Siena News, Winter 2018

SIENA A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS • WINTER 2018

“Education Is Not the Filling of a Pail, But the Lighting of a Fire” William Butler Yeats

INSIDE

- Saints Stand Up to Bullying - Liam Rice ’19 Reaches the Summit - Women’s Basketball Visits Cuba

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

A film crew with National Geographic and Travel Channel credentials spent a week on campus shooting a Siena spirit video.

Shelby Wadsworth ’18 (p. 50) stars in the production as the College’s radio DJ. First, she acted for the two cameras, then she recorded the script from a sound studio in Saratoga Springs, New York.

From surfboards and horse races to haircuts and face-painted friars, the new 2-minute video gives viewers a glimpse inside life as a Saint.

To check out the video, visit facebook.com/sienacollege.

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SIENA NEWS – WINTER 2018 Published by: Siena College 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462 518-782-8300 • communications@siena.edu • Publisher: Jason Rich ’98 • Editor: Julia Hess ’15 • Contributing Editors: Alumni Relations, Brad Bodmer ’82, Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., Mike Demos, Caitlyn Gerardi ’19, Beth Hazelton ’16, Jillian Madocs ’19, Kelly O’Donnell, Stephen Pendergast ’18, Shelby Wadsworth ’18 and Lisa Witkowski • Art Director and Design: Sergio Sericolo • Class Notes and ‘In Memory’ Design: Jean Higgs • Page 18 Design: Andrea Russell ’18 • Alumni Class Notes Editors: Mary Beth Finnerty ’85, Kathy Palumbo and Megan Kelly ’19 • Photography: CBSNY, Development Office, Fabiola Mkenda, Joseph

Ferro ’19, Food Pantries for the Capital District, George Hassel, Maine- Endwell School District, Beth Mickalonis, Andrew Murphy ’17, Corey Nolen, Office of International Programs, Julia Parks ’19, Benjamin Roberts, Sandy Spicer ’19, Siena Athletics, Siena Facilities, and Sergio Sericolo • Video Production: Dave Etzler, and Creative Communications Associates

STANDING UP TO BULLYING

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90 MILES AWAY, A WORLD APART

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REACHING THE SUMMIT

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, Chair 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 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. Nimmi M. Trapasso ’98, M.D. Br. Basil J. Valente ’84, O.F.M.

UNPACKED: SHELBY WADSWORTH ’18

INSIDE

8 - ON CAMPUS 24 - OUR FACULTY & STAFF 32 - ATHLETICS 34 - O UR ALUMNI 3

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT TRADITION.TRANSFORMED. The College’s new Strategic Plan is 66 pages long. There are more than 20,000 carefully chosen words on those pages, accompanied by charts and graphs, tactics and objectives.

The document is wholly strategic and, in some places, necessarily complex. But the soul of the plan can be summed up with one perfect phrase: Tradition. Transformed.

The title of the plan hints at where we have been, and where we must go. It’s our past. And it’s our future. We, the Siena community, here and now, will bridge that gap. Tradition.

Transformed. will be our guide.

Eighty years ago, our founding friars carved Siena College out of an asparagus field. They offered our first students a Franciscan, liberal arts education inspired by the 800-yearold traditions of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. This foundation has empowered thousands of lifelong learners intent on making the world a more just and peaceable place and continues to serve as the core of a Siena education.

Unprecedented challenges are now threatening higher education. Shifts in demographics, plus political and cultural pressures, are putting a strain on college enrollment. Very

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few institutions are immune. Tradition. Transformed. addresses those challenges by embracing our history and our mission, while adapting to new realities. Our unflinching commitment to a Franciscan education is uniquely Siena. It’s our identity and also our greatest strength. We must create a demand for a Siena education, and create the opportunity for students to be successful.

SAINT’S SHOCKING SURPRISE

First, it’s important to note there is no such thing as a “free education.” Promises suggesting so are misleading. However, a Siena College education should be attainable for all academically eligible students, regardless of their background. Siena’s newly created St. Francis scholarship offers up to $12,000 in additional scholarship money to qualifying students with no strings attached.

We must also offer programs students seek and deliver skills that employers require. Our customizable business major, popular Baldwin nursing program, and new data science major all reflect student wants and market demands. It’s also imperative we achieve long-term financial sustainability by more efficiently delivering programs and services, while committing to operating budgets that yield surpluses.

We all play a role in executing the strategies outlined in Tradition. Transformed. And while it’s a five-year plan, victory won’t be declared in 2022. This plan puts Siena College on a trajectory toward 2037, our 100-year anniversary. By then, another 16,000 alumni will have earned a Siena degree. That’s what success looks like; providing the Education for a Lifetime – as we’ve long done, and will always continue to do.

Br. F Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., President of Siena College 5

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THE BBC COMES TO SIENA

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The research of Greg Byrnes, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on squirrel jumping behaviors has brought the world-famous BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) to Siena. Amidst all the excitement over the BBC’s presence, it may be easy to forget how helpful his research may prove to be, allowing architects to build more damage-proof structures and scientists to build better robots.

AROUND TOWN

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2 - PIE A PHYSICS PROFESSOR

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When Siena’s Physics Club needed a night of stress-relief, John Cummings, Ph.D., dean of the School of Science and John Moustakas, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics, were down to have some fun. As a fundraiser for the club, the professors volunteered to get “pie’d” by students for $3 per whipped cream pie.

3 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIENA! On September 22, Siena celebrated its 80th birthday with a student-led party filled with food, games, and even a therapy pig named Bacon Bits. Led by Shelby Wadsworth ’18, students celebrated in style with ice cream, field games, thank-you postcards for Siena’s friars and a face-in-the-hole cut out for photos.

4 - IT’S MADNESS AT SIENA!

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Siena held its ‘Siena Madness’ annual kick-off to their women’s and men’s basketball seasons at the Alumni Recreation Center on campus. The event featured a short scrimmage, dance and cheer performances, on-court contests and sign-ups for the student spirit group, the Dog Pound.

5 - BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS More than 100 pets and their owners came to campus for the annual Blessing of the Animals, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who famously cared for all creatures. The Rev. Larry Anderson, Siena’s chaplain, officiated the event on September 30.

6 - SIENA NAMED OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER For its long-term partnership and efforts to address food insecurity issues, Siena College was named Outstanding Community Partner of 2017 by The Food Pantries for the Capital District. The award was presented at the organization’s annual Harvest Evening Celebration on October 5 in Troy.

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ON CAMPUS SAINTS ABROAD Saints in all majors study abroad in more than 50 countries around the world each semester. Students pursue international internships, do original research, engage in purposeful service learning and form lasting bonds and

AMY ABRAHAM ’19 - INDIA KAYLA CAMPANA ’19 ECUADOR

friendships, all while improving their employment prospects.

In the fall, Saints jetted off all across the globe to explore countries, cities, cultures and cuisines in their new homes away from home for the fall.

CHANTALLE DURR ’18 SOUTH KOREA

GIANNI KIERKLA ’19 - ITALY

JOHN KEENAN ’19, KEVIN HAYES ’19 AND JOHN COTE ’19 - LONDON

ELISE SEIFRITZ ’19, KATHRYN ANDERSON ’19, KEVIN MURPHY ’19 AND KEVIN HAYES ’19 - IRELAND

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KATHRYN ANDERSON ’19 IRELAND (PHOTO IN ICELAND)

ELLIE LOCKHART ’19 - SWEDEN

A MOMENT OF UNITY AMID TOTAL ECLIPSE The College hosted an eclipse watching event on August 21 to observe the 66 percent solar coverage upstate New York was allotted.

Siena regularly puts on viewing events for such celestial occurrences as meteor showers and supermoons, which attract amateur scientists and families alike. We received an amazing turnout for the solar eclipse watch – more than 500 people came to our Loudonville campus.

Kids played tag. Families struck up conversations.

Loads of selfies were taken. People sported T-shirts with NASA, National Geographic and even Star Trek logos.

We greeted guests, and quickly circulated through the crowds handing out numbers for folks to line up to view the sun through the physics department’s telescopes.

Everyone was happy to be together for this rare display of the universe’s power and beauty.

A separate tracking telescope was set up to project onto a whiteboard, and it showed a sharp image of the moon moving across the disc of the sun. Everyone got a good look.

We moved through the crowd with several pairs of welding goggles, so campus guests could safely view the obscured sun, which looked electric green through shade 14 glass. Gasps - even bursts of joyful laughter - could be heard from children and adults alike as they saw the sun – Earth’s nearest star – blocked out into a crescent shape.

“Oh my gosh, that’s awesome.”

“Will you look at that.”

“Daddy, the sun looks like the moon!”

“Man, I saw what I came for.”

Five hundred people — all ages, all races, all backgrounds — came together in

the name of something that was at the same moment both scientific fact and beautiful miracle.

People had fashioned homemade eclipse viewers from cereal boxes and tinfoil, and they shared them with strangers. Families set up picnic blankets and handed out juice pouches for their kids. Some brought books and read quietly until it was their turn to view the eclipse. Others set up lawn chairs or hung out in the backs of their SUVs, which were parked up against the viewing field. Some families came with three generations in tow — kids, parents and grandparents to share in the sun show.

People shared, and laughed together and almost everyone got to see the eclipse.

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COLLEGE OFFERS NEW DATA SCIENCE PROGRAM It’s called data science, and it can help organizations solve problems they didn’t even know they had.

Now Siena College will be offering a degree program in it.

The College has received state approval for a data science major and minor. Current Siena students can enroll in the program now; potential students can enroll for the fall of 2018.

Data science is the process of gathering and analyzing data to help with productivity, predict future trends, and support decision making.

Jon Bannon, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics and coordinator of the new program,

A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW DIFFERENT CAREER FIELDS CAN USE DATA SCIENCE: • BUSINESSES CAN PREDICT SALES TRENDS, INCREASE CUSTOMERS AND MANAGE HUMAN RESOURCES • HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CAN TRACK EPIDEMICS AND HOW DISEASES SPREAD • POLITICAL SCIENTISTS CAN ANALYZE POLLING AND VOTING TRENDS

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explained, “almost any professional field you can think of can benefit from analyzing large sets of data.”

The program will be administered in the College’s School of Science, but students may take relevant courses in each of the College’s three schools: Science, Business and Liberal Arts. The major will require significant coursework in mathematics and computer science; students will then select a concentration such as marketing, health studies or political science where the data science skills can be applied.

Siena will be the only college in the Capital Region to offer a bachelor’s degree in data science, and one of only a handful in the Northeast to do so, said John Cummings, Ph.D., dean of the School of Science.

Siena recently hosted the panel discussion “Investing in America’s Data Science and Analytics Talent - The Case for Action,” welcoming area business leaders to campus to hear data analytics experts from GlobalFoundries, Grant Thornton, GE Global Research and KPMG discuss the tremendous need for employees with knowledge in this field.

SIENA SIGNS ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS Siena’s president, Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., with Dr. Steady H. Moono, president of SCCC. Siena College recently signed updated articulation agreements with Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) and SUNY Adirondack.

This agreement will allow qualified SCCC grads with an associate’s degree to enroll in one of 31 degree programs at Siena.

“Academic programs at Schenectady County Community College provide strong preparation for, and ready access to, baccalaureate programs here at Siena,” said Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., Siena’s president.

“We are pleased to offer this new pathway, and we strongly believe that many students in a degree program at SCCC will benefit from the information, guidance and transfer course equivalencies this agreement provides.”

Dr. Steady H. Moono, president

of SCCC, added, “At SCCC, we strive to create exceptional academics and financially-smart opportunities for all of our students. We’re extremely excited about our new partnership with Siena College, as it gives our students another leg up as they pursue higher education, and a means for chasing their dreams and careers.”

Additionally, SUNY Adirondack graduates who have earned an associate’s degree can transfer a maximum of 66 credit hours to Siena once they complete the admissions application process and meet Siena’s admissions criteria. The original agreement was signed between the two colleges in 2015 and was updated in October.

“For many years, Siena has been the fortunate recipient of many talented transfer students from SUNY Adirondack,” said Br.

Coughlin. “We see the value in the education that this college provides due to its vibrant learning community and its faculty and staff.

We are pleased to offer this transfer option to their graduates, who will be able to easily bring their college credits to our Loudonville campus to pursue a bachelor’s degree.”

“The associate’s degree programs completed by SUNY Adirondack students will provide a solid base for further education at Siena,” said Kristine D. Duffy, Ed.D., president of SUNY Adirondack. “We’re excited about our updated partnership with Siena, as it gives our graduates a clear pathway to a Siena degree and further preparation for their careers.”

Siena also maintains an articulation agreement with Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.

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When we talk with our alumni, we often hear, “things on campus have changed so much since I was a student!” Even Saints as recent as our 2017 grads may have missed our brand-new additions to campus. Don’t recognize our newest sights and scenes? Stop by campus and visit!

DIGITAL MESSAGING CENTER When you drive by campus on Route 9, you’ll see our Digital Messaging Center in front of Siena Hall. This digital sign communicates significant campus events and successes while sharing messaging that shows the thousands of people who see it daily what it means to be a Saint.

RING OF HONOR A Ring of Honor – a circle of engraved benches at the center of campus – was dedicated by Siena College to honor its most generous benefactors. The 16 gray granite benches are engraved with the 25 (and counting) names of transnational donors to Siena College. The Ring of Honor has become a gathering place for students to relax in between classes, meet friends, and study.

DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP CENTER RING OF HONOR

Located in the lower level of the Standish Library, the Center transfers and saves 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. Our professors and students have been utilizing the active learning classroom, monitors, a state-of-the-art projection system, and digitization equipment and management systems.

THE PADDOCK The Lucarelli Paddock opened in the fall of 2015 adjacent to the Sarazen Student Union and features a gas fire pit, a barbecue, furniture, decking and landscaping.

Although our Saints enjoy the Paddock on a daily basis, our annual Franks with the Friars event brings the community together to enjoy the amenities.

DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP CENTER

CASEY’S It is the campus spot for a study session or a coffee break, open mic night or a latenight game of foosball. New to the Sarazen Student Union in 2014, Casey’s features lounge seating, a performance stage, café, game room and a Starbucks.

PADDOCK

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CASEY’S

DIGITAL MESSAGING CENTER

EDUCATING TODAY’S VOTERS This fall, voters across New York decided the fate of a state-wide Constitutional Convention, known as “Con Con.” The “Con Con” vote became controversial in academic and labor circles, with one concern uniting both sides of the debate: not enough people knew what the Constitutional Conventure was all about. Siena committed itself to educating local voters. For over a year, political science students presented the pros and cons of Con Con as part of a panel discussion throughout the Capital Region.

The College hosted a debate that allowed students to hear arguments from both sides of the issue and form educated opinions about it. Gerald Benjamin, the Associate Vice President for Regional Engagement at SUNY New Paltz, and Arthur “Jerry” Kremer, Brooklyn Law School’s Chairman of Empire Government Strategies, came to campus to debate the Convention.

“Con Con is so important because it allows people

to exercise their ability to make change when they feel like the legislature is not,” said Keshawn Langhorn ’18.

“Having an alternative means to the status quo is important and should not be something that is overlooked. Which is why I am shocked that people do not do more to understand and research this topic.”

As Siena College Research Institute polling predicted, NYS voters ultimately voted overwhelmingly against holding Con Con. Caitlyn Gerardi ’19

SAINT NAMED TO NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Tom Ruhl ’19, a history education major from Locust Valley, New York, has been named to a one-year term on the national Bonner Advisory Board. He is one of only 10 students from across the country to serve on the board.

A Bonner service leader since entering Siena as a freshman, Ruhl works at the College’s Academic Community Engagement (ACE) offices as a program associate, handling administrative tasks, attending faculty meetings, and mentoring the professional development of other Bonners. There are 52 Bonner students currently studying at Siena.

“Bonners work several hours a week at a non-profit organization or on campus in a position that combines their academic and social justice interests with practical experience,” he said.

There is a wide range of academic subjects that Bonners study – biology, psychology, political science and more – and their classroom knowledge is applied to address ACE signature issues in the areas of housing, hunger, health, justice and education.

“Tom is an outstanding student leader who goes above and beyond in his dedication to the Capital Region and to the Bonners on the Siena campus,” said Kelly Finn ’16, ACE assistant director. “We know he will serve as a wonderful representation of our institution and the Bonner program.”

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Standing

UP Bullying

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“A smart kid, on pace to graduate early.”

Marc Badalucco ’19 is smiling as he describes his high school buddy, Matt, to a room full of strangers.

Marc’s smile, though, retreats quickly, foreshadowing what’s to come. This story won’t end well.

“I never suspected anything was wrong. I had no idea.”

No indication at all. Until his mom got a call from Matt’s mom. Matt had taken his own life.

Badalucco is sharing his friend’s heartbreaking story with high school students all over New York.

Marc didn’t see the warning signs of cyberbullying that insidiously preceded Matt’s death. He knows what to look for now.

Badalucco, and 21 of his Siena classmates, have launched the AT&T/Siena College Upstander Program: an innovative response to the rapidly growing threat of cyberbullying. The program was born out of a 2016 survey conducted by the Siena College Research Institute sounding the alarm on this teenage epidemic.

The Upstander program’s mission is to generate a grassroots movement of high school students willing to stand up to cyber bullies and stand tall in support of their victims. Other efforts have been made to educate teens on cyberbullying, but this is the first peer-to-peer mentoring program – putting trained college ambassadors in the same room as high schoolers.

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“The regular school presentations were always so boring. But students take this one seriously. It has a lasting impact,” says Marissa Hochburg ’21. A year ago, she was a senior at Columbia High School in East Greenbush, New York – one of two schools where Siena piloted the program.

“My sister is still at Columbia. She tells me that everyone wants the Siena students to come back because they enjoyed the program so much.”

Hochburg joined the Upstander program almost as soon as she stepped on campus. She’s now taken the Upstander pledge and helps to run half-day workshops for a small group of high schoolers who then become Upstander ambassadors within their school.

”If I could go back and change anything, I would go back and try to be closer to him. I wished I knew the signs. I was not well informed back then, I didn’t pick up on that. It’s tough.“ Marc Badalucco ’19

Sam Upson ’19 took a lead role during an October workshop at Catholic Central High School in Troy. “The students open up. A lot of them won’t even talk to their own parents. So to have college students come in, it’s great. They talk to us, we talk to them. And they feel comfortable addressing the situation in their own lives.”

Catholic Central freshman Tavon Lockridge was one of those students. “At first, truthfully, I had my doubts because what could I possibly not know about cyber bullying? But when they started telling us about this and how to be an Upstander, I was blown away.”

Lockridge told the Siena ambassadors he has a friend who’s been targeted through social media. He knew it was a problem; now he knows what to do. “To take care of a person, to make sure they don’t feel alone in the world, that’s a feeling in the heart that you can’t really describe.”

Matt felt alone in the world. Badalucco now knows what he could have done.

“If I could go back and change anything, I would go back and try to be closer to him. I wish I knew the signs. I was not well informed back then, I didn’t pick up on that.

It’s tough.”

Badalucco thinks about Matt, at every assembly, whether he’s sharing his story or not. Because it’s Matt’s story, and thousands more, that have motivated Siena’s ambassadors to stand up.

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REACHING THE SUMMIT AND HELPING OTHERS ALONG THE WAY

We all have challenges in life – summits to climb, if you will. This was the inspiration for a clothing company founded by a Siena student who donates a portion of its proceeds to charitable works in Uganda.

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“This is what basement entrepreneurship looks like,” said Liam Rice ’19, as he spread his arms to indicate stacks of merchandise and packaging at his family’s Ballston Spa, New York home.

The management major operates Summit Clothing Company from here, in between commuting to classes at Siena, and giving interviews.

TELL US ABOUT SUMMIT CLOTHING COMPANY. We sell shirts, zip-ups, pants, headwear – everything. We also have crafts made by artisans from Uganda. It’s sold on our website, summitclothingcompany.com and at farmers’ markets and fair trade events in the Capital Region. We partner with The Giving Circle, which is based in Saratoga and does charity outreach all over the world. Ten percent of every Summit sale, plus another portion after expenses, go to The Giving Circle to support and grow their villages in Uganda.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME AND LOGO? I chose “Summit” because we all have challenges to overcome and dealing with them is like climbing to the summit. I sketched out the logo during lunch in the Siena dining hall one day. We each have a mountain to climb, a cross to bear, but everything you go through makes you who you are.

WHAT WAS YOUR PARTICULAR CHALLENGE TO OVERCOME? In high school, I had a traumatic injury playing soccer, which put me in a wheelchair for a while. It pretty much scrapped my dream of playing soccer professionally. I had a lot of time to think – about what is important in life, what really matters. I realized that I was happiest when helping other people.

In high school [Saratoga Catholic], our class raised money to build a well in Africa so kids wouldn’t have to drink water filled with parasites. I wanted to keep on with that kind of outreach, and to do that I decided to start a clothing company that was also a society of goodwill.

WHAT MAKES SUMMIT STAND OUT FROM OTHER CLOTHING COMPANIES? People know their purchase is making a difference in people’s lives. With every single order we ship, I write a personal thank you note that says “Welcome to the Summit.” My family and friends help out – we work evenings and weekends to fulfill orders.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THE SCHOOL IN UGANDA THAT IS HELPED BY SUMMIT PURCHASES. The school in Bugembe welcomes deaf and disabled children, who can sadly be ostracized in their society or even thrown out of their own homes. They live in a dorm, and mix with the kids at another school that is attached to theirs. We’re also going to be partnering with a new community called Kagoma Gate, where they are building a new village with a school, clinic and more.

HOW DID SIENA IMPACT YOUR EFFORTS? The business school is amazing, both in what it teaches and how it is taught. The Siena campus has a very home-like feel. When you walk around, nine out of 10 people are going to be in a great mood, and that speaks very loudly to how the school is run and what its priorities are.

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Siena College is honoring the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, with a series of events under the theme Frankenstein: Celebrating 200 Years of Fear and Thinking. These events, featuring movies, lectures, and a “monster mash” cabaret, are designed to bring Shelley’s Frankenstein to life on Siena’s campus.

Why does Siena care deeply about a 200-year-old novel? Ray Boisvert, Ph.D., organizer of the year-long celebration, explains that Frankenstein can be framed in two distinctly Franciscan images: the leper and the family. Rather than the trope of the mad scientist who creates something entirely out of his control – a theme depicted in the movies, Boisvert argued that Shelley’s masterpiece “highlights a more human-centered theme and that is what allows for some Siena-specific emphases.”

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

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St. Francis, who had just recently turned to the Lord, was driven to reassess his values, and love. Compelled by the Spirit, St. Francis was overjoyed and filled with radical love for all living things. It was then he came upon a Leper. Instead of turning away, St. Francis embraced the leper, kissing his hands.

Frankenstein was seen as somewhat of the ultimate leper. Boisvert explained that Frankenstein’s Monster “becomes malicious and dangerous only after no one, even his maker; is willing to embrace him as a worthwhile individual.”

Two hundred years after its initial publication, Frankenstein continues to prove its relevance, to inspire, and unsettle.

Stephen Pendergast ’18

A MILESTONE AND A MISSION Siena student Thea Tarimo celebrated a birthday in December. A milestone birthday. And she went all out in celebration. If imagery of 21st birthday debauchery comes to mind (clinking shot glasses and a college bar crawl), hold that thought. It wasn’t her 21st. And that isn’t Sr. Thea’s idea of a good time.

“I celebrated by thanking God for the life I’ve been blessed to live. And then I got back to focusing on my studies.”

Sr. Thea turned 50 on December 19. She’s older, by a full generation, than your typical first-year Siena student. Of course, nothing about her college journey is typical.

Sr. Thea was raised in Tanzania. Her parents died when she was young, and her everyday life was a struggle. Eventually, she found her way to a convent where she worked, devoted herself to God, and discovered the value of an education.

Two years ago, Sr. Thea earned a scholarship to the United States to attend Assumption College for Sisters.

The New Jersey school enrolls Sisters from abroad into a two-year program designed to raise the level of education among religious women in developing countries. It’s the last remaining college primarily focused on educating nuns in the U.S. Assumption College graduates fewer than 20 students per year. Most wish to pursue their bachelor’s degree, and they all require full scholarships to continue their studies. In 2010, Siena joined their efforts. On average, one student is selected every two years – the cost of education and housing is waived, no strings attached.

Br. Brian Belanger, O.F.M., Ph.D., Siena’s director of International Programs, oversees the partnership with Assumption College.

“This is absolutely altruistic. We provide an education they could never have achieved in their home country, and they return as leaders within their community.”

All of the Sisters major in religious studies. Sr. Thea is the fifth Siena student from Assumption. She’s the third Sister originally from Africa; two have come from Vietnam. They all hope to impact children in their home countries.

“I want to help others because I struggled so much. I can give someone property. I can give someone money.

That can all be taken away. But an education? Nobody can take that away.”

Top: Sister Thea Tarimo ’19 Left: Sister Fabiola Mkenda ’12

Sr. Fabiola Mkenda was Siena’s first student from Assumption. She’s also from Tanzania. After earning her bachelor’s degree at Siena, she returned home, achieved her master’s degree, and is now teaching at a secondary school. This year, she graduated her first class of 80 Tanzanian women. She’s also caring for underserved children, as well as Tanzanians living with HIV and chronic diseases.

“My degree from Siena changed my life completely: physically, mentally, and spiritually. The knowledge and experience I gained from Siena, inside the classroom and outside, continues to help me in my community.”

Sr. Thea prays she’ll have the same impact on young women in Tanzania. But right now, she’s enjoying the company of her Siena friends – classmates less than half her age.

“I have many friends. We do stuff together. We play games. But I’m really busy right now with my studies.”

Sr. Thea is scheduled to graduate in May 2019. Then, back to Tanzania. She wants to prepare students for the world they’re going to face. And she admits – that should be much easier now that’s she had an opportunity to see the world for herself.

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An Open Letter to the Parents of College Freshmen THIS LETTER WAS SENT TO THE FAMILIES OF SIENA FRESHMEN AT THE START OF THE FALL SEMESTER. IT WAS PUBLISHED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER ON MEDIUM.COM.

By Lisa Witkowski

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F

reshman Move-In Day is a time

always be your babies. The babies are now

of celebration at many colleges and

wearing college logo hoodies instead of rompers

universities. When you dropped off your sons

and carrying backpacks instead of stuffed

and daughters, those of us who work and

animals. But, still. You know them best, and you

teach on campus welcomed them, literally

love them best. You know it, and what’s more,

and figuratively, with open arms. We carried

they know it, too.

their gear into the residence halls, pointed

You job is not over. No parenting job ever is.

them to the dining hall, and greeted them

The little kid to whom you read “Goodnight

at the orientation activities decorated with

Moon” is now studying English literature.

banners and balloons in the school colors.

The tot who used to play with your smart

It is now the first day of classes for the

phone while you grocery shopped is majoring

academic year — your child’s first year of

in computer science. The child you played

college. The laptops and notebooks are out.

ball with in the driveway is an NCAA athlete.

The studying begins. The new comforters and

They’re dancing to Luis Fonsi’s summer smash

pillows are on the residence hall beds which

“Despacito” instead of The Wiggles’ “Big Red

now have been slept in a few times. Photos

Car.”

from home adorn the walls, sometimes accented with a string of lights. The

Where did the time go?

At the dining hall, they bonded with new

cardboard moving boxes have been broken

classmates, but realized that their younger

down and are in the campus recycling bins.

sibling wasn’t at the table to tease. They heard

Now your child gets down to the business

the college campanile chime at night, but not

of living on campus and receiving a college

the family dog barking. They didn’t feel you

education.

come in to check on them while they drifted off

Know that as you drove back home, whether on local roads or the interstate, the faculty and staff were thinking of you and the

to sleep. You still checked at home, even though they were 18 years old.

As you transition to this new way of family

almost-adult children you have entrusted

life and your sons and daughters become college

to us. We saw your good-byes and we got a

students, please know that every day, every

little choked up, too, as we busied ourselves

night they are on campus, we have their backs.

with carting in the belongings of another

We will teach them, guide them, encourage

freshman or headed off to run an orientation

them, protect them and feed them. We did not

program, to allow your family some privacy

pick up the torch from you — rather we lit our

for one of your most special milestones. You

own torches with the light from yours — the

might have wondered if you saw us put on

love, character and values you have been

sunglasses, even though it was a cloudy day.

instilling in them for almost two decades.

It wasn’t because of the sun.

Your kids were emotional, too. They were

This is not the end of the road. It’s a new beginning. These words may not sound helpful

excited, and nervous, and they tried to be

when there is an empty bed at home. But they

brave so you wouldn’t worry. I got this, Mom.

do come from our hearts.

It’s all good, Dad. But you will worry anyway, because you will always be their parents and they will

From your family, to our family. You are all welcome here. Students and parents alike — we’re here for you every step of the way.

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CURCA

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CATCH UP

Siena Saints engage personally with top scholars in a dynamic, customized learning environment. The Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity ensures undergraduate research and scholarships are available to as many students as possible, regardless of major. Meet some of our student researchers!

1 - TIA BROWN ’18 AND AUSTIN RYDER ’19 (MENTOR: MIKE JARCHO, PH.D.) Brown, Ryder and Jarcho studied how various forms of social stress influence behavior, physiology, and immune function in female mice. The team spent most of their time conducting behavioral trials to assess the anxiety levels of female mice, finding that the data collected seem to be most closely tied to anxiety disorders.

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2 - LUKE MCKENNA ’19 AND HAMZA MEMON ’18 (MENTOR: TING LIU, PH.D.)

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Computer science students McKenna and Memon worked to improve the data collection method used by homeless shelters on individuals to ensure that there are not multiple records for any one single person.

The core of their project was to improve the quality of the de-duplication process and merge the records belonging to one person.

By improving the de-duplication quality, they were able to collect more information on homelessness that can help the government and social workers gain a better understanding of the situation at large.

3 - GORDON MACCAMMON ’18 (MENTOR: KAREN SONNELITTER, PH.D.) MacCammon and Sonnelitter worked on a project titled, “Compiling and Editing a Primary Source Reader on the Great Irish Famine.” Sonnelitter has a contract to put together an edited collection focusing on the Potato Famine, and MacCammon’s job was to sort through newspaper coverage of the period, from roughly 1845-1851, to find and transcribe accounts that should be included in the collection.

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4 - SHELBY DAVIS ’19 (MENTOR: LEONARD CUTLER, PH.D.)

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Cutler and his research assistant Davis collaborated on an assessment of the national security strategy of President Donald Trump in critical war hotspots. They also attempted to determine whether we are witnessing the development of a “Trump Doctrine” for counterterrorism in the first year of Trump’s presidency.

5 - LAUREN WOOD ’19 (MENTORS: MATT BELLIS, PH.D./ KRIS KOLONKO, PH.D.) Wood’s project investigates the accuracy of claims for commercial consumer products (nutritional supplements and cosmetics) that report to contain precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.) using a variety of elemental analysis techniques in Siena’s SAInT Center.

6 - TRAVIS BRODBECK ’18 (MENTOR: NECIP DOGANAKSOY, PH.D.) The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is used to collect data from homeless services across the United States. Brodbeck and his mentor Professor Necip Doganaksoy apply modern data analytics to HMIS data collected in New York to identify patterns and trends in the characteristics and service needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The insights gained through these analyses will help agencies use their limited resources more efficiently to better serve their clients.

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OUR FACULTY & STAFF

Siena faculty have been all over the news recently, providing expert commentary and analysis on a range of topics for TV, radio and newspapers.

LEFT TO RIGHT: George Hassel, Ph.D., Scott Greenhalgh, Ph.D., James Booker, Ph.D., Leonard Cutler, Ph.D., and Dan Bogan, Ph.D.

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LISETTE BALABARCA, PH.D., associate

Leonard Cutler, Ph.D.,

professor of political science, discussed Afghanistan, the New York state Constitutional Convention referendum, and other political topics.

Dan Bogan, Ph.D.,

assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, spoke about coyote behavior and their interaction with humans. These wild animals made several appearances in residential areas in the Capital Region this fall.

Scott Greenhalgh, Ph.D.,

assistant professor of mathematics and Dr. James Booker, professor of economics, provided interesting perspectives on this fall’s powerhouse hurricanes – not the weather angle, but about protecting and developing natural resources after major storms, and how disease and illness outbreaks can be tracked.

George Hassel, Ph.D.,

physics laboratory technician, explained to the Capital Region what people could expect when viewing the August 21 eclipse. He and his colleagues also hosted a public eclipse watch on the Siena campus, and he handled multiple media interviews while wrangling telescopes.

professor of Spanish • Granted a six-month permiso de estancia (permission of stay) at CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) and its Center for Human and Social Sciences in Madrid from September ’17 to March ’18.

JACK COLLENS, PH.D., assistant professor of political science • Co-authored “Endorsements in the 2016 Invisible Primary: Still a Useful Indicator?”

Conventional Wisdom, Parties, and Broken Barriers in the 2016 Election, Lexington Books, November.

MATTHEW CUSACK, executive director of the Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship • “Campus Connector Award,” Upstate Unleashed Conference and 2017 Venture Ecosystem Awards.

LEN CUTLER, PH.D., professor of political science • “President Obama’s Counterterrorism Strategy in the War on Terror,” Palgrave/ MacMillan, August. • “An Emergent Trump Doctrine: A Preliminary Examination,” Northeastern Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, November.

ABOVE: Aaron Pacitti, Ph.D.,associate professor of economics, and Dr. Vera Eccarius-Kelly, professor of comparative politics, are both regular panelists on The Roundtable, which airs weekdays on WAMC, Northeast Public Radio. The program features in-depth analysis of a wide variety of current events.

Don Levy, Ph.D.,

director of the Siena College Research Institute, spearheaded fall polling about the Constitutional Convention referendum, local and statewide races in New York, a key gubernatorial contest in Virginia and more.

MARYANNE EGAN, PH.D., professor of computer science, ROBIN FLATLAND, PH.D., professor of computer science, MEG FRYLING, PH.D., assistant professor of computer science, SHARON SMALL, PH.D., associate professor of computer science, SCOTT VANDENBERG, PH.D., • Co-authors, “Catch ‘em early: internship and assistantship CS mentoring programs for underclassmen” and “A Summer Program to Attract Potential Computer Science Majors,” SIGCSE 2018.

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MARYANNE EGAN, PH.D., professor of computer science, ROBIN FLATLAND, PH.D., professor of computer science, MEG FRYLING, PH.D., assistant professor of computer science, IRA GOLDSTEIN, PH.D., assistant professor of computer science, SHARON SMALL, PH.D., associate professor of computer science, SCOTT VANDENBERG, PH.D., professor of computer science • Co-authors of “Connecting Colleges/Universities and Local High Schools: A New Model for High School CS Teacher Development,” SIGCSE 2018.

GERMAINE GATEWOOD, visiting assistant professor of creative arts • Artist in Residence, “Artist Residency Freshworks,” Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Pittsburg, PA, November. • Art included in Still They Persist, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH, October. • Photographic work from series “La Lune,” included in On Freedom, Aperture Gallery, New York, NY.

SCOTT GREENHALGH, PH.D., assistant professor of mathematics • “Time-varying and state dependent recovery rates in epidemiological models, “Infectious Disease Modelling,” October. • Panelist on disease outbreaks after natural disasters, Spectrum News 9.

• Modeling HIV and Hepatitis G coinfection, Canadian Mathematical Society Winter Meeting.

BRITT HAAS, PH.D., visiting professor of FYS • “Fighting Authoritarianism: American Youth Activism in the 1930s,” Fordham University Press.

GEORGE HASSEL, PH.D., physics laboratory technician • “A New Take on Exploding Cart,” The Physics Teacher Magazine.

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MAHMOOD KARIMI-HAKAK, MFA, professor of creative arts • Binghamton International Poetry Festival, Binghamton, NY, October.• Shakespeare and Religion Conference, San Diego, CA, November. • “Interrupting a Dream,” Persian Cultural Center, San Diego, CA, November.

EMELIE KENNEY, PH.D., professor of mathematics • “The Birth and Development of Polish Mathematical Didactics in the Interbellum and World War II Eras: Challenges and Opportunities for Inclusion in a Modern MultiEthnic Classroom,” Balatonfured, Hungary, September. • “Learning and Teaching Mathematics in World War II Poland: Experiences of Three Daring Women,” Kraków, Poland, September. • “Making Her Mark on a Century of Turmoil and Triumph: A Tribute to Polish Women in Mathematics,” Springer International Publishing AG, December.

DANIEL C. LEWIS, PH.D., associate professor of political science • Co-authored, “Degrees of Acceptance: Variation in Public Attitudes toward Segments of the LGBT Community,” Political Research Quarterly. • “Testing Contact Theory and Attitudes on Transgender Rights,” Public Opinion Quarterly. • Co-author, “Legislative Term Limits and Voter Turnout,” State Politics & Policy.

ARINDAM MANDAL, PH.D., associate professor of economics • Co-authored, “Does NOTA Affect Voter Turnout?

Evidence from State Legislative Election in India,” Asian Journal of Economic Modelling.

• “Does Trade Improve Labor Rights in Developed Countries? An Empirical Investigation,” New York

State Economic Association 70th Annual Conference, Farmingdale, NY.

DENISE MASSMAN, MFA, professor of creative arts • Costume design, “Macbeth,” Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, June-September.

• Scene and costume design, “Performing Olana,” Olana State Historic Site, September.

• Costume design, “New World Order,” Troy Foundry Theatre, October.

MICHELE MCCOLGAN, PH.D., assistant professor of physics, ROSE FINN, PH.D., professor of physics, DARREN BRODER, lecturer in physics, GEORGE HASSEL, PH.D., physics laboratory technician • Co-authors of “Assessing students’ conceptual knowledge of electricity and magnetism,” Physics Review Physics Education Research.

PAUL MURRAY, PH.D., professor of sociology emeritus • Selected as the recipient of the 2017 Harry C. Koenig Journal Prize in Catholic biography.

LAURIE NARANCH, PH.D., associate professor of political science • Presented at Canadian Political Science Association Conference and at University of Brighton, England, on work of political thinker Adriana Cavarero, Sojourner Truth, and the power of narrative.

RICHARD OGNIBENE, EDD, professor of education emeritus • “Change in Early Nineteenth-Century Higher Education in New York’s Capital District,” Peter Lang Publishers.

AARON PACITTI, PH.D., associate professor of economics • Coauthored, “The Rise of Services, Deindustrialization, and the Length of Economic Recovery,” Economic Inquiry 55, no. 4, 2017.

DID YOU EVER HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE SCIENTISTS WALKING IN TO A BAR...

More than 50 college faculty, researchers and other scientists spread out to the Capital Region’s trendiest bars and pubs on October 12 to help patrons get their science on at an event called Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar. The academics each grabbed a pint and a barstool, slapped on a special nametag identifying them by their area of research, and answered any serious or silly questions put to them.

DR. SARAH BERKE, assistant professor of biology, and DR. MARY BETH KOLOZSVARY, associate professor of environmental studies and sciences, helped coordinate the local event. They were joined by DR. DANIEL MORIARTY, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and others. More events will be planned in the future.

AUSRA PARK, PH.D., associate professor of political science • “The Baltic States: From Ugly Ducklings to European Swans,” Union College, June. • “Shattering the Glass Ceiling in Eastern Europe? The Rise of Female Presidents,” 24th International Conference of Europeanists, Glasgow, UK, July.

• Blogger on Presidential Power, January.

ASHLEY PROVENCHER, PH.D., assistant professor of economics • “Does the Unit of Analysis for Poverty Measurement Matter? A Comparison of the Supplemental Poverty Measure and the Official Poverty Measure,” New York Economic Review. • Co-presented,

“Program Utilization by Formerly Criminalized Youth: Linking Juvenile Recidivism Data to Data Held by US Census Bureau,” 2017 Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management Fall Research Conference, Chicago, Illinois, November.

DENNIS TAMBURELLO, O.F.M., PH.D., professor of religious studies • Served as chaplain for Anti-Defamation League’s educational expedition to Israel.

JIM TERESCO, PH.D., associate professor of computer science • “Map-based Algorithm Visualization with METAL Highway Data,” SIGCSE 2018. Coauthored with Siena

students MariaRose Bamundo, Arjol Pengu, Clarice Tarbay.

BEVERLY THOMPSON, PH.D., associate professor of sociology • “Digital Nomad Women in the New Economy,” Australian Sociological Association, Perth, Australia, November. • “Latina Women, Ethnic Identity and Tattoos,” Morphomata Center for Advanced Studies, University of Cologne, Germany, December.

KEITH WILHITE, PH.D., associate professor of English • “Serious Fictions: Neoliberalism, Literary Value, and Suburban Culture, Suburbia,” Suburbia- an Archaeology of the Moment Symposium, Toulouse, France, November.

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90 MILES AWAY, A WORLD APART

The Saints exchange gifts with the Cuban national team following three hard fought games

Siena’s women’s basketball team enjoyed a seven-day international tour of Cuba August 14-20. The Saints were just the third women’s basketball program to visit the island nation after diplomatic relationships softened in 2016. The Saints got a head start on their promising 2017-18 season with three tight losses to the Cuban National Team (74-69, 59-47 and 77-71 (OT)), but senior Margot Hetzke’s moving blog revealed the most powerful lessons were learned off the court.

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After spending a beautiful week in Cuba with my teammates, there is much to be discussed.

We were provided everything we could want from an island vacation: a five-star hotel in Havana, quintessential Caribbean fruits and pastries, nights of dancing and beautiful music, and to top it all off, two all-inclusive days in Veradero. To say we are blessed would be an understatement, and an exceptional amount of appreciation should be afforded to those who made this trip possible. With that said, this is a very different world for an American to walk around in, just 90 miles off our coast.

Many pictures were taken beside the rooftop pool and on beache, yet the true Cuba exists beyond our smiling faces. It was easy to succumb to the wonders of Havana and Varadero, but as tourists enjoy the pleasures of Cuba, the people live in poverty. Our trip aimed and succeeded in exposing us to a greater understanding of a very different culture from our own.

In the United States, we are blessed with materials that make building infrastructure possible. In Cuba, many homes and businesses are crumbling, and in the countryside they’re assembled of what appears to be scrap metals and woods. I imagine the notion of building codes and zoning boards is quite impossible for Cuban people to comprehend. In Havana, we walked along the streets and passed concrete homes where the floors had collapsed, even though the other structure still stands. The people on the streets could not be kinder, but they will ask you if they can have your backpack, or the shoes you are wearing, so they can give it to their son or daughter.

We carried tennis balls around the city, and children's faces lit up knowing they now had something of their own. There are police and military personnel around every corner, patrolling the streets.

Top – Margot Hetzke (second from left) with her senior teammates (from L-R) Aaliyah Jones, Joella Gibson, Emmanuella Edoka and Kollyns Scarbrough on Varadero beach.

Above – Deja Rawls ’19 drives past a member of the Cuban national team.

The Saints lost three tight games on their seven-day tour, but learned many lessons on and off the court.

Some are in uniform, others are in street clothes, but their presence makes an American hyper aware of her words and actions. Spanish-speaking natives on the streets shared with us through broken English that "free education" and "free healthcare" come at a cost,

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gesturing that this cost is somehow related to the extensive military presence.

In the United States, we have so much. We build and grow things all over the country that sustain us. In the lush and fertile land of Cuba, 90 percent of food is imported. Of course the United States trades too, but at least we have the infrastructure in place for commercial agriculture to exist. We have incredible networks of interstate highways and telephone cables; we have electricity that makes this communication possible.

The Cuban people are not so lucky.

The infrastructure to support an economy does not exist, and although the people wish to privatize and create a better life for their posterity, the government restricts business in the private sector, making only certain privatized occupations permissible. Doctors, engineers and lawyers, as well as a number of other jobs, are only permitted to work as government employees. Should you get into a medical university the Cuban government will pay for your schooling and you will work as a licensed, government doctor for as little as 20-25 CUC a month. To put this in perspective, the average rent in Havana is around 19 CUC per month. The private sector is most lucrative, but these occupations are limited. The only jobs people can really do in the private sector are own a taxi, be a waiter or waitress, work jobs in tourism, or own a small restaurant. The caveat to all these options is that each is harder than one may think. Owning a car in a nation that still drives vehicles from the 1950s is exceptionally expensive. In recent years

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Above – “We looked in on a world of tourism, of luxury and respite, yet our backs are turned to the real people of Cuba,” Hetzke noted in her blog.

Below– Head coach Ali Jaques and MAAC commissioner Rich Ensor pose with Siena alumnus Brendan Mullarkey ‘95 outside the U.S. Embassy in Cuba. Mullarkey is currently acting as the Consul General, Office of the U.S. Ambassador to Cuba, U.S. Embassy in Cuba, United States Department of State.

30 MARGOT’S COMPLETE BLOG IS AVAILABLE AT SIENASAINTS.COM/

the Cubans actually put in a Peugeot dealership, but the cars were selling for almost $200,000 because they were in such high demand.

Individuals who work in tourism have access to foreign currency and tips. These people are highly educated - one Iberostar employee told us he had degrees in sports medicine and physical therapy but works as a pool boy because he can make more money. When visiting Cuba the individual waiting your table, cleaning your room, or mixing your drinks could actually be a brain surgeon or chemical engineer, with almost no opportunity to succeed in their chosen field.

This lack of opportunity deprives the Cuban people of something I, and I imagine many Americans, take for granted every day. One may not live the perfect life in the United States, but U.S. citizens move throughout their daily lives with hope for the future, and that has a profound impact on the way we carry ourselves. I am blessed to be surrounded by teammates who have hopes and dreams, who are smart women that not only have the ability to go places, but believe they can be more and do more in the world. We say things in the United States such as, "the possibilities are endless," or, "the world is our oyster," and we believe these statements. That belief in opportunity affords Americans intangible successes.

This is by no means an exhaustive narrative of life in Cuba, but instead general observations and contemplations. There is much more to say and to be learned about Cuba, but the most lasting impacts are entirely related to perspective. The trip offered our team a greater understanding of what it means to be

The Saints pose outside the Basilica Menor de San Francisco de Asis (Saint Francis of Assisi). The basilica and monastery were built in Havana at the end of sixteenth century (1580–91).

grateful, and of that which we should be grateful for.

In the United States we are given freedom to vote, speak our minds, practice our chosen religions, attend university, own our own businesses, and privately practice medicine and law. We are free to work hard and reap the benefits, to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

These freedoms, just a few among many, are not given to all people around the world. I am forever grateful to the men and women who have made such possibilities real for me as an American citizen, and for all those who continue to believe that freedom and opportunity are essential causes to stand behind.

Margot Hetzke ’18

MARGOT’S COMPLETE BLOG IS AVAILABLE AT SIENASAINTS.COM/CUBA

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ATHLETICS

RUNNING TOWARD HISTORY Two years ago, Siena added its four athletic newest programs in men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track. Buoyed by the opportunity to expand and enhance the running program’s rosters, the Saints have been able to make more history this fall. The men’s cross country team recorded its highest ever MAAC Championship finish, while both teams boasted the highest individual rankings in program history.

“I’m excited for both programs after our MAAC Championship showings,” said head coach John

GLOBAL SAINTS Four Siena athletic teams were afforded the tremendous opportunity to embark upon culturally enriching international trips this summer.

The men’s and women’s golf teams traveled to Ireland, while women’s basketball went to Cuba (p. 28), and the men’s basketball team toured Montreal.

The golf programs set upon a five-day foreign tour of Ireland in June, where the Saints played 90 holes on four world-class golf courses scattered throughout the country’s picturesque County Kerry. Among their stops, the teams played the No. 1 rated “true links” course in all of Ireland in Waterville Golf Links, as well as Ballybunion Golf Club, which was ranked by Golf Digest in 2005 as the seventh best course in the world outside the United States.

“This foreign tour was a great opportunity for our student athletes to experience both the culture and world-class golf courses of Ireland,” said women’s golf head coach Dave Wronowski. “We are all extremely appreciative of the support given to make this possible from both the athletic department and Siena College, as this trip created lasting memories for all involved.”

Men’s basketball made the short trek north of the border for five full days in the aptly named “City of Saints” in August. The team had the opportunity to take in the many sights and sounds of Montreal, while also playing three games against some of the country’s top teams.

“It was a great opportunity to travel to a great international city like Montreal,” said head coach Jimmy Patsos. “Over the past 10 years, Montreal has turned into the great place to come on international basketball trips. The quality of competition is excellent, and something that truly prepared our young team for the season.”

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Kenworthy. “Both programs had to rebuild after losing big senior classes last year, but we’ve really showed that we have the ability to have individuals step up and fill those gaps annually. With a young team, there is so much to look forward to.”

The men finished third overall after tying a previous program-best fifth place finish each of the past two seasons. A key reason for the team’s success has been Kenya native Evans Kibet ’20. After earning the program’s first-ever MAAC All-Tournament Team selection, Kibet became the first-ever Siena male runner to record a top-10 finish by coming in seventh overall.

On the women’s side, Sarah Forman ’19 continued to re-write the program’s record books. Following a stellar 2016-17 season in which she won both indoor and outdoor MAAC track titles to go along with an AllConference resume in cross country, Forman registered the highest MAAC Cross Country Championship finish by any Siena runner in school history. Forman finished fourth overall, while running the second fastest MAAC Championship time in program history.

Siena’s running programs will host the MAAC Cross Country Championships for the first time ever next fall.

THE NEW HOME FOR SIENA ATHLETICS The new home for Siena Athletics is nearly complete. The $13.5 million multi-phase project, which began in May 2016, is entering its final stages.

“I’m happy for our students that they’re able to experience (the upgrades and additions), and the coaches for recruiting purposes,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics John D’Argenio in an Albany Times Union interview. “It’s good to see this piece coming to completion. Also, it just looks so much better for the campus aesthetics.”

In the past year, the project has yielded an enclosed 8,360-square foot men’s and women’s basketball practice court, upgrades to the ARC competition court which serves as the home for Siena’s women’s basketball and volleyball programs, a new ARC event entrance, a relocation and enrichment of baseball and softball hitting cages, and a new 2,700 square foot strength and conditioning suite.

Final stages of the project include a new 2,800 square foot sports medicine suite, and the addition of an 8,725 square foot second

SAINTS GRADUATE Siena College student athletes are graduating at one of the highest rates nationally among all Division I schools. According to the NCAA’s annual Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report, 92% of student athletes who entered Siena College as freshmen in the Fall of 2010 went on to graduate, eclipsing the national Division I average of 87% by five points.

story to the Callanan Field House Fitness Center. The project is scheduled for completion next fall.

SIENA BASKETBALL SEASON KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR The 2017-18 Siena basketball seasons are in full swing and you won’t want to miss any of the exciting action as both programs work their way towards MAAC Championships. Led by MAAC Player of the Year contenders Nico Clareth ’19 and Kollyns Scarbrough ’18, both teams are poised to make runs at cutting down the Times Union Center nets come March.

Individual game tickets can be purchased by contacting the Siena Fan Relations Management Center by phone at (518) 487-2202, online at sienasaints.com/tickets, by e-mail at sienatickets2@siena. edu, or by stopping by the office located at the Times Union Center Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Men’s tickets can also be purchased online at ticketmaster.com/SienaSaints or at the Times Union Center Box Office.

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OUR ALUMNI

FESTA VINO RAISES A GLASS The College raised nearly $50,000 at the 18th Annual Festa Vino. Over 700 guests attended the food and wine benefit in the Marcelle Athletic Complex on campus, with proceeds going toward the Siena Saints Alive! Athletic Fund and other programs at the College.

More than 60 friends and business partners of the College helped to underwrite the event. A special birthday toast was extended to Fr. Peter Fiore, O.F.M. for his 90th birthday, which he celebrated on September 8.

Festa Vino featured food samplings from 24 Capital Region restaurants and more than 100 wines from around the world through a partnership with Craig Allen ’91, owner of All Star Wine & Spirits.

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HONORING OUR VETERANS Siena’s annual Veterans Recognition Dinner was held

November 9 in honor of Colonel (R) John F. Purcell ’48, Ph. D.

couldn’t be prouder to be part of the Siena College tradition.”

The 2017 ROTC Hall of Fame inductee was posthumously

The evening featured a keynote address from Michael C. Finnegan

selected as World War II veteran, Colonel (R) John F. Purcell ’48,

’78 Esq. and the presentation of the 2017 Siena College Veteran and

Ph. D. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17, serving in the Asiatic-

Cadet Awards to three students.

Pacific theatre at sea and on land in Hawaii, Guam, and Okinawa.

Inspired by the tragic events of September 11, Finnegan returned

At the end of the war, he was honorably discharged with the rank

to service in 2003, giving up a promising career in politics and on

of petty officer 3rd class. He enrolled at Siena and graduated with a

Wall Street. He was recommissioned to the prestigious U.S. Army

B.A. in sociology in 1948.

JAG Corps as the oldest first lieutenant in the Army at age 53, after

The 2017 Siena College Veteran Award was presented to Gary

becoming the oldest ever graduate of the Officer’s Basic Course.

Thompson ’19, and Devon Wentworth ’19 was the recipient of

He described this remarkable achievement as one of the most

the Cadet Award. Theses awards were established by alumni and

important and transformative experiences of his life.

friends of Siena, along with the Professor of Military Science,

Finnegan was honorably discharged for the second time in June

Reserve Officer Training Corps to assist veterans of the United

2015 as the oldest captain in the United States Army. His service

States Armed Forces and Cadets of the Mohawk Battalion, Reserve

awards are numerous and include the Meritorious Service Medal

Officer Training Corps with college expenses. Lead donors to this

with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

fund include John W. Atkinson ’86 and James S. Scully ’87.

Finnegan felt very fortunate to have been offered a wellrounded, traditional liberal arts education.

“I came here to get an instruction in the basics of how to succeed in life and what I came away with was an education and the idea of an education in the tradition of the liberal arts institution. I

Daniel Hill ’18 was the recipient of the Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Fund Award. This fund was founded by 1LT Joe Theinert’s family after he was killed in action during combat operations in Afghanistan on June 4, 2010.

Jillian Madocs ’19

Left to rght: Keynote speaker Michael C. Finnegan ’78 Esq. Award recipients Devon Wentworth ’19, Daniel Hill ’18 and Gary Thompson ’19 with Br. Coughlin.

Above: The family of 2017 ROTC Hall of Fame inductee, Colonel (R) John F. Purcell ’48, Ph. D.

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REUNION CUP CHALLENGE! Last year we added a new tradition to the Reunion Weekend festivities - the awarding of the Reunion Cups!

The Reunion Cup recognizes the class with the most attendance at Reunion, and the Green and Gold Cup is awarded to the class with the highest percentage of giving.

Each reunion class is working throughout this year to build attendance at Reunion and the number of classmates who make a gift to Siena. Classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013, it’s your turn! The Reunion 2017 winning

Mike Marusic ’88

Perla Terrero ’07

classes, 2012 and 1967, have passed the torch and the challenge on to you.

Who will be this year’s winners? Winning classes have their class year engraved on the cups, and will have a winners reception with the Siena friars during Reunion, June 1-3, 2018. Make the commitment today to come back and give back.

Any gift you make to Siena from now until your Reunion counts towards your Reunion Class gift.

To make your reunion gift, please visit Siena.edu/makeagift.

Bonnie Blanchfield ’81

SHARING THEIR WISDOM This fall brought three School of Business Lecture Series speakers to their alma mater to talk with current Saints about the ins and outs of life after college.

Alumna Bonnie Blanchfield ’81 returned to campus to discuss how her background in accounting and corporate finance, combined with research skills, enabled her to experience a highly untraditional career path, and earn her current status as senior scientist in the Center for Clinical Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Manager of corporate talent development at Nestlé, Perla Terrero ’07, stressed the importance of global connections. Harboring a total of 420 global connections in 22 different countries, she explained how her study abroad experience at Siena in Costa

36

Rica and semester working in the ecotourism industry drove her passion for international experience.

Mike Marusic ’88 discussed the technological advances that his company, Sharp, is making as well as how important technology is becoming in the business world.

Marusic believes today’s students are better positioned than ever to go into business because of all the major technology that is up-and-coming. He provided students insight into the world of artificial intelligence and how it will soon completely change the dynamic of business as we know it.

Jillian Madocs ‘19 and Stephen Pendergast ’18

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

JOHN ROGERS ’99 Executive Director National Republican Congressional Committee Hometown: Amsterdam, NY Major: Marketing and Management DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE There is no typical day. My wife Sarah and I get up with our two daughters (Grace, 3 and Claire, 1) and get ready for the day. I’ll read through the news, clean up what wasn’t done from the day before and manage the chaos. The National Republican Congressional Committee is tasked with electing and re-electing Republicans to Congress. We have a staff of 74 employees and I oversee the entire day-to-day operations: campaign strategy, development and fundraising, planning and research, communications, administration and compliance. I really enjoy leading our team.

JOHN AND HIS WIFE SARAH AT THE 2016 GOP NATIONAL CONVENTION

HOW DID YOUR SIENA EDUCATION PREPARE YOU FOR THE WORK YOU’RE DOING TODAY?

ANY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES THAT PUT YOU ON THE PATH YOU’RE ON TODAY?

I use my degree every day. I switched majors from political science to marketing and management, and that ended up really paying off. When you think about it, we’re marketing to voters and managing operations. From the business management and motivation lessons I learned from Professor Bonnie Baker to the networking connections I made through College Republicans and Model UN, on so many occasions I have looked back and felt so grateful to be part of Siena. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t use my degree.

Before arriving at Siena, I kept to myself and my group of friends in high school. The first day of orientation my roommate had left and I heard everyone in the hallway having fun, and I felt like I was missing something. I had this moment where I realized I could reinvent myself. I remember thinking ‘what do I want my college experience to be: sitting in my room, or out there making something happen?’ I went out and joined in, and the rest is history.

I’ve been able to carry that mindset through my life. I often wonder where I’d be if I hadn’t taken the chance and stepped outside my comfort zone.

DESCRIBE YOUR PROFESSIONAL PROGRESSION SINCE LEAVING SIENA I worked in the Governor’s Appointments Office under George Pataki for five years or so after interning there as an undergraduate. Then I did about 10 years of campaign management – mostly short stints in different offices, primarily in the Northeast. For three years, I also traded stocks for AMR Capital (subsidiary for the Royal Bank of Canada) while managing races – two things I would not recommend doing at the same time. I started in the NRCC in January of 2011 as a regional political director, a job I always wanted, then became deputy political director. Last cycle I was political director, and now I am executive director. There is only one person who has been with the committee longer than me, and that’s our IT guy.

FAVORITES

Siena Professor: Len Cutler, Ph.D. Class at Siena: Professor Bonnie Baker’s management class Activity: Spending time with family Sports Team: New York Yankees Place to Travel: Naples, Maine Musical artist: Frank Sinatra Movie: Tombstone Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Food: Ribeye Location on Campus: Townhouse 150

37

Siena’s 80-year-old story is a shared one with many authors. You can perpetuate generations of Siena stories through your yearly investment in students through the Siena College Annual Fund.

YOUR SUPPORT

Your philanthropy directly impacts current and future students, bolsters Siena’s Franciscan tradition and mission, and lays the foundation for our vibrant future. Not to mention the satisfaction you’ll experience knowing your support ensures future generations will benefit from the transformative life experiences and high impact education that shaped the person you are today.

MAKES THE

Giving to Siena’s Annual Fund impacts all aspects of the College. From academic and student life programming to financial aid and scholarships, unrestricted giving powers the highest priority projects. You can also target your gift to one of four specific funds: President’s Discretionary Fund, Academic Programs, Financial Aid, or Buildings & Grounds.

EDUCATION FOR A

The easiest way to give is through our website, Siena.edu/MakeAGift. Depending on the amount, frequency, or timing of your gift, you will be recognized in one or more of the following ways:

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE: This distinguished group includes contributors who make annual leadership gifts of $1,500 and above.

LIFETIME POSSIBLE

FOUNDING FRIARS LOYALTY SOCIETY: Faithful donors to the Annual Fund for

more than two consecutive years receive this recognition in honor of Siena’s seven founding friars.

FR. CHRISTY BELL RINGERS:

Loyal donors

who make monthly or quarterly recurring gifts earn this recognition in honor of the bells that ring every 15 minutes on campus, named after Siena president Fr. Edmund Christy, O.F.M.

MATCHING GIFTS: Double, or triple your

More info: Siena.edu/annualfund - Email: annualfund@siena.edu

impact through a matching gift if you or your spouse work for an eligible corporation. Find

Phone: 518-783-2461 - Facebook: Support Siena: The Siena College

out more at www.matchinggifts.com/siena

Annual Fund - Twitter: @SupportSienaAF - #SienaOpensDoors

donor challenge inspires hundreds of gifts

SIENA GIVING DAY: Each spring our annual that benefit the Siena community and showcase our alumni’s Saint Pride!

DONOR HONOR ROLL: See your name and fellow classmates or friends displayed on our website after making a gift!

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WITH AGE COMES WISDOM - JOB 12:12 Join fellow alumni and friends of the College who are including Siena in their planned giving.

All planned gifts are rewarded with membership to the St. Francis Society. Donors’ names are listed on our website. Plus, they’ll receive a St. Francis Society lapel pin and be our honored guests at an annual lunch with the President.

WAYS TO MAKE A PLANNED GIFT WILL BEQUEST: By adding just a couple of sentences to your will, you can bequeath a certain amount or a specific percentage of your estate to Siena. Our Development office can help with the language.

CHARITABLE IRA ROLLOVER: Donors 70 ½-years-old and up can rollover up to $100,000 from an IRA to Siena -- tax free!

REAL ESTATE: You can deed real estate directly to Siena by asking your attorney to add a few sentences in your will or trust agreement.

RETAINED LIFE ESTATES: You can donate real estate to Siena while simultaneously living in and maintaining control of the property. You will also benefit from a significant income tax deduction.

LIFE INSURANCE: Naming Siena as a beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy is an easy way to create a planned gift.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES: Siena will guarantee to pay the donor (and spouse), or another beneficiary, an annual set sum for life.

The payment will not fluctuate with the market and a portion is tax exempt.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST: Beneficiary payments are made throughout a person’s lifetime or for a specific number of years.

The donor directs how the charity will use the proceeds. This gift will not only support Siena, but it can potentially increase the beneficiary’s income. There are two types of charitable remainder trust gifts: a charitable remainder unitrust or a charitable remainder annuity trust.

To create your planned gift to Siena College or for more information on the option best suited for you, please contact Bradley Bodmer ’82, Esq. at bbodmer@siena.edu or (518) 783-2432.

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ALUMNI CONNECTION

Who better to take your photo in front of the Maddalone Wall than the man himself? Right: Guy Maddalone ’87, Left: Christy J. Venter ’04 and her husband, Ryan.

MADDALONE WALL OF SUCCESS The Maddalone Wall of Success, in the David ‘73 and Christine Spicer ‘75 Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is designed to provide a highly visible platform to highlight Siena graduates and friends who have successfully launched their own businesses. It aims to inspire students by letting them know that they can follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before them.

This year’s class includes: Kevin P. Burke, Esq. ’85, Burke, Scolamiero, Mortati & Hurd, LLP; Gilbert T. Chase ’85, Empire Financial Advisors, Inc.; Daniel L. Davies ’93, Davies, Davies & Associates Real Estate, LLC; Ryan Fischer ’05, 20spokes; Thomas Roginski ’83, Perfect Settings; Steven C. Schwartz ’11, Global Cyber Consultants; Alexander J. Tuccio, ScoutDay; Christy J. Venter ’04, HealthyMe Living; Renee A. Walrath ’14, Walrath Recruiting.

CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY

Spirits were bright at the 5th annual Alumni Christmas Party in the City on December 5 at the Holy Name Province in New York City. Alumni were able to reconnect with one another, as well as the friars. Over 250 alumni attended, with close to 200 being Graduates of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.). The class of 2015 had the most alumni present, with more than 40 attending.

40

PETER HALEY CELEBRATES 42 YEARS OF SERVICE

This semester the College celebrated Peter E. Haley’s retirement after 42 years of service to the Siena community and beyond, and the establishment of The Peter E. Haley Scholarship. Haley was the founder of Siena’s Opera Club. Below: Mary P. Richards, of the Honorary Committee, dons an operatic prop to celebrate Haley’s career.

NEW SCHOLARSHIPS The Lucy Cesa Scholarship The Class of 1975 Scholarship The Mary Ann Donnelly ‘91 Siena College Scholarship Fund The Robert B. Ferruggiari ‘11 Memorial Scholarship The Peter E. Haley Scholarship The Maloy Family Scholarship The Dr. Joseph J. Marotta ‘80 Memorial Scholarship The John J. Nigro H’13 and Family Endowed Scholarship The Brian “Chemicals” O’Keefe ‘82 Scholarship The Stat Staff Professionals Scholarship The Lorrie Scardino Scholarship The Stocchetti Family Scholarship

NEW ENDOWED PROGRAM FUNDS Marshall L. Baldwin Fund The Dr. Leonard M. Cutler Pre-Law Award The DeFrancisco Fellowship Dr. Mary Fitzgerald-Hoyt ‘77 Fund The Susan McGuire ‘86 Endowed Fund for the Baldwin Nursing Program

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ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Editors: Mary Beth Finnerty ’85, director of alumni relations, Kathy Palumbo, development assistant of alumni relations, and Megan Kelly ’19, intern of alumni relations.

William Pugliese is 94 years old! When he attended Siena, only three classes existed. The class of ’43 made the fourth class as freshmen. His brother attended Siena at the same time two classes ahead of him. Both brothers were Marine combat veterans from WWII. At Siena, he made many memories and noted that there have been tremendous changes on campus since he attended. Today, he works one day a week at Wake Medical Hospital in Day Surgery and plays golf with the Cary, North Carolina Seniors.

1949

1965

1960

Joe Harrison Jotler60@gmail.com

Jack Mulvey jkmulvey@gmail.com

1966

1962

REUNION

If you are willing to help as a class news notes coordinator, please contact us at alumni@ siena.edu.

1963

after a 27-year career with The Travelers. MEMIC is credited with helping reduce Maine workers' injuries while reducing the cost of compensation insurance statewide. John served on many boards during his career, and was inducted into the Maine Business Hall of Fame. The University of Southern Maine announced that it will establish the MEMIC John T. Leonard Endowed Chair in Risk Management and Insurance, only the second endowed chair since USM’s founding in 1878.

John will spend part of the year in Maine, and part in ­Sarasota, Florida, where he hopes to see some Siena friends.

Kevin Raymond Kraymond27@comcast.net

1964

Joe Suozzi joesuozzi@msn.com John T. Leonard has recently retired as CEO and president of MEMIC, Ltd., in Portland, Maine. John founded MEMIC (Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company) in 1993

If you are willing to help as a class news notes coordinator, please contact us at alumni@ siena.edu.

1967

Rick Spataro rspataro67@gmail.com After retiring to the South, Chuck Niles doesn’t miss the cold winters of northern New York. After pitching for Siena baseball and attending graduate school in Michigan, he married a Syracuse alumna, Sheila Mulhern. He worked in sales, marketing and HR and then launched his own HR consulting and staffing business in 1994.

The business was sold in 2013,

and Niles is now retired, taking up golf, and living close to his children and grandchildren in Austin, Texas. He can’t wait to return to campus for future reunions.

1968

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REUNION

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Please submit all of your class notes information to your class coordinator. 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 Jerry DeFrancisco Bill McGoldrick Class of ’68, can it really be 50 years? Classes in drafty old “A Building”; football and lacrosse on the quad; the Quonset huts; the “stacks” in the library; mandatory ROTC; brown bags in “The Pit”; B-ball in Gibbons Gardens; BOC (Beer on Campus) Mixers… These are subjects rarely covered in TV documentaries about the history-making 60s, yet these were our 60s Siena experiences.

Much has changed about our campus since we first set foot in 1964, and graduated from ­Gibbons Hall in 1968. Forty-nine classes have graduated since then, and it’s hard to explain to today’s students what we and Siena looked like back then. But some things have not, and will never change. The great times and camaraderie we shared, the memories of our Siena days, and the fun we have when we gather together at reunions; our last being in 2013. So we hope you are planning on joining us for our big 50th milestone on June 1-3. Let’s get together and relive those times; share stories; comment on how none of us has aged (much) and reconnect with

Michael Fallon ’68 received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Franklin Pierce University.

Former Trustee George ­ Maloney ’54, Sally Maloney and VP Dave Smith ’79 in Charleston at the Siena vs The College of Charleston men’s basketball game. friends old and new.

Calling all ROTC Vets from class of ’68: ROTC is alive and well at Siena, and although today’s MS IVs number 15 from 3 different schools, compared with our 73 Siena commissions in June, 1968, the cadets are highly motivated and ready to serve. We are working with the current Professor of Military Science, LTC Andrew Beal, to set up a mentoring program for cadets. We are looking for class of ’68 commissioned grads who are interested in serving as mentors to the current cadets, thereby connecting 1968 and 2018. The

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MINI REUNION

Nine members of the Class of Siena 1971 gathered for a mini r­ eunion in New York City in September. Back row: Jack Sullivan, Ed Brown. Front row: Bob Turk, Kevin Lawrence, David Morrell, Phil Lockwood, Bill O'Brien, Dennis Riley, Dan Crowley.

MINI REUNION

rate the gift of Franciscan spirit and education that defined us.

What’s past is prologue.

Of the present, we have an opportunity to talk about that.

Still haven’t claimed your fifteen minutes of fame? Here’s your chance. WVCR, The Saint 88.3 FM, has a program called “The Siena Alumni Connection.” Once a week, alumni are interviewed to talk about their Siena Experience and what they are up to today. Contact Mark Grimm, host and executive producer, at mark@markgrimm. com, to book a date. Listen to The Saint on iHeartRadio.

Siena’s never far away. Keep us posted. Cheers, Paul.

1971

Nicholas Positano njpositano@hotmail.com

program will pair mentors with cadets based on common interests and geographic proximity.

The expectation is for mentors and mentees to meet once or more per semester in person, and discuss issues such as life in and after the army, and how to plan for and achieve their professional and life goals.

Even after commissioning, the mentor can continue to serve as a resource and coach. I have met many of these cadets, and they are outstanding people and I know you will enjoy meeting and working with them. More information and how to get involved will be made available soon. -Jerry De Francisco Michael Fallon received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of his selfless commitment to Franklin Pierce University as a member (since 2009) and chair (2013-2016) of the Board of Trustees, the governing body of the institution. “Mr. ­Fallon’s leadership of the Board of Trustees came at a crucial time for the University, as he expertly advised the previous administration and led the institution

back onto solid ground. It is this foundation upon which I am building a sustainable future for this University that is focused on student success,” President Kim Mooney said.

1969

Ken Dedrick ken.dedrick1030@gmail.com

1970

Paul Twardy twardy.paul.f@gmail.com Some of those closing days of the ’60s and then 1970 seem like yesterday, don’t they? Then there are the days that make us wonder how so much time has slipped by.

Of the past, a sad note. Last August we lost Bob “Luke” Hermann, who succumbed after a long battle with cancer. He cut such a figure on the basketball court, and in his stride across campus. His time among us and his Athletic Hall of Fame recognition are a gift.

Of the future, this is the year we celebrate our 70th birthdays.

What different lives we live today. Many of us still incorpo-

Jack Callahan Jackcallahan33@gmail.com

1973

1974 If you are willing to help as a class news notes coordinator, please contact us at alumni@ siena.edu.

1975

Dale Metzger dalemetz99@aol.com

1972

REUNION

Class of ’75 reunion in Albany at The Hollow.

in the CHSAA Hall of Fame and the NYC Armory Coach’s Hall of Fame. Retired now, he spends time with his grandchildren and wife on Long Island.

Walter Bald and his wife, Geraldine, held a wonderful wedding in Boca Raton, Florida for their daughter Emily.

Lynnette O’Brien is happy to report “It’s official; I am older than dirt,” after receiving her Medicare card in the mail.

Aren’t we all, Lynny!

Keep the cards and letters coming.

Brian Valentine bgvalentine@verizon.net Greetings to the Class of ’73 and all of the Siena community!

The year 2018 will mark the 45th anniversary of our graduation.

I would like to invite the Class of ’73 to consider a class gift to the College to celebrate this anniversary; may I cordially invite you to email me with gift ideas you may have. I hope we can get as many of us as possible to participate so we can dedicate this gift at our 2018 class reunion.

Please contact me so we can get the gift ideas moving.

Bill Carriero lived an exciting life after Siena. He taught American History at his former high school, Chaminade High School, for 44 years and loved the classroom time. He coached cross country as well, a passion driven from his running experience at Siena, coached by Bob Reilly. Carriero helped lead his team to win many league and intersectional championships and later became the head coach of the school’s track and field program. This earned him a spot

In September, Ed and Clare Mangine welcomed their first grandchild, little baby Eva. The party of the year was held in August to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Greg and ­Marilyn Bell and Siena was well represented at this gathering. Jim Ringel (all the way from Colorado), Tony Kirby, Andy Shea, Dan “Rookie” ­Gallagher, John and Marie Drislane ’77, Jim Roe, Marianne ­Bateman ’77, Dan “Boone” McCarthy, ­Maureen Fairlie ’76, James “Bishe” ­Carroll ’76, Jack Chasky ’74, Roger Boyle ’74, Dave and Nancy Rogers ’87, Frank and Anne Gabriel ’74, Mike Dolan ’76 and John Cregg; most came with their better halves. They celebrated in true Siena tradition, till the wee hours of the morning.

Tim Cowan retired from a military career and he has 5 children and 14 grandchildren.

Thank you for your service, Tim.

1976

Jean Reamer jean.reamer@gmail.com Tom Natoli remains a ­ uccessful 100 mile marathon s runner. If you missed the last edition, Tom is wondering if 43

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MINI REUNION

Connie Cahill ’79 elected Deputy Managing Partner, Barclay Damon.

Joan Quirk Simmonds ’85 of Merrill Lynch’s Syracuse office earned the ­CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ­certification.

Siena alumni and employees meet at Saratoga National for golf and good cheer. Tony Civitella ’91, Nick Antenucci, Steve Obermayer ’83, Brad Bodmer ’82, Bill Lia ’90, Mike Hickey ’83, Ed Sheehan, Jr. ’64, John D’Argenio, John Held ’80, Mike Hayes ’67, Andy Heck ’88, Allen Wood, Don Levy.

1977

1978

REUNION

Linda Fitzsimmons lindafitzsimmons@gmail.com

Rick Gabriel rgabrielsyr@gmail.com Our class had two books ­ ublished this summer p

by F­ather Brian J. Jordan, OFM; The Ground Zero Cross, in May, and Father William B. Farrell 1867-1930: Fighting Anti-­Catholicism, ­Government ­Corruption and Waterfront ­Gangsters in New York in June.

1979

Sue Reilly Hayes Clifton522@aol.com Paul Stec was inducted into the Siena College Beta Alpha Psi—International Honor Organization for Financial Information Students and Professionals.

Connie Cahill was elected to the newly created position of deputy managing partner at Barclay Damon. At Barclay ­Damon and many other law firms, the managing ­partner operates as chief executive ­officer of the enterprise. Connie has been a member of Barclay Damon’s Management Committee for nine years and is its longest-standing member. As the Albany representative on the Management Committee, her responsibilities include

oversight of the Albany, Boston, and Washington DC offices.

During Connie’s tenure, the Albany office has doubled in size to roughly 40 attorneys and is now ranked in the Capital ­District as the second-largest law firm office.

1980

Diane DeSilva diane0429@gmail.com The Dr. Joseph J. Marotta ’80 Memorial Scholarship has been established by Dr. Marotta's wife, family, and friends in his loving memory to honor his Franciscan spirit of compassion and genuine concern for all mankind. Scholarships will be awarded as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

1981

Jeanne DiCaprio jdicap@nycap.rr.com

1982

Bob Young rjy60@yahoo.com

1983

REUNION

there are any others from the Class of ’76 who are ultramarathon runners. If so, please reach out to me and I will put you in touch with Tom.

Elvira Altimari-Jaeger Eaj6@optonline.net Can it really be 35 years? I feel like I am only 40 so not sure how that happened. In June we will be celebrating our 35th reunion. I’m being told that most alumni don’t consider 35 a big reunion year. That makes me laugh. We have never been like MOST and have always had a large turnout for our reunions

— because we are special (LOL).

So let’s make this reunion special too. I want to send out a unique challenge to everyone from 1983. Make one phone call, reach out to one person you have not spoken to for a while: Your freshman roommate in Plassmann or Hennepin or Ryan? The person you met by the keg on Wing Party weekend?

Your ultimate frisbee team? The person who gave you your first ride to Dapper’s or Rafter’s or Sabastian’s? Your building mate at Lakeshore? Let’s make this the best reunion ever. We can show them that we are the class that always has the most participation, gives the most money and most importantly — has the most fun. Please join the 1983 Siena Facebook group to stay involved and reconnect — while you are there be sure you send invites to other 1983 graduates and feel free to post pictures.

Shout-outs to EVERYONE — be there or be square (boy am I old)! P.S. if you need glasses to read this you ARE old! LOL. Raul Tabora was elected Chair of the Health Law Section of NYSBA.

1984

Lisa San Fratello McCutcheon mcclisa@yahoo.com

1985

Cathy Casey Bjorklund Ron Bjorklund Bjork90@comcast.net Michelle Annese recently opened Christmas Land, a holiday attraction in Altamont, New York, geared toward fami-

lies that evokes the aura of an old-fashioned Christmas. Visit christmaslandllc.com.

After years of police work and corporate rat-race in the US, Glenn Sandford pulled the plug and went south of the border.

He’s lived in Mexico for the past 7 years, way down on the Baja Peninsula. He works for a US based company, running security operations and developing new business throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. He has two adult daughters, both married. In his spare time he still plays his guitar (as he once did at the Siena coffee house) writes music, breeds bettas, snorkels and scuba dives, plays competitive chess and as of very recently, flies drones. He’d be happy to be in touch with anyone from Siena who would like to reach out.

Dan Tomlinson retired from a glorious career in the U.S. Army in 2011, leaving at the rank of full Colonel. He advised the Assistant Secretary of State on policy matter for all defense, military and security strategy for 34 nations, providing policy advice to senior U.S. government officials affecting homeland security, national security policy and advancing U.S. interests abroad. In addition, Dan also served as a director on the National Security Council at the White House as well as Special Operations Program Manager Combined Forces Special Operations Component-Afghanistan.

Dan lives in the DC metro area with his wife and children and is currently a financial advisor and investment advisor for First

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Members of the classes of ’88, ’89, ’86 and ’85 with former Siena Religious Studies professor and longtime Rugby Chaplain Fr. Kevin Tortorelli to celebrate his 70th birthday, as well as congratulate him on his new assignment in St. Petersburg, FL.

Peter Simmonds ’86 of Merrill Lynch’s Syracuse office earned the ­CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ­certification.

Ed Hourihan, Jr. ’87 was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018.

adventures they had together.

1986 Janice Linnan jalinnan@me.com

Class of 1987: Kate and Mark Ward; Susanne Undersinger Stafstrom; Mary Hayden Coons; Lorri Dakis Bellcourt; Mike ­Racette '86; Bridget Dee and Ed Hourihan; Judy Demasi Savard; Pam Wilhelm and Mike Kehoe '88; Margaret Gibbs Malicki; Susanna Keating Ryan; Maura Carroll and Chris Switzer ’86; Mary Hegarty Hare; Eileen Esposito Gallagher

Command Financial Services.

Russ Irving served as an adjunct professor at Siena teaching “Lean Startups” within the Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Among his guest lecturers was Ron Bjorklund (just take a moment and picture that particular lecture). Russ’s passion and dedication to the students and the concept made for a wildly successful semester.

Michael Bywater has a private optometry practice in Highland, New York and is president of the Hudson Valley Optometric Society as well as a consultant to EyeMed Vision, a nation-wide plan with 44 million members.

He has a son who is a freshman at Seton Hall and a daughter who is a high school junior.

Sadly, Mike Rogozinski passed away on September 16.

He received his degree in Political Science from Siena and his

Master’s in Education from Sage Graduate School. Michael began his teaching career as a social studies teacher at Chatham High School. He also taught at Capital Region BOCES and at The School at Northeast Parent & Child. In 2014, he took a position as an Education Reviewer with the NYS Department of Education. One of his proudest accomplishments was earning the rank of Eagle Scout, as did both of his sons. He was an avid volleyball player and coached at area high schools over the years. He was also a member of the Schenectady War Gamers Association (SWA). He considered his greatest accomplishments to be his two sons. And he will be remembered by his family for his sense of pride, honesty, patience, and his tshirt and sweatshirt collection.

He was adored by his grandson who took great joy in the many

Class of ’86ers! Please pass along any updates, news or ­get-togethers so we can share with the group!

Lieutenant Colonel (R) Christine Richter-Richardson recently took a position at the West Point Association of Graduates as the association administrative officer.

1987 Maryann King jrkingfamily@aol.com Joe Gargiulo serves on the Executive Board of Public Relations Society of America — New Jersey Chapter as Treasurer and Sponsorship Chair, and he is currently a Senior Vice President at Coyne PR in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Edward Hourihan was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018. Edward is a litigation attorney and managing member of the firm’s Rochester office. He handles a broad array of business and commercial disputes at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal courts in Rochester, and several other jurisdictions.

Tony O’Rourke recently ­accepted a position as the East Coast Manager for Owen Roe Winery based in Oregon.

Tony and his family reside in ­Williston, Vermont.

A group of alumni gathered at Mark and Kate (Higgins) Ward’s home in Needham, Massachusetts in November. “None of us could make it to our 30th

reunion at Siena — so we made it happen this month. We had 17 alumni in addition to another 6 spouses. It reminded us all of the incredible classmates and spouses of classmates we have.”

1988

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MINI REUNION

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 Division 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.

1989

Mike Carbonaro Sienanews.1989@yahoo.com

1990

Janet Shotter Swierbut jswierbut@yahoo.com Christopher Buckey has joined Cullen and Dykman as a Partner in the litigation department. Chris brings expertise in complex commercial, construction, real estate, zoning and land use, serious personal injury, wrongful death, insurance defense, and employment discrimination litigation. In addition, he has extensive experience in trade secret and covenant not to compete disputes, as well as high profile constitutional litigation.

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He will be based in Albany.

1991

Kevin Clarke sienaclass1991@gmail.com

1994

Glenn Hofsess ghofsess@yahoo.com

Hey, Class of 1991 — Please note the new email address for our class notes. Look forward to receiving your updates!

Matthew Sickles was appointed superintendent of the Phelps-Clifton Springs School District in Clifton Springs, New York.

1992

1995

Neil Wilcove nwilcove@fmglaw.com

1993

1996

REUNION

Mary Pat McLoughlin Holler jmpholler@yahoo.com

Sue Hannon Shannon@ryeneck.k12.ny.us

Brian Murray murray21@hotmail.com

We have an exciting spring coming up as we will celebrate our 25th reunion in June- so mark your calendars! It's time to reminisce about sing-alongs at Eammons, Narragansett beer, Sovrana pizza, the blizzards, Full Service, dorm wars, powder puff football, the ARC, Siena football, our professors, the stacks, the Rat, Mrs. V., campus ministry, intramurals, the Boat House and more! Put in for your time off now so we can have our most highly attended reunion to date. This year we will have a special reception on campus on Saturday night. There is also a new challenge, the Reunion Cup Challenge, that could earn our class a happy hour with the Friars on Saturday. Reunion classes with the highest giving and best attendance are awarded the cups. Marty Donnelly, Amy Ehlinger, Ann Malagisi, Rob White and I will be in touch as we put together the details for what will be an awesome weekend!

Can't wait to reconnect and hold the door open for you when I see you on campus!

Dr. Christopher Lillis has been named the Medical Director of the PRIME and Patient Centered Medical Home programs. Dr. Lillis will work closely with the Primary Care Network Associate Medical Directors and Hospital Based Clinic Medical Directors to lead primary care practice transformation initiatives. Dr. Lillis will continue his primary care practice at the Midtown Internal Medicine Clinic with 70% of his time spent seeing patients and 30% of his time in this appointment.

Dr. Lillis joined UC Davis Medical Group in August of 2015 and practices at the Midtown Internal Medicine PCN site. He joined UC Davis after 11 years in private practice in northern Virginia where he also served on the Governor’s Council for the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Physicians and as a member of the Board of Directors for the non-profit group Doctors for America. Through these roles he has been work-

Christopher Buckey ’90 joined Cullen and Dykman as a partner in the litigation department.

ing at the intersection of health care delivery and public policy for over a decade. He completed his medical degree at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and then went on to complete his Internship and residency in internal medicine at Duke University Hospital. He is married to his wife Amy, and they have a six year old son, TJ.

1997

Selena Dutcher selenadutcher@gmail.com

1998

Janine Trapp Scotti Sienasaints98@yahoo.com Hi Class of ’98! I hope this ­issue finds you in good health.

Katherine Walbaum recently earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from Simmons College. She lives in Salem, with her husband and their daughter.

Jacqueline (Zore) Smrek has been promoted to the Deputy Village Attorney for the ­Village of Hempstead, the largest village in New York State. She previously worked as supervisor to the Village's Special Prosecutor.

Please continue to send along your updates and I'll be sure to submit them for inclusion in future issues. Thank you!

1999

Brendan Fitzgerald nyfitzgerald@gmail.com Danielle Minelli Pagnotta, LMSW was appointed Executive Director of Providence House in Brooklyn. Providence House was founded in 1979 by a small

In August, Maryann (Foley) King ’87, Ted King ’86 and Jim Monaghan ‘88 attended Fr. Kevin Tortorelli’s last mass at Holy Name of Jesus in New York City.

group of the Sisters of St. ­Joseph. The non-profit has nine residences serving 500 women and children annually in Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester.

2000 Chris Madigan CDMadigan@gmail.com Mel Beach was a featured artist on The Quilt Show, episode 2112. A full-time quilt artist, teacher and lecturer, Mel’s work was the focus on the subscription-based Quilt program and her Spinning Stars quilt recently won third-place in the Pacific International Quilt Festival's New Modern Quilt Competition in October. MelBeachQuilts.com Rosey (Stracquatanio) Lester and her husband Brian celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary! Brian and Rosey have been busy over these last 13 years and this past summer, they welcomed their sixth child to the world. Blaise Michael Lester was born on July 29 and joins older siblings Kenny, Paul, Clare, James and Henry.

2001

Maura Mack Maura820@yahoo.com

2002

Christine Cinnamond Christine.cinnamond@gmail.com

2003

REUNION

U2 Joshua Tree mini reunion at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA. Carl Morales ’89, Paul Madrazo ’90, Tom Butler ’89, Billy Curtin ’89, Rick Hart ’89, Lisa (Pittner) Hart ’90, John Parodi ’89

NEWSMAKER

REUNION

MINI REUNION

Bill Bordak sienanotes2003@gmail.com

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Ryan McEvoy ’07 promoted to partner at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C.

2004

Melissa Termine Goetz Mtermine24@yahoo.com Lauren Weber Lwebs13@gmail.com The 2017 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. named Greg Pautler’s company, Pure Adapt Inc., to the list for the third year in a row. Less than 20 percent of the companies have made it on the list three times, and his company rose from #4284 to #4140 to #3613. Pure Adapt Inc. has enhanced customer services and improved employee benefits, and it has big plans to continue to grow. Greg’s company is on the Wall of Success in the Stack Center on campus.

Ryan Keleher was recognized in the 2017 Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Star List.

Attorneys were selected by their peers from the top up-andcoming lawyers, defined as 40 years of age and younger, or in the practice of law for less than 10 years. Ryan practices civil litigation in state and federal courts. He has tried both jury and non-jury trials, argued at the appellate level and represented clients during hearings, mediations and arbitration proceedings. Ryan routinely represents individuals, corporations, insurance companies, public entities and school districts in a wide range of litigation matters.

2005

Breanne Suhrland Elsesser bsuhrlan@att.net Rob Manfredo was recognized in the 2017 Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Star

Maeve McEneny married Seth Johnson on June 24. Father ­Dennis was the officiant at the Mansion at Cedar Hill in Selkirk, New York. Many Siena graduates, including Maeve’s brother and father, attended the ­wedding.

Another congrats to Erin VanDenburgh and spouse Becca Primett for welcoming their son Ryan.

Matt Warner married Erica Warner. Many Siena alumni were in attendance including Andrew Krakat ’05, J­ ennifer Phillips-Krakat ’08, ­William Montross ’79, M ­ aureen ­Montross ’79, Guy Warner ’81 and Suzanne ­Warner ’81, parents of the groom, Paul ­Borchers ’08, Christine Fox Borchers ’09, Heimdall ­Imbert ’08, Drew ­Warner ’08, Joseph Cirillo.

Ryan McEvoy was promoted to partner at Teal, Becker, Chiaramonte, CPAs. McEvoy joined TBC after working for a large international accounting firm, and works with clients in a wide range of commercial industries including manufacturing, distribution, construction, retail, healthcare, and technology.

He is an active member of the Eastern New York Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP), an organization focused on helping individuals, families and businesses achieve financial security.

Kristen Carlson Rubin and her husband Grant welcomed their son John “Jack” on May 30.

Robin MacHattie welcomed Reid Joseph Stickle into her family on July 25.

Catherine Delaney Gill and her husband Sean had a baby girl!

Stephen Bonelli and Alicia Kane-Calvert Bonelli married at St. Mary of the Angels ­Chapel.

Officiant Fr. ­Christopher ­Fedoryshyn introduced them 10 years ago. The alumni in attendance included Angela (Zullo) Albanese, Brian ­Albanese ’05, Laura Baboulis ’06, Laura ­Darling, Stacey Tuttle, Derek Breslin ’06, Michael ­Pinchuk, and bridesmaid Lindsay ­Fortner.

2007

2008

List. Rob counsels employers to ensure compliance with the vast array of laws and regulations that employers encounter on a daily basis. He counsels ­employers in a broad range of industries, including higher education, not-for-profit, ­construction, and health care.

2006

Chris Elsesser Christopher.elsesser@ gmail.com

Stan Horton Kristen Carlson Rubin Sienacollegeclassof2007@gmail. com Greetings Class of 2007!

Thanks for keeping Siena’s magazine updated and please continue to do so for future editions.

Our class may have another Saint heading our way! Dan and Alison (Kurz) Truchan happily welcomed their daughter on July 13.

Renee Zych’s boyfriend, Greg Ascrizzi proposed to her on breakwater of Provincetown on September 17.

David Jalette received his MBA from Georgetown’s ­McDonough School of Business and moved back to NYC to start a job with BMO Capital Markets.

REUNION

NEWSMAKER

Danielle Grasso Patrick Preston Sienacollege2008@gmail.com Mark Sagan, CPA, was promoted to manager at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C.

2009

Tiffany Salonich tsalonich11@aim.com Meg Williams and Mike ­McCarthy married on August 19.

Benjamin Tasse and Julie Muller Tasse welcomed their first child, Luke Benjamin Tasse, on October 24.

Congrats to Erin Conroy for writing and directing Guilty, the web series. It is an official selection at the upcoming New York ­Television ­Festival. Guilty is one

of 52 ­projects from around the globe being featured!

Gina Graziano and Tyler ­Carter became engaged in ­August.

Lauren Rapsard and Kevin Sheldon welcomed Eloise Eve Sheldon in June.

2010

Kelly Peckholdt kellypeckholdt@gmail.com Please email me or message me on Facebook at any time to share your life updates with our class.

Congrats to Jessica Pollock for passing the BAR Exam!

Kathleen Digan started her new position as Vice President at Ostroff Associates, Inc. Kathleen Logothetis ­Thompson graduated West Virginia University with a PhD in History.

Congratulations to ­Theresa (Wojtecki) Alonza and her ­family. They recently p ­ urchased their first home in New Jersey, and welcomed their ­second daughter, Amelia ­Lisseth, in July.

Rachel Tatarek Ortiz married Jon Ortiz in October in Castleton-on-Hudson, NY. Melissa (Ryan) Nowicki ­married Jason Nowicki in July.

Yasmin Lopez started as director of SUNY Adirondack Community Hub earlier this year. Yasmin saw that food insecurity was an issue on campus.

The Community Hub has opened Food Source, a food pantry located on campus. The pantry operates three days a week, and provides food and personal care items to any student enrolled at SUNY Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, NY. ­Yasmin’s work is helping to ­address an urgent need.

2011

Carmen Francella III Francella3@gmail.com Kara Livingston karalivingston89@gmail.com Marcel Bedard mp30beda@gmail.com Carmen Francella III is practicing law at Casner & Edwards, LLP in Boston as a litigation 47

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2012

Therese Daly Classof2012classnotes@ gmail.com Hi, Class of 2012!

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments.

Dennis Mazzuca is engaged to Kimberly Hyatt. Dennis is working as a reporter at the Putnam County News & Recorder.

Nikki Galofaro started a new job as Client Service Associate for Lazard Asset Management.

Nikki is also very excited to announce her engagement to her fiancé, Kevin. They live in Brooklyn and adopted a puppy named Max. Tara Keough started the MSW program at University of Buffalo that specializes in trauma and human rights. Tara has started working as a care manager for children's health homes at the Salvation Army.

Erin O’Malley finished her Ph.D. in Astrophysics at Dartmouth College. She was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and produced several published papers. Erin’s thesis was entitled “The Mystery of Globular Clusters: Uncovering the Complexities of Their Evolution.” Erin is currently a senior Engineer in Military Engines Data and Forecasting at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut.

Jacqui Spinx is a Course Manager for Amtrak and recently moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina where she is building her first home.

Congrats to Allesandra Badalucco for starting a new job as a physical therapist at Cobleskill Regional Hospital!

Lauren Marenzana married William Grobbelaar this summer and the two live in

Connecticut.

Deanna Martello married Michael Pezze ’13. Siena was well represented at the wedding.

David G. Carvalho married Teresa last summer. This summer, they welcomed their first child, Gabriel. David also graduated from Fordham with his Masters of Arts in Religious Education.

Alex Mazza was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, and he is in his second year of Brooklyn Law School.

Kathryn Ornellas married Anthony Englese. Kathryn also started a position with J.P. Morgan Chase as Public Finance Business Manager.

Emily Pritchard is engaged to Shawn DeLancey.

Kayla O’Hara started a new position as Accountant at NYS Department of Labor and she adopted a new kitten!

Tyler Fane married Aliza Reilly at their Siena filled wedding. They currently live in Troy, New York.

Benjamin Thomas started a role within Community Alliance with Family Farms as a Farm to Cafeteria Senior Program Manager. He currently resides in Sacramento.

Ridge Harris was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees at his alma mater, Catholic Central High School.

Nicholas Iraola is at UNC Wilmington earning a Master’s of Science in Marine Science.

His thesis involves quantifying pollution loading from five streams that drain into a state impaired lake near downtown Wilmington. He works in an Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, which monitors the water quality of the Lower Cape Fear River Basin and the Wilmington Watersheds in Southeastern North Carolina.

Caitlyn McGowan married John Rogener ’11. They reside in New York City.

Megan DeRudder married Pete Milano ’10 in July.

Patrick Merryman married Nicole Calabrese in June.

MINI REUNION

Siena alumna perform in the outfield at Citifield for the NY Mets with the Ciara Greene School of Irish Step Dancing at Irish Night in August.

Meghan Selkis ’14, Kelly Werner ’12, Katie Frawley ’11, Ciara Greene Erdman ’08, Siobhan Willis ’10.

2013

Cassy Jane Werking C18werk@siena.edu

REUNION

associate after graduating from Suffolk University Law School in 2015. He and his wife, Mary Colleen Sleasman ’10, just celebrated their one year anniversary in September. Mary Colleen is working for Decision Resources Group, a data health and analytics company.

We are looking forward to our first reunion in June!

OD Anosike is currently in his fifth professional season in Europe. This year he is playing in Seville, Spain. His previous stops include Italy, France, and Greece!

Jess Abel was appointed Associate Brand Manager of the digital team at Beech-Nut Nutrition. Jess has worked there for four years and she will now directly manage social media channels, digital media, SEO & SEM, and all other digital assets for Beech-Nut. She moved off of the infant cereal business after successfully leading the re-launch of a packaging innovation new to the baby category.

Brenda Cadder started working as a physical therapist at Laurel Ridge Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Michelle Campbell and Benjamin Max are engaged.

Michelle is a Content Marketing Specialist at Cengage Learning and Benjamin is the Communications & Member Services Manager at NYACP. The two met in Dr. Erich Hertz's class in the fall of 2012.

Katie Daly recently got engaged to Matt Albanese.

Rebecca Grasso recently got engaged to Matt St. Pierre ’12.

Rebecca also passed her physical

therapy board examination last month and is excited to start her career in the field!

Joe Houghtaling is currently in the New York State Trooper Academy. Joe and Taylor Takats ’14 are engaged.

Arianna Palumbo married Vadim Livshits this past September.

Brenna Roche and Erik Nielsen, got engaged at Siena in June!

Sara O’Shea passed the New York State Bar Exam. She is currently working as an Assistant Law Secretary in the New York State Appellate Division, Second Department.

Cassy Jane Werking is in the second year of her PhD program in American History at the University of Kentucky. Bernie the Saint Bernard will always be number one in her heart over any wildcat!

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 siena. edu/weddings. The wedding announcements will continue to appear in the class notes section. Cheers!

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Matt Mysliwiec started as a middle school teacher at Mt. Pleasant Central School District in Thornwood, New York.

2014

Kaitlin Harrison ke06harr@siena.edu Alana Strassfield was quoted in Reach Out, a book about how to expand your network.

Nicole Heck was appointed manager of the Alpin Haus Fitness Center in ­Amsterdam.

Nicole oversees the daily ­operations of the Alpin Haus Fitness Center, including the development of health, wellness, and fitness programs; scheduling; community outreach; and member relations.

Eric Brenner passed the bar exam and started working full time in Rochester.

Cassandra Hope was promoted to senior accountant at Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C. Mickey Sutton graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He also passed the Ohio Bar Exam, and has accepted an Associate Attorney position with Dressman Benzinger LaVelle psc, a full-service law firm located in Cincinnati.

Matt Morris took the bar over the summer and passed! He is working at a matrimonial law firm in Syosset, New York and is awaiting admission to the bar.

Katie Risolo became engaged to Tom Radovich. She is moving back to New York to return to work for the Rockville Centre School District.

Sarah Sesterhenn got engaged to Dong Min Lee in June!

2015

Helene Rached Caroline Bertholf SienaNotes2015@gmail.com Congratulations to Caroline Bertholf for finishing her first year at Syracuse Law School and getting engaged to David Egresits.

Connor Finnerty joined Acosta Sales and Marketing as a Leadership Development Program Associate.

IN MEMORY

Siena College mourns the loss of the following members of our community: Jim Condon, Sr. ’41 Joseph Dulin, Sr. ’41 James Ryan ’47 Lewis Jenkins ’48 Dr. John Purcell ’48 Bill Marin ’49 Francis Murray ’49 Harold Dyer ’50 Herb Pratt ’50 Andrew Tarbay ’50 Matthew Burns ’51 David DelGosso ’51 James Gilheany ’51 Emmott Keyes ’51 John Monaco ’51 Joseph Dresley ’52 Joseph Buehler ’53 Thomas Cooley, Sr. ’53 William Hogan ’53 Richard Terlingen ’53 Guy Alonge ’54 Norbert Nolte ’55

2016

Anthony Bjelke Matt Lorini sienanotes2016@gmail.com Patrick Madden has ­recently been promoted to Senior ­Analyst, Retail Technology at J. Crew Group.

Kristin Pelatti will be graduating from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University after being on the Dean's List every semester. She is currently the Promotions Editor of Pace Environmental Law Review. She has been interning at Dolgetta Law, PLLC, a law firm focused in corporate purchases and sales, commercial real estate transactions, probate and estate planning and attorney ethics. She plans on taking the bar exam for New York, New Jersey and Arizona, and is currently deciding on offers for a full-time position as a junior associate after taking the bar.

William Martin has accepted a position as an emergency 911 dispatcher.

Lorenz Loerzel, Jr. ’56 Leona Kimball ’57 John Lynch ’59 Jerry O’Shea ’59 Lawrence Barry, Sr. ’60 George Hrubenak ’60 John Rourke ’60 Br. Francis Ellis ’61 Charles Hawkins ’62 Richard Spratt ’62 Richard Cree ’63 Roger Sebast ’63 Gene Andre ’64 James Ryan ’64 James Conover ’65 Raymond Hamm, Jr. ’65 Frank Hunt ’66 Robert Whalen ’67 Henry Youzwak ’67 John Crupe ’68 Douglas MacIntosh ’69 Bob Herman ’70

Matt Lorini accepted an externship with the Honorable Nathaniel Gorton in the Federal District Court of Massachusetts.

Kathleen Ackert was named “Most Promising Medical Student” for 2017 by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Kathleen is a second year student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The award is in recognition of a medical student whose passion for the profession, high academic achievement and sensitivity to medical ethics and patient care show promise of an outstanding new physician.

2017

Amy Polchinski Anthony Pelliccia siena17classnews@gmail.com Both Andrew Murphy and Anthony Pelliccia are both employed at Siena! Andrew works in enrollment management and Anthony works as an admissions counselor.

Douglas Donovan ’71 Francis Marrin ’71 Traci Jane Kachidurian ’73 Bill McCaffrey ’73 Richard Passarelli, Sr. ’73 Kenneth Rooney ’75 George Bouchey ’76 Frederick Luck ’78 Brian O’Keefe ’82 Maureen Morgan ’84 Joseph Perkins ’85 Michael Rogozinski ’85 Laura (Russell) Burke ’87 Brian LeBuis ’89 Mary Ann Raymond Donnelly ’91 S. Barry Gorman ’92 Charles Campbell ’93 Jean Paulette Bethke ’02 (Hon) Clifford Serie ’02 Jesse Needham ’06 Zane Mandel-Michalak ’17 Phyllis Church

Billy Barry works as a ­ anagement Associate for M Greater Hudson Bank.

Monica Maxino is working in Health Education and Medical Reserve Corps at the Putnam County Department of Health.

Brandon Murphy spent time in Thailand teaching and traveling the country before coming home for the holidays.

DON'T MISS OUT! Want to stay connected and well-informed about the events and news at Siena? Make sure to ­update the Alumni Relations Office with your current information! If you have not received enews or other emails from us, we probably don’t have your c­ urrent information.

Send your address, phone ­number and email to alumni@siena.edu today!

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

UNPACKED



SHELBY WADSWORTH ’18 MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT MAJORS / ENTREPRENEURSHIP MINOR GLEN, NEW YORK

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1.

For four years, I performed three times per week instrumentally and vocally for masses of 150-300 people at the Auriesville Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs as their musical director. I also gave tours and promoted the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs First Annual International Telethon as a marketing and advertising intern.

2. I’ve had the opportunity to take part in a few internships during my time as a Saint.

As a current intern at General Electric, I collaborate with international teammates and cross functional projects across Global Operations. I also have had the opportunity to organize and implement activities to foster inclusivity and promote culture.

At the Times Union, I helped their Women@Work program grow in membership through the development of their social media platforms. I also was behind the camera as a SEEN Gallery photographer. I got to capture moments at large community events - including the Siena basketball games. Go Saints!

3. When I’m not in class, I like to get in the game! As an intramural captain, I organize a team for each of Siena’s intramural sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball and softball. This year, my team won the soccer championships! I’m also a member of Siena’s Irish Step Dance team.

4. New student orientation is one my favorite times of the year. As an orientation leader, I help a group of 12 new students adjust to the college life and get to know what it means to be a Saint! This doesn’t just end once orientation is over, I love to catch up with my students throughout the school year. This year I was selected as an orientation coordinator - helping put together the orientation activities!

5. Because I am so busy between class, work, and clubs, I am always running between meetings. My bike allows me to cut the time in half and I absolutely love it. I am big into vintage style. So when I saw this bike, I knew it was the one for me. It would be a rare sight to see me down campus without my bike!

6. Something many people may not know about me is that I have had the opportunity to travel all around the world. From the U.S. to Australia, I have been to five continents and 15 countries. Ever since I was eight years old, my family and I have been traveling abroad to be with my dad, as he travels 50 percent of the year for his job. This January, I will be on my next adventure, joining the SIENAserves Service Immersion Trip to Nicaragua.

7.

For the last five years, I have held the position as Miss Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of District 3 (NY State). With my deep family heritage of veterans of foreign wars, I was able to join the Ladies Auxiliary and run in the Miss VFW competition. As Miss VFW, I attend veterans’ events to sing taps, honor soldiers and present monuments at memorial parks. This was especially pleasing when I had the opportunity to escort my grandfather, Korean War veteran, Bruce Wadsworth, at several parades, events, and ceremonies!

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