Siena News Summer 2017 by Siena College

SIENA A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

SUMMER 2017

LEAVING A LEGACY

INSIDE

- Siena Turns 80 - Commencement 2017 - The Medicine Man Leaves His Mark

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

That’s the total number of days from first-year orientation to

That’s one of the remarkable and defining characteristics

commencement. How did so many days pass by so impossibly

of Siena – the way the College lays claim to the hearts and

quickly? The 799 graduates who received Siena diplomas on

minds of its students, faculty, and staff. That favor is returned in

May 14 are grappling with this question. It’s human nature.

immeasurable ways. Each generation of students recreates the

Goodbyes, especially the exciting and celebratory ones, conjure

“Siena Experience” through its research, entrepreneurship,

mixed feelings and wistful memories. They invite a torrent of

and athletic accomplishments.

‘remember when’… Remember when we painted that house on our service trip to

Siena College has a rich history, but it will never be a complete history. The story of Siena is updated every year,

Jamaica? Remember we watched Karissa’s face light up when

evolving with its students and transformed by every graduating

we gave her a new prosthetic arm? Remember when we laughed

class. Our legacy lies in both the stories told and the ones yet

until our faces hurt during the Mr. Siena Talent Competition?

to be written. Incoming freshmen will be welcomed on campus this fall. In four short years, they’ll graduate. But not before transforming Siena in ways we can’t yet predict. And like the graduates before them, they’ll enrich the Siena legacy with their own stories of ‘remember when’…

Each story is like a fingerprint, and the millions of fingerprints made by the Class of ‘17 will never wash off the Siena campus. Similarly, Siena has left its permanent fingerprints on the souls of the graduates. In the span of 1,354 days, they not only

1,354

developed necessary skills for future careers , but they opened their hearts in acts of service, discovered their passions and potential, and made friendships to last a lifetime.

Sincerely, Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D.

2 3

Siena News – Summer 2017 Published by: Siena College

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017

515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462 518-782-8300 • communications@siena.edu

• Publisher: Jason Rich ’98 • Editor: Julia Hess ’15

SIENA TURNS 80

• Contributing Editors: Alumni Relations, Victoria Andler ’18, Brad Bodmer ’82, Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., Mike Demos, Laura Graffeo ’19, Beth Hazelton ’16, Julia Hess ’15, Ned Jones, Samantha LaRose ’17, Kelly O’Donnell, Jason Rich ’98, JaiCe Stinton ’18, Liska Wilson ’11 and Lisa Witkowski • Art Director and Design: Sergio Sericolo  • Design page 40: Jim Knox • Class Notes and ‘In Memory’ Design: Jean Higgs • Alumni Class Notes Editors: Mary Beth Finnerty ’85, Nicole Heck ’14 and Kathleen Palumbo • Photography: Athletics Department, Breyo Family, Pamela Camargo ’18, David Etzler, Development Office, Ellis Medicine Belanger School of Nursing, Joseph Ferro ’19, Marco Giannino ’20, Mike Hemberger, Tony Purificato, Sandy Spicer ’19, Siena College Archives, Siena Athletics, Sergio Sericolo, Stack Center and Eben Yonnetti. • Video Production: Dave Etzler 2017-2018 Board of Trustees Thomas L. Amell ’89 Thomas J. Baldwin, Jr. ’81 Ronald E. Bjorklund ’85 Thomas J. Burke Daniel “Din” J. Cahill ’75 Judy Capano Michaelson ’87 Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D. Susan Law Dake Virginia Darrow ’83 Howard S. Foote ’74 Jason Gottlieb ’92 Sr. Violet T. Grennan, M.F.I.C., D. Min. Rev. Kenneth R. Himes ’71, O.F.M., Ph.D. Mallory R. Massry ’07

INSIDE

MEDICINE MAN

Robert J. McCormick ’87 Burgandy-Leigh McCurty ’10 John A. McMahon ’71 Rev. Kevin J. Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. John F. Murray ’79 John J. Nigro H’13 Robin Prunty ’85 Kenneth M. Raymond, Jr. Scot Salvador ’88 Rev. James P. Scullion ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. Lewis Steverson ’87, Esq. Dr. Nimmi M. Trapasso ’98, M.D. Br. Basil J. Valente ’84, O.F.M.

UNPACKED: KENNEY ALEXANDRE ’17

10 - ON CAMPUS 26 - OUR FACULTY & STAFF 30 - ATHLETICS 34 - OUR ALUMNI

THE CLASS OF 2017

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2017 Sunday, May 14 saw 799 Siena Saints become alumni at the 2017 Commencement ceremonies at the Times Union Center in Albany. The graduating class represented 31 undergraduate majors and one graduate major, and more than 80 minors and certificate programs. Amy Polchinski ’17, a psychology major from Mahopac, spoke on behalf of the Class of 2017. “Our abilities will take us all over the world in pursuit of our passions. We will remain grounded with the Franciscan tradition so that we can inspire those we meet in our future.” The beaming graduates were also addressed by Lucas J. Tucker, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, recipient of Siena’s annual Excellence in Teaching Award, and Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., president of Siena. Their time together as a college class was marked by creativity and spirit, and Br. Ed encouraged them to keep being “creative and spirit-filled risk-takers, as you continue to find your path in life, to build strong relationships, to make a difference in the world and to serve generously in responding to the needs of the world.”

THE CLASS OF 2017

WELCOME ADDRESS Gabrielle Treiling, president of

SAINT’S SHOCKING SURPRISE One graduate received a very special surprise

the Class of 2017, welcomed her

after picking up her diploma: Jaclyn Aubin ’17

fellow graduates to the 2017

of Clarksburg, Massachusetts, was greeted

Commencement ceremony.

by her uniformed brother, Airman First Class Kyle Aubin, after she came off stage. He traveled from his Air Force base in North Carolina just to see his sister graduate. “I have no words for him,” she said, her eyes bright with tears. “No words. I’m speechless.” Kyle said he and Jaclyn, “were best friends growing up.” He worked with Siena’s Academic Affairs office a couple months ahead of time to plan the surprise reunion.

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA

Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha were recognized for their exemplary academic excellence, character and commitment to service.

THE CLASS OF 2017

ALANA & LAVENDER The inaugural ALANA & Lavender Celebration of Achievement honored students who identify with an African, Latino, Asian or Native American heritage, students who identify as LGBTQ+ and ally students.

ROTC The Mohawk Army ROTC commissioning ceremony represents a culmination of four years of leadership training and academic excellence.

THE CLASS OF 2017

CEFAM French students earn a dual degree with Siena and Centre d’Études Franco-Américain de Management (CEFAM) through a partnership program between the two schools.

MASTER IN ACCOUNTING Graduates from Siena’s Master of Science in Accounting program are honored in a special recognition and hooding ceremony.

THE CLASS OF 2017

JENNA KERSTEN An interest in the plight of refugees that grew from a semester abroad in Berlin led Jenna Kersten ’17 to design an entire English course around how refugees are portrayed in literature. Kersten, who graduated with a degree in English with minors in German and international studies, said her passion for social justice was enhanced when she spent a semester in Berlin during her junior year. The refugee crisis was then at a peak, as those fleeing Syria, Sudan and other strife-torn nations streamed into Europe. She volunteered with refugee organizations, which exposed her to the predicament of those seeking asylum and led her to think how concerned people can best help them. “What is our responsibility to refugees? Is it enough to provide physical comforts such as food and shelter, or should we work to fundamentally change political systems so we don’t have a refugee crisis in the first place? Or should we do both?” she asked. To that end, she developed the English course “Literature and the Refugee Crisis: Narratives of Home” with Dr. Keith Wilhite, associate professor of English. The class examined themes relating to home, identity, exile and displacement in works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. “America has a mixed history on supporting refugees,” she explained. “I thought it was important for people to examine this issue in depth, instead of letting a soundbite stand in for a fuller understanding.” She said the Franciscan commitment she learned at Siena of listening to others and getting to know people as individuals, “has shaped the way I approach any activity.” This summer, Kersten is working with Siena’s office of Academic Community Engagement in its Summer Service Scholars program. She will return to Germany in September to teach English as a Fulbright scholar, and will apply to graduate school after that. “I underestimated the impact the College would have on every part of my life: personally, socially, academically,” she said. “I never thought about how much Siena’s mission would become a part of who I am.” 8

JAVION OGUNYEMI Javion Ogunyemi ’17 was always going to Siena. Why? Because his mom, Thomasina Schultz, always wanted him to. End of discussion. Schultz raised her son in Troy, not far from campus. That’s where Ogunyemi developed into one of the top basketball prospects in New York, and Schultz couldn’t wait to watch her 6’10” son play for the Saints. Sadly, she never saw a game. Ogunyemi’s mom passed away from lung cancer the summer before his freshman year. Ogunyemi still honored his commitment to Siena. His mom would have wanted that. She also would have wanted him to take challenging courses, earn a degree, excel on the basketball court, and act as a role model for Capital Region

THE CLASS OF 2017

youth. Ogunyemi did all of that, too. Understandably, though, success didn’t come quickly or easily. “I was really just getting adjusted to college in general,” Ogunyemi said. “Coming into my freshman year, I had a tough task because my mother passed right before the season started, so it took me a while to get adjusted.” Ogunyemi averaged fewer than two points per game that season. A year later, he scored more than nine points per game and blossomed into one of the elite ‘big men’ in the conference. A year after that, he was crowned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In fact, Ogunyemi is the only Saint to ever win the award. There were other struggles, more personal tragedy. Before his junior year, Ogunyemi’s cousin, Tyreek Prince, was shot to death in Troy. Ogunyemi took time for his family, but continued to play basketball and make the grades. “I really started to like management my freshman year because to be a manager, in a way, is being a leader. That’s how I try to be on the basketball court, so I figured that it would translate over to the classroom.” It did. Ogunyemi and his “business partners” pitched an app they created to investors at Siena’s SparkTank. The app measures a phone’s physical speed, to detect when the user is in a car. Certain features are then disabled, promoting less distracted driving. On Ogunyemi’s Siena Athletics bio, there’s a question: Person I look up to the most? Ogunyemi said, “mom.” Just above that: Biggest fear? Ogunyemi wrote down, “failure.” Truth is, his only real fear was failing to meet his mom’s expectations. But ask any of his teammates or coaches. Ask any of his professors. Ask any one in his family. They’ll all tell you the same thing: he’s making his mom very proud.

Happening upon Siena somewhat by chance as a senior in high school, Rebecca Sullivan ’17 had no idea how much she would have in common with a man in brown robes from a little town in Italy, St. Francis of Assisi. As a freshman, a flier advertising a service trip to Jamaica caught Rebecca’s eye. That was just the beginning. From then on, life threw her a curveball. “If serving others and traveling the world is your passion and in your personality, even in your blood- you will get addicted,” said Rebecca. As a sophomore, Rebecca’s passion and dedication led her to being chosen to lead the trip to Jamaica, and as a junior, she served in Haiti. “Service is important in the world and not recognized nearly enough. Someone once told me, we are privileged to travel. These people we are serving will probably never have the opportunity to see the world. But, by serving and educating them, we’re allowing them to explore the world in a way.” Although Rebecca’s time on Siena’s campus is over, her legacy will live on. Rebecca has impassioned her two younger sisters, Erica ’19 and Alyssa ’20. All three sisters traveled to Nicaragua over spring break as a last hoorah for Rebecca. Rebecca and Erica showed Alyssa the ropes as they taught, danced, ate and served their way through Managua, Nicaragua. Erica and Alyssa still have time left to decide which road their Siena journey will take, but Rebecca has left a few footprints for them to follow. Rebecca continued on to complete a Global Service Internship in Bolivia after graduation. “Now, I’m not so much worried about what my job will be- I have a lot of time to figure that out. I’m worried about where to travel next, what languages I want to learn, where I can help.”

REBECCA SULLIVAN 9

ON CAMPUS

e z a g r a t S

Sienaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Science building is named after Roger Bacon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Franciscan friar who 800 years ago helped formulate the scientific method that emphasizes the importance of observation before any conclusion about the natural world could be determined.

It is fitting now with a sizable grant from a national foundation, Siena will continue doing just that. On-campus construction has begun on a new observatory that will house the largest telescope in the Capital Region. The College received a $467,402 grant from the Maryland-based Sherman Fairchild Foundation specifically for the project. Dr. John Breyo ’68 H ’02 and his wife Marilyn donated $100,000 to help fund the project. Breyo served as chairman and CEO of Ayco from 1997 until his retirement in 2010, but he’s had a longstanding interest in astrophysics. The permanently-mounted telescope will be housed in a 16foot structure atop Roger Bacon Hall, topped by a rotating dome with a retractable opening. The telescope will feature a 27-inch diameter mirror remotely controlled via the internet. The observatory won’t be used by just physics and astrophysics faculty and students, said Rose A. Finn, Ph. D., professor of physics and coordinator of the grant application. More than 30 percent of students take Introduction to Astronomy, and they will be able to use the telescope as well. The College also looks forward to hosting community viewings. “This observatory will be an important part of STEM education at Siena, and our outreach to the wider community,” said, John P. Cummings, Ph.D., dean of the School of Science and co-author of the grant proposal. “We are extremely grateful to the Sherman Fairchild Foundation for their generosity and their support of the College’s science program.”

DR. JOHN BREYO ’68 H ’02 AND HIS WIFE MARILYN

SIENA LAUNCHES NEW NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES MAJORS This spring, Siena launched two new health profession majors. The College is partnering with The Ellis Medicine’s Belanger School of Nursing in Schenectady to offer a new dual degree nursing major. This is an another program in the newly established Siena College Baldwin Nursing Program. This four-year program will feature classwork at Siena, as well as classroom and clinical instruction at Belanger and the healthcare facilities of Ellis Medicine. Graduates will earn two degrees: an associate of science in nursing and a bachelor of science in nursing. “This unique collaboration between Siena and Ellis creates a seamless program built on the strengths of two excellent schools and will be an asset to our community as we strive to increase the

number of bachelor’s prepared nurses,” said Lisa M. Flack, D.N.S., director of the Baldwin Nursing Program at Siena. Upon graduation, students will be qualified to work in hospitals and other inpatient healthcare facilities, public health agencies, and outpatient facilities. Siena also launched a new health studies major featuring three tracks of study: health administration, health sciences, and health policy. “This three-track program makes Siena’s health studies major unique among similar programs at other colleges,” said Margaret E. Madden, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs. “Students will be required to study at least one of the three areas in depth, and will receive an overview of the healthcare system and critical public health issues.” This is the first major at Siena that is truly interdisciplinary among the College’s three schools. “There are tremendous job opportunities in health care in the Capital Region and beyond, and these opportunities will only expand as the baby boomer population ages,” said Duane A. Matcha, Ph.D., professor of sociology and director of the program.

SAINT FACES NEARLY FATAL FRESHMAN YEAR Marco Giannino ’20 started his first year at Siena College just like every other Saint. He made new friends, got to know his roommate, and became adjusted to the world of college

bacterial blood infection. Because of his numerous misdiagnoses, he almost died from his disease. “When I faced death in the hospital room when I got

academics. As a freshman, Giannino was taking a First-Year Seminar

really sick, I realized death is something everyone should

(FYS) class as part of his core curriculum. He chose the

be thinking about and is something very unexpected

FYS class, “Exploring Death- To Save Your Life,” taught by

and can happen at any moment,” said Giannino.

Professor Suzanne Allegretti. Little did Giannino know he soon

Thankfully, he recovered and was able to come back to Siena.“My First-Year Seminar class taught me to live

would be facing death himself. Just as every college student has experienced, he got sick. It

every day of my life to the fullest and to cherish the people

was close to Siena’s Thanksgiving break, and he decided to go

and things I have in my life. There is so much in all of our

home early to recover so he could have a strong finish to

lives to be thankful for, and we are all blessed to receive a

his first semester of college.

great education here at Siena surrounded by friends,

After visiting multiple doctors, Giannino was finally

family, and an amazing group of professors.”

diagnosed with Lemierre’s Syndrome, a very rare and deadly ~ Victoria Andler ’18

SIENA DEBUTS DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP CENTER The newly opened Siena College Digital Scholarship Center will transfer and save important print format documents, photos, maps and more to a digital format. Students and scholars at Siena- or anywhere in the world can then research these materials online. This will also protect the actual items from wear and tear. The Center includes an active learning classroom, monitors, a state-of-the-art projection system, and digitization equipment and management systems. “In order to prepare Siena students for the digital future in which they will find themselves, they need to be digitally literate,” said Loretta Ebert, director of the Standish Library, where the Center is housed. Major gifts towards the program were given by Michael M. Hayes ’67 and James Sefick, Ph.D.

STARTUPS START HERE OK – you’re trying to teach a dance student some new moves. Or you’re a physical therapist who needs to share a new technique with colleagues. What about a fire chief who wants to show his unit the latest safety information? Just show them – rather than tell them – how it’s done. Jennifer Hogan ’17, Kevin Danaher ’17, and Firmin Alexander ’17 have been getting a lot of notice – and funding – for creating TeachMe: a visual app for sequential learning to do exactly this. Their brainchild was hatched at the David ’73 and Christine Spicer ’75 Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and is now getting ready to fly. Each is handling a key role in the development of this product: Hogan is in charge of operations and finance, Danaher is doing the tech work, and Alexander is heading up sales and marketing. The trio is spending this summer in Syracuse as residents at the StartFast Venture Accelerator, part of a global accelerator network designed to help entrepreneurs get their startups off the ground. The accelerator received more than 1,000 international applications for the eightweek intensive workshop; TeachMe was one of only five chosen to participate. Hogan, Danaher and Alexander will meet with mentors from around the country to explore the legal, financial, technological and marketing aspects of making their dream a business reality. As if the mentoring from experts in the field were not enough, StartFast will provide at least $25,000 in funding for TeachMe. The amount could increase depending on the success of their summer efforts and their demo day pitch. StartFast isn’t the only entrepreneurial arena where TeachMe attracted notice and awards. Kudos also came from a National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program. TeachMe became the first Siena team to advance to the finals at the New York Business Plan Competition in 2016, where they won the People’s Choice Award. This performance paved the way for future startups at 14

the College – they made a repeat trip to the finals in April where they were joined by four other Siena teams (see opposite page). TeachMe came together through entrepreneurship classes and campus contests as juniors, and by senior year, developing the app became a full-time job. Danaher sometimes went a full week or more on two hours of sleep a night, staying up late to write code for the app. Hogan and Alexander went “very much full force” exploring various financing and marketing options. “Siena was always really accepting of whatever I wanted to do,” said Alexander. “The connections I have made through the College and the number of people I have met have been just amazing.” The team is heading to Long Beach, California. this August to DancerPalooza, a national convention for dancers and dance teachers, to market their product, which is tailor made to address a great need in the dance world. “TeachMe is a great example of the innovation happening with startups at Siena, and in the Capital Region,” said current Stack Center Director Matthew Cusack ’89. “The TeachMe team has grown and learned through the programs and courses in the Stack Center in the last two years, and we are all looking forward to their continued success.” TeachMe is currently undergoing beta testing. For more information or to sign up to be a beta tester, visit www.teachme.dance.

The New York Business Plan Competition is one of the largest collegiate competitions of its kind anywhere in the world. Since 2010, – more than 2,100 teams have competed for more than $2.3 million in prize money. This year, Siena was one of only 10 New York institutions to qualify five teams to the state finals. In addition to TeachMe, the following four startups advanced to the finals:

INKY COMMUNITY

Mikayla Lansing ’19, Simon Bruno ’18, George Santoire ’17, Hamza Memon ’18, Tristan Canova ’18 Inky Community is a place for writers, primarily of poetry and short stories to share their work without being exposed to the social judgement often associated with other platforms. This text-only web and mobile application allows for a greater creative expression by focusing purely on the content.

JOBLITE

Joe DeMarco ’18, Anthony Chapones ’18, Joshua Daly ’18 JobLite will help management monitor working conditions on a jobsite. This innovative product is a failsafe, guarding against heat related illnesses. JobLite will enable employers to check on issues of compliance within a matter of seconds.

LET’S CHAT ABOUT IT

Bryce Fraser ’17, Garrison Grant ’17 Let’s Chat About It is a wellness support platform where people in substance abuse recovery and those living with mental illness can share, support, and connect. Let’s Chat About It can help users adjusting to life after in-patient care and also provides a community for people in all stages of recovery.

FINEST TIDE OYSTERS

Michaella Barracato ’17, Robert Ewing ’17 Finest Tide Oysters is an oyster farm in Southold, Long Island. The farm boasts a unique delivery system which guarantees customers will receive their orders within an hour of their call. Finest Tide Oysters’ original wet storage system has the potential to be a game-changer in the oysters market.

‘THE PAINTING’ PERFORMS AT KCACTF The Painting, an original play written by Sabina Dusana, directed by David Lane, and performed by Siena College’s theater group, Stage III, was chosen to appear in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). Select student and faculty from each of the chosen productions are invited to the festival and have the opportunity to perform in front of large audiences and to receive scholarships, internships, grants and awards for actors, directors, playwrights, as well as many other prestigious accolades.

Angelina Castro ’16, a recent Siena graduate and former member of Stage III, had the opportunity to participate in the KCACTF. “Performing for a full house of theater enthusiasts was absolutely unreal,” Castro shared. “The Painting is a silent clown show and was very different from the other shows that were brought to the festival. Regardless, we were welcomed with open arms. It was incredible to not only share our work with other artists, but to talk about the process and see things from their perspective.” ~Samantha LaRose ’17 ~

SIENA SCHOLARS AWARDED FULBRIGHT GRANTS Susana Garcia ’17, Jenna Kersten ’17 and Eben Yonnetti ’12 have been selected for the 2017-2018 prestigious Fulbright U.S. Program, which offers research, study and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. Garcia and Kersten were both selected for English Teaching Assistant programs. Yonnetti will be completeing a Fulbright International Educational Exchange (IEE) program. Garcia, an English major with minors in Italian and writing and communications, will be living and working in Mexico. Kersten, an English major with minors in German and international studies, will be moving to Germany. Yonnetti, a history major and religious studies and German minor, is currently finishing up his M.A. in religious studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. He will be traveling to India for his Fulbright program to examine the role that

Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhist teachers are playing in garnering support for environmental projects that aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change. “It was close relationships with faculty in the history, religious studies departments during my time at Siena that really served as the basis for my subsequent work and pursuit of a career in scholarship and teaching.” After returning from the Fulbright program, he will begin work toward his Ph.D. in religious studies at the University of Virginia. Yonnetti, Kersten, and Garcia join an elite group of Siena graduates who have received Fulbright Teaching Assistantships. Eight Saints have been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Program since 2012.

SIENA & ALBANY LAW SCHOOL ANNOUNCE ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS Siena College and Albany Law School have signed two articulation agreements designed to enable students to earn both a master of science in accounting and a juris doctor degree. The first agreement provides students who have already earned their J.D. from Albany Law with up to nine credits toward the completion of their M.S.A. at Siena. Qualified students would be able to earn their M.S.A. in less than a year after completing their J.D. The second agreement assists students in simultaneously earning their J.D. from Albany Law and M.S.A. from Siena. Under this agreement, students will first be accepted to Albany Law, and after a year of study will begin taking courses at both schools. Students enrolled full time will be able to graduate with their J.D. and M.S.A. degrees in four years. The agreements will be effective for the fall of 2017. “This dual degree program will significantly improve the marketability of the graduates,” said Margaret E. Madden, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs at Siena. “There are many companies and organizations looking for employees with expertise in both business and law.” Upon receiving both degrees, graduates will be qualified to sit for both the certified public accountant exam and the state bar exam.

SIENA MAINTAINS ACCREDITATION FROM AACSB The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) announced it is maintaining its accreditation of Siena College’s School of Business for the next five years. This accreditation represents the highest standard of excellence in business education worldwide. Of the more than 16,000 schools granting degrees in business, fewer than five percent have earned AACSB accreditation. Siena initially received the accreditation in 2007. “I’m extremely pleased with the extension of our AACSB accreditation,” said Charles F. Seifert, Ph.D., dean of the School of Business. “I view it as recognition of the hard work and dedication of the faculty, staff and administrators in the School of Business. We have a great team that works diligently to provide the best educational experience for our students.” The report also acknowledged a perfect placement rate for master of science in accounting graduates, and made note that one year after graduation, 97 percent of bachelor’s degree recipients are employed, enrolled in graduate school, or both. “The AACSB accreditation is much more than recognition of a job well done – it’s a shining beacon to the world’s most coveted employers,” said Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph. D., president of Siena.

Siena Turns 80 Siena College was once 90 students on a 38-acre farm in a single brick house. Look at us now. The College has transformed in ways the seven founding friars never could have envisioned. But without them, Siena never would have existed. Siena’s seven remarkable visionaries first sowed the seeds gifted by the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Name Province. They had different strengths, different interests – but they were united in a shared goal to educate and inspire in the Franciscan spirit. This spirit endures. And so should the legacy of the founding friars. This well-worn picture was taken in 1937, the year Siena opened its single door. Any other photos of the original seven together have been lost in time. As we celebrate 80 years of Siena, it’s important that the names – and the faces – of the friars aren’t forgotten. Any timeline of Siena should include what the original seven started, and its connection to the future they only could have imagined.

Right: Some of the Friars who reside in the Frairy on campus

WHO WERE SIENA’S FOUNDING FRIARS? FR. BENJAMIN KUHN taught nearly every subject at Siena and

FR. ALCUIN SHIELDS was regarded as a genius in the fields of

served as head of the mathematics department. In 1933, he

literature and drama. He studied at Harvard and Oxford, and was

started his “family prayer card apostolate” and by 1983, he

known for his captivating lectures.

had sent more than three million copies in more than a dozen languages.

FR. ADALBERT CALLAHAN taught history at Siena for seven years. He authored ‘Medieval Francis in Modern America’, the history of

FR. BERNARD TOBIN taught at Siena for three years. He made an

the Franciscans in the Eastern states. It was once described as a

impression on people with his easy-going, hospitable personality.

“landmark in modern Franciscan and American history.”

He’s remembered by students and fellow friars for his grin and fellowship.

FR. LAMBERT ZALEHA taught just one semester at Siena before being assigned to a parish in Denver. He taught Latin and Greek,

FR. CYPRIAN MENSING was Siena’s first president and served at this

and later served as the Provincial delegate to the Southern

post until 1943. At the conclusion of his term, Fr. Cyprian worked

missions.

in various parishes and schools, many in Ohio.

FR. JOSEPH VANN was Siena’s first professor of public speaking. He left to pursue a degree at Columbia University and later returned to Siena as dean of arts.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR FIRST 80 YEARS

SEPTEMBER 22, 1937 Siena College officially opened as an extension of Saint Bonaventure University. Forty students were expected, 90 showed up. SEPTEMBER 17, 1938 The first issue of the student newspaper, The Chevalier, was published and later renamed Siena News. It became The Indian in 1965 to mirror Siena’s mascot. In 1989 the name changed to its current title, The Promethean. MARCH 1, 1938 The College broke ground on its signature building, Siena Hall. OCTOBER 20, 1941 Siena’s Dramatic Society, Stage III, was formed. The group produced and directed “The Bishop Misbehaves,” which, about a month later, became the first play performed in Gibbons Hall (now Foy Hall). APRIL 1, 1950 Siena’s men’s basketball team won the National Catholic Invitational Tournament. Over the years, the Saints have earned five National Invitation Tournament bids and made six NCAA Tournament appearances. MAY 8, 1960 Siena’s radio station, WVCR, which stands for “Voice of Collegiate Radio,” hit the airwaves. Today, 88.3 FM “The Saint,” is heard commercial-free throughout the Capital Region and into parts of Vermont and Massachusetts. SEPTEMBER 9, 1969 The College became coeducational through a cooperative exchange plan with The College of Saint Rose. 20

OCTOBER 7, 1976 Rev. Hugh F. Hines, O.F.M. was inaugurated as the seventh president of the College. Hines’ 13-year tenure is the longest of Siena’s 11 presidents. SEPTEMBER 4, 1986 Siena’s first townhouses are opened, with seven students living in each unit. Today, there are 108 townhouses housing 550 students. This summer, a nineyear renovation project converting the eight-person McCloskey Townhouses into six-person units will be completed. FEBRUARY – MARCH 1989 A measles epidemic breaks out on campus. Siena’s basketball games are quarantined, including the men’s North Atlantic Conference championship victory over Boston University. The team played 11 games without any fans in attendance, before beating Stanford in the NCAA Tournament. AUGUST 17, 1998 The Sarazen Student Union is blessed. Named after legendary golfer Gene Sarazen who received an honorary degree in 1978 and soon after established a scholarship endowment that has helped nearly 150 students realize their dream of a Siena education. NOVEMBER 9, 2010 Siena College celebrated becoming the first Catholic college and just the third college or university in the United States to be awarded Fair Trade status by the organization Fair Trade Colleges and Universities.

THE MEDICINE MAN Dr. Ed LaRow doesn’t have a hobby. He doesn’t golf. He doesn’t garden. He doesn’t do, or care to do, anything that might otherwise fill the idle hours caused by retirement. That’s a problem. Dr. LaRow will teach one more year at Siena College, his 50th. Then, the founder and 79-yearold patriarch of the prestigious Siena/Albany Medical College program will step down. To do what? “I’ve got three ideas,” said the Siena graduate, class of ’59. All three involve volunteer work at Albany Medical College. Option one: interview med school applicants. Option two: serve as a standardized patient. Or, option three: “I could be a cadaver.” He’s kidding. Kind of. “I dread it. I dread retirement. I will miss Siena very much.” Dr. LaRow could have retired 15 years ago, but he holds retirement in the same boring and ugly regard as summer break. Oh yeah, Dr. LaRow fervidly dreads summers, too. “It’s the students. They keep me here. I just don’t enjoy it when they’re not around.” Before Dr. LaRow was a Siena student himself, the Loudonville native, who is recently widowed, would hang around campus as a boy, sometimes serving Mass for the friars. He was also, “a typical high school kid. All

I cared about was sports and girls.” There were no girls at Siena back then; the College didn’t admit women until 1969. Still, Dr. LaRow wasn’t ready to venture too far from home, so he settled on the male-only school in his “backyard.” He went on to receive his master’s degree at Kansas State and earned his Ph.D. at Rutgers. In 1968, he returned to Siena as a professor of biology. His most important discovery came 17 years later. In 1985, Dr. LaRow was in trouble. Siena was pursuing a partnership with Albany Medical College, but to satisfy an articulation agreement, Dr. LaRow had to sufficiently explain, “why Siena’s pre-med students would be uniquely qualified for medical school?” The very existence of the program depended on his answer. For a while, he was stumped, until an epiphany struck him like a thunderbolt and gave life to his burgeoning life’s work. Turns out the answer wasn’t unique at all. 21

“The Franciscan way.” Siena’s Franciscan education had been promoting empathy and compassion, service and leadership since 1937 - the year the College, and Dr. LaRow, were born. What was always at Siena’s core, though, was missing from other pre-med programs. So, Dr. LaRow took the very best of a Siena education and built an institution around it. The Siena/Albany Medical College (AMC) program admitted its first class in 1986. It was the first of its kind anywhere in the country and became Dr. LaRow’s life work. Students who enroll in the Siena/AMC program are held to the highest standard of goodwill. Sure, the academic rigors of the AMC program are appropriately challenging. But, in addition to the class work – and just as important – is a special emphasis placed on ethics and the humanities. There’s a social service and volunteerism component that sets the program apart from all other schools. Kate Williams ’13, shares, “Dr. LaRow framed the concept that we didn’t need to be perfect, but what’s most important is our character and how we’re going to treat our patients. He stressed putting relationships above achievements.” Williams spent the summer of 2012 in Kenya on a ‘summer of service.’ Every student is required to spend

two summers serving the underprivileged - dispatched somewhere in the world where there’s a need. The goal is two-fold: making a difference in people’s lives, but also, as LaRow explains, gaining experience that will foster ‘remedial impulse,’ the tendency to see a need and to act on it. More than 200 students have served in 30 countries on six different continents. Most will take their experiences home with them. Some never leave. Michael Ganey ’96 M.D. is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. He spent a summer in college in Mozambique. He now lives and works in Kenya training native surgeons. “Looking back, I was a pretty selfish kid. The (Siena/ AMC) program helped mold me to look beyond myself. It wasn’t until my senior year at Siena that I became aware of the slow changes occurring in my life. Albany Med then enabled me to have the professional skills I need to do what I do. But it was at Siena where my spiritual development and Dr. LaRow changed my focus to see those I could help in this world.” Siena graduates make up eight percent of the average Albany Medical College class, but they typically garner 25 percent of the College awards. As future doctors, they’re at the head of the class. But their reputation and character, earned by their experiences in service to

Ed LaRow ’59, Ph.D., celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the AMC Program with co-founder Alan Miller, Ph.D. 22

“CURRENT STUDENTS ALWAYS LOOK AT THE FIRST PICTURE AND LAUGH AT THE HAIRDOS.” others, transcends their medical expertise. Dr. LaRow is constantly reminded. “Nice. That’s the one word I hear used to describe my students more than any other. And when you think about it, it’s such a wonderful word. The Siena students have changed the atmosphere at Albany Medical College. They’ve made it a softer place. They’ve improved the culture.” Before Siena is able to graduate ‘nice’ students from the program, they need to enroll them first. The program seeks out teenagers with a demonstrated history of volunteerism. Or, more accurately, those students seek out Siena. Approximately 500 high school seniors apply to the Siena/AMC program each year. Forty four get interviews; as few as 20 are accepted. The program’s reputation is worldwide, and Dr. LaRow says applications pour in from everywhere. “We’re tapping into some of the top high school talent in the country. Once they discover Siena, they fall in love.” On day one of the program, Dr. LaRow actually warns the students, or foreshadows, on that very topic – love. He tells them when you put talented, like-minded people into a small group, and require them to work closely together for eight years, love happens. Williams remembers that speech well. “I looked around the room and thought, ‘no way.’ It’s not going to happen to me. We all had boyfriends or girlfriends at the time. I wasn’t interested in what I saw.” She changed her mind. In June, Williams married Dan Lee, one of her former Siena/AMC classmates. Many of

their friends from the program were there, all sitting at the same table as Dr. LaRow. Or Dad, as Williams explains. “We call him Dad LaRow. He very much becomes a father figure when you’re on campus, and we would always drop into his office to talk about anything.” Dr. LaRow’s office has shelves dedicated to the various “knick-knacks” he’s gotten from students – dozens of colorful and souvenirs procured on service trips around the world, like the foot-tall wood carving of a Haitian fieldworker or the chiseled elephant head from Kenya. Dr. LaRow plans to take some of the pieces home when he retires, some will stay behind, bequeathed to the program. Dr. LaRow’s office also includes 28 framed pictures: a group shot of each graduating class, beginning with the inaugural class in ’90. “Current students always look at the first picture and laugh at the hairdos.” In all, there are 237 alumni on the wall: physicians, faculty at medical schools, authors… their accomplishments could fill a series of books. Dr. LaRow keeps in contact with nearly all of them. “I check social media every day. I celebrate birthdays, babies, weddings. That personal connection is so important.” So, what will Dr. LaRow do in retirement if plans at Albany Medical College (as an interviewer, patient, or cadaver) don’t pan out? He’ll have more time to spend with family: his four children, 13 grandchildren, and that’s not to mention his 237 Siena children, with another 90 on the way.

GHOSTLY RESEARCH

AROUND TOWN 3

Janet L. Shideler, Ph.D., professor of French, is working with Rebecca Arnold ‘20 through Siena’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity to explore the life of one of the most beloved vaudeville entertainers, Eva Tanguay. Legend has it that she haunts Cohoes Music Hall, located near Siena’s campus.

2. SAINTS 3D-PRINT PROSTHETIC ARM FOR GIRL IN UGANDA The Siena College e-NABLE team is changing lives again. They recently went global, building a prosthetic arm for Veronica in Uganda. Two of Siena’s e-NABLE team members traveled to Uganda with the Giving Circle this summer on a mission trip, where they met Veronica.

3. GLOBETROTTERS Our Saints come from all corners of the world. With 66 international students from 28 different countries, Siena’s international population and presence on campus continues to grow each year.

4. BR. ED TO THE RESCUE Winter doesn’t have to be so hard with Br. Ed on your side. President Br. Ed Coughlin helped deans and vice presidents shovel out the car of lucky student Noah Burke ’18 during a snowy week on campus.

5. THE POWER OF STORYTELLING Journalist Noor Tagouri visited campus and spoke to students about how to break barriers through storytelling.

6. SAINTS SERVE

Our Saints traveled all over the globe during spring break. One of the stops included a week of service learning in Nicaragua, hosted by Joe Connelly ’06. He has been working and serving in Nicaragua since graduation.

7. RETIRING DEAN AWARDED ST. FRANCIS MEDAL

James C. Harrison, Ph.D., who retired this June, has given nearly four decades of exemplary service to Siena. On May 24, Siena’s friars presented him with the St. Francis medal for his “uncommon contribution to the advancement of the values and ideals of St. Francis of Assisi.”

OUR FACULTY & STAFF LEFT TO RIGHT:

DANIEL MORIARTY, PH.D.,

associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, was named the new director of Siena’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.

MATT CUSACK ’89,

director of the David ‘73 and Christine Spicer ‘75 Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, was awarded the Siena College Innovator of the Year Award.

LAURIE NARANCH, PH.D.,

associate professor of political science, utilized the new Digital Scholarship Center for her course “The Politics of Clothing.” Students learned the ins and outs of the Center’s active learning classroom, state-of-the-art projection system, and digitization equipment and management systems.

JABRINA ROBINSON, J.D.,

dean of students, collaborated with the Anti-Violence Task Force and Be Smart, Be Safe Student Life Committee to create the “Be A Saint” initiative. This promotes the need for all students to be active bystanders in the community.

ALICIA PEPE,

recently began as Siena’s new internship coordinator.

MATTHEW BELLIS, PH.D.,

assistant professor of physics, traveled with two students to visit CERN, the particle physics lab in Geneva, Switzerland.

HONORING ACHIEVEMENTS THOMAS HUGHES, PH.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry •Presented, “Mechanistic pathways to PAHs: Novel cycloaromatization of ortho-benzoyl enediynes to give benzo[a]fluoren-11-ones via exo-cyclizations at low temperatures,” and “Aggregation and photophysics of cyclooligo(3,3’-para-terphenylene ethynylene) and cyclooligo(3,3’-biphenylene ethynylene) armchair carbon nanobelt precursors,” 252nd ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia. JOSHUA ALEXANDER, PH.D., professor of philosophy • “Constitutional crises: how understanding constitutive elements in science can help us better understand the nature of conceptual change in science,” Metascience. • “Knowledge, certainty, and skepticism: A cross-cultural study,” Epistemology for the Rest of the World, Oxford University Press. • “The challenges involved with going negative,” special issue on experimental philosophy in the Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research. • Talk on the epistemic benefits of cognitive diversity at a conference on Epistemic Virtues and Epistemic Skills in Bled, Slovenia.

Surfaces. Consonance of Simulation and Experiment,” Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.

JAMES ANGSTADT, PH.D., professor of biology • “9-Phenanthrol Modulates Postinhibitory Rebound and Afterhyperpolarizing potentials in Excitatory Motor Neuron of the Medicinal Leech,” Journal of Comparative Physiology A (in press). Coauthored with Joshua Giordano ’16 and Alex Goncalves ’15.

RAYMOND BOISVERT, PH.D., professor of philosophy • “Creativity is Use: Food and Aesthetics,” International Conference on Food Aesthetics, University of Wroclaw, Poland. • “Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving,” on NPR’s Academic Minute.

GEORGE BARNES, PH.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry • “Direct Chemical Dynamics Simulations,” Journal of the American Chemical Society. • “Model Simulations of the Thermal Dissociation of the TIK(H+)2 Tripeptide: Mechanisms and Kinetic Parameters,” Journal of Physical Chemistry A. • “Dynamics of Protonated Peptide Ion Collisions with Organic 42 28

SARAH BERKE, PH.D., assistant professor of biology • Benthic Ecology Meeting, Myrtle Beach. Presented with Erica Weldin ’17, Tess Caffray, and Shelby Budai. • Long-term changes in benthic community structure, following the Deepwater Horizon event. • Lead author “Effects of oil exposure and diversity on the behavior of Owenia fusiformis.” Erica Weldin ’17. • Lead author “Lasting effect of environmental disturbance on benthic community structure.” Tess Caffray ’17.

JAMES BOOKER, PH.D., professor of economics •Co-author “Water Productivity in Agriculture: Looking for Water in the Agricultural Productivity and Efficiency Literature,” Water Economics and Policy. •“Economics of Agricultural Water Productivity: An Application in the Blue Nile Basin,” iEMSS Conference 2016, Toulouse, France. •“Single Factor Productivity Theory and Policy,” NYS

Economics Association Annual Conference, Farmingdale, New York. GREG BYRNES, PH.D., associate professor of biology •“Structural properties of the gliding membrane of the colugo (Galeopterus variegatus),” 2017 meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in New Orleans. •“The role of arm-swing while running over uneven terrain,” 2017 meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in New Orleans. Presented with Kelly Russo ’17. STEVEN DEYRUP, assistant director of chemistry and biochemistry •Presented with Nicole Howells ’18 at the International Firefly Symposium Conference in Taiwan. TOM GIARLA, PH.D., assistant professor of biology •Co-authored “Local endemism and within-island diversification of shrews illustrate the importance of speciation in building Sundaland mammal diversity,” Journal Molecular Ecology. •Co-authored “Retrotransposons are the major contributors to the expansion of the Drosophila ananassae Muller F element,” Recently accepted for publication in the journal G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. Part of work in the Genomics Education Partnership. •Lead author, “Thousands of loci and hundreds of species: Phylogenomics of the white-toothed shrews,” “Comparing tree-building approaches for a phylogenomic dataset with over 200 species,” Kylie Small ’17, and “Utility of whole mitochondrial genomes for species-level phylogenetics of Maxomys spiny rats,” Kelly Moolick ’16. 2016 American Society of Mammalogists meeting in Minneapolis. MAUREEN HANNAH, PH.D., professor of psychology •Published a co-edited book, “Domestic Violence, Abuse and Child Custody: Legal Strategies and Policy Issues, Vol. 2.”

CHRIS HARBISON, PH.D., associate professor of biology •“Thermo-orientation influences ectoparasite navigation and microhabitat selection on hosts,” and Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology meetings in New Orleans. •“Pheromonemediated communication in bird parasites,” students TJ Sullivan ‘17 and Zenab Ahmed ‘17. •Co-Principle Investigator on a proposal submitted to the National Science Foundation entitled “Mechanisms governing phoretic dispersal behavior.” NICOLE HELLER, PH.D., assistant professor of psychology •“Association of maternal and infant variants in PNOC and COMT genes with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome severity,” journal of Developmental Psychobiology. •“An analysis of maternal parenting styles in Orange is the New Black,” Northeast Popular/American Culture Association conference MAX LEVINE, PH.D., associate professor of psychology •“Handbook of Psychophysiology, and Nausea and Vomiting,” published chapters in both edited books. •Featured on NPR’s Academic Minute. •Annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, coauthored with Kristina Puzino and Nick Crovella. DON LEVY, PH.D., director of Siena College Research Institute •Named to City & State’s Albany Power 100 list, a ranking of the most powerful people in New York state government. ARINDAM MANDAL, PH.D., associate professor of economics •Co-author, “Rape of the Subaltern: India’s Recent Sexual Violence in Perspective,” International Review of Modern Sociology. DUANE MATCHA, PH.D., professor of sociology •Named director of Siena’s Health Studies major.

JENNIFER MCERLEAN, PH.D., professor of philosophy •Paper on epic levels of pollution in China, and how the pragmatic ethics of John Dewey - who spent many years lecturing and living in China in the early 1900s - might provide a model for building coalitions among groups that normally would not work together. International Studies Association in Baltimore. KRISTIN MILLER, PH.D., associate professor of psychology •Giving thanks: Gratitude interventions for promoting life satisfaction, book chapter. •“Understanding and preventing murdersuicide in educational settings,” American Association of Suicidology conference. AARON PACITTI, PH.D., associate professor of economics •“The Cost of Job Loss and Wage Growth,” Allied Social Science Association Meeting, Chicago. •Roundtable panelist, WAMC 90.3, March 2017. •“The Elite Capture of Politics.” The Huffington Post, December 2016. ASHLEY PROVENCHER, assistant professor of economics •Co-author, “Adoption Policy and the WellBeing of Adopted Children in the U.S,” Child Welfare. •Co-author, “Identifying the Immediate Needs of Families following a Caregiver’s Arrest,” Justice Policy Journal. •Co-author “High Impact Practices & Sophomore Retention,” Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice. ELIAS SHUKRALLA, PH.D., assistant professor of economics •Co-author, “Are bilateral and multilateral

aid-for-trade complementary?” World Economy. •“Institutional Quality and the Effectiveness of Aid for Trade,” Annual meeting of the Midwest Economics Association, Cincinnati. EMILY SMITH, PH.D., assistant professor of psychology •“Enhancing memory access for less skilled readers,” journal of Scientific Studies of Reading. LUCAS TUCKER, PH.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry •Traveled to 2016 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, University of Northern Colorado with Jesse Karr, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Judi O’Donnell, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. •Presented at Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society. ANDREA WORTHINGTON, PH.D., professor of biology •Coauthored, “Identified neurons in the dragonfly ventral nerve cord signal the approach of flying prey” and “Individual neurons in the dragonfly ventral nerve cord control wing, head, leg and mount movement.” 2016 meeting of the International Congress of Odonatology in Buenos Aires, Argentina. NINA ZANETTI, PH.D., professor of biology •Workshop, “All I Really Need to Know (About Pathology) I Learned from The Histology Challenge” and talk, “Fetal Attraction: Using Embryological Stories to Enhance A&P instruction.” Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Annual Conference. MICHAEL JARCO, PH.D., assistant professor of psychology •“Social isolation and instability as equal stressors in a female mouse model of anxiety,” Northeast Undergraduate Research on Neuroscience conference. •Coauthored “Challenges to the Pair Bond: Neural and Hormonal Effects of Separation and Reunion in a Monogamous Primate,” Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 29

ATHLETICS

SIENA’S GOLDEN SAINT January 1967. Lyndon Johnson was President. The Vietnam War raged on. The Packers defeated the Chiefs in the first-ever Super Bowl. The median household income was $8,000. The cost of a gallon of gas was 27 cents. And in Loudonville, 23-year old Tony Rossi was named Siena College’s men’s lacrosse junior varsity coach. Just over two years later in the summer of 1969, Siena Athletic Director Gene Culnan offered Rossi his dream job. For the annual sum of just $200, Rossi was hired to be Siena’s head baseball coach. For five decades – more than 60 percent of Siena College’s existence – Rossi has built Siena baseball from a 10-player Division II squad to a championship-caliber Division I program. The Schenectady native, who first stepped onto Siena’s baseball field to play in a youth game in 1958, has piloted the program to five MAAC Championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2014) and a pair of NCAA Tournaments (1999, 2014). Demonstrating just how far the program has come, Siena defeated Dallas Baptist in the 2014 NCAA 30

Tournament. On April 9, 2016, Rossi became the all-time winningest coach in any sport in MAAC history, and currently has 869 victories to his name. “I’ve enjoyed it,” Rossi said about his 50 years at Siena College. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have been here that long,” he quipped. “The enjoyment comes from the actual coaching and getting to work with kids, and developing relationships with the coaching staff. It’s been fun. I’m a believer that it shouldn’t be all serious. It should be about having fun too, and I’ve enjoyed the company.” Despite all the personal and team successes Rossi has orchestrated, what he is most proud of is what his student athletes have achieved following their time at Siena. In baseball, 52 of his players have gone on to sign professional baseball contracts including 35 with Major League Baseball organizations, with four making it to “The Show.” Others, like Paul Stec ’79, have gone on to become vice presidents at the College. Dave Smith’79 was both signed to a professional contract and returned

to his alma mater to serve as a vice president. “The most satisfying part for me has not only been the guys who’ve made it to the big leagues, but those who have found success in other professions as well,” Rossi reflected. “I enjoy picking up the phone when a potential employer calls to give a recommendation, and then seeing that person be able to get the job.” While Rossi has been synonymous with Siena baseball, he also simultaneously spent 34 years teaching math in the Guilderland school district. Following his retirement from teaching in 1999, he spent nearly a decade as Siena’s assistant athletic director in addition to his baseball duties, overseeing facilities, team scheduling and travel, and the department’s intramural efforts. Although the 1985 Siena Athletics Hall of Fame inductee cemented his legacy long ago, the 73-year-old is showing no signs of “hanging them up” anytime soon. Despite being the longest active tenured Division I head coach in any sport in the nation, Rossi has his future sights focused on just one thing: the 2018 Siena Baseball season. “I’m sure I’ll know when it’s time, but right now I’m not even thinking of it,” said Rossi on the topic of retirement. “It has never crossed my mind that it’s been 50 years. I’m just living in the moment. When you enjoy what you do, you never really think about time. My only thoughts are about next spring, putting a good product out on the field, and teaching these guys how to play baseball and get ready for the real world.”

STUDENT. ATHLETES. 2016-17 SIENA ATHLETICS STUDENT ATHLETE SUPERLATIVES

A Siena record, and MAAC-high, eight teams earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards for achieving Academic Progress Rates in the top-10 percent of their respective sports nationally. Our Saints achieved 91 percent Graduation Success Rate – seven percent higher than the NCAA’s national average. School record-tying 11 student athletes were named 2017 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars, including men’s golf’s Scott Kim, who was tabbed a national semifinalist, and men’s lacrosse’s Ryan Ghaderi and water polo’s Madison Obata, who were selected as national sport winners. Water polo’s Clare Bryar and women’s golf’s Kristen Bromley were selected to represent Siena and the MAAC at the NCAA’s Career in Sports Forum.

IT’S NOT HOW YOU START. IT’S HOW YOU FINISH. No truer phrase could better represent the story

The Saints finished 13-6 down the stretch, with no win bigger than the MAAC Semifinals against overwhelming favorite Monmouth. Siena shocked the

of the 2016-17 men’s basketball season. While

Hawks, rallying from a 17-point deficit with 17 minutes

expectations entering the season were at their highest

to go following one of the most remarkable halves of

since the program won three consecutive MAAC

basketball in program history.

Championships from 2008-10, the Saints were forced

The Saints erupted for 64 second half points, 27

to navigate challenges from the outset. Slated with

of which came from the hobbled Nico Clareth ’19 in

what would turn out to be the 32nd toughest non-

a legendary performance. The sophomore reserve –

conference schedule in the nation – and 82nd hardest

who was a game-time decision after missing Siena’s

overall – Siena was tested with 14 games against teams

quarterfinal game with an ankle injury – turned in a

that would finish in the top-100 of the RPI. The Saints

Willis Reed-like effort, shooting 8-10 from the field

would begin the season 4-11.

which included a program MAAC Tournament record

But led by a veteran nucleus which for most of the season would be the only team in the country to feature

Championship Game appearance in seven years.

seven threes during his near-mythical second half. Although the Saints would come up just one point

four 1,000-point scorers, Siena came together when

short of a championship in overtime one day later, it

it mattered most. They forged a memorable March

was an exciting end to a season which saw the Times

run that culminated with the program’s first MAAC

Union Center at its loudest in nearly a decade.

KENYA NATIVE NAVIGATES SIENA, UNITED STATES ONE STEP AT A TIME While starting college can be a challenging task for any incoming freshman, it can be an even more daunting one when journeying to a foreign land. Nandi Hills, Kenya native Evans Kibet ’20, is enjoying his Siena experience one step at a time and by the conclusion of his first year in the states, Kibet was already in an all-out sprint towards success. The 2016-17 Siena College Athletics Male Rookie of the Year nearly re-wrote the cross country and emerging track programs’ record books in just one year. He was awarded Siena’s first male MAAC Runner of the Week honor in seven years, and later became the program’s second-ever male All-MAAC selection. Kibet was an integral part of the Saints’ school record-setting distance medley relay squad, which achieved a time of 10:05.73 to qualify for the IC4A Championships, and also became the program’s first-ever male individual qualifier for the tournament following his second place showing in the 800-meters at the MAAC Championships. He also excelled equally in the classroom, where he accrued a 3.17 GPA during his first collegiate semester while majoring in sociology. However, the transition to a new country - and a new style of running - would be a challenging one at first.

“In Kenya, running was different because I was practicing in high altitude areas, where most of the time I would be training alongside professional athletes,” said Kibet, who spent the majority of his time running in Eldoret, a principal city in Western Kenya where the elevation ranges from 7,000-9,000 feet above sea level. “In Kenya, I would concentrate on running only track events, and I was not accustomed to running long distances.” While head coach John Kenworthy and his teammates helped him adjust on the course, Siena provided the tools necessary for him to acclimate in the classroom. Kibet credits Siena’s Writing Center for helping him learn the ropes of the academic world. “Siena is a place where I have been able to explore my talent, while also competing for a Division I program. I wanted to study at a diverse school, and Siena has been the perfect fit for me to achieve my goals.” Kibet aspires to one day represent his native Kenya in the Olympics and, following a highly successful freshman year, is already on the right track.

SERVING UP SUCCESS It was a history-making season for the women’s tennis team. They won their first 15 matches, surpassing the 1949-50 men’s basketball squad to record the best start to a season ever by any Siena athletics team. Under the guidance of second-year head coach Jeff Osborn, the program’s first-ever full-time head coach, the Saints finished with a stellar 18-2 overall record and advanced to the MAAC Championship Match for the first time since winning it all in 2006. Siena dominated throughout the fall and into the spring championship season, sweeping nine of its 20 matches by perfect 7-0 scores, proving the collective strength of the squad from first through sixth singles and on all three doubles courts. As a result, the Saints swept all six Second Team All-MAAC singles honors and two of three doubles awards. But it was Ohio natives Mitsuki Fukamachi and Ali Garrity who headlined the team. The seniors earned First Team All-MAAC acclaim at No. 1 doubles after

tallying an unblemished 19-0 record in dual matches. The duo accounted for each of Siena’s points in a tightly contested 4-2 defeat in the MAAC Title Match vs. a heavily favored Quinnipiac squad, with Garrity besting the conference’s Player of the Year at top singles and Fukamachi earning a victory at No. 3 singles. While Fukamachi and Garrity depart having left an indelible mark on a program on the rise, the Saints are set to return seven student athletes – four of whom were All-MAAC performers – as they chase title No. 2 in 2018. 33

OUR ALUMNI

KARL A. ROESSNER ’89 The School of Business lecture marked Karl Roessner’s first time back to campus since graduation. The E*TRADE CEO encouraged the Siena students to work hard, stay focused and recognize no task is beneath them as they make their way up the career ladder. “I’ve had an interesting run, and things were not always perfect or even easy,” he said. “When you start your career, with every task you’re given, execute it as if it were the most important thing on the table and do it with a smile, because for the person who assigned you that task, it is the most important thing.” When making your way in the world, Roessner told students to believe in themselves and not let self-doubt shake their confidence. “Remember, if you get the interview, if you get the job, if you are in that room – you earned it,” he said. “So own it, move forward and do your best.” 34

ED HENRY ’95 Ed Henry ’95, National chief correspondent for Fox News, visited his alma mater to promote his new book, 42 Faith: The Rest of The Jackie Robinson Story. The book reveals the untold story of how faith played a central role in Robinson becoming the first black player in Major League Baseball. Through interviews with Robinson’s family, friends, and teammates, Henry uncovers a truth about the baseball legend that few know. Reflecting on his time at Siena, Henry shared with the crowd, “you learn so much here on this wonderful campus. It’s a campus that taught me a lot and I hope that you have as many blessings as I’ve had since I left here.” He gave away 42 copies of his book to the first students in attendance and followed up the talk with a Q&A and book signing. 42 Faith: The Rest of the Jackie Robinson Story was released on Tuesday, April 4, just in time for the start of the 2017 baseball season and the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game on April 15. ~Samantha LaRose ’18 35

MICHAEL BOTTICELLI ’80 Michael Botticelli ’80 visited campus to share his talk “Why Community Matters,” as part of the School of Business’ Lewis Golub Executive Lecture Series. Botticelli recently left his position as director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and was named the first executive director of Boston Medical Center’s new Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine. He said his experience at Siena has guided his life and work. “My immersion into the Siena community was immediate and complete,” he said. “Siena encouraged me to explore the moral dimensions of life, and the moral dimensions of decision-making in business and other professions.” He told the students to “find your community, and if you are in one, get even more engaged. “You’ll carry the values you developed here at Siena with you for the rest of your life.”

LISA QUINLAN TEPPER ‘82

GREG SORRENTINO ’89 Greg Sorrentino ’89, COO and

On February 8,

CFO of the Center for Disability

Lisa Tepper ’82

Services, inspired students to

returned to her alma

look outside of their comfort

mater to speak to

zones when beginning the

students as a part

job search. Sorrentino deliv-

of the School of

ered his lunchtime lecture,

Business Lecture

“Nonprofits: Business with a

Series. Tepper

Purpose,” on April 3.

graduated from Siena

Sorrentino encouraged

with a marketing/

Siena students to expand

management degree and has since had 34 years

the scope of their job hunting to include nonprofits. These

of experience in the insurance business.

organizations need social workers, entrepreneurs, doctors,

Tepper gave three pieces of advice for

teachers and more. He urged students to find companies

students who are about to enter the “real

that embody the Siena mission because those are the

world:” “Do the job you have today, well,” she

companies that give back and promote success.

advised. Next, when discussing how to choose

“You never stop learning. Textbook problems generally

which company is the right fit to work for, she

have a formulaic solution, but real life problems don’t.

suggested to interview the company while they

Listening more than talking will help you learn new

are interviewing you. And lastly, she discussed

solutions. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses

social media and the importance of Linkedin,

and you will spend a lifetime developing both. But when you

but also cautioned students about their social

graduate, believe that Siena has prepared you well.”

media presence. ~JaiCe Stinton ’18 ~ Victoria Andler ’18 36

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

LISKA WILSON ’11 -Director of Marketing and Sales Support at Performance Industrial -Founder, President and Executive Director (CEO) of She’s a Boss -Freelancer, Brand Coaching, Marketing Management, and Event Planning

When Wilson’s not working, you can find her working some more. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE. Phew, it’s a lot! Marketing is my thing and I am involved in all things marketing and business development, including my own not-for-profit, She’s a Boss. I have so much to do that I am currently training myself to wake up an hour earlier (it’s harder than you can imagine) so that I have more awake time! My reality is I’m a mom of a 5-year old so my day hardly ever goes as planned! It’s all love though, I adore my baby boss and revel in this life with her.

HOW DID YOU FORM THE IDEA FOR SHE’S A BOSS? The idea for She’s a Boss was planted in my mind by a mentor I had. After blindly sending emails to many of the known event planners in the area, I was able to meet with a couple of them; one woman, Marvali Garcia, became my mentor after our first meeting. I planned and pondered for almost a year and eventually launched a Facebook group called She’s a Boss; the theme was centered around mentoring entrepreneurial women. She’s a Boss became a way to connect all those dots (women, entrepreneurship, and mentorship). Through She’s a Boss, I connect entrepreneurial women to each other at mentoring events, social events, and online.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF SHE’S A BOSS? In the future, She’s a Boss will captivate the attention of women on college campuses around the country and eventually around the world! A little more near-term, She’s a Boss will add a membership component to everything we offer (social events, mentorship, business/professional training). We’re going to keep doing our monthly events and continue growing our team!

FAVORITE SIENA MEMORY? I think we had a great student speaker at commencement. I still remember the essence of his speech - he was addressing the fear and anxiety a lot of us were probably feeling about graduating and moving on to the next chapter of our life. He said that when you are feeling doubtful about your abilities or your future, just remember that you are a Siena grad and because of that, you’ll be ok. I think I’m doing ok. So, so far so good. 37

ALUMNI CONNECTION

RUGBY REUNION The Annual Rugby Alumni Weekend took place on May 5-6, 2017. Events included a golf tournament, mass, alumni and team games, and a barbeque.

SCHOLARSHIP DINNER Over 400 students, alumni and friends of the College gathered together for the 26th annual Siena College Endowed Scholarship Dinner on, April 6. This annual event brings together Sienaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scholarship donors with 38

their student recipients to show appreciation for their continued generosity.

WOMEN IN LAW

THOMPSON LECTURE

On April 20, the Siena College Pre-Law Society, and the

Siena welcomed SUNY Binghamton history professor

Honorable Judge Richard Sise ’78 hosted a panel on law

Robert G. Parkinson on April 29 for the annual

and government to showcase six strong women in the

Thompson lecture in American Revolutionary Studies.

field. The pre-law program strives to foster future female The event was held at Saratoga National Historical Park. In his lecture “Making ‘The Cause’ Common,” Dr. lawyers and government officials who will promote the Franciscan values at Siena.

Parkinson explored the role of fear and racial prejudice in building popular support for the American Revolution.

CHAMPAGNE TOAST The Class of 2017 Senior Gift Committee chose to create an endowment that would support the Champagne Toast, traditionally sponsored by the Office of the President and Alumni Relations. The Senior Gift surpassed $21,000, breaking the previous record by almost $5,000.

REUNION

EVENTS: Alumni Golf Tournament - All Alumni Welcome Back Party - Class of ‘67 50th Reunion Dinner - Alumni and Family Picnic - Class of ’12 Senior Class Gift - Dedication-Rosetti Hall - Reunion Cup Winners - Happy Hour Classes of ‘67 and ‘12 - 10th and 25th Class Reunion Receptions - Classes of ‘07 and ‘92 - All Alumni Party Under the Tent - Alumni Mass

2017 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

MIKE ELLIOTT ’87 The Professor Joseph A. Buff Award for Career Achievement 40

MARY HUMISTON ’87 The Professor Joseph A. Buff Award for Career Achievement

JIM SCULLY ’87 The Professor Joseph A. Buff Award for Career Achievement

EUGENE J. ZIELINSKI ’62 The Professor Egon Plager Award for Humanitarian Efforts Advancing the Welfare of Others

HIGHLIGHTS: Inaugural Reunion Cup Winners: The Class of ’12 had the highest attendance (Reunion Cup) and the Class of ‘67 had the highest percentage of class giving (Green and Gold Cup) - The Class of ‘77 had the highest overall giving - 50 members of the Class of ’67 returned for their reunion - Alumni traveled from as far as California, Arizona, Texas and London to attend the reunion

LEWIS STEVERSON ’87 The Professor Joseph A. Buff Award for Career Achievement

JOE MCCRUDDEN ’87 The Reverend Benjamin Kuhn, O.F.M. Award for Contributions to the College Community

MALLORY BARINGER MASSRY ’07 Franciscan Spirit Award

MIKE UTZIG ’07 Franciscan Spirit Award

Scan the code on the left to watch video profiles of our 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award winners.

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Editors: Mary Beth Finnerty ’85, director of alumni relations; Nicole Heck ‘14, assistant director of alumni relations; and Kathy Palumbo, development assistant, alumni relations.

1949 William Kennedy was inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame on June 5. He is a Pulitzer Prize winner and author of eight novels called the Albany Cycle.

1960

Joe Harrison Jotler60@gmail.com

1962

1963

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During Reunion Weekend, Gene Zielinksi was awarded the Professor Egon Plager Distinguished Alumni Award for Humanitarian Efforts Advancing the Welfare of Others.

Kevin Raymond Kraymond27@comcast.net Many of us will remember chanting Vespers late in the day as altar boys in the 5’s. Frank Cunningham, a respected and admired classmate of many of us at Vincentian Institute High School in Albany, Class of 1959, and Siena, Class of 1963, brings to light

the beauty of Vespers as a valuable part of our life cycles. Frank's work, “Vesper Time” addresses the yearning among elders for continued growth, expansiveness of heart, improvement of mind, and a meaningful understanding of our lives. Frank is a former newspaper and magazine writer and editor; university writing instructor; and book editor and publisher of Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame. One of the most successful religion publishers of his generation, since his retirement Frank has been discovering and enjoying, as well as sharing with others in talks and workshops, the spiritual practice of aging. Frank, and his wife Sue, have retired to South Haven, Michigan. They have four children and seven grandchildren residing in Nantucket, Tallahassee, Ft. Lauderdale, and Chicago.

1964

Joe Suozzi joesuozzi@msn.com

1965

Jack Mulvey jkmulvey@gmail.com

1967

Rick Spataro rspataro67@gmail.com What a wonderful Reunion Weekend. Nine of us participated in Friday morning's golf tournament. Friday night’s dinner was laced with great memories and some somber remembrances. There was no shortage of conversation. Kudos to the staff in the Alumni Office and our committee members. Great to see Tom Kelly there — he started with us in September 1963. Nick Schmitt (former Mystic Knight) and Carole (Lynch) Schmitt (former Mystic Maiden) slowing down in Springfield, Virginia. Both are retired. Thomas Auletta and his wife Gail will celebrate their 44th anniversary. He has been retired from high school teaching since 2001 and, together with his wife, run their own business, Azusa Collectables in Clifton Park. They have three children, Heather, Christopher, and Steven, all Siena graduates. They have seven grandchildren. As Mike Tommaney said, “See you at our 60th.”

UPDATE US! Want to stay connected and well-informed about the goings-on at Siena? Make sure to update the Alumni Relations Office with your contact information! If you haven’t already, send your current address, phone number and e-mail to alumni@siena.edu today!

1968

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Please submit all of your class notes information to your class coordinator; or, if there is no coordinator listed for your class, please send all information to alumni@siena.edu for posting in the magazine. We look forward to hearing from you!

Jim Donsbach jamesdonsbach@gmail.com

1969

Ken Dedrick ken.dedrick1030@gmail.com Henry Nolan retired after 14 years with US Army Claim Service at Fort Meade. Previously, Henry served on active duty for 29 years with Army’s JAG Corps. He has moved back to Loudonville. His plans include genealogy work, travel, and engaging in veteran volunteer work. In September, C-SPAN Book TV aired Jack Cashill’s presentation on his recent book, “TWA 800: The Crash, The Cover-up, The Conspiracy." Jack lives in Kansas City. Ed Ryan writes - Diane and I have our first grandchild: Abigail Ryan born in October, 2015. Tom Rosailia passed away in November. Tom was in ROTC with us and served in Vietnam. He was best man in my wedding. Marty Dunbar is now President of the Board of Directors of the Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program — assisting low income families to secure home ownership. TRIP had three Siena interns working this year through the Bonner Program. A fine example of Siena students helping the community.

1970

Paul Twardy twardy.paul.f@gmail.com Al Petrillo has written “A Case of Dom Perignon,” a historical thriller involving Teddy Roosevelt and King Edward VII of England. Speaking of “thrillers,” here’s another. John Glynn writes that sometime around 1971-72 the Power Bowl trophy for Siena’s win in 1968 — the only club football bowl game ever—went missing. About six months ago, John led a fund drive among every football club member and garnered enough to recreate the trophy and make a donation to Siena. Thanks, John! Mike Shine adds the win capped Siena’s 1968 team’s undefeated season and only post-season bowl win. Rumor has it the last time the original trophy was seen was at Ralph’s and in the company of three Albany Med nurses. Clues anyone? During an email round robin, Mike Flanagan added color commentary about a certain teammate’s performance. Smack talk ensued. Get in on the dialogue by sending your email address to me to be linked in. I’m back at Siena auditing Italian language courses, and have an ID to prove membership in the Class of 2020. “The Education of a Lifetime.” And happy 69th birthday to all of us.

1971

Nicholas Positano njpositano@hotmail.com

1972

Jack Callahan Jackcallahan33@gmail.com Jack Callahan has been appointed to be an industry mentor by the National Science Foundation in

ashington, DC. The NSF is W the only federal agency whose mission includes support for all fields of fundamental science and engineering.

1973

MINI REUNION

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Steven Goodwin was named to the “Divorce, Trusts, & Estates Trailblazers” list by The National Law Journal.

Brian Valentine bgvalentine@verizon.net Greetings to the Siena ollege community and to my C classmates of ’73. We have some news from our ’73 classmate Peter Yachmetz. “After my 29 year FBI career, I was recruited for security positions in private industry along with the theme park & resort industry. C urrently, I operate my own security consulting firm located in southern Central Florida. Yachmetz Consulting Group, LLC provides security consulting services to private clients & businesses nationwide. More specifically we assist with & provide comprehensive background screenings, security assessments & audits, physical & facility security, vulnerability assessments, major event security, etc. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling the Caribbean with my wife Pat, squeeze in a round of golf during the week, spending time with family walking around Walt Disney World and splashing in our pool with our twin grandsons here in Florida and traveling to New Jersey to spend time with our other two grandsons to take in a few Mets games.” Jack Quinn Jr. begins retirement after stepping down as president of Erie Community College following a nine year run as head of the school. Please send me news about yourselves and your families too! We would love to hear from you.

1975

Dale Metzger dalemetz99@aol.com Lots of great responses from last issue's notes of ’75: John Judge holds the Roy Buchanan concert in ’75 particularly

Members from the classes of ’75 and ’76 got together to celebrate their 60th birthday in NYC for a weekend. Left – Right (standing) Sharon (Hastings) Morrison, Terry McCabe, Dave Linehan, Kevin Morrison, Bill Hogan, Jim Morgan, Lise Hogan, Jack Lynskey and Phil McCabe, (sitting) Dan O’Donnell, Deb Papa-O’Donnell, Diane Strock-Lynskey, and Nancy Morgan.

MINI REUNION

Class of ’76 and Class of ’75 ladies enjoying a get together in York, Maine. From bottom of stairs left to right Maura Ryan ’76, Margaret Liefels Lanahan ’76, Maureen Fairlie ’76, Gail Pecora Gates ’76, Barbara Mulholland Rivera ’76, Pat Maher Arcodia ’76, Cathy Manton Laurent ’76, Sue Kelly ’75, Carol Walker Bouyea ’76, Jean Burton Durkin ’75, Jean Reamer ’76, Mary Ellen Youngkin Semple ’76, and Sue Vincelette Van Nostrand ’76.

close; James Carroll ’76 really liked the Raspberries Gibbons Garden show, and "trooper” Ed Mangine fondly remembers Jerry Jeff Walker and Commander Cody at SUNYA Spring Fest '75. Greg Bell celebrated 25 years of producing live music on April 29. Tony Kirby, Dan McCarthy ’77 and yours truly were at his celebration party helping him usher in another 25 years. Congrats Dinger!! Sue Kelly informed me that

she just had her 55th and 56th niece and nephew…that’s got to be some kind of Siena record. Mike Skidmore just had knee and hip replacement and hopes to be golfing by midsummer. Most of our class will be singing the Beatles “when I’m 64” this year so happy birthday ...who would have thought we would be singing that song so soon? Still looking for Ed 43

1980

MINI REUNION

Diane DeSilva diane0429@gmail.com

1981 Mark Morrison was r ecently hired as senior vice president and senior loan officer at Saratoga National Bank in Saratoga Springs.

1982 1983

REUNION

Bob Young rjy60@yahoo.com

Elvira Altimari-Jaeger Eaj6@optonline.net

Members from the classes of 1985 and 1986 celebrating their 30th anniversaries with Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75 OFM. Left to right: Phil and Loretta ’85 Sweeney, Scott and Kathy ’85 Knifping, Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75 OFM, Claudia and Kevin Silk ’85, and John ’85 and Lynda ’86 Brennan.

1976

Jean Reamer jean.reamer@gmail.com We haven’t heard from Tom Natoli in over 30 years, and it turns out he's been on the run, literally. He did a 100 mile ultramarathon last month, and asked if we had heard of anyone else in our class d oing ridiculous things like this. Please write in and let me know if we have any other ultra runners in our class (or any Siena class). Tom and his wife Terri live in northern Virginia with their five children and four grandchildren. Congratulations to Sue Vincelette Van Nostrand on the birth of her first grandchild. Kelsey Katherine was born May 5th to her son Michael. I’m thrilled to share that I enjoyed a mini Siena ladies 44

reunion in York, Maine in May with 12 women from the classes of ’76 and ’75. Lots of laughs and good times! How blessed to have these wonderful women in my life 41 years later. Anyone else have an interesting hobby you'd like to share? Are you keeping up with Siena classmates? Love to hear from you!

1977

Linda Fitzsimmons lindafitzsimmons@gmail.com

1978

REUNION

Adamski. Keep the memories alive ...email me with yours... Happy trails until next issue... Dale “Boss” Metzger

Rick Gabriel rgabrielsyr@gmail.com

1979

Sue Reilly Hayes Clifton522@aol.com Congratulations to Richard Sleasman who received the Chamber Champion Award at the Capital Region Chamber Annual Dinner in April. Rich received this honor in recognition of his actions that have

advanced the mission of the chamber—from public policy to mentorship to membership activities. Do a YouTube search on the Capital Region Chamber to watch a great clip honoring Rich and describing his accomplishments. We’re proud of all you’ve done to make the Capital Region a great place to live and work, Rich! A big shout out to Allan Costello who was recently named president of First Choice Loan Services Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Bank. Allan has 30 years of experience in auditing, risk management, compliance, accounting, operations and banking. He joined Berkshire Bank in 2011 and held the position of senior vice president, audit before transitioning to the home lending d ivision. Congrats on this career milestone, Allan. Please keep those news and notes coming…your ’79 classmates would love to hear what you and your families have been up to recently.

Greetings class of ’83 and happy summer! It was wonderful to hear from “shout out” Suzanne Tart-May. It was my first shout back from the West Coast. Sue has lived in northern California since 1990 and loves it (but admits to thinking about moving back to the East Coast at some point). She has worked in sales, for the same company since 1993. Suzanne married Duncan May in 2008 with Siena roommates M aureen McCormick, Suzanne D’Amico and Meg Leonard-Ebenhoch in attendance. Unfortunately, Duncan passed away in 2011. Sue wanted me to let everyone know that she has a spare bedroom and would love to host any Class of ’83 visitors who find themselves in her neighborhood. Special thanks and shout-out to Ed “Bumble” Humphreys who urged Sue to “shout back.” Thanks Bumble — tag you are it (your turn to shout back)! Flashback for this edition: “Muddy’s Hole”- we went there Thursday nights for happy hour and got to smell like Muddy’s till Sunday (LOL). Shout outs to Tom Leskow, Carmen Nicastro, Cynthia Sperry and Kelly Casserly. Where are you and what are you up to? Email me so I can say that you shouted

Denis Horrigan ’89 was named one of the 2016 Five Star Wealth Managers by Five Star Professional. He has also joined the Board of the Hartford Youth Scholars as director.

1984

Lisa San Fratello McCutcheon mcclisa@yahoo.com

1985

Cathy Casey Bjorklund Ron Bjorklund Bjork90@comcast.net

1986 Janice Linnan jalinnan@me.com

1987 Maryann King jrkingfamily@aol.com Our class celebrated its 30th Reunion this year! Early June is a tough weekend for families (graduations/proms/ sports commitments), but we still had a nice turnout! Here are a few highlights of our class: 1987 was VERY well represented at the Distinguished Alumni Awards given out at the President's Circle brunch. We had 5 classmates honored: Mike Elliott, Mary Humiston, Jim Scully, Lewis Steverson and Joe McCrud-

den, Jr. We should all be very proud of their achievements! Congratulations! A few other 1987 alumni who I caught up with at the reunion were Judy Capano Michaelson, Jeanie Griffin Huth, Trey Sgroi, Brian & Mickie Baldwin, Todd Girvin, Kristie Fragnoli, Theresa Black Galvin, Beth Post and Bob McCarthy. A good time was had by all!! Helene Lester, Esq., associate attorney at the Albany-based law firm of Deily & Glastetter, LLP has been appointed to the City of Schenectady Board of Zoning Appeals. Hope you all enjoy your summer!

1988

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back. If you have any flashbacks, updates or noteworthy items — or if you want me to do a shout out- please email me for inclusion in the next Siena News. Hey '83 — Keep in touch!

Jim Monaghan Jpmonaghan65@yahoo.com Jim McGovern — After serving for more than 16 years as a federal prosecutor, most recently as the chief of the criminal civision of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, where he oversaw the FIFA, El Chapo and other high-profile investigations and prosecutions, Jim has joined the New York office of the international law firm of Hogan Lovells LLP as a partner in the white collar defense practice.

NEWSMAKER

Paul Praylo ’93 has been named Chief Operating Officer of Construction Services, at AECOM, a premier fully integrated global infrastructure firm.

Dr. Deldon-Saltin ’94 holding Rhett Landry Kahl, after delivering him. Proud parents are Jessica (Belsito) and John Kahl. Rhett is the tenth grandchild of Dan (and Maureen Walsh) Belsito ’69, nephew of Bob Belsito ’95 and great grandson of Thomas Walsh, Sr ’48.

1989

Mike Carbonaro Sienanews.1989@yahoo.com Rick Jones has been named the new president and CEO of Mechanical Technology Inc. in Albany. Denis Horrigan was named one of the 2016 Five Star Wealth Managers by Five Star Professional. He has also joined the Board of the Hartford Youth Scholars as director.

1990

Janet Shotter Swierbut jswierbut@yahoo.com I recently caught up with one of our classmates, Emanuel Cirenza, who has had some incredible experiences. Emanuel is a pediatrician in Saratoga Springs and has gone on four mission trips to Uganda. His most recent trip was in February 2017 where he worked with current Siena students through the e-NABLE Club and brought a prosthetic device to a girl who had been burned in a fire. Another wonderful aspect to his mission work is that on each of his trips he was able to bring one of his own children along to experience his meaningful work. We’d all love to hear more stories like this from our f ellow alumni so please contact me with anything you'd like to share.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and relaxing summer!

1991

Kevin Clarke siena91@optonline.net Antonio Civitella is the president and CEO of Transfinder. Civitella won the 2017 Technology Trailblazer award; a technology award given out by the Center for Economic Growth. Marc Brown was the recipient of the Barry Kramer Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame dinner.

1992

Mary Pat McLoughlin Holler jmpholler@yahoo.com

1993

REUNION

NEWSMAKER

Sue Hannon Shannon@ryeneck.k12.ny.us Hello Class of ’93! This time around I have one update for you! Rob “Smiley” White has, in his own words, landed “back home” at Siena. He recently accepted the position of assistant director of major gifts in the Development office and is very excited to reconnect with Siena friends and alumni. He also shared that the food in the dining hall is amazing! Mark your calendars for the first week-

Glenn Hofsess ghofsess@yahoo.com

1995

Neil Wilcove nwilcove@fmglaw.com

1996

Brian Murray murray21@hotmail.com

1997

Selena Dutcher selenadutcher@gmail.com In the words of Ron urgundy, “Boy, that escaB lated quickly. That really got out of hand fast!” What a weekend! The 20th reunion was full of laughs, tears, smiles, hugs and more! It is hard to believe that 20 years ago we sat on the baseball field and stared at the rest of our lives head on. Classmates made the trip from both far and near! From London to Texas, from California to New Jersey, the Class of ’97 was present! With drinks in hand, we danced the night away under the tent behind Siena Hall. We talked about children, marriage and jobs but most of all we talked about the four years spent on Loudon Road. I encourage each and every one of you to visit the Siena College Class of 1997 Facebook page to reconnect with classmates. Since the reunion, we definitely have a few more “members.” I also encourage you to update the rest of the class on YOU! Let us know what has been going on in the past five, 10 or 20 years! I was recognized as a 2016 Volvo Excellence Award winner — ranking 37th in the country for sales and customer service. In May 2017, I was proud to join the team at Lia Toyota in Colonie. If you 46

1998

Janine Trapp Scotti Sienasaints98@yahoo.com

1999

Brendan Fitzgerald nyfitzgerald@gmail.com John Rogers is starting his fourth cycle at the National Republican Congressional Committee, and his first as executive director. He was part of the NRCC team that raised and spent over $150 million last cycle and exceeded expectations by limiting losses to a net of six seats.

2000 Chris Madigan CDMadigan@gmail.com I’m writing this update from the Philadelphia International Airport and thinking about all of the conversations I’m able to have with classmates… some I knew from my time in Loudonville and others that I never met. I have to say that I’m very thankful to be in this position and interact with many of you at least a couple times a year. Yet, I know numerous classmates don’t receive the emails that allow the rest of us to catch up with old friends. Please feel free to pass along my email address to anyone that you still stay in touch with and think they should write in. Now, on to the updates. It was nice to hear from Jodi Boord, who in April started a new job as a loan partner with Cross Country Mortgage in Tampa. Remember that golden voice that graced the 88.3 The Saint airwaves? I do. Neerav Patel got in touch about his transition from his position

at Empire Broadcasting into a new role last November working with big data analytics and artificial intelligence at IBM. Congratulations to big sister Alexandra Marie Tobrocke, whose parents Melissa (Porco) and Toby Tobrocke ’97 welcomed the family’s newest addition, Quinn Kathryn, to the family in September. I couldn’t be happier to share the news that on May 5, Edward Cardinale was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Army. He’s currently serving as a space operations officer at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, in the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Edward was joined at the ceremony by his wife Elizabeth and his three daughters, Grace, Kaitlin and Haley. Congratulations to all on your new additions and jobs! Enjoy the summer and we’ll be in touch soon!

Albany Medical Center, reside in Latham with their three sons, Peter, Ian and Ryan. Joe Montalbano recently received his CFP® (certified financial planner) designation and in conjunction, opened his own company for investments and insurance called Falcon Wealth Management and Falcon Insurance Services in the Hudson Valley. Meg (Slezak) Carley wrote in with some family news: she and her husband, Robert, welcomed their first son, Bobby, in March 2013, and their second son, Patrick, in September 2016. Meg and her family reside in Wellesley, Massachusetts. I hope to hear from more of you for the next issue, and hope you have a terrific summer.

2001

2003

Maura Mack Maura820@yahoo.com

Bill Bordak sienanotes2003@gmail.com

Dear Class of 2001, I’m happy to share the following updates: Rob Connors recently accepted a job as sports copy editor at the New York Post, where he designs pages, edits copy and writes headlines for "the best sports in town." Andrew Kennedy was named President and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) last July. CEG is a 30-year-old nonprofit, regional economic and business development organization that serves as the primary point of contact for businesses interested in growing in or moving to New York’s Capital Region. The organization has more than 300 business, government, education and nonprofit leaders as members. Andrew and his wife/ classmate, Shannon, an acute care nurse practitioner at

The Class of 2003 has been hard at work making memories and changing the world. For starters, I will share a personal update. In September 2016, I began an interdisciplinary doctor of education leadership program at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. It has been an exciting and challenging journey so far. I have worked in the Division of Student Life at Saint Joseph’s University for nine years and continue to engage students in their transformative college experience. James Verseput and his wife Tara Verseput (Galione) are proud parents of two kids (Savarina and William) and live in Loudonville. James has been doing finance and real estate development for over 10 years in the Capital Region and across much of upstate,

2002

Christine Cinnamond Christine.cinnamond@gmail. com REUNION

1994

need a vehicle, you know who to call! Email or look me up on Facebook to make submissions for the next Siena News. I look forward to hearing from you! REUNION

end in June next year when we will be celebrating our 25th Reunion!

in August 2016. She completed her master’s degree in criminal justice at Boston University in May 2005. Maggie Alix shared that, in addition to her full-time job in Green Island, she became the senior policy analyst in the Office of the Chairman of the Albany County Legislature in February 2016. Maggie is also seeking her second elected term on the New York State Assessors Association Executive Board.

your service to our country! Dumbstruck, a company founded by Peter Allegretti and Mike Tanski ’12 in 2013, was named the winner of the 2017 Technology Innovation award; given out by The Center of Economic Growth. Many other Siena alumni are employed at Dumbstruck.

2004

I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful summer weather! Meghan Smart and her husband Bill welcomed their second son, Charles (Charlie) John Smart in March. He joins big brother Ryan!

Melissa Termine Goetz Mtermine24@yahoo.com Lauren Weber Lwebs13@gmail.com

2005

Breanne Suhrland Elsesser bsuhrlan@att.net Greetings Class of 2005! It has been a busy year for many of our alumni! K atie Cardus Spiegel and her husband Jonathan welcomed a baby girl, Charlotte Dorothy Spiegel, in February at 7 pounds 13 ounces and 20 inches long. Big brother Ricky is really enjoying his new role! Katie Donahue C intolo, an associate at Stone, Stone & Creem in Boston, was named as an “Up and Coming Lawyer” for 2017 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. This award recognizes Massachusetts attorneys who have been members of the bar for 10 years or fewer and have already distinguished themselves as rising stars in the legal community. What an amazing accomplishment! Michael Kieloch was recently promoted to sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and was awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal. In September 2016, Michael also earned the degree master of science in public relations from Boston University. Congratulations Michael and thank you for

2006

Chris Elsesser Christopher.elsesser@ gmail.com

2007

Stan Horton Kristen Carlson Rubin Sienacollegeclassof2007@ gmail.com Thanks for keeping Siena News updated and please continue to do so. We hope you all enjoyed Reunion 2017! Our class may have some future Saints heading its way! Angela (Marciano) W illiams and her husband, Eric ’05, welcomed twins Dean Michael and Natalie Erin in January. Kristen Carlson Rubin and her husband, Grant, welcomed their first child, a son, John “Jack” Carlson Rubin, in May. Ashley Serrago offers private swim lessons for children, adults, and children with special needs or physical disabilities. Mike Utzig and Mallory Massry were both presented Distinguished Alumni Awards. They were both recipients of the Franciscan Spirit Award for young alumni demonstrating success in their careers, service to the Siena Community, and service to the community. Congratulations to all!

NEWSMAKER

Joshua Werbeck ’07 was elected Member at Bousquet Holstein PLLC. He was a 2016 recipient of the Central New York Business Journal’s “40 under Forty” award.

2008

REUNION

New York. He has clients who have become partners over the years and his most significant recent community contribution was in the Town of Guilderland. He and his partners built out a 6,000 square foot senior center for the Town of Guilderland to use for senior events and meals. James and Tara have enjoyed seeing how happy the seniors are in their new space. The place is bustling with activity every day. As they build out the remainder of the apartment homes, they are seeing a great mix of multi-generational living that is unlike any community in the area. John Copeland shared that he and his wife welcomed their first child (Natalie) in December 2014. More recently, John became the director of outpatient services at AdCare Hospital in Quincy, Massachusetts. AdCare is a leading agency in Massachusetts for the treatment of substance abuse. James Pratt was promoted to associate accountant with the New York State Department of Health, New York State of Health Marketplace. Andrea Howe (Trask) graduated from Bridgewater State University in the spring of 2016 with a master’s degree in English (4.0 GPA). Since then, Andrea has been working as a freelance editor for a variety of academic and creative writing endeavors, including technical editing for the journals of the World Phenomenology Institute and editing the novel "Monster Whisperer" by Nobilis Reed, released in December 2016 from Circlet Press. Erin Cassidy and her husband (Patrick Collins) welcomed their second child, Michael Ronan Collins, in September. Big sister Grace (3 years) is thrilled with her baby brother! Jacquelyn Wall was promoted to deputy chief clerk for the Saratoga Springs City Court, Saratoga Springs

Danielle Grasso Patrick Preston Sienacollege2008@gmail.com

2009

Tiffany Salonich tsalonich11@aim.com Hello Class of 2009, Paul Llobell and Emily Morr were married on June 25, 2016 at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. Jake Shatraw and Melissa Paoni became engaged in November. Tiffany Salonich married Orlando Valerio in March. Erin Clune married Ben Spiegel in April. Kristina Crehan graduated in May from Syracuse University with a certificate of advanced study (CAS) in educational leadership. Leah Antil has been commissioned as surface warfare officer (Ensign) in the United States Navy and is serving on a forward deployed class Arleigh Burke class Destroyer ship in Japan. “It is an honor to serve my country as part of the U.S. Navy and I am thankful to employ the great lessons and experiences that Siena has given me!” said Leah. Gina Graziano has a new position at Firebrand Group, a marketing research and consulting firm in NYC as their

2010

Kelly Peckholdt kellypeckholdt@gmail.com Many congratulations are in order for some of our classmates this issue. If you have any updates and announcements you would like to share with our class, please email me or send me a message on Facebook with your news. Congratulations to Leah Colbert (Primeau), who married Leo Primeau in December. Thomas McBride got engaged to Sarah McCullough in December. Congratulations! Jillian Pabis (Loggins) and Ryan Loggins welcomed baby Benjamin Loggins into the world in March. Benjamin was 9 lbs 5 oz. Congratulations to Jillian and Ryan! Congratulations to Amanda Krummenacker, who married her husband, Christopher Finnie, in April 2016. Kimberly Hempel is working full-time as a French teacher at South Side Middle School in Rockville Centre where she just recently received tenure. She also works part-time teaching Spanish as an adjunct professor at Nassau Community College. Kimberly is also newly engaged and will

be getting married next July. Congratulations Kimberly!

2011 Steve Rosemarino has been practicing law at Couch White, LLP for a few years now. He focuses in commercial and complex litigation and construction law.

2012

Therese Daly Classof212classnotes@ gmail.com Happy five year reunion, class of 2012! For those of you who made it, it was great to see you; for those that couldn’t, we missed you and please stay in touch! Congratulations to all accomplishments, the world is your oyster! Hayley Samela started a new position as account manager at Time Magazine in NYC. Katie Carew started a new position as Sales Manager at Sports Sponsorship at GumGum in NYC. Davinson Garcia started a position as senior administrator at Ayco in Albany. Michael Fitzgerald graduated magna cum laude with a M.B.A. from Russell Sage. Katie Ness started a new position as research associate at Glen Martin Associates in Albany. Courtney (Bowman) Gettings started a new position as license real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty Inc. in Albany. Kristen Lange started a position as account supervisor at International Meetings &

WEDDINGS In an effort to publish alumni wedding photos in a more timely manner and to allow alumni to share these photos via social media all future weddings will be posted at www.siena.edu/weddings. The wedding a nnouncements will continue to a ppear in the class notes section. Cheers!

Science. Lindsay Kulzer started a new position as acting lead software engineer at CommerceHub. Allison Montecallo started a new position as senior field outreach coordinator at Clover Health. Rob Feldman started a position as marketing analyst at Ayco. Kathryn Ornellas and Anthony Englese were married in June. Congrats! Olivia-Beate Franzini married Matthew Kapuscinski in May in NYC. She continues to teach 10th and 12th grade literature at The Math Engineering Science Academy in Brooklyn. In January Kyle McHugh and Neidy Hammer ’14 were married. Congrats! Zach Griffths and Mackenzie Miller were engaged in March. Erin O’Malley will be completing her Ph.D. at Dartmouth in August. Her work was featured on aasnova. org, research highlights from the journals of the American Astronomical Society.

2013

REUNION

new Vice President, Head of Business Development. Jamie Mantica left the pharmacy to accept a position as Medical Strategist at Fingerpaint in Saratoga. I hope you all are enjoying the summer weather! Stay cool! Please email me anytime to share any news with our class.

Cassy Jane Werking C18werk@siena.edu Nicole Andrews and Mike Lum were engaged in November 2016. Laura Frei received her M.S. in teaching English to speakers of other languages, from Mercy College. Rebecca Grasso graduated this May with her doctor of physical therapy from Sage College. Kristen Morra and Dan Comiskey recently were engaged in February. They currently reside in Boston. Matthew Mysliwiec is teaching middle school social studies at the Chartiers Valley School District in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. Arianna Palumbo and Vadim Livshits recently were engaged.

Sara O’Shea graduated with her law degree from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Alexandra Viglucci earned her master's in social work at SUNY Albany. Cassy Jane Werking finished her first year of a Ph.D. program in American history at the University of Kentucky. Chris Small opened up a commercial kitchen and incubator space in Albany called The Chef’s Kitchen Space. He was looking for a commercial kitchen space to start his healthy prepared foods business, The Healing Meals, and when he could not find a kitchen to rent at a reasonable price, Chris and his family decided to pursue the project themselves.

2014

Kaitlin Harrison ke06harr@siena.edu I’d like to start off by congratulating the Class of 2017. Welcome to the alumni family! Love was in the air in Loudonville this winter! Tom Zielenski proposed to Brianna Hazzard at Siena College in January! Congrats! Can't wait for the alumni pictures from the wedding! Kara Rager and Nicholas Gatta ’12 were married in August 2016. And finally, I am happy to let you know that Matthew Eliseo and I got engaged in February at Siena! Please continue to send me any updates — love to hear from you!

2015

Helene Rached Caroline Bertholf SienaNotes2015@gmail.com Caroline Bertholf finished her first year at Syracuse Law School and got engaged to David Egresits.

2016

IN MEMORY

Anthony Bjelke Matt Lorini sienanotes2016@gmail.com Anthony Bjelke will be serving as a legal extern at the Institute for International Banking Law and Practice. Emily Roehl completed her masters in accounting at Siena in December and has just completed her first semester teaching managerial accounting at Siena in the spring. She is now an accountant at LeverPoint Management. Alexa Cavallary will be graduating from Hofstra University in the spring with a M.S. in accounting and will be starting a job with Margolin, Winer & Evens in November as a staff accountant. Alexa is also working part time with CBS Interactive as a financial analyst and preparing for the C.P.A. exam. Kaila Dwyer is graduating from Columbia University in the spring with an M.S. in social work, concentrating in advanced clinical practice with a focus in health, mental health, and disabilities. Catherine Kober has taken a position in Houston as an elementary school para-professional aide for special needs students, while working on certification tests to become a full-time special needs teacher. William Martin is employed by Somerset County, New Jersey as a 911 dispatcher. Matt Lorini is serving as a legal intern in the office of Bruce Tarr, Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader.

2017

Amy Polchinski Anthony Pelliccia Ryan Grande started working as an advisor at Concord Wealth Management in Boston.

Siena College mourns the loss of the following members of our community: Anthony Gugliuzza ’47

Stephen Gamble ’63

Nicholas Zavisky ’47

Kenneth Glastetter ’63

Chet Pachucki ’48

Fr. Aaron Dowdell ’64

Edward Tatro ’48

Jim Maloney ’64

Edward Genhofer ’49

Bradley Eggleston ’65

Charles Lombardo ’49

John Magnotta ’65

William Allen, Jr. ’50

Richard O’Brien ’65

James Aloise ’50

Peg Pearsall ’66

William Burch ’50

Terry Jannott ’67

Mike Chrepta ’50

Robert Maroney ’68

John Garry, II ’50

Lawrence Mule ’68

Maurice Goyette ’50

James McGovern ’69

Peter Iannacone ’50

Andrew Wood ’69

George Lyons ’50

Sr. Marilyn Broderick, R.S.M ’71

Bob Rice ’50

Bill Conboy II ’71

William Varcasio, Jr. ’51

Thomas Breedlove ’72

Christopher Fagan ’52

Kevin Burbige ’72

John Karafanda ’52

Cynthia Walsh ’73

John Kinisky ’52

Mendez Avery ’74

Wes Mangine ’52

John Massaroni ’76

William McBride ’52

Joseph Camerino ’78

Jake Robert ’52

Kenneth Mangione ’79

Charles Bulson ’53

Jacqueline Fletcher ’80

Frank Cardamone ’54

Nancy LaRow ’80

David Cook ’55

Miles Lewis, Sr. ’81

Paul Marra, Jr. ’56

Brian O'Keefe ’82

Raymond Vallee ’56

John Jubert ’84

Jack Dolab ’57

Kim Mangiardi-Sabin ’85

Christopher Forkeutis ’58

Susan McGuire ’86

Lt. Col. William Thornton, Jr. ’59 USAF (Ret.)

Clyde Nicholson ’86

Stanley Waligora, Jr. ’59

David W. Robert ’86

Thomas Basil ’60

Joseph Conway ’87

Francis Conron, Jr. ’60

Nicholas Audi ’88

Thomas Cummings ’61

Richard Mundweiler ’88

Bertrand Gould ’61

Scott McCloud ’90

Madeline Sapone ’61

Ann Spratt Rudmann ’92

Dr. Gin Gee ’62

Stuart Allen Devenpeck ’93

Kenneth Mundweiler, Jr. ’62

Lori Ann Patryn Smith ’94

Richard Peterson ’62

Valerie Machado ’95

Maryanne Hartigan Schrank ’62

Jonathan Kirk ’04

Robert Blinsinger ’62

Peter Arndt ’11

Owen “Pat” Brady ’63

Robert Ferruggiari ’11

Easy, tax-smart giving:

CHARITABLE IRA ROLLOVER AND CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

The IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER lets you make a gift and avoid multiple levels of taxation. It is as simple as 1, 2, 3. One, you must be age 70½ or older (counts towards your required minimum distribution). Two, the amount cannot exceed $100,000. Three, the transfer must be direct from your IRA to Siena. The Siena College CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY enables you to transfer cash or marketable securities in exchange for an immediate income tax deduction

Membership has its Privileges! As Siena College celebrates 80 years, we

(the year you make your gift) and guaranteed fixed payments to you or your

continue to seek new and innovating ways to

designee for life. A substantial portion of each annuity payment is tax-free

provide the education for a lifetime. The Annual

over the life expectancy of the donor because it is considered a return of the

Fund is vital support of these efforts.

gift principal. Gifts of appreciated securities provide more benefits. Both the

The growth of Siena’s President’s Circle is

annuity amount and the income tax deduction are based on the full value of

essential to our continued success and for the first

the gift. No capital gains tax on the appreciation will be due at the time of the

time in 30 years, entry-level membership to the

gift as long as the donor is an annuitant. For gifts of appreciated securities, the tax-free portion of the annuity payments is reduced. The minimum gift for a Siena College charitable gift annuity is an affordable $10,000, with no maximum on the amount you can contribute. The agreement to establish your annuity is just one page written in simple English.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT BRADLEY BODMER ’82, ESQ AT BBODMER@SIENA.EDU OR 518-783-2432.

THE ANNUAL FUND PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

President’s Circle has increased to $1,500. President’s Circle members are an exceptional core of leadership donors who have made the commitment to support Siena in its mission to prepare students to live productive, responsible, compassionate lives. We thank you and look forward to assisting with your membership today! Visit us at www.siena.edu/makeagift to make your gift online, email us at annualfund@siena.edu, or call 518-783-2432.

UNPACKED

KENNEY ALEXANDRE ’17 COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR / ENTREPRENEURSHIP MINOR SPRING VALLEY, NY.

SNACKS. You can always find me with lots of snacks. Trail mix and Naked Juices are my go-to’s; they’re super easy to grab and go. I may even try to sneak them into class with me every once in a while. Hey, college students are busy!

SERVICE. I’m a volunteer at North Albany Academy as a Girl Scout leader. When I was offered the position of Scout leader, I just assumed it would be Boy Scouts. Oh, was I wrong! But have so much fun working on projects, playing games and just spending time with my Brownies.

SOUND. I love every type of music out there, except country. But honestly, if I can move to it, that’s all that matters. Some of my favorite artists are John Legend and Michael Bublé because I love their smooth, old school sound. But, I also grew up listening to artists like Prince and the Turtles with my parents’ influence.

SPORTS. I love sports, especially the Oklahoma City Thunder (even when they aren’t doing that well).

SOLID. You’ll notice a common theme here, I love to move. I’m also on Siena’s step team, S.O.L.I.D. (Stepping On Line In Definition). We perform at a lot of Siena events such as Expoze and Fall Fusion. At this year’s Expoze, I also performed with the Bhangra dance team!

SIENA. This year I was named Mr. Siena 2017! Mr. Siena is essentially a male pageant, but it’s much more than that. The contestants really form a brotherhood during the months leading up to the competition. We spent so many hours together preparing that it became like a second family. It was such a big honor to be crowned this year’s winner!

515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, N.Y. 12211-1462

Celebrating 80 years

SEE PAGE 18