes Design: Jean Higgs• Alumni Class Notes Editors: Mary Beth Finnerty ’85, Jacob Hill ’09 and Eileen Verno • Photography: Academic Community Engagement, Mayowa Adelugba ’14, Athletics Office, Dave Boswell ’12, Development Office, Mike Hemberger, Allison Maloney ’06, Paul Murray, Ph.D., Tom Pillsworth ’61, Tony Purificato, Kris Qua, Sergio Sericolo and Michael Valiquette ’14• Printer: The Lane Press, Burlington, Vt.

Thomas L. Amell ’89Ronald E. Bjorklund ’85J. David BrownMichael Bucci ’73Robert F. Campbell ’66Judy Capano/Michaelson ’87Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D.Robert M. CurleyRobert T. Cushing ’77Susan Law DakeVirginia L. Darrow ’83Howard S. Foote ’74Violet T. Grennan, M.F.I.C., D. Min.Robert L. Guido ’68Douglas T. Hickey ’77Rev. Kenneth R. Himes ’71, O.F.M., Ph.D.Pamela McCarthyRobert J. McCormick ’87James J. Morrell ’66Very Rev. Kevin J. Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D.John F. Murray ’79John J. NigroVery Rev. John F. O’Connor, O.F.M.Walter A. Osterman ’87Kenneth M. Raymond, Jr.William E. Redmond, Jr. ’81Mark S. Rose ’65Rev. James P. Scullion ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D.David M. Stack ’73Christine L. StandishNimmi M. Trapasso ’98, M.D.Dennis L. Winger ’69

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Below: A group

photo at the Greyhound

bus station marker:

(from left) Charnelle

Francis, Hunter

Harrison, Reggie

Harris (guide and

chaperone), Albert

Gordon(Freedom

Rider),Lindsey

Knowlden, Laura

Dugan and Krista

Bartholomew.

Bottom: Paul Murray,

Ph.D., and Siena

students meeting with

Freedom Rider Albert

Gordon during the

spring semester.

Fifty years after the original Freedom Ride, 12 students, five from Siena College and seven from Albany High School, retraced the route as part of a week-long Civil Rights study tour organized by Siena sociology professor Paul Murray, Ph.D. They stopped in Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala., where the Freedom Riders had been beaten by racist mobs. Their journey concluded in Jackson, Miss., where more than 300 Freedom Riders were arrested and sent to prison. In Montgomery and Jackson, the students participated in ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides. At each stop on their trip, they met with former Freedom Riders to learn firsthand about the historic events that permanently changed America’s racial climate. The students were among the first visitors to enter the newly dedicated Freedom Riders Museum in the former Greyhound bus station in Montgomery. In Jackson they witnessed the unveiling of historic markers at two sites where the Freedom Riders were arrested in 1961 and at the home of assassinated

Civil Rights leader, Medgar Evers. The Siena students spent the spring semester studying about the Freedom Rides. They read about the exploits of these nonviolent freedom fighters and viewed the documentary “Eyes on the Prize.” Their semester assignment involved locating a Freedom Rider and conducting an oral history interview. During the trip, a highlight was the opportunity to meet with the people they had interviewed by phone. Laura Dugan ’12 connected with Carol Ruth Silver who continues her activism today as head of a foundation educating women and girls in Afghanistan. Lindsey Knowlden ’13 embraced Kredelle Petway who was a 20 year-old college student when she was arrested along with her father and brother as they tried to integrate the Jackson airport. For Murray, the trip was the culmination of 12 months of planning. “Visiting the sites made famous during the Civil Rights Movement would have made for a memorable trip,

but the opportunity to interact with the people who actually created history in these places made this a truly unique experience for everyone involved,” he said. “It’s not that often that you see 20-year-old students eagerly seeking out people in their seventies, but that’s what happened on our trip.” Scholarships for the Albany High students were made possible by the generosity of several donors. To read about their entire journey visit www.siena.edu/news keyword search “Freedom Riders.”

Riders of the Storm By Jim Eaton and Paul Murray, Ph.D.

On May 4, 1961, seven black and six white volunteers boarded Greyhound and Trailways buses in Washington, D.C., headed for New Orleans to test compliance with a recent Supreme Court decision that said passengers in interstate travel could use waiting rooms wwand rest rooms without regard to race. This group became known as the Freedom Riders.

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Pilgrims in Italy

From the cobblestone paths of Rome to the hilly terrain

of Assisi to the store-lined sidewalks of Florence, Italy is

considered a top destination for many travelers. Unlike

typical vacationers though, members of the Siena community

made this journey while following in the footsteps of

St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi on the College’s first

Franciscan pilgrimage.

“The experience was a wonderful combination of intellectual and spiritual growth,

community and fun,” said Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations Ruth

Richards. She was one of 13 Siena community members, which included students,

alumni, Siena staff members and the College’s president, who participated in what

many called a life-changing experience.

By Ken Jubie ’04 and Allison Maloney ’06

FEATURES

This statue of Francis with his arms in the air is located in front of the Lateran Basilica

in Rome, Italy. According to President Fr. Kevin Mullen ‘75, O.F.M., Ph.D., if you stand behind the statue, it looks as if St.

Francis is holding up the cathedral.

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Benefit for Haiti

Rome

The 11-day journey started in Rome where, along with treating their taste buds to pizza, pasta and

gelato, the Siena pilgrims visited religious and historic sites, including the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and the Fountain of Trevi. One of the religious highlights was the visit to St. John Lateran, or San Giovanni in Laterano, the Cathedral of Rome. “This is where St. Francis asked Pope Innocent III for approval to live the gospel life. Francis meant this literally. He wanted to walk in the footprints of Jesus, to live as Jesus did,” said trip leader and Siena trustee Sr. Violet Grennan, M.F.I.C. The Pope was unsure of whether to grant Francis’ request until he had a dream of a humble man holding up the cathedral and understood the man to be Francis. Today, in front of the church, there is a statue of Francis with his arms in the air. According to Siena President Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D., if one stands behind the statue, it looks as if St. Francis is holding up the cathedral.

Greccio

Next, the group visited Greccio, where St. Francis organized the first living manger in a cave at Christmas-time in 1223. “Francis wanted to reenact the birth

of Jesus for people whose faith had grown cold, and Greccio became a new Bethlehem. The people had a new experience of themselves and God,” said Br. Ed Coughlin, O.F.M., also a trip leader and Siena trustee.

Assisi

The pilgrims then spent four days in Assisi, the birthplace of the Franciscan tradition. The first stop was the church of San Damiano, the place where Christ

spoke to Francis through a crucifix (known today as the San Damiano cross). He was told, “Francis, go rebuild my house,” and this became the pivotal moment in Francis’ transformation and the birth of the Franciscan order. A high point of Assisi was traveling up Mt. Subasio to

Top: The pilgrims celebrate mass at a chapel in Greccio, Italy, where St. Francis organized the first living manager in a cave at Christmastime in 1223.

Middle left: Ruth Richards, director of stewardship and donor relations, reads from the scriptures at a service held inside one of the caves at Eremo delle Carceri, where St. Francis and his followers came for meditation and fasting.

Middle right: Siena Trustee and trip leader Br. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M. points out the architecture of the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy. It is the largest Franciscan church in the world.

Lower left: The Porziuncola, a small church located within the Saint Mary of the Angels Basilica, was the home of Saint Francis and is the place where the Franciscan movement started.

Lower right: In an altar of Saint John Lateran Cathedral, Ruth Richards, Sandy Serbalik and Sr. Violet Grennan look up at carvings that feature four stories of Saint Francis: The San Damiano cross, the Pope’s dream of Francis holding up the Church, the approval of the Franciscan rule and the receiving of the stigmata.

the Carceri, which was once a series of caves where St. Francis and his followers would meditate and pray. St. Bernardine of Siena later built a friary there. It is now a site where visitors cannot help but find a deep sense of peace. The pilgrims also visited the Basilica of St. Clare, which is home to the original San Damiano cross. The basilica houses St. Clare’s tomb and some important Franciscan relics, such as the tunics worn by Sts. Francis and Clare, St. Francis’ cord and some locks of St. Clare’s

hair, which was cut by St. Francis when she entered the order. Another moving site was St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, which was built to enclose the ninth century Porziuncola chapel, the most sacred place for the Franciscans. It was here that St. Francis renounced the world to live among the poor and initiated the Franciscan movement. One of the highlights of the trip was mass in front of the tomb of St. Francis in the Basilica of St. Francis. As a way of keeping Francis’ body safe from grave robbers after he died in 1226, he was buried beneath the foundation of the church. His body was not rediscovered until the 20th century, and now it has a place of honor in the lower portion of the basilica.

Fr. Ken Paulli ’82, O.F.M., Ph.D., celebrated mass, which for him was an emotional experience. “My knees were knocking, ” he said. Despite his nervousness, Fr. Ken delivered a beautiful homily. “God will continue to do great things in you and me,” he said as he encouraged everyone to find ways to live the Franciscan mission in his or her community upon returning from the pilgrimage.

Siena After Assisi, the group spent an afternoon in the city of Siena, the home of St. Bernardine and the College’s

namesake. Students Nick Aiola ’12 and Julia Sokolohorsky ’12, who had studied there for the spring semester, served as tour guides. The Siena College pilgrims felt right at home, especially in the Piazza del Campo, which features the moniker of St. Bernardine, IHS, on the town hall. This symbol is used in the seal of the College. IHS is a monogram for the name of Jesus Christ in Greek.

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Top left: Chief of Staff Fr. Ken Paulli ’82, O.F.M., Ed.D. celebrated mass at the tomb of St. Francis.

Top right: President Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D., in front of the doorway to the friary built by Saint Bernardine of Siena at The Carceri.

Middle left: Trip leader and trustee Sr. Violet Grennan, M.F.I.C. tells the story of St. Francis’ favorite treat, almond cookies, in Trastevere, Rome.

Middle right: At the last mass in Florence, pilgrims Charley and Diane Monaghan of Boston, Mass., renewed their vows to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

Lower left: Dan Thero ’90, Ph.D., adjunct professor of philosophy, stands in front of one of the massive doorways of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, Italy.

Lower right: Frank Kimler ’97 and his mother DeanneKimler in front of the Church of San Damiano.

Florence

The final stop on the tour was beautiful Florence. The group

visited Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in the world and the burial site of Michelangelo and Galileo. Many shopped in the leather market near the Basilica of San Lorenzo or the famous Ponte Vecchio, while others set out to find the city’s best gelato.

Reflections

During the 10-day tour, the group stood in awe of the architecture and artistic expression in the world’s most famous churches. They shared delicious meals and enjoyed meaningful and thought-provoking conversations. “I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what this would mean to me, but this trip replenished my soul,” said Frank Kimler ’97. For many people, the experience was life-changing. Coworkers got the chance to learn more about each other on a personal level, strangers found solace in others who share their struggles and everyone learned more about Sts. Francis and Clare.

“I left campus with an open heart and mind, yearning to learn more about the Franciscan tradition, and experienced a transformation beyond words,” said Sandy Serbalik, director of risk analysis and project management. “I learned that, with Sts. Francis and Clare as our timeless role models and guides, we can feel inspired to live lives of service and be a blessing to others.”

Interested Fans

A blog written during the trip is available at http://blog.timesunion.com/travelogue/category/italy-siena-college. If you are interested in joining Siena on a future pilgrimage, please e-mail communications@siena.edu to be added to the mailing list.

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The Basilica of Saint Francis or Basilica di S. Francesco,

in Assisi, Italy. Assisi is considered the birthplace

of the Franciscan movement.

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As a damp drizzle fell outside the Times Union Center in downtown Albany on graduation morning, cheers poured down on the Class of 2011 at Siena College’s 71st commencement. A total of 832 students received bachelor’s degrees from Siena’s schools of liberal arts, business and science. Thirty-one students graduated from the College’s Master of Science in Accounting program. In just its second year, the program has nearly doubled in size. It is also seeing marked success as 100 percent of this year’s 31 graduates have already secured employment. Beyond accepting their diplomas and celebrating the accomplishments of the past four years, the graduates took time to reflect upon the journey that brought them to the special day.

The Future’s So Bright We Gotta Wear ShadesBy Ken Jubie ’04

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“Siena has provided us an opportunity to engage in a rigorous course of study in order to be contributors and competitors in the chaotic world that exists beyond the golden dome of Siena Hall,” said Class of 2011 President Thomas Gelok. “Siena sends us forward with an ability to be passionate and compassionate humanitarians and agents of change that the world so sorely needs.” While they are not Siena graduates, three Haitian students crossed the stage and plan to pursue the same goals as the members of the Class of 2011 when they return to their earthquake-ravaged country. After

It looks like the job market is turning around just in time for the College’s most recent graduates. “They are benefitting from the rebound of the national economy,” said Career Center Director Debra DelBelso. “Adding to this positive trend, projected fall hiring appears extremely promising, which bodes well for the Class of 2011. Indicators reflect that nationally the hiring market for new college graduates is stable in most cases and rebounding robustly in others.”

According to a Career Center survey of the Class of 2011, almost 60 percent of Siena’s new graduates are already engaged in employment or graduate school career options as of June 2011. There’s also good news for graduates who are still looking for that elusive first job. The National Association of Colleges and Employers conducted a survey of employers across the country. It projects this year’s college hiring in the northeast to rise by more than 25 percent, which is the largest increase of any region in the country.

the earthquake destroyed their university, Siena provided scholarships to Canes Camil, Esperandieu Cenat and Pierre-Louis Joizil. After a year of study at Siena, the men received certificates of attendance and will earn degrees from their university in Haiti.

Once they return to Haiti, each man plans to improve life there. Camil, who gained hands-on experience in the science labs, wants to develop solar energy technology that will provide people with electricity. Cenat took business classes and plans to open an orphanage. Joizil studied business and education and plans to grow a school he started last October. Siena also awarded honorary degrees to Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, for his contributions to the

medical field; Diane Ravitch, Ph.D., New York University research professor of education; and Ralph Perez, executive director of Create, Inc., a non-profit service organization that works with the poor and marginalized in Harlem. Ravitch was moved by the experience. To see her thoughts visit her Education Week blog at http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/Bridging-Differences/2011/05/what_i_learned_at_siena.html.

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Siena graduated 66 student athletes during the 2010 - 2011 academic year. Siena’s 95 percent graduation success rate (GSR)

ranked fifth highest in the nation, according to the most recent NCAA report. This marks the sixth straight year Siena

student athletes have posted a GSR in the top 10 percent of all Division I institutions. A record 95 Siena student athletes

were named to the 2011 MAAC honor roll for carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. Additionally, Siena men’s and

women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis and women’s golf received Public Recognition awards from the NCAA

for posting perfect multiyear Academic Progress Rates.

Athletic Success

Left to right: Pierre-Louis Joizil, Esperandieu Cenat and Canes Camil received certificates of attendance and will earn degrees from their university in Haiti.

Back to Haiti

Siena College’s Education Department has been reaccredited without conditions by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). “The NCATE process afforded us an opportunity to reflect upon our current practice regarding

teacher preparation. It allowed us to reexamine our entire program and to build from our strengths to remedy any perceived weaknesses,” said Director of Field Experience and Accreditation Ralph DiMarino. “It was also very gratifying to have an outside organization such as NCATE validate what we believed to be true – that we offer an outstanding teacher preparation program here at Siena College.” During a three-year reaccreditation process led by Department Chair Robin Voetterl, Ed.D., the Education Department demonstrated its commitment to preparing students for careers in the education field and for meeting national professional standards. NCATE uses a performance-based system to ensure the development of competent classroom teachers and other educators at all grade levels. Throughout the process, institutions must provide evidence that their student teachers know the subject matter they will be teaching and can use effective teaching methods to connect with the children they are instructing. “The process of going through NCATE accreditation was like a formative assessment of my own teaching,” said Chris Ognibene ’92, Siena College adjunct education professor who is also a Schenectady High School social studies teacher. “It forces us, as professionals, to look at the way we run our courses, structure curriculum and evaluate students.” Siena is one of 632 colleges to earn NCATE accreditation. It will maintain the reaccreditation for a seven-year term.

Student Research on Display

The culmination of a year’s worth of student work was showcased at the annual Celebration of Academic Excellence, held in the Maloney Great Room on April 29. Students presented honors theses, papers and research results. The presentations displayed research in various fields from each of the College’s three schools - Liberal Arts, Business and Science. “I love seeing this come together every year,” said School of Liberal Arts Dean Ralph Blasting, Ph.D. “It is gratifying to see pride expressed by the students and faculty as they share their hard work.” In his independent study project, “Improving Business Efficacy Using Social Media,” senior John Farley ’11 took an in-depth look at the way various businesses use social media and search engine optimization (SEO) to reach target markets, increase sales and build brands. He interviewed 33 different business leaders and conducted surveys to compare how the various companies are using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. “It was a great experience for me,” Farley said. “I was able to build relationships and find out why business professionals use social media.” Emily Merritt ’12 also researched technology for her project, “Town of Clifton Park Veterans Memorial Park Mapping.” Merritt collected GPS and informational data on major landmarks in Veterans Memorial Park. The community gathering space in Clifton Park, N.Y., spans more than 138 acres. It includes several trails, ball fields, streams, wetlands and wooded areas that had not been mapped until Merritt undertook this project. Clifton Park now has a large map for use on trailhead signs, in paper brochures and as content for its website that will give members of the community access to information about their recreation space. “It is something tangible for the town to use. I hope it will make a difference in Clifton Park,” Merritt said. “It is exciting to see my research benefitting a local community.” During the daylong celebration, many students were also inducted into various honor societies related to their fields of study. Others were recognized for their contributions to the Siena community during ceremonies for civic and fair-trade leadership and campus involvement.

Education Department Makes the Grade

ON CAMPUS NEWS

“Siena Serves” Documentary Debuts

As part of the National Volunteer Week celebration in April, Siena hosted the premiere of “Siena Serves,” a documentary about the volunteer work done by students during spring break 2010. For the first time, spring break service trips were captured on video and turned into a half-hour documentary. It was planned and produced

by Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy Associate Director Judy Dougherty ’06, Media Relations Specialist Ken Jubie ’04 and Siena College Television Studio Manager David Etzler. “This video really showcases service, which is a trademark of Siena College,” said Fr. Dennis Tamburello ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Religious Studies. “It exceeded all of my expectations.” Tamburello was a chaperone on the trip to the St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, Pa. The inn is a soup kitchen in one of

Philadelphia’s poorest neighborhoods. “The services offered by the St. Francis Inn have prompted people to call it an oasis of peace in a sea of destruction,” said Tamburello. While Tamburello and volunteers at the Inn spent time stocking shelves and serving meals to the homeless, other students spent the week working in the St. Francis House, a homeless shelter in Boston. Other groups worked on Habitat for Humanity construction sites in the Carolinas. The students gave their time and talent to help the less fortunate while testing their grit, pushing their boundaries and expanding their world views. To view the documentary search “Siena Serves” on YouTube.

Strong Showing by Saints Siena College was awarded a plaque for having the second largest educational agency participation with 88 team members in the 2011 Workforce Team Challenge in Albany, N.Y. This is the third consecutive year the College has been in the top three in this category. Overall, 9,283 people participated in the event and proceeds were donated to Albany’s Police Athletic League.

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Sleepless for an Out-of-This-World CauseBy Eric Guzman ’12

On a mid-April weekend, Siena College students stayed up all night to participate in the Eighth Annual Relay For Life. The College event, which raised $36,325, featured an outer-space theme with the slogan, “Let’s Get Cancer Out of This World.” The program opened with a welcome from Relay For Life Chairperson Shawn Reap ’11, a prayer from College Chaplain Fr. Greg Jakubowicz and an inspirational survivor story from Alex Baron, the

American Cancer Society’s director of special events. “I thought the opening ceremony was great. The survivor story was very emotional and set the tone for the rest of the night,” Joseph Stinton ’13 said. The Luminaria Ceremony, hosted by Katie Leamy ’13 and Tara Keough ’12, was one of the many highlights of the evening. All 400 participants illuminated the Marcelle Athletic Complex by placing candles into paper bags dedicated to those who have lost, are fighting or have won the battle against cancer. The ceremony left many in tears, including cancer survivor Ken Gordon of Colonie, N.Y. “Thirty years ago if you had cancer, there was nothing you could do. It was one of the worst things to hear. Today there is hope,” he said. Entertainment included student performers, team performances, a chicken wing-eating contest and bingo. Relay For Life is an American Cancer Society fundraiser that takes place in more than 5,100 communities nationwide. Proceeds

support cancer education, advocacy, research, and patient and family services. Each year Siena College proudly contributes to the cause.

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In early May, members of the Siena community gathered to celebrate the $1 million endowment of the Bonner Service Leaders Program. The late John Dawson ’68, a Siena trustee, committed $500,000 for a matching grant from the Bonner Service Leaders Foundation. The endowment will provide annual financial support for 60 students who will each commit to approximately 10 hours of community service per week, working at designated nonprofit agencies. The program also provides students with leadership and professional development training through academic courses. “Through the Bonner program, students have become engaged and transformed,” said Mathew Johnson ’93, Ph.D., director of the Office of Community Engagement and leader of the Bonner program. One such student is Amanda Simone ’11. Along with developing professional skills, the aspiring doctor learned several life lessons during her service experiences. They have transformed her from a shy, quiet participant into a confident, charismatic leader. “Seeing the power of service on myself and the people I serve makes me want to share service

with others,” Simone said.Simone and the other Bonner service leaders at Siena College have already developed a strong reputation during their more than 60,000 hours of professional service this past year. To get involved or to learn more, visit www.siena.edu/bonner.

Trustee Legacy Devoted to Service and Leadership

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow Fifty-six members of the Siena College community had their heads shaved during the annual St. Baldrick’s Day celebration, sponsored by the Gaelic Society. “The St. Baldrick’s Foundation raises money for pediatric cancer research, but it also raises awareness,” said Gaelic Society President Tim Quinn ’12. “During the days and weeks after the event, people saw all of our bald heads around campus and remembered why we did it.” Faculty, staff, students and even family members took part in the fundraiser, which brought in more than $17,000 for children’s cancer research. St. Baldrick’s Foundation has raised over $57 million since its inception in 2005. “We came together as a community to remember the families and children who are battling cancer. By shaving our heads, we became walking billboards in this battle, and raised money for extremely necessary research. It makes me proud,” said Quinn. In a sign of solidarity, Quinn and his father sat side-by-side as they had their heads shaved.

School of Business MajorsShowcase WorkBy Cameron Hawkins ’11

The research done by the best and brightest business students was on display in April during Siena’s sixth annual Student Conference in Business. Professors Raj Devasagayam, Ph.D., and Cheryl Buff ’82, Ph.D., worked with student leaders Alexandra Tooulias ’11 and Melissa Pugliese ’11 to organize a conference that showcased the work done by business students from all majors and levels of study. “It was so fulfilling to see the culmination of all the work that was done over the academic year,” Tooulias said.

Along with presenting their work, students at the conference had the opportunity to hear from someone who was once in their shoes. Nielsen Company Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Liz Finn ’82 delivered the conference’s keynote address. During her speech, Finn spoke about leadership and gave advice as she reflected on her time at Siena and how it helped her reach her career goals. Students submitted papers in accounting, economics, finance, marketing, management and strategy. A review panel

selected the best papers for presentation. Distinguished paper awards and best presentation awards were presented at the conclusion of the conference. A complete list of results can be found on the College’s website. Search the keywords “Best Business Papers 2011.”

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Job Hunt Begins at Siena

Siena College’s Class of 2011 was just weeks away from graduation when the Career Center hosted a Career, Internship and Graduate School Fair. It gave students the chance to speak with potential employers representing

a variety of government, nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Graduate schools were also in attendance. “The seniors are looking for career opportunities,” said Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Career Counselor Annette Parisi. “For juniors, it’s a big push for internships and to see what the current job market is like. They can also learn about graduate schools because now is a great time to start

looking at those. For freshmen and sophomores, it is more for career exploration.” Marketing major Sean Hogan ’12 attended the fair hoping to gain a real-world perspective. “I am really looking for a summer internship,” he said. “There are several good finance firms here that I could really benefit from.” Students had the opportunity to connect to a variety of companies. “We aim to get a diverse number of employers so that every student at this school can come and at least talk to a few people related to their field of interest,” Parisi said. On the other side of campus during the same day, the Students in Free Enterprise team hosted their third annual Entrepreneurship Expo. Students met business people who have started their own companies. One such startup is Legit Posters, which was founded by Siena student Keegan Hayes ’11. “We design unique posters for

colleges and universities and sell them to students. Right now, we are in our test phase at Siena,” Hayes said. “Once we get out of college, we’re going to be ramping it up and seeing where it goes.”

Tuition Transition Day

On April 5, the Siena College Annual Fund Office held the second annual Tuition Transition Day on campus. This day marks the time when current student tuition dollars “run out” and annual fund support kicks in to cover costs incurred during the remainder of the academic year.

Greyfriar Lecture Leaves Lasting ImpressionBy Kyle Schnitzer ’14

Award-winning author, poet and playwright Gary Soto visited Siena in April as the keynote speaker in this year’s Greyfriar Living Literature Series. “It was a pleasure to be on campus,” said Soto, who just released his book, “Human Nature.” Soto has written 23 books and is a frequent contributor to magazines, including “Threepenny Review,” “Michigan Quarterly Review,” “Crazy Horse” and “Poetry.” His appearance at Siena presented a special opportunity for students, considering Soto divides his time between Berkeley and Fresno, Calif., and rarely travels to the East Coast. He recited various poems from different works, including his books, “Junior College” and “New and Selected Poems.” The speaking engagement was organized by Naton Leslie, Ph.D., professor of English. Soto spoke directly to audience members at times, offering to answer questions. He also stayed after his reading to sign books and speak with individual students.

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Day of Living History 2011

Smoke from gun powder and the sounds of Civil War-era rifles filled the air as reenactors fired a few rounds of their authentic weapons to the delight of the crowd gathered on the front lawn of Siena College. It was “A Day of Living History,” an annual event now in its third year. The event, sponsored by the Siena College History Club, brought war reenactors from various time periods, including the American Revolution, the Civil Warand World War II, to campus where they demonstrated their clothing, gear and weapons. They also set up period-appropriate encampments, a schoolhouse and 18th century children’s toys and games. “People who attended A Day ofLiving History had the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, smells and daily activities of men and women during different periods of American history,” said History Club President Liza Pagano ’11. “We live in an area that has a rich past, and we hope that everyone was able to connect with the living historians.” Representatives from local historical sites, including the Martin Van Buren Historic Site, the Knickerbocker Mansion, Saratoga National Historic Park and Schuyler Mansion State Historic Park, were also on hand to share their knowledge of history and inform the public about other educational opportunities.

Margaret Hannay, Ph.D., professor of English, has received her third short-term fellowship, her third, at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. The fellowship begins spring 2012. Her research project, titled “Appropriating David in the Renaissance,” will examine the use

of the biblical story of David in early modern England and France (1550-1650). The research will focus on David’s rise from shepherd to scepter, David the Orphic musician and the cure of Saul, David as slandered courtier and David as king. Hannay is looking forward to the experience. “It is the only library I know where an afternoon tea break provides an opportunity for discussion with scholars working on a variety of projects. I often learn as much over tea as in the archives themselves,” she said.

John Felio has been appointed dean of students after a national search. Felio previously served at Siena as associate dean of students and director of residence life. As dean of students, he will manage all aspects of the student conduct system, investigate and adjudicate

violations of the code of conduct and oversee the Student Conduct Review Board. “I’m looking forward to this new challenge,” Felio said.

Claire Parham, Ph.D., lecturer in history, has been appointed as the inaugural director of the Center for Faculty Excellence and Innovation. Parham has spent eight of her 13-year collegiate teaching career as an instructor in the History Department at Siena College. She specializes in

American History and 20th century world history. She is currentlyteaching “The United States and Canada: Divergent–Intertwined Destinies” with Loyola International College, a division of Concordia University, where she is utilizing video conferencing and fostering joint student research projects.

FACULTY NEWS

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FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS

Jennifer Dorsey, Ph.D., associate professor of history, published a book titled “HIRELINGS, African American Workers and Free Labor in Early Maryland.” In the book, Dorsey re-creates the social and economic milieu of Maryland’s Eastern Shore at a time when black slavery and black freedom existed side by side. She follows a generation of freed African-Americans and their freeborn children and grandchildren through the process of inventing new identities, associations and communities in the 50 years after the American Revolution.

Changing of the Guard(ian)

Br. Brian Belanger, O.F.M. (left) congratulates the new Guardian of the Friary at Siena, Fr. William Beaudin ’76, O.F.M. (right). In the Franciscan tradition, the guardian oversees the fraternal life of the friar community. Br. Brian served in the role from June 2007 - June 2011. He will remain the College’s Director of International Programs. In addition to his responsibilities in the friary, Fr. William will continue to work with the Office of the President and Strategic Communications and Integrated Marketing in promoting Siena’s Franciscan and Catholic mission.

Did You Know?This year, 381 academic research articles were published by Siena College faculty. To see the complete list, visit www.scopus.com and do an affiliation search for Siena College.

James Knust Award for Excellence in Administration Shannon O’Neill, Ph.D., director of the Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women

Fr. Matthew T. Conlin Distinguished Service Award Vera Eccarius-Kelly, Ph.D., associate professor of political science

Raymond Kennedy Award for Distinguished Scholarship Naton D. Leslie, Ph.D., professor of English

Jerome Walton Award for Excellence in Teaching Meg Woolbright, D.A., professor of English

Congratulations to the faculty and administrators who

were honored for their contributions to the college on

Saturday, April 30:

Daniel Horan, O.F.M., lecturer in religious studies, won a 2011 First-Place Award from the Catholic Press Association in the category of Best Feature Article in the Prayer and Spirituality publication for his article, “Digital Natives and Franciscan Spirituality,” Spiritual Life 56 (Summer 2010): 73-84. Horan was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Thomas Merton Society (ITMS) for a two-year term and presented an academic paper, titled “Seeds of De(con)struction: Insights from Thomas Merton for a Postmodern World,” at the ITMS conference at Loyola University in Chicago. In addition, he delivered an academic paper, titled “Cambridge Thomism and Postmodern Scotism: Critiquing Radical Orthodoxy’s Scotus Narrative Beyond Cross and Williams,” at the American Academy of Religion Eastern International Region annual conference at Syracuse University.

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SAINTS CORNER

By Mike Demos

Moving Up the Ranks

“This was really a special season for us,” said Tom Morr ’11. “We came together as a unit and a family and it showed with our results on the field.” The Saints won their first six games of the season and secured wins over NCAA tournament team Hartford, as well as St. John’s University and Providence College. Their high-powered offense finished the season ranked eighth nationally, with a program single-season record 206 goals. Attackman Bryan Neufeld ’12 led the offense and finished 10th in the nation in scoring, with 65 points en route to MAAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and an All-American Honorable Mention. The Saints finished the regular season with a 5-1 league mark and tied a program record by placing seven players on All-MAAC teams for a third straight season. In addition to Neufeld, defenseman Duncan Seale ’11 became the third straight Saint to earn MAAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, while Chris Roth ’11 and Tom Morr ’11 were also selected to the First Team.

Siena men’s lacrosse ended an exciting 2011 season, exceeding expectations in many ways. A MAAC Championship and NCAA tournament appearance, a first-ever national ranking, a program record 13 wins, two All-American honorable mentions and the MAAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year were all highlights from this past season.

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DeNyse Guy Finishes FirstBy Mike Demos

In the MAAC tournament, Siena outscored both Jacksonville and Detroit, 30-11, including a whopping 28-6 margin over the final seven and a half periods. The MAAC Championship epitomized the last several years of dominance, as Siena has posted a 32-6 record in the league over the past five seasons. Siena’s reward was to play the No. 1 overall team in the nation, Syracuse, in a rematch of its inaugural NCAA tournament appearance in 2009. While Syracuse won, the Saints kept it close throughout and showed the country how far they had come as a team. “We made it our goal to get back and win the MAAC Championship this year,” said Morr. “And afterwards, we weren’t just happy to be playing Syracuse. We gave them a good game and helped put Siena Lacrosse on the map.” The Saints finished 20th nationally in both the USILA (United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association) Coaches Poll and Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll for the first time ever. The team reached double figures in wins for a fifth straight year and has posted 57 victories since the start of the 2007 season, trailing only perennial powers Duke, Virginia, Syracuse, Cornell and Notre Dame during that time period. Next year, the Saints return a solid team, including six starters and eight of nine top scorers, foreshadowing perhaps their best season yet.

Siena men’s golfer Don DeNyse III ’11 concluded his collegiate golf career on solid ground. As a freshman at Siena, he was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year. This past May, DeNyse saw his dream come true by qualifying for the NCAA tournament. Heading into the final day of the MAAC Golf Championships, DeNyse was four shots off the lead and had to compete in the sweltering Florida heat, which caused numerous issues for his fellow competitors. DeNyse shot a three-under-par round of 69, including six birdies, on a day when no other player broke an even-par 72. He bogeyed the 18th hole to force a sudden-death playoff. On the first hole he hit the green in two and two-putted for par, securing the individual championship after one of the greatest comebacks in program history. “This is, without a doubt, the best moment of my Siena career,” DeNyse said. “I felt awesome on the last hole, with everyone around watching.” The Saints captain earned a spot in the NCAA Golf Championships, traveling to the San Diego Regional to play at the Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. The No. 10 seed in the regional and first player in program history to qualify individually for the NCAA tournament, DeNyse nearly overcame even greater odds to advance in the tournament. DeNyse shot consecutive rounds of 71 to tie for fifth overall at two-under-par, putting him in serious contention on the final day. He shot a 76 and tied for 17th overall out of 75 competitors.

Going … Going … Gone By Jason Rich ’98

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When the Seattle Mariners selected Siena’s Dan Paolini ’12 with the second pick in the 10th round of June’s Major League Baseball draft, it ended the most productive career in Siena baseball history. Paolini rewrote the Saints’ record books in just three years, earning national acclaim as one of the premier power hitters in all of college baseball. The six-foot, 190-pound second baseman finished his junior season with a .380 career batting average and 56 home runs, both marks crushing long-standing program records. The 56 long balls are what put Paolini’s name on the national radar. “I told people all year, come out and see him while you can,” said Head Coach Tony Rossi, who just completed his 42nd season. “There just aren’t players like Danny at this level. He could have played for any school in the country.” Paolini was heavily recruited in high school, but a freak flag football accident in which he injured his shoulder turned most suitors away. College coaches, who were infatuated with his near 90-mile-per-hour fastball, thought the injury would hurt his amazing pitching capabilities. “Gym class, seventh period, my junior year,” Paolini said. “It had rained all morning, started to get sunny in the afternoon. The grass was wet, but my gym teacher had us outside. I’m a wide receiver. I ran a post, slipped and fell and hurt my shoulder. That was it.” Well, not exactly. As it turned out, that misstep may have had as big an impact on Paolini’s future as any of his towering home runs. The following summer Rossi saw Paolini play in a tournament on Long Island, and, after watching two balls sail well over the outfield fence, was ready to make an offer. “I can’t thank Coach Rossi or Siena College enough,” Paolini said. “I came to Siena and was given a great opportunity to put up some numbers, and I got recognized for that. Who knows what would have happened if I decided to go somewhere else? In the end, everything happens for a reason.” Paolini was named a Second-Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball in 2010 after leading the nation with .49 home runs per game. He became the first Siena student athlete in any sport selected to an All-American team at the Division I level. He was MAAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman, MAAC Player of the Year and ECAC First Team as a sophomore, and MAAC Player of the Year this season as a junior. He helped the Saints reach the MAAC title game by

belting 19 home runs and breaking his own single-season RBI record with 67. Scouts have followed Paolini’s every move over the past two years. When draft day arrived, everyone close to the Siena program knew it was only a matter of time before Paolini heard his name called. “It was an incredible moment,” Paolini said when reached on his cell phone moments after the announcement. “I was sitting around with my family (listening to the draft), and it was a really anxious and nervous time hearing all the names fly by. Then I got a text saying that the Mariners were going to take me with their next pick. I couldn’t be happier.” Six days after he was drafted, Paolini became the 34th player in program history to ink a professional contract. He is the 12th Siena student athlete selected in Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft in the last 15 years. Paolini will attempt to join Billy Harrell ’52 (Cleveland Indians), Gary Holle ’77 (Texas Rangers), Tim Christman ’98 (Colorado Rockies) and John Lannan ’06 (Washington Nationals), as the fifth Siena player to reach the highest level.

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Tom Pillsworth ’61, left, used his background in lacrosse to help coach U.S. soldiers during his downtime while in Baghdad, Iraq.

From Old House to New Learning Experience As many of his peers were starting their first jobs or graduate programs, Nathaniel Bette ’10 was restoring the house next door. In December of his senior year, with his father’s guidance, Bette purchased a forgotten Loudonville mansion and began what he considered his “graduate thesis.” Bette developed a master plan for remodeling the mansion, built in 1839 by William Shepard, an Albany merchant who became a court justice and New York state assemblyman. Bette added modern features and refurbished some of the traditional elements of the roughly 7,000-square-foot historic home. “It was wonderful to be able to save a nice piece of property from possibly being demolished,” said Bette, who invested more than $1 million in the project. Bette was recently hired by Turner Construction in New York to work as a field engineer.

At the ReadyBy Mark Adam

ALUMNI CONNECTION

A handy pair of boots and a backpack sit in the bedroom of Tom Pillsworth ’61, waiting for the inevitable phone call, which rings at 3 a.m. Those boots have been to fires in San Diego, floods in West Virginia, hurricanes in New Orleans and many other disasters along the East Coast. On the phone line, a dispatcher gives Pillsworth his assignment and his next destination. Since retiring from the New York State Department of Civil Service after 34 years in 1998, Pillsworth has volunteered for the American Red Cross National Disaster Action Team. After years of training courses and going out on small missions, he has become qualified to respond to any disaster. On Monday, September 10, 2001, Pillsworth was at the Albany chapter of the Red Cross participating in training on advanced disaster relief. The next day he reported to New York City to help with the 9/11 relief effort. He was there for 10 days and would go back two more times the following year. “That first week, we spent 12 hours every night in the dust, smoke and noise at Ground Zero with the firefighters looking for remains,” Pillsworth said. “Of all the things I’ve ever done in my life, and specifically with the Red Cross, that was the most challenging thing.” Pillsworth would be called on for anotherextraordinary situation in 2005, when hewas deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. He spentmonths training with the Marines and Army,as well as participating in training exercisesin Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., toprepare for the war zone he would soon enter. The purpose of his six-month tour in Baghdad was essentially emergency communications. He was trained to find soldiers and notify them of family emergencies at home. Pillsworth recalled a story of how a soldier’s parents were

involved in a car accident in Chicago, leaving the father in critical condition and the mother with minor injuries. “I was able to provide the exact information of what had happened, and most importantly, I would give them a Red Cross case number which gave the commanding officer the authority to grant an emergency leave,” Pillsworth said. Once the emergency leave was granted, Pillsworth called the Red Cross in the U.S., and the mother was notified that her son was on a plane heading for home. “It was very rewarding,” Pillsworth said. Pillsworth continues to work with the Red Cross and, as an instructor now, trains other volunteers. He remembers his Siena education and still feels its Franciscan impact today. “It was an unselfish, giving atmosphere,” said Pillsworth, who received Siena’s Egon Plager Award for Humanitarian Effort at this year’s Reunion. “It helps form you.” Pillsworth returned to a lifelong interest three years ago when he started a boys’ varsity lacrosse program at Cambridge High School in Cambridge, N.Y. He was on the first men’s lacrosse team at Siena College in 1957 and would later coach his alma mater from 1985-89 and again from 1994-1997. As Pillsworth enjoys his retirement with his family and coaches high school lacrosse, his boots and backpack stand ready – just as he does.

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Reunion 2011Hundreds of alumni were welcomed home for Reunion Weekend on June 3, 4 and 5. It was a great opportunity for alumni to reconnect with friends and see the growth of the College.

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Reunion 2011Thomas Baldwin, Jr. ’81The Professor Joseph A. Buff Award For Career Achievement

John Genovese, Esq. ’76 The Professor Joseph A. Buff Award For Career Achievement

Thomas Pillsworth ’61The Professor Egon Plager Award for Humanitarian Effort

William Redmond, Jr. ’81 The Professor Joseph A. Buff Award For Career Achievement

Shari Golub Schillinger ’86 The Reverend Benjamin Kuhn, O.F.M. Award for Specific Contributions to the Siena Community

2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Through the DecadesReunion weekend is about Siena’s sons and daughters returning to campus. We took a look back through the years by asking alumni about their Siena experiences.

Until 1959, Siena College was a commuter school. Many of the students, or “day-hoppers” as they were called, were veterans paying for school by way of the GI Bill. Robert Lord ’59 arrived at Siena in 1955 after serving

four years in the Navy. “Most of the teachers at that time were priests, about 80 percent

priests and 20 percent laymen,” Lord said. “Since there were no dorms, I lived in a house in Loudonville with four other guys who were all veterans. On Thursdays we went out to Gus’ Bar on Old Loudon Road and had a good time.” Siena’s development is marked not just by the expanding property lines and growth of buildings, but also by the evolution of the student body and a changing social life that cultivated the college experience. “I think the arriving Class of ’71 saw the beginning of major changes for the College,” George Bergmann ’71 said. “Roger Bacon had just opened, Hennepin was being built, the lacrosse field behind Siena Hall was replaced by paths, trees and hills, mandatory study halls were gone and beer in the dorms became legal. By the end of the year ROTC was no longer a requirement and women could go beyond the lounges at the front door, although overnights were verboten.” In 1969, Siena College admitted its first female students. Susan Saacke ’74 was among the first women to live on-campus and four

By Mark Adam

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Top: George ’85 and Anne ’85 Durney at their senior class cocktail party.Below: The alumni couple on New Year’s Eve 2009.

weeks after graduating, she married Bergmann. “The ‘smallness’ of the school was such that you knew everyone on campus in and out of the classroom,” George Bergmann said. “Of course the small class sizes made for challenging times in that you really couldn’t blend into the crowd if you weren’t prepared – I can speak from personal experience.” The Bergmanns are not unique in the fact that they met each other at Siena College and later married. Many Siena students have met their spouses at the College. Currently 1,238 couples are Siena grads. Father Kevin Tortorelli married George Durney ’85 and Anne Peguillan ’85 and he later baptized their two sons. “Father Kevin Tortorelli has had a profound impact on our lives and an amazing friendship exists to this day,” George Durney ’85 said. “He attends our rugby alumni weekend every year and, after 9/11, was there to lead a memorial service for our fallen brother, Terence McShane ’86.” The Franciscan presence on campus has differentiated Siena from other schools. Since Siena’s founding in 1937, students have learned within a framework of faith and compassion, true to St. Francis of Assisi. “I always attended mass in the chapel,” said Andy Heck ’88, who saw the MacCloskey Townhouses being built in 1986 and eventually lived there. “The way I was taught to treat others and to give of myself at Siena has stayed with me in the years since graduation. It has compelled me to get involved in my community, to serve on boards and to volunteer at my parish and the local Catholic school.”

Another lasting impact for students came in the form of athletics and the memories of the camaraderie. Siena College hit the national map in 1989 with the success of the men’s basketball team. The up and coming cable sports network ESPN, broadcast Siena’s conference tournament championship from an empty arena in Hartford, Conn., due to a measles outbreak. Siena students cheered from the Ratskeller, the bar in the basement of Foy Hall, as their school made the NCAA Tournament for the first time.“The total and complete excitement of it only grew when I traveled to Greensboro, N.C., to watch the team beat Stanford,” Deb Murnin ’91 said. “As we trooped through the city the next day, we felt the warm glow of success in the form of countless friendly southerners honking and screaming, ‘we love you SYEENA!’ from passing cars as they noticed our Siena garb.”Through the decades, the physical space of the College has grown, the student population has expanded and diversified, even the drinking age has changed; but the relationships and the Franciscan influence has remained constant. “I know the scholastics were the most critical part of, or maybe the most necessary element of our Siena experience,” Anthony Duffy ’80 said. “But I seem to remember the people more clearly than I do the classrooms.”

A community for life. – George Bergmann ’71

A building block to a lifetime of

faith, friendship and philanthropy.

– George Durney ’85

My community, my foundation, my extended family. – Deb Murnin ’91

An institution I continue to be proud to be part of. – Maura Mack Higsen ’01

Family, friends and memories

that I will never forget.

– Katie Luker ’06

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Allan Gandler ’59, like many students of his time, received a scholarship that allowed him to afford a Siena College education. After graduating from Siena College and law school, he practiced law and built a very successful residential real estate business. He has lived his adult life by following the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” At Siena, this means providing for those who will come after you as others had provided for you. Allan created a charitable trust and placed a half interest in an 80-unit apartment complex in the trust. The complex was subsequently sold for $5.2 million leaving the trust fund with $2.6 million. In addition to saving over $750,000 in income taxes by creating the trust, Allan and his wife Sherry will receive income from the trust for the rest of their lives. The proceeds of the trust will be used to create one of Siena’s largest scholarships that will benefit numerous Siena College students in perpetuity. As Allan puts it, “We are all stewards of the assets we have received during our lives. Our goal should be to put those assets in service to those who will follow us. We know we have done that with our gift to Siena.”

Creating A LegacyA building block to a lifetime of

faith, friendship and philanthropy.

– George Durney ’85

For more information about creating a planned gift, please contact Director of Gift Planning Jack Sise, Esq. ’75, at (518) 783-2315 or jsise@siena.edu.

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Thank you Siena College Alumni! Reunion classes increased giving by 35 percent this year.

See page 24 for additional photos from this year’s festivities.

515 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211