Siena News Fall 2010

Siena SIENA NEWS

Fair Trade First

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A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

ecomes Siena College B ollege First Catholic C de Status to Earn Fair Tra

INSIDE:

A Revolutionary Grant School of Business Gives Birth to Incubator Program

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FALL 2010

Message from the Editor Siena News magazine is moving to three issues a year, instead of the usual four, beginning with this issue. You can now expect to receive an issue in spring, summer and fall.

In our ongoing efforts to provide more detail and interactivity to our readers, we have a digital magazine in development. No matter the format, we remain committed to providing you with publications that engage your interest, keep you informed about Siena College and connect you to our community. Please feel free to let us know how we’re doing at communications@siena.edu.

Jim Eaton Editor

P.S. – Take our eight question survey at www.siena.edu/siena_news to let us know what you think about our magazine and you will be entered to win a Siena College sweatshirt, t-shirt, basketball tickets and more!

Take the survey now!

departments On Campus News | 10 Faculty News | 18 Saints Corner | 20

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Alumni Connection | 23 Class Notes | 28

contents More Photos of New Hall

Blessing of New Hall Left to right: Fr. Ambrose Donehue, O.F.M., Fr. Dennis Tamburello ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D., College Chaplain Fr. Greg Jakubowicz, O.F.M., J.D. and Br. Walter Liss, O.F.M. blessed the opening of the new residence hall this fall. The residence hall received rave reviews from the students who moved into the state-of-the-art facility.

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from the president Years ago in Boston, I lived with a friar who collected nativity sets. His crèches hailed from around the world and were fashioned from all sorts of material—everything from stone to wood, to coat hangers and straw.

Each December, the friar proudly displayed this vast array of religious tableaux. Indeed, there was scarcely a tabletop, countertop or windowsill in the friary that went unadorned by some replica of the first Christmas.

No doubt, the friar’s pious excess would have pleased St. Francis.

Francis loved Christmas more than any other feast because it spoke to him so profoundly of God’s humility and love. Reflecting on the poverty of a stable and the vulnerability of a child, Francis encountered a God who humbly and compassionately shared in our broken humanity so that we might share in the fullness of divine life. To honor this humility of God in a fresh new way, Francis created the first Christmas crèche, whose myriad descendents so fascinated my Franciscan brother.

What Francis celebrated at Christmastime, he imitated throughout the year. He understood that humility is the key that opens hearts. It takes humility—even for God—to love and be loved and to make oneself vulnerable to the risk of rejection.

Francis also knew that humility is the key that opens minds. It takes humility to admit that we know so little about the wonders of God’s good creation, and that we will always be students and never the masters of the truth.

I can think of no more appropriate holiday wish for the members of the Siena community than for each of us to be blessed with a humble mind and a humble heart, and that we become ever more receptive to God’s priceless gifts of wisdom and love.

Fraternally,

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

2010 - 2011 Board of Trustees Ronald E. Bjorklund ’85 J. David Brown Michael Bucci ’73 Robert F. Campbell ’66 Judy Capano/Michaelson ’87 Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D. Robert M. Curley Robert T. Cushing ’77 Susan Law Dake Virginia L. Darrow ’83 Scott C. Donnelly Howard S. Foote ’74 Shari Golub Schillinger ’86 Sr. Violet T. Grennan, M.F.I.C., D.Min. Robert L. Guido ’68 Rev. Kenneth R. Himes ’71, O.F.M., Ph.D. Walter T. Kicinski ’62 Pamela McCarthy Robert J. McCormick ’87 James J. Morrell ’66 Very Rev. Kevin J. Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. John F. Murray ’79 John J. Nigro Very Rev. John F. O’Connor, O.F.M. Walter A. Osterman ’87 Kenneth M. Raymond, Jr. William E. Redmond, Jr. ’81 Mark S. Rose ’65 Rev. James P. Scullion ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. David M. Stack ’73 Christine L. Standish Nimmi M. Trapasso ’98, M.D. Dennis L. Winger ’69 Siena News - Fall 2010 Published by: Siena College 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462 518-782-8300 • communications@siena.edu • Publisher: Delcy Fox • Editor: Jim Eaton • Contributing Editors: Mark Adam, Fr. Bill Beaudin ’76, O.F.M., Mike Demos, Jodi Ackerman Frank, Ken Jubie ’04, Hilda Marinello’11, Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D., Jason Rich ’98,

Jack Sise ’75 and Mackenzie Watroba ’11 • Online Editor: Allison Maloney ’06 • Art Director : Sergio Sericolo • Alumni Class Notes Design: Jean Higgs • Alumni Class Notes Editor: Mary Beth Finnerty ’85 and Janice Goca • Photography: Athletics Office, Alumni Office,

Dave Boswell, John Cummings, Darrin Scott Kibbey, Joe Marotta, Shannon O’Neil, Ph.D., Tony Purificato, Kris Qua and Sergio Sericolo • Back Page Design: Jim Knox • Printer: The Lane Press, Burlington, Vt. On the cover: Lauren Lavare ’11, Students for Fair Trade co-chair, with fair trade products that are being offered at Siena College.

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School of Business Gives Birth to Incubator Program Matthew Narolewski ’11 sat in his marketing class last December listening to Todd Drowlette ’03 speak about a real estate company that the alumnus was trying to launch. Narolewski approached Drowlette after class and offered some ideas he thought could help the company. They stayed in touch, and Drowlette eventually offered Narolewski an internship.

“He was so excited and so involved with throwing out ideas that I didn’t even care what his resume said,” Drowlette recalled.

The company they discussed became the online startup MoveThatBlock.com. The company, founded by Drowlette and Pat Gray ’03 in January, is the Siena College Business Incubator’s first tenant.

School of Business Dean Jeffrey Mello, Ph.D., announced the incubator initiative this fall. The program gives students from all fields of study the opportunity to gain real-world business experience by working alongside executives and making decisions that will impact the productivity and overall success of up-and-coming companies.

Michael Hickey ’83, the College’s new executive-in-residence and former Pitney Bowes Business Insight president, will oversee day-today operations of the incubator.

“Siena’s values and commitment to student success and growth, coupled with its loyal, engaged and dedicated faculty and alumni, have positioned the College to make contributions to idea generation,” Hickey said.

“Who knows? Perhaps, the seeds of the next billion dollar company will be planted right here.”

News Clips: The Business Review The Times Union Troy Record

Check out Move that Block’s website

ABOVE: Todd Drowlette ‘03 and (left) Michael Hickey ‘83 are the key players in starting the School of Business Incubator. It is designed to give students from all fields of study the opportunity to gain real-world business experience.

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COVER STORY

t s r i F e d a Fair Tr

By Hildy Marinello ’11 Students, faculty and staff gathered in Serra Hall on Nov. 9 to celebrate Siena’s distinction as the first college in New York to be granted fair trade status. Siena is just the third college in the country and the first Roman Catholic college to earn this distinction.

“This is a very proud moment for Siena College,” said President Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M, Ph.D. “We are called to be responsible citizens of the world and this shows that we are doing more than taking a part — we are taking a lead.”

As a fair trade college, Siena is committed to offering products that support fair pay and working conditions for vulnerable farmers and producers whenever possible. The College currently serves fair trade coffee, tea, sugar and chocolate. By offering such goods, Siena is upholding children’s rights to security and education,

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Play YNN News Stor y

encouraging environmental sustainability and supporting the efforts of farmers to invest in their communities.

“This is about more than just coffee and tea,” said Students for Fair Trade Co-Chair Lauren Lavare ’11. “It is about justice and introducing options so we can make the choice for ourselves.”

“Siena has taken a bold step in advancing the Franciscan mission of the College,” said Shannon O’Neill, Ph.D., director of the Sr. Thea Bowman Center for Women and leader in the effort to obtain Siena’s fair trade status. “Fair trade inherently works toward building a world that is more just, peaceable and humane.”

Government leaders, including Congressman Paul Tonko, Assemblyman Jack McEneny ’65, Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and Town of Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan addressed the Siena community and offered their congratulations and support.

The process of becoming a fair trade college began two years ago through a student-led initiative by Mike Ellement ’10 and Ben Thomas ’12. Both were integral to the formation of the Fair Trade Steering Committee. Political science professor Vera EccariusKelly, Ph.D., and O’Neill guided the students in their efforts to establish Siena as a fair trade college.

“It is communities like Siena that make real change possible,” Breslin said.

Still, members of the Siena community recognize that there is plenty of room for growth.

Sodexo General Manager Norm Kvam will be looking to increase the variety of fair trade products available in campus dining facilities, and College leaders will continue to educate the community about the importance of using fair-trade products.

Fair Trade chocolate products have been a hit on campus. Students enjoyed a chocolate fountain at the Fair Trade press conference.

Other fair trade products that Siena offers include sugar, coffee and tea. Left: Matt Sayles ’07 learned about the importance of offering Fair Trade products while abroad in Thailand.

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A Revolutionary Grant NEH

By Hildy Marinello ’11

T

he Center for Revolutionary Era Studies (CRES) has been awarded a $500,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). It is the largest grant in the 7history of the School of Liberal Arts.

The grant will help CRES become a prestigious academic program that will link Siena with the Capital Region’s revolutionary-era historical sites, scholars and organizations. CRES will partner with these local resources to heighten awareness of upstate New York’s significant contributions to the history of colonial America, the American Revolution and the founding of the American Republic.

Specifically, the money will be used to expand the CRES curriculum and outreach to the community, and to train a new generation of American Revolution scholars. CRES will establish a digitization center to scan fragile historical documents and preserve them for future use. Students will learn the process of scanning, annotating and archiving these documents.

“The digitization center will allow undergraduate students to do work primarily done at the graduate level, which makes this an extraordinary opportunity for our students,” said CRES Director Jennifer Dorsey, Ph.D. This year, the NEH awarded $31.5 million in grants to 201 humanities projects across the nation. CRES was one of eight recipients of the NEH challenge grants. Other recipients include Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Challenge grants help institutions and organizations secure long-term support for, and improvements in, their humanities programs and resources.

Recipients are required to match NEH funds on a three-to-one or four-to-one basis. To meet its grant obligations, Siena will raise $1.5 million over a five-

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Above: Jennifer Dorsey, Ph.D. discussed the impact the NEH grant will have on the Center for Revolutionary Era Studies (CRES) program at an on campus celebration.

year period.

In addition to its community programming, CRES offers a certificate program for Siena students in any major. Students take courses on the revolutionary era and they must complete internships at local historical sites, such as Saratoga National Historic Park and Ten Broeck Mansion.

“Supporting CRES is an opportunity for donors to promote the development of public-history skills at Siena. These are skills needed in the heritage tourism industry,” said Associate Director of Development Brad Bodmer ’82. “It is a niche that our donors will recognize as a way of helping students leave Siena with skills that give them a competitive advantage in a challenging job market.”

For more information on the CRES or the NEH, contact Jennifer Dorsey at revstudies@siena.edu.

To support the NEH Challenge, contact Brad Bodmer at development@siena.edu.

Above: Students will have the ability to preserve historical documents in the proposed digitization center. Currently Siena has one station that is located in the J. Spencer and Patricia Standish Library.

Left to right: Director of Government and Foundation Relations Alfredo Medina and History Department Chair James Harrison, Ph.D. at the announcement of a partnership between Siena and the Saratoga National Historic Park.

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ON CAMPUS NEWS

Edited by: Hildy Marinello ’11

Decked Out Hall After months of planning and construction, Siena College cut the

ribbon on New Hall this fall. Located on the northern side of campus near Cushing Village, it is the first on-campus residential facility to be completed since Padua Hall opened in 2001.

The new residence hall features: • 130 double-occupancy rooms with private baths • Massry Commons Dining and Conference Center • Stewart’s Shops fitness center with state-of-the-art treadmills and elliptical machines that include televisions • Guido ’68 Lecture Theatre • BBL Construction Services, LLC Media Lounge • business center • washers and dryers in the laundry room that can e- mail or text students when their laundry is finished The $20 million Dutch-themed building contains several common spaces that foster Siena’s Franciscan values of openness, hospitality and community. In addition, New Hall is one of the greenest buildings on campus. Many of the products used during construction were recycled or made of energy-efficient material. It also contains “green” features. Each room, for example, is equipped with recycling bins, and all of the water fountains have a special element for filling up reusable water bottles. As bottles are filled, a gauge keeps track of how many disposable, plastic water bottles have been saved.

For more information on features and naming opportunities visit www.siean.edu/preserveyourlegacy

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A Busy Beginning Throughout the first week of the 2010-11 academic year, Siena held numerous events to welcome new and returning students to campus. The Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy (FCSA), for instance, hosted the Volunteer Service Fair. More than 40 local charities and organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and Unity House participated. Siena students spoke with representatives from the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

“It’s beneficial to see how many different types of off-campus organizations exist, and this is a great opportunity for Siena students to get involved with community service,” said Alex Georgieva ’12, FCSA event coordinator.

The Office of Student Affairs and the Department of Public Safety held Siena Health and Safety Day, which featured tips on safe grilling and fire prevention. A highlight of the event was a fire demonstration in which a model dorm room was ignited. The demonstration was conducted by the Colonie EMS and Shaker Road Fire Department.

“It’s scary to see how quickly a fire can get out of hand in our dorms, but now we know how to prevent such an occurrence,” said Blair Atkins ’11.

Opening Week at Siena concluded with the Damietta CrossCultural Center Welcome Barbecue and Club Fair. The academic quad was full of representatives from each club on campus.

Matthew Narolewski ’11 was recruiting students to get involved in launching MoveThatBlock.Com, a startup company under the auspices of the new Siena College Business Incubator program.

“We want to help students connect to businesses and learn real-life skills that they will be able to apply in their future careers,” said Narolewski.

Rising in the Rankings U.S. News & World Report released its annual college rankings, “Best Colleges 2011,” and Siena College improved to 114 in the “National Liberal Arts Colleges” category, up from 121 last year.

This ranking places Siena College in “Tier 1” among the country’s liberal arts colleges, which includes 250 schools that focus on undergraduate education in traditional disciplines.

Forbes magazine ranked Siena College 231 on its list of “America’s Best Colleges 2010.” Forbes ranked undergraduate institutions based on the quality of education, student experience and the achievements of graduates. Forbes reviewed only 9 percent of the 6,600 accredited post-secondary institutions in the United States.

Siena College was also ranked among the nation’s top “Small Private Schools” in a recent issue of Parade Magazine. This ranking was based on a survey of 43 high school guidance counselors in the U.S.

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NSF Grant to Send Siena to China

By Jim Eaton

Most vacationers steer clear of the beach when a lightning strike looms, but Kyle Turck ’12 spent his summer mixing electricity and water. He was assisting John Cummings, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics, who received a National Science Foundation research grant to work on the Daya Bay project in China. Cummings and Turck are examining neutrinos, particles that usually travel close to the speed of light and are able to pass through ordinary matter almost undisturbed.

The Siena scientists are building monitoring devices on campus for a detector that costs close to $20 million. These devices will be placed below a mountain under water at Daya Bay, just outside of Hong Kong and home to one of the top five reactor complexes in the world. Daya Bay is an ideal location for the study of neutrinos.

The Siena research team will create between 25-30 monitoring devices to gauge the water flow. “The devices we are building will measure the transparency of the water, which will be used during the analysis to correct for detection inefficiencies,” Cummings said. In January, the team will travel to China to test their new devices.

“This is what science research is all about,” Cummings said. Developing an educational and research collaboration with Chinese scientists will be their next step, once Cummings and Turck are satisfied with their own work.

ABOVE: John Cummings, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and Kyle Turck ’12 are creating neutrino detectors in their Roger Bacon Hall lab. Right: The detectors will be placed below a mountain in water at Daya Bay, just outside of Hong Kong, China.

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Siena Featured on NASA Website Professor of Physics Allan Weatherwax Ph.D., Jennifer Williams ’10 and Robert Carroll ’10 were featured on NASA’s Website for their work on Firefly, a small satellite with a big mission. Firefly will be used to help scientists understand terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, bursts of electromagnetic radiation in the earth’s atmosphere first discovered by NASA’s Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory in the early 1990s.

“We are doing cutting-edge science,” said Weatherwax, who partnered with another institution to win the NSF grant to develop Firefly.

The satellite is scheduled to launch in early summer.

Bio Major Makes Medical News Siena College sophomore Rhoda Asimeng is an exceptional young woman who is receiving national attention. Asimeng was recently featured on the American Medical News Website for her participation in a summer program at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y. The Montefiore program was designed to give students from racially diverse backgrounds the opportunity to explore careers in medicine. During the intense six-week program, Asimeng attended lectures, learned medical techniques and shadowed physicians in a variety of specialties. Asimeng also conducted research and wrote a final paper on infant mortality rates.

“The whole experience gave me a sense of confidence,” said Asimeng.

Asimeng has dreamed of becoming a physician since she was 13 years old. It is a dream that stemmed from her experience with her parents, who both battled cancer. The compassionate medical care her parents received sparked her interest in a career based on helping others. Asimeng hopes to become a general practitioner in a high-needs area.

“Many minorities don’t have access to good medical care,” said Asimeng. “It’s easier to relate to a doctor if you share similarities with them.”

Asimeng is a member of Siena’s Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).

When Asimeng applied to the program, she was one of 17 students chosen from an applicant pool of more than 470.

“Rhoda impressed me immediately with her motivation and commitment to pursuing her education,” said HEOP Associate Director Cynda Brousseau. “It was evident that she was a student who would engage thoroughly in the Siena experience and give back to the Siena community wholeheartedly.”

Asimeng is involved in the HEOP peer-mentoring program. She is also a member of the American Red Cross Club, Ambassador Club, Biology Club and was an orientation leader for first-year students. She said her experiences and interactions at Siena are preparing her for a career in the medical field.

“People here care about each other. I’ve learned how to be compassionate and personable,” Asimeng said. “These are qualities that will make me a good physician.”

While Asimeng still has a long road ahead, she remains focused on achieving her dream. “With Rhoda’s drive, determination, and perseverance,” said Brousseau, “I have no doubt that we will be calling her Dr. Asimeng someday.”

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Rabbi Honored for Siena Service On October 24 Siena College bestowed its highest nonacademic award, the St. Bernardine of Siena Medal, on Bernard Bloom, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady, N.Y. Bloom received the accolade at the 26th annual colloquium of the Hayyim H. Kieval Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies.

“I was left speechless,” said Rabbi Bloom.

“I appreciate being appreciated.”

Siena’s Board of Trustees awards the St. Bernardine of Siena Medal to men and women whose accomplishments reflect the highest traditions of Siena and contribute significantly to the fulfillment of the College’s mission.

“Rabbi Bloom was given the award in honor of his years of service to Siena College,” said Siena’s president, Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. “That service included his stellar leadership of the Kieval Institute and more than 20 years of teaching as an adjunct professor.”

Rabbi Bloom began working at Siena after the Second Vatican Council set the Roman Catholic Church on a path of ecumenical dialogue with other religious traditions.

“It was interesting being involved in a major change of the religious scene,” said Bloom. “It is nice to know that I was a small part of that change.”

Above: Before receiving the St. Bernardine Medal, Bloom joined longtime friends and colleagues, the Rev. Robert Lamar, Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church, and the Most Reverend Howard Hubbard, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, in a public conversation about Jewish-Christian relations in the Capital Region.

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Together for Tolerance More than 200 members of the College community gathered around the Peace Pole in front of the Standish Library for a vigil on October 20 to grieve over the lives lost to anti-gay bullying and to take a stand against all forms of violence, hatred and bigotry. “We are mourning all those lost to hatred and injustice,” said Damietta Cross-Cultural Center Director Oscar Mayorga.

“It’s not just about gay youth — it’s about bullying and the fact that little is being done to stop it,” said Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) President Joe Shea ’11.

The event called attention to the spate of suicides related to anti-gay sentiment, that have taken place in recent months, most notably the death of Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers University student who took his life in September.

Jillian Duarte ’11, who attended the vigil, went to high school with Clementi. “The sudden tragedy of Tyler Clementi hit close to home for me,” said Duarte. “With all of the heartbreak, it is very comforting that Siena is holding an acceptance vigil. I know anyone can walk on this campus and feel safe from bullying, no matter what their differences may be.”

The Franciscan tradition of love for all members of society, outreach to the marginalized and reverence for the dignity of every human person play a large role in the spirit of tolerance present at Siena.

College Dedicates Cross-Cultural Center Siena celebrated the opening of the Damietta Cross-Cultural Center in October with prayers from several faith traditions and a talk by Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist, Paul Moses. Formerly known as the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the center promotes mutual respect and understanding among peoples of all cultures and religions.

“The center will provide opportunities for students to engage in inter-religious and cross-cultural dialogue through service and immersion trips as well as academic events,” said center director, Oscar Mayorga.

At the dedication ceremony, Moses discussed his recent book, The Saint and the Sultan, which chronicles St. Francis of Assisi’s delegation of peace to Muslim sultan, Malik al-Kamil. The historic meeting, initiated by St. Francis in an effort to end the bloodshed of the Fifth Crusade, took place near Damietta, Egypt.

“By crossing enemy lines, St. Francis made a shocking display of nonviolence in the midst of war,” said Moses as he reflected on the relevance of the 800 year-old story to the mission of Siena’s newly minted cross-cultural center.

Moses asked his listeners to share their thoughts on how Francis’s audience with the sultan might serve as a guide for the center’s activities. Katie Perry ’13 was quick to respond to the speaker’s invitation. “St. Francis loved and embraced everyone,” Perry said. “Siena teaches this to all students. The Damietta Cross-cultural Center will help to continue promoting this message.”

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Siena Research Institute Spot-On During Election Season The Siena College Research Institute (SRI) conducted polls across New York state in seven congressional districts, eight state senate districts, and the gubernatorial race.

The polls, which included surveys in partnership with Long Island’s Newsday and Syracuse’s PostStandard, correctly named the winner in the eight contested state senate districts. They also called the 20th and 23rd congressional races within a few percentage points.

SRI forecasted the governor’s race more accurately than other academic and publicly disseminated polls. SRI’s poll found voters preferred Andrew Cuomo over Carl Paladino by 25 points.

Final election results confirmed SRI’s findings, with Cuomo defeating Paladino by 27 points.

The surveys received national coverage in the media, including CNN, NBC, FOX, MSNBC, as well as regional newspapers, radio and the Internet.

“We are proud of our work and excited about the extensive positive publicity the Institute continues to bring the College,” said Don Levy, Ph.D., the institute’s director.

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Whose Land is it Anyway?

For six years, Siena College has celebrated Constitution Day by highlighting controversial and timely themes. This year’s topic was property rights, specifically eminent domain.

Albany Law School Associate Dean Patricia E. Salkin, Esq. examined the 5th Amendment clause, “nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.”

“It puts in perspective the Constitution as a relevant document that can relate to students’ everyday lives,” Salkin said. “It doesn’t sit well with them that the government can take your house.”

Salkin is a nationally recognized expert on land use law and zoning. She was invited to speak at Siena by longtime colleague Leonard Cutler, Ph.D., director of Siena’s Center for the Study of Government and Politics and pre-law advisor.

88.3

TURNS

50.0

By Ken Jubie ’04

Siena’s radio station WVCR-FM 88.3, The Saint, has reached the half-century mark, and by all accounts, it’s aging gracefully.

When WVCR hit the airwaves in 1960, it was housed in the basement of Plassmann Hall, and its 10-watt signal could

WVCR’s signal grew stronger through the years and so did the station’s profile. Now WVCR is located in the Sarazen Student Union and has 35,000 watts of power. It can be heard from the heart of the Capital Region up to Lake George, west to Cobleskill and east toward the Berkshires. WVCR also has a presence on the Web. Along with its primary format, it airs an Internet-only talk station called Saint Talk.

“Just as Siena has changed, so has WVCR. It serves as a wonderful chronicle of our history. It’s been a passion for so many students, a unique adventure for many others, and an enormous community and public relations asset. All of this tied together makes it one of the top college stations in the country,” said Mark Grimm ’78, who remains connected to the station, serving as executive producer and host of the Siena Alumni Connection program.

There have been many music formats and programs over the years.

Now, WVCR under the direction of John Kelly, is the station that “plays anything.” It’s not surprising to hear the Beatles and the Beastie Boys back-to-back.

Sundays are reserved mainly for shows that celebrate the heritage and diversity of the Capital Region, including the Polka Spotlight, Proud to be Irish, de Selecciones and the Caribbean Circuit.

“We’re like the United Nations of the radio dial,” said WVCR General Manager Darrin Scott Kibbey.

The students and alumni volunteers remain the focus of the station. Students are taught to use equipment and develop on-air performance skills. By participating in the business of the radio station, they also learn about sales, marketing and management.

“The practical knowledge that I gained at WVCR helped me develop an entrepreneurial mindset,” said the former station general manager, Neerav Patel ’00, better known to listeners as the “Bombay Bandit.”

As a noncommercial radio station, WVCR cannot sell air time, but it generates funds through underwriting announcements and donations from the community. As Kibbey points out, The Saint happily uses its reach to return the favor. “We have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities throughout the Capital Region,” Kibbey said.

For more information on WVCR and to listen live, log on to www.wvcr.com.

barely be heard across campus.

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FACULTY NEWS

Ted von Hippel, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics, was awarded a $391,000 NASA Astrophysics Data Analysis grant for research in stellar evolution. He will lead a team of eight investigators along with their students in a study of the roles of convection and mass loss in stellar evolution using data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope and ground-based observatories. Team members are from a range of colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Space Telescope Science Institute, the University of California, Irvine, the University of Florida, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Vermont.

Peter Fiore ’49, O.F.M., Ph.D., professor emeritus of English and scholar-in-residence, published a book titled The Gospels Are Now: Timeless Gospel Themes and Life, Literature, and the Arts. The book, which is the sixth Fiore has written, examines events of Christ’s life as they are reflected in recent novels, plays, operas, paintings and films.

Mahmood Karimi-Hakak, S.E.D., professor of creative arts, was featured on the Theatre Communications Group Website for his participation in the recent Theatre Without Borders conference. Theatre Without Borders is a volunteer-based organization that aims to build theatre bridges between the United States and the rest of the world.

Cynthia Love, sociology major and development coordinator of administration, and Sudarat Musikawong, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology and project advisor, presented their co-authored paper, “The Digital Campaign: How Barack Obama Achieved the Dream,” at the American Sociology Association’s National Conference in Atlanta, Ga., in August. The paper argues that Obama’s administration achieved its “online presidency” through his campaign, which was built on racializing and deracializing Obama’s identity at the same time. The paper evaluated how the use of online social networking during the 2008 presidential campaign made Obama appear as “the typical American Democrat” and then separately as an African-American.

Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M., recently published two articles.

The first, “Love Lived in Community: Lumen Gentium 13 and the Meaning of Grace in Bonaventure’s De Septem Donis Spiritus Sancti,” was published in the British theological journal The Downside Review 128 (October 2010). The second article, “St. Francis and the Millennials: Kindred Spirits,” was published in St. Anthony Messenger Magazine (October 2010) and is available online: www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2010/ Feature1.asp. Horan also delivered a lecture titled “Thomas Merton the ‘Dunce’: Identity, Incarnation and the Not So Subtle Influence of John Duns Scotus” to the Chicago Thomas Merton Society at the Passionist Monastery in Chicago, Ill., in October.

Former President and CEO Heads Siena’s New Business Incubator

By Jodi Ackerman Frank

For the last 25 years Mike Hickey ’83 has led Fortune 300 and multimillion-dollar companies. Now, the well-seasoned business leader has become Siena’s first executivein-residence and head of the College’s new Business Incubator program, launched this fall.

Hickey, 49, is well known as a leader in technology-based businesses, starting with MapInfo, where he rose from head of sales and marketing to vice president. He became COO in 2002, a position he held through the company’s acquisition by Pitney Bowes in 2007. In his next role as president of Pitney Bowes Business Insight, Hickey guided the 1,900 employees of the global software company to record revenues of $400 million.

“Mike Hickey’s keen insight and leadership ability will serve the School of Business, and the entire College, well,” said School of Business Dean Jeff Mello.

As executive-in-residence, Hickey also teaches two capstone strategy classes.

“I’ve seen the world. I know how hard it is to do business in this country and abroad, and those are the types of lessons I try to bring to my students in the classroom,” said Hickey.

Patricia Trutty-Coohill, Ph.D., professor of art history and chair of the creative arts department, edited the 106th volume of the Analecta Husserliana, published by Springer (Dordrecht, the Netherlands).

The volume contains three of her essays on the subjects of originality, intention and communication in art. She examines contemporary and traditional art from the standpoint of phenomenological theories and shows how abstract thought can be understood concretely through the work of art. These essays and several in other volumes are available online at www.

SpringerLink.com. Trutty-Coohill won Siena’s Raymond Kennedy Award for Excellence in Scholarship in 2004.

Joe Zoske, M.S., M.S.W., administrative coordinator of the Social Work Program, was invited to speak about men’s health, his area of expertise, at a Centers for Disease Control conference in Atlanta last May. He also spoke on the same topic for a statewide health department program in Arizona in August and for the Texas Department of Health Services in Austin in October. Zoske’s presentations focus on how men in today’s society are raised with “rules of manhood” that can keep them out of the health care system. In essence, seeking medical help goes against a man’s sense of self-reliance, he said. Zoske explained that, because men are often trained to ignore pain and eschew vulnerability, they tend to tune out symptoms of illness. Zoske included several statistics and offered recommendations that can be adopted by physicians trying to get patient compliance or by a loved one trying to convince a man to live a healthier lifestyle.

SIENA 19

SAINTS CORNER

The Siena women’s soccer team had a magical season this fall, posting a program-record 17 wins and capturing its first-ever MAAC championship and NCAA Tournament bid. Head Coach Steve Karbowski ’93, who returned all 11 of his starters from the 2009 squad, led the team into unchartered territory.

By Mike Demos

Above: The women’s soccer team captured their first MAAC Championship this fall. Opposite page left to right: Ashleigh Barone ’12, Elizabeth Barna ’11 and Tabitha Tice ’11 were vital to Siena’s championship run. Barone and Tice tied for the team lead with 27 points and four game-winning goals, while Barna posted a 10-3 record in goal and earned a shutout in the MAAC Finals.

SIENA 20

Welshman Earns MAAC’s Highest Honor in Soccer

By Mike Demos

“This was a special season,” Karbowski said. “I am happy for the 25 players who worked so hard to reach our goal of a NCAA Tournament berth.”

The Saints made plenty of local and national headlines. They started their season 12-0, which left them as the only undefeated, untied program in all of Division I. They secured a national top 25 ranking in the Soccer America Poll from Oct. 4 - 11 and were among teams that garnered votes for eight consecutive weeks in the NSCAA/ HendrickCars.com National Rankings Poll.

“The recognition that the team received was exciting,” Karbowski added. “It created a lot of buzz on campus and in our local community.”

The Saints exhibited a flair for the dramatic throughout the season. In their first match, they set the tone by going on the road and defeating the University of Connecticut, 3-2 in overtime. The game also signaled the arrival of freshman Brittany Pfaff ’14, who would go on to score 10 goals (four of which were game winners) and post 25 points on her way to being named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team.

“The UConn game gave us confidence that we could compete with anyone,” said Pfaff. “We knew if we stuck together as a true team, this could be a magical season.”

After a fast start, the Siena team also showed its ability to overcome adversity late in the season. Entering their final weekend, the Saints had lost three straight MAAC matches and were in danger of not qualifying for the four-team MAAC Championships. Senior captain Tabitha Tice ’11 made sure the Saints would reach their ultimate goal of winning a MAAC trophy. She scored the game-winning goals in each of the Saints’ crucial victories that weekend, which secured the green and gold a spot in the MAAC championships.

“We knew the importance of the final regular season weekend and were determined not to let an amazing season go to waste,” Tice reflected. As the number three seed in the MAAC Championships, the Saints found themselves trailing 1-0 in the second half to Marist. However, their resilience and self-proclaimed “refuse-tolose” attitude helped them erupt for four second-half goals, sending the team to the championship match against Canisius.

It was Tice again who would come up with the most important play in Siena women’s soccer history in the championship game. She fired home the winning goal in the 92nd minute, which sent Siena to its first MAAC title and the NCAA Tournament. The season ended in a tough loss to Georgetown.

“We look forward to building upon our success next year,” Karbowski said.

One season after being named MAAC Rookie of the Year, men’s soccer striker Emery Welshman ’13 was named MAAC Offensive Player of the Year. The Mississauga, Ontario, native led the MAAC in goals (13) and points (29), despite missing three games due to injury.

“He was injured a lot at the start of the year and, even though he was less than 100 percent, he showed you what he can do,” Head Coach Gareth Elliott said. “He was tremendous, and I think only bigger things are ahead of him in the future.”

Welshman, who ranked eighth nationally in goals and 14th in points despite playing just 16 games, served as the catalyst to a Saints offense that placed third in the nation in scoring. Under Welshman’s leadership, the Saints posted their best record since 1998, finishing the season with 10 wins and an appearance in the MAAC semifinals.

SIENA 21

High Hopes for Saints’ Hoops

By Jason Rich ’98

The last three years have been nothing short of amazing. Many small college programs have their time in the sun, but the Saints have had enough March moments to turn Albany into an island getaway: three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championships celebrated on their home court, a pair of NCAA Tournament upsets and 77 victories in three unforgettable seasons.

Most of the faces that have become synonymous with Siena basketball over the past five years — the most successful era in the College’s 70-year history of men’s basketball — have moved on. However, not everything has changed.

Armed with one of the top centers in the country, an explosive and imposing roster and a legion of diehard fans, the Siena program is gearing up for another MAAC tournament run. The man charged with overseeing the Saints is intimately familiar with the high expectations his program has to live up to. After all, he played a major role in the recent success Siena has enjoyed.

Mitch Buonaguro, lead assistant coach at Siena for the last five years, returns to the head coaching ranks after a 19-year hiatus. In the 1980s, he became one of the most respected and well-known head coaches in the country. This spring, Siena appointed him head coach of the Saints.

“We’ve certainly raised the bar here,” Buonaguro said. “But the thing I remember is ultimately it comes down to coaching college kids. You can put everything else aside. That’s what my job is. I don’t have to change a lot here. These kids expect to win.”

This year’s schedule is the most anticipated in program history. Led by preseason MAAC Player of the Year Ryan Rossiter ’11 and preseason First Team All-MAAC pick Clarence Jackson ’11, the Saints are determined to compete for yet another league title, and to be recognized as one of the top Mid-Major programs in the country.

SIENA 22

Dan Paolin

i ’12

ALUMNI CONNECTION

Gathering for Good Times Northern California alumni gathered at the St. Francis Winery in Santa Rosa on Oct. 30. Bob Aldridge ’89, CFO of the winery, hosted Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, OFM, Ph.D., alumni and alumni relations staff for a food-and-wine tasting.

Siena Day at the Races was held on Aug. 13 at the Saratoga Racetrack in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The event celebrated the giving of alumni and friends, including members of the President’s Circle, who donated $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund.

Siena hosted 420 alumni, friends employees and of the college At the Rail Pavilion this year.

Festa Vino, the annual food and wine festival, was held in the Marcelle Athletic Complex on Oct. 14. The event raises funds for the Saints Alive! Athletic Fund and special programs at The Sarazen Invitational Golf Tournament celebrated the Sarazen’s Siena College. family commitment to Siena College on Aug. 1. The event included a welcome dinner and day on the links at Schuyler Meadows Country Club in Loudonville, N.Y. All proceeds were If you are interested in becoming involved with contributed to the Gene and Mary Sarazen alumni events and Scholarship Fund at Siena College. activities, e-mail us at alumni@ siena.edu.

SIENA 23

By Mark Adam

By Mark Adam

Searching for something more in life and seeing this as a way he could help the people in Ghana, Joe Marotta ’80 founded Medicus in Christi (translated to Doctor in Christ).

SIENA 24

Joe Marotta ’80, M.D., knew almost nothing about Ghana, the small West African nation, until two years ago when a visiting Italian missionary spoke to parishioners at St. Joan of Arc Church in Menands, N.Y. about the desperate needs of the African people.

“We need your money,” the missionary said. “But if you think putting a twenty dollar bill in the collection plate today absolves you of your responsibility to these people who are suffering, you’re wrong.”

“It was like this arrow that just pierced right through me,” said Marotta, an orthopedic surgeon and, for the past 20 years, Siena Athletics’ team doctor. He and his wife Kate, a former nurse, asked their pastor Fr. Kofi Ntsifal-Amissah, a native of Ghana, how they could help.

“I told Joe, ‘If you feel comfortable going there and using your expertise, I will help open doors for you,’” Fr. Kofi said.

Ghana has a population of more than 24 million people with only 12 orthopedic surgeons to serve them. Searching for something more in life and seeing this as a way he could help the people in Ghana, Marotta founded Medicus in Christi (“Doctor in Christ”). Medicus in Christi is a nonprofit organization charged with providing modern and compassionate medical care to impoverished peoples of the Third World.

Marotta’s goal is to establish an orthopedic treatment, rehabilitation and training center at a hospital in Ghana’s Cape Coast Diocese.

Medicus in Christi’s first patient will be a Catholic nun who suffers from crippling arthritis and needs two knee replacements.

Marotta plans to fly her to the United States next year for the procedure. Meanwhile, he is working to get the hospital in Cape Coast funded and outfitted with the necessary equipment and resources. Years down the road Marotta envisions a rotating army of orthopedic surgeons and volunteers from the U.S. and Europe who will visit Ghana and teach local doctors the latest surgical

techniques. Medicus in Christi would eventually sponsor a full-time Ghanaian orthopedic surgeon to run the center.

Fr. Kofi, Cardinal Turkson and Arch Bishop Nketsia have all supported Marotta’s mission, gaining him access to African hospitals and doctors who work there as well as government leaders.

“Siena is where my view of the world was formed by Franciscan and Catholic teaching,” Marotta said. “It’s a little shining beacon and I think a lot of our alumni feel the way I do.”

“The more money we can raise, the more we can do,” Marotta said. “And there’s no limit to what we can do.”

For more information on Medicus in Christi, visit www.

MedicusInChristi.org.

Left to right: Joe Marotta with a boy at the Apam Catholic Mission Hospital in Cape Coast, the prospective site of Marotta’s orthopedic center. Arch Bishop Matthias Nketsia, Joe Marotta and Cardinal Peter Turkson at Nketsia’s office in The Secretariat building of the Cape Coast Arch Diocese.

SIENA 25

Still Opening Doors to Low-Income Families

By Jim Eaton

When Siena welcomed its first students in 1937, the men who attended came from the local community with few means to pursue higher education. Today at Siena, nearly 20 percent of the 3,000 undergraduate students come from families earning less than $55,000 annually. The federal government considers these students to be eligible for Pell grants.

“Many of these students are the first in their families to pursue higher education,” said Bob Klein ’68, director of development. Since Siena has nearly double the percentage of Pell-eligible students compared to its private college competitors, the College relies heavily upon the Annual Fund to help these students afford their education.

“The College continues to make a concerted effort to break the cycle Ben Velazquez ’93

of poverty one student at a time, and it starts by welcoming Pell-eligible students into our classrooms,” Klein said.

Marissa Moncrieffe ’11 from Albany, N.Y., is a shining example of how Siena has aided students of limited means in their quest for a college degree.

“I never thought I’d be able to afford college, until I went through the financial aid process here at Siena,” said Moncrieffe, who comes from a single-parent household. “I can’t thank Siena enough for the opportunities that I have been given here. I was able to experience things that I would not have had the chance to otherwise.”

Ben Velazquez ’93, director and head of Latin America Global Infrastructure Investments, also came to Siena from a low-income household.

“Once I was on campus, the HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity Program) office helped to make the transition as smooth as possible. When you combine this with the confidence Siena instilled in me, I couldn’t imagine a better place for me to go to college,” said Velazquez, who also is vice chair of the Siena College Board of Associate Trustees.

This year, HEOP welcomed 18 Pell-eligible students to the college. The most recent graduation rate of 86 percent for such students, well above the national average, shows Siena is doing its part.

Velazquez and Moncrieffe are just two of the thousands of students for whom Siena has made a college education accessible and affordable. However, this opportunity might not be available down the road.

“We need our alumni and friends of the college to help us grow the Annual Fund, which will keep our doors open to a wide range of students in the future,” said fund director Sue Ferris.

If you are interested in learning more about Siena College’s Annual Fund, please visit www.siena.edu/annual fund or call 1-888-SIENA4U.

Did You Know? Even a gift of $25 to Siena College’s Annual Fund can make a huge difference. Many external ranking systems, such as U.S. News & World Report and Middle States Accreditation, calculate alumni participation/giving into their equation for ranking colleges.

SIENA 26

Showstopper

By Mark Adam Michelle Campbell ’13 captured the audience at the Fr. Kenneth P. Paulli ’82, O.F.M., Ed.D. scholarship dinner, when she discussed how a scholarship offer from Siena College had given hope for her future.

“Exactly two years ago, I stood in my dining room and held in my hands three letters – two acceptances to the colleges that I wished to attend the upcoming fall and in the other, a foreclosure letter on our family home,” said Campbell.

With finances weighing heavily on Campbell’s future, she interviewed for and was accepted into the Bonner Service Leaders Program. The academic based scholarship program paired with a service term provided the financial help necessary to attend Siena. Since arriving at Siena she’s earned a 3.4 GPA and is a resident assistant in Hennepin Hall.

“Several people that night said to me, ‘Oh my God, who is this student? She was amazing,’” Fr. Ken recalled. “I share that feeling. She was so articulate about all of the things that make Siena a special place.”

To read the complete story visit www.siena.edu/ news keyword search Michelle Campbell.

For more information on the Fr. Kenneth P. Paulli ’82, O.F.M., Ed.D. Scholarship, visit www.siena.edu/ FrPaulliScholarship.

An Open Letter

In May 2011, Siena College will recognize of its first grad the 70th anniv uating class. S ersary e ve n Fr ia rs came to Lou the mission of donville with providing a pri vate liberal art in the Francisc s education gro an and Catho unded lic tr a d it io n. This mission connected all is what has Siena graduate s over the yea all is to assure rs. The challen the College’s m ge for us is si o n re m ains as strong 1937. as it was in To meet this ch

allenge requir es the continue Siena’s alumn d generosity o i and friends. f A cc o rd in g ly , I ask you to jo over 250 peop in me and le who have ch osen to make plans for the C a gift in their e ollege. If you h state a ve a lr e a d y created such compelled to a a gift or feel nswer the call, please contact or jsise@siena me at 518-78 .edu so that Sie 3-2315 na may honor your wishes.

I am humbled by all you do for the College respectfully yo and remain urs for a bette r Siena.

Jack Sise, Esq. ’75

Director of Gift

Planning

SIENA 27

class notes ALUMNI

Editors: Mary Beth Finnerty ’85 Director of Alumni Relations and Janice Goca, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Please submit all of your Class Notes information to your Class Coordinator, or if there is no Coordinator listed for your class, please send all information to classnotes@siena.edu for posting in the magazine. All of our coordinators would like to hear from their classmates. Please send us your news.

1951

John Hourigan joninca@comcast.net Charles Jeseo charltax@aol.com Larry Mahar has a poem published in the November/December issue of the magazine Good Old Days titled “To A Special Parent.”

Congratulations, Larry! George Racette and his wife Dodie have been married for 53 years and have four children and seven grandchildren, three currently in college. He and his wife live in Lafayette, Pa. George records textbooks for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and volunteers for the local Watershed Association. John Hourigan shares: “We gathered all available courage and ventured beyond the borders of California in September to visit family and friends in New York City, Albany, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Maine. It was great to see everyone again. No more traveling until February when it’ll be time to head for Mexico to warmer and drier weather.” Bernie Wildove shares that he sold his accounting practice in Keene, N.H. in 1986 and is l­iving in Florida.

1956

Tony Forte ’60 is looking to purchase a 1956 class ring. He is also interested in any other year as long as the ring has a cross and the hands of St. Francis. Size 11 preferred, but not necessary. Please contact Tony at barforte4@aol.com or 386-4462009/802-345-5319.

1959

Frank Martin ftmartin@nycap.rr.com Tom Spierto was elected to the “Wall of Distinction” at Willsboro Central School, for his service to the school and community for the past 55 years. The plaque was presented at the graduation ceremony this past SIENA 28

June and will be displayed on the “Wall”. He graduated from Willsboro in 1955 and returned to teach there for 33 years. Congratulations, Tom! Ed Smith hosts the radio show “Smitty and Friends” each Sunday afternoon 3-6 p.m. on the Siena station WVCR 88.3FM. Ed has been hosting this program for the past seven years. If you have not tuned in recently, give it a try. He features Frank Sinatra tunes as well as other artists from that era. The show can also be heard “on line” at WVCR. com click on “listen live”.

1960

Joseph Miller is the 2010 recipient of the Darwin Davis Award for Community Service at AXA Equitable. The award recognizes an AXA Equitable employee or financial professional who has made extraordinary contributions in public service, community development, community service and volunteerism.

Joe has been with AXA Equitable and AXA Advisors for 50 years as a Financial Professional, district manager, branch manager, regional president in Texas and as an executive in headquarters. Joe is presently a Financial Professional in New Canaan, Conn., a member of the Paramount Planning Group (PPG) and a member of the Hall of Fame.

Joe’s volunteer and community efforts reflect an ongoing and substantial commitment to those who need a helping hand. Joe is a founding member of The Inner City Foundation for Charity and Education, which supports agencies and institutions whose programs serve needy children and adults in Connecticut.

He currently serves as President of the Order of Malta American Association, where he is responsible for more than 1,800 people who devote time to helping the sick and those in unfortunate circumstances. Through this work, Joe also tutors at All Saints Catholic School in Norwalk, Connecticut and is a Eucharistic Minister

at Norwalk Hospital.

NEWSMAKER

1961

Patrick Flynn is retired from the Department of Research of New York State United Teachers. He taught school for 16 years prior to being employed by NYSUT. In the years following his retirement, he has co-authored two books on Constructivist Education: Applying Standards-Based Constructivism: A Two-Step Guide for Motivating Elementary Students and Captivating Classes with Constructivism, published in collaboration with The Institute for Learning Centered Education. He is also a co-founder of the Institute and the Institute’s annual Constructivist Design Conference.

1963

Kevin Raymond Kraymond27@comcast.net It’s amazing to me that 47 years have passed since Siena gave us our diplomas. Back in the sixties, tuition was $16 a credit hour. Father Rayner taught us Economics, Father Charles and Father Vianney taught us how to write, Father Stephen, History, Doc Buff, business (for me, he taught life and values), and Father Matthew, Shakespeare. They all gave us the Franciscan Tradition, the most important lesson of all. Today, it is exciting to see the incredible work that has been done — new buildings, new programs, and the campus, more and more beautiful with each passing day.

Who would have believed that Siena would be a regular NCAA contender, while remaining a small school, that went on to beat the likes of Ohio State! From what I hear and read in the alumni news, I think it is safe to say the end product of the labors of the Franciscan Priests and lay faculty is excellence.

Kevin Raymond is a quality assurance specialist working in the examination function at the Federal Housing Finance Agency in Washing-

Bob O’Connell ’63 has been selected by AARP New York to receive the Andrus Award, its most prestigious volunteer award for community service

ton. In his spare time, he keeps up with his four children. Two are teachers, one is a guidance counselor, and his son, Mike, is working with Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. Kevin also enjoys watching Washington Nationals baseball, and is especially proud of its great pitcher and Siena grad John Lannan ­’06!

Dick Holmes has had his second book published. Just Lucky, I Guess: Lessons I Learned through Forty-three Years in High School was released in October 2010. Dick recounts his own struggles from first grade to the middle of his sophomore year at Siena. With these experiences in back of him, he vowed that he would enter the field of secondary education with one overriding goal ... to help all of his students, but especially those who were struggling and finding little success or enjoyment in high school. To do that, he knew he had to start with himself by becoming the best that he could be in the p ­ rofession. He believed then, as he does now, that the single most powerful influence on student success is the teacher standing in front of the classroom.

Dick, author of For Parents Only: Straight Talk from Inside the American High School (2008), is a freelance writer who lives in upstate New York and southwest Florida. His many articles have appeared in numerous periodicals and ­newspapers.

Robert (Bob) O’Connell of Clifton Park N.Y. has been selected

by AARP New York, to receive the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award for community service.

The Andrus Award recognizes members and volunteers who, through volunteer service, are significantly enhancing the lives of individuals age 50+. The award was presented to O’Connell during a ceremony at the New York Mets game at Citi Field on August 1.

Bob joined AARP as a volunteer in 2005 following a full professional career as a social worker and renowned advocate in the field of aging. He was regional administrator at the U.S. Administration on Aging from 1998 to 2004 and for 20 years held leadership positions with the New York State Office for the Aging. He was also director of services for the aged for the New York State Department of Social Services and commissioner of the Rensselaer County Department for the Aging. Bob began his career in the U.S. Army as a captain and social work officer with the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General.

1966

Charles Connolly of Hiland Golf Course in Queensbury, N.Y. became the first golfer in NYSGA history to win two championships concurrently. He became the winner of both the NYSGA Senior and Super S ­ enior Amateur titles.

1967

Rick Spataro rspataro001@twcny.rr.com Edward W. McCarty has been elected Nassau County Surrogate Court Judge ousting an incumbent.

Congratulations Edward!

1968

Bill McGoldrick bmcgoldrick@wash-mcg.com It’s a very proud moment for our class that Mike Long has been inducted into the Capital District Basketball Hall of Fame. Mike joined 13 other former Siena players who have been honored. Mike scored more than 900 points as a player

and has coached at St. Rose and Sage Junior College of Albany. He is also a member of the Bishop Maginn High School and the College of St. Rose Halls of Fame.

Bob Klein organized a mid-term Class Mini-Reunion on November 13 in Albany. Attending were: Chuck Chera, Allyn and Kathy Dodd, Jim and Susan Donsbach, Woody and Cathy Forns, Joe Grant, Tom Hunt, Kathy Keogh, Bob and Maureen Klein, Sue ­LaVigne, Brian and Gail McCabe, Don and Cindy McCormack, Bill and Betsi McGoldrick, Gary Mills, Liz Pollock, Dan and Marianne Sleasman, Dick Snyder, Jim and Teresa Snyder ’72 and Dick and Noreen Tarantino.

Organizing the event, Bob heard from lots of classmates who couldn’t be there including: Terry Arndt, Rich Blasi, Tami Church, Bruce Cook, Rich Dolinar, Brian Farrell, Don Grady, Bob Guido, Gary Hache, Dave Healy, Gene Jannotti, Rev. Jim Joyce, Paul Laramie, Peter Lattimore, Mike Long, Tom Mammen, Mark McCandlish, Larry Mule, Chris Newtown, Cliff Piper, John Rowe, Dennis Sullivan, Jim Thompson and John Williamson.

When Bob spoke with Denny Sullivan who’s a physician in the Atlanta area, Denny said “Mid November in Albany! Who could resist? Seriously, it’s a good idea; but I’m going to wait until our 45th reunion to head back to Siena. Funny Siena story: I’m sewing up a 7-year-old’s forehead last month at the hospital. His mother and I are chatting about hometowns. I mention Siena and the son starts singing the Siena fight song, “drink six friars to the grave, etc.” Turns out his dad Kristan Weinberg ’87 is still a big Siena basketball fan and has been singing the fight song to his son Reed since infancy.”

Joe (Fr. Joseph) Ciarciaglino was the spiritual leader of an Orthodox Church Medical Mission to Northern Uganda in June. The team of two doctors, one nurse practitioner, three RNs and two medical technicians treated more than 3,500 people in a part of Uganda that was decimated by insurrection and terrorism for almost 20 years. Malaria is a particular scourge of this area.

Joe said that they brought all necessary medications with them.

“On one particularly heavy day 700 people were seen and treated. There is a large Orthodox presence in Uganda and we have a hospital in Kampala, the capital. Medical out-

reach is conducted year round but these remote areas are sometimes able to be serviced only when the medical team from America comes each year. Besides seeing to the spiritual needs of the team members, I brought much needed Liturgical supplies for our priests as well as funds to enable them to assist their various parishioners directly or through the establishing of long delayed programs.”

Joe also said, “The highlight of the trip was a Sunday Divine Liturgy celebrated in a church with mud walls and a thatched roof. The singing of the people in their own language was very moving.” Photos and more of the story are available on the parish’s website at http://www.tampaorthodox.org/.

Gene Jannotti has been back and forth to Hong Kong, spending several months there this year on assignment. Gene has been responsible for separating the computer system of AIG from its Asian subsidiary AIA as part of the sale and ultimate public offering of AIA as a separate company.

Mike Coffee who lives in the San Francisco Bay area recently attended a dinner in San Francisco with Siena President, Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75 hosted by Siena Trustee Dennis Winger ’69.

Mike Novack has retired after 38 years with the New York State court system.

1969

Champlain College has awarded the 2010-11 Edward Phelps Lyman Professorship to Professor James S. Fry, Esq. of Essex Junction, Vt., the coordinator of Champlain College’s Para-Legal Studies Program.

The Edward Phelps Lyman ­Professorship was established in 1984 and is presented by the ­Champlain College Board of ­Trustees to a senior faculty member who has shown dedication to students and Champlain College through a record of service and excellence in teaching and advising and through work on faculty and College committees. James is also a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar.

1970

Bob Hermann Rher311@aol.com Greetings class of 1970! Now that we have a class representative and an e-mail address to send information, please let me know what is going on. No news is too small.

NEWSMAKER

Charles Connolly ’66 two time New York State Golf Association’s Senior Golf Champion

NEWSMAKER

James S. Fry ’69 won the Lyman Professorship Award at Champlain College

John Kelley was appointed in 2008 to be a judge of the Superior Court for the state of New Jersey.

John’s daughter is currently a Siena student.

40 YEAR REUNION REPORT: Although we had just 11 classmates attend, they came from Florida to California to Illinois and had a great time.

1971

Nicholas Positano njpositano@gmail.com Greetings class of 1971! Nick Positano has volunteered to represent your class. Please send Nick any updates.

1972

Jack Callahan Jackcallahan33@gmail.com Dear Class of 72 and others of that era.

Saints Alive! along with Don Rafferty ’74, Christian King ’91 and Jack Callahan (me) are excited to announce the inaugural Orlando Road Tour to be held at Reunion ­Resort and Club in Orlando on January 21, 2011. Golfers of all levels, as well as non-golfers are welcome.

We have arranged dinners, lunches, golf and good weather for alumni, friends and spouses to get away and have a good time. Kick back and relax from a hectic winter and see old friends and make new ones. You can utilize the Orlando or SIENA 29

NEWSMAKER

executive director of Shelters of Saratoga, an organization offering a broad spectrum of services for the homeless and at-risk homeless.

of 1978 was a great class and I am honored to serve as class coordinator.

Here is a small sample of some of my best Siena memories.

Christmas branches decorating the dorm halls, “Christmas Lists” on Janet Gutowski Hall the dorm walls in Plassman, Ryan janet.hall@wku.edu and Hennepin Hall, Sunday night Green Earth Technologies movies and ice cream after in the (OTCQB: GETG), announced that caf, the mixers and dances in the David Buicko, chief operating officer of the Galesi Group and director Rat, Wreck Weekend, Fr. Tom and Fr. Bob, Harry Chapin, the coffee of Green Planet Products LLC, has house, Little Theatre, The Rafters on been appointed as a director of the Wednesday nights, going crazy in company. the quad during exam week and Since 1986, David has been the Senior Week in Lake George ... the chief operating officer of the Galesi Group, a leading industrial real estate best times of my life!!

Anne L. Chotkowski/Deardeveloper in the Northeast and owner of one of the largest, most versatile ing of Glenville, N.Y. was honored at Hudson Valley Community Colthird-party logistics companies in the region. He is responsible for the day lege’s 26th annual Faculty Honors Convocation in May with the New – to– day operations of the Galesi Group’s operating divisions including York State ­Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Chancommercial real estate, industrial cellor’s Award acknowledges and parks, distribution and logistics and provides “recognition for consistently the exploration and production of superior professional achievement.” natural resources.

David is a certified public accoun- Assistant Professor Dearing has been a member of the Hudson Valley tant. He is a member of a variety of local professional, economic develop- Community College English faculty since 1990 and a full-time faculty ment and charitable organizations member since 2001. She has been and is the chairman of the Center for actively involved in several commitEconomic Growth, a regional economic development organization. He tees on campus, including editor also serves on the board of numerous of Academic Notes, the college’s faculty journal, and the committee privately held companies in the real for the Voices: Library Lecture Seestate, oil and gas industries. ries. Anne received her master’s in English education at The University at Albany.

Linda Fitzsimmons

lindafitzsimmons@gmail.com Stephen L. Badger, chief Sue Reilly/ Hayes executive officer of GWU Medical CLIFTON522@aol.com Faculty Associates hosted First Lady Prayers, hugs and heartfelt Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and condolences go out to Charlene HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in Minogue/Carli on the death of July when an announcement regardher husband, James P. Carli. Jim ing new preventative healthcare died on August 27 from non-Hodgcoverage was made. kins lymphoma. He and Charlene had been married for 29 years and have three children—Matthew, Ryan Rick Gabriel and Monette. Prior to his death, Jim rgabrielsyr@gmail.com taught English at Saratoga High Greetings, Class of 1978! For School for 27 years. Charlene, your many years since our graduation day, classmates grieve with you.

I have read great stories from various Congratulations to Robert classes that were present during my Pape on his promotion to senior years at Siena. During that time, I vice president, sales and marketing, had the privilege of making lifelong for J&J Snack Foods Corporation, friends. I still keep in touch with many headquartered in Pennsauken, of them either by reunions, dinners, N.J. Bob is now responsible for all vacations, and even Facebook...(just sales and marketing, including new so you know Facebook is not just for product development for JJSF. Keep your kids.) Still, I have lost touch with up the great work, Bob! many of my fellow classmates and I Kenny Carter sends best am always curious about what they wishes to all, especially his lacrosse have been up to. Siena News has buddies, from his home on Long been a good way to see the various Island. He retired from futures paths our lives have taken. The class trading in 2002 and began a

1975 John Penzer ’74 has been named executive director of Shelters of Saratoga

1973

Brian Valentine bgvalentine@verizon.net Greetings to all of Siena’s community, and Merry Christmas and New Year greetings to all.

I visited the Siena College campus one day last summer, for the first time in about 30 years. I have been a resident of Arlington, Va. for that long.

I hardly recognized Siena College, with all the development that had gone on since my last visit. Siena’s development continues, thanks to the generosity of supporters and alumni.

Last year we reported that our classmate Ed Duess was studying for the Permanent Diaconate. We are pleased to say that Ed was ordained a Permanent Deacon by Cardinal ­Justin Rigali of Philadelphia on June 5, 2010. Ed was assigned to his Parish at St. Andrew Catholic Church, in Newtown, Pa. and Father Richard Trezza, O.F.M., concelebrated at Ed’s first Mass. Congratulations to Ed and St. Andrew’s!

Ron DeFilippis was nominated by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey in May to be a commissioner on the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission; Ron’s appointment was approved by the New Jersey State Senate in June. Ron started his term in July. The Election Law Enforcement Commission oversees the campaign finances of all of the New Jersey’s elected officials from the Governor to the local school board officials and the Commission comprises four commissioners. The Commission appointment is a part time position and Ron will continue to practice as the senior partner of his CPA firm. Ron and his family have an extensive association with Siena College. Ron’s wife Patti graduated from Siena in 1975 and their two sons are also Siena College graduates: Christopher ’02 and Kevin ’04. In addition, their daughter-in-law Rosemary ­DeLaurentis/­DeFilippis ’04 is ­married to Kevin.

1974

John Penzer has been named SIENA 30

1977

1979

1978

second career in aviation. He was a flight instructor at Farmingdale State College before becoming a regional airline pilot in 2007. This year he left the skies as a captain, flying 34-seat Saab turbo-props and headed back to the classroom as a flight instructor.

He has three daughters, ages 24, 21 and 16, and writes that he couldn’t talk any of them into going into Siena. (But wait, it’s not too late for the 16-year-old to change her mind, Kenny!) He heads back to Siena once in awhile to catch a lacrosse game.

Another Long Islander, John Stubenrauch, reminisced that he got his first post-Siena job at Allstate with a boost from classmate Kevin ­McAleese, who made a call to his uncle, the hiring manager. After a few years, John switched gears to join a German surgical instrument company and has represented them for the last 26 years. John and his wife are officially empty-nesters after sending their youngest daughter off to college in September. She joins her 20-year-old sister at Hope College in Holland, Mich. John also has a stepson, age 28, who lives in Chicago and works in the financial world. Recalling his Siena connections, John writes: “I still see Brian Zwilling and Frank Sands fairly regularly as they are here on L.I. and Dave Woods when he’s traveling on L.I.5 (he lives outside of Hartford, Conn.) and occasionally gets together with roommates J.D. Strong, Chip Davy and Tom Metzold ’80 for a party, golf outing or some other event.”

This week I enjoyed a wonderful “catch-up” dinner with Patty Kelly, who was in Rochester for a conference.

We commented on how quickly the years fall away when you start talking to Siena friends … very easy to pick up right where you left off. E-mail me about YOUR latest meetings with classmates, what’s g ­ oing on with your career and ­family, etc …

1980

Diane DeSilva desidian@shenet.org Susan Weiderhold skipped the reunion for the first time this year (she had attended every five year reunion prior to this) for a very good reason: She and her husband Mike, backpacked in the Grand Canyon during that time. Nineteen years ago they visited the Grand Canyon with their sixyear-old son and three-year-old daughter and spent four hours on the south rim watching them every moment to make sure they didn’t disappear over the edge into the canyon. They promised themselves they would go back some day and hike to the bottom, so this year they did but without their children. They did a rim-to-rim hike, four days, three

nights. Of all her backpacking trips, Susan said, “This was the most rewarding and most challenging.” They have hiked Yosemite three times, the Appalachian Trial in Virginia and next year are planning a 50 miler to Rae Lakes Loop in the Sierra Nevadas.

Susan and Mike have been living in Springfield, Va., for 11 years. Eight years ago Mike and two business partners started a defense contracting firm and Susan works for them as an accounting manager and human resource director. Their two children are now 25 and 22. Susan said, “I may not be curing cancer, but I’m living a good life, using my degree and promoting Siena to all my friends’ children who are starting the college search.”

Steve Gerbes was married on December 19, 2010 to Tatiana Shuman from St. Petersburg Russia at the Mohonk Mountain House in the Hudson Valley. Congratulations Steve and Tatiana!

1981

Robert Folkl has completed a solo cross-country bicycle tour of the continental U.S. It took 38 days to ride over 3,400 miles from San Diego, Calif. back to his home near Newburgh.

N.Y. Trip highlights include exploring the Grand C ­ anyon, riding through the Gateway Arch, tracing the historic Erie Canal and meeting many wonderful supportive people along the journey. *Please note a clarification from the previous issue: Tom Baldwin was inducted into the U.S. Lacrosse Adirondack Chapter 2010 Hall of Fame.

1982

Bob Young RYoung60@aol.com Dave Kaiser enjoyed a surprise 50th birthday party hosted by his wife Pam Clesceri/Kaiser ’84 at Davidson’s Brothers Brewing Company in Glens Falls, NY. The theme: Does Dave Still Rock? Decorations featured a life size cutout of Dave dressed up as Gene Simmons from KISS. Survey of the party goers confirmed that Dave Still Rocks. Alumni in attendance: Pat Culligan and Maureen Connors/Culligan ’85, John Capazzola and Meg Toomey/Capazzola, Brad Bodmer and Lisa Matheu/Bodmer’85, Rich Coughlin and Noreen Mahoney/­ Coughlin, Tom Murphy ’80 and Linda G ­ ordon/Murphy ’79.

Frank Bice has a blog. In “Daily Hope,” Frank offers daily narrative interpretations of the gospel. To join

Frank’s email distribution list, visit www.frankbice.com or find him on Facebook.

Cindy Pettit was recently promoted to senior vice president at Citizens Bank. Her banking career began as a part time teller while a student at Siena and she never left.

Carla Romano/Dennerlein, Fran Pellerito/Bessette & Margot Hennigan/Anderson (who is “only” 49) went to Block Island to celebrate their 50th birthdays.

Maryellen McAndrews/ Lively ’81 joined in the fun. Peggy (Margaret) Verno still travels the world every chance she gets, most recently the U.K. Damian LaPlaca recently facilitated a Siena dinner in Boston; a great time was had by all.

Several ’82 alumni were on campus to celebrate the establishment of the Fr. Ken Paulli ’82 O.F.M. Scholarship: Becky Simbari/Almstead, Kim Kamilow Luker, Beth Smith-Boivin, Mary Liz Blowe/Finn, Cheryl Glover/ Buff, John Neeley, Brad Bodmer, Margot Anderson and Mike Papadopoulos.

1983

Elvira Altimari-Jaeger eaj6@optonline.net Hi all, I have a few updates … thanks to all who answered my e-mail request for updates for our class column. I couldn’t do it without your help.

Gina Oliveri-Cristsel accepted a new position as director of guidance (K-12) for Garden City School District on Long Island in September. Gina has been married to Steve for 25 years and has four children. Gina thanks John Walker’s wife, Lynn, for bringing Rebecca chicken soup when she had the flu. Tom Lindgren coordinated a Mid Hudson Alumni Club mixer at Keegan Ales in Kingston in September. It was the first networking event for that club. Another is tentatively planned for February in Newburgh. Maria Jones, daughter of Tom Jones has accepted an offer to play soccer at Siena beginning in the fall of 2011. Tom is happy to have Maria carry on the tradition. Terry Flynn and sister Mary Flynn ’85 just celebrated the 20th anniversary of the law firm they started together, Flynn & Flynn PLLC, which specializes in commercial law, licensing and administrative law serving the food and beverage industry. If you want to be added to the class e-mail list, please let me know. Reminder to “save the date” for our 50th Birthday Party in NYC next October 29th. Shout outs requests to Kevin Kerr, Michelle Mitchell, Tom “Suds” Leskow, Al Foice, Phil Stocchetti and

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Robert Folkl ’81 has completed a solo ­cross-country bicycle tour of America

Dr.Stephan Kudyba ’85 associate professor, in the NJIT School of Management has published five books

Donna Kissel, your many fans request an update, hope to hear from you.

School of Management. Stephan is the author of five books including the latest book addressing health informatics as posted in USA Today.

Search “Stephen Kudyba” and “health informatics” for more information.

The White House announced that New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) will receive more than $23 million of the $2 billion allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to achieve widespread meaningful use of health IT and facilitate use of an electronic health record (EHR) by every person by the year 2014. The New Jersey Health Information Technology Extension Center (NJ-HITEC) initiative will assist New Jersey’s health care providers in their significant use of health information technology through outreach, consultation and user support for the state’s primary care providers serving at-risk population centers.

The NJIT Division of Continuing and Professional Education along with established New Jersey educational facilities throughout the state will help provide the delivery of outreach and awareness training throughout New Jersey.

Stephan provides a supportive role in enabling the NJ-HITEC to achieve its goals of promoting the facilitation of information technologies assimilation throughout the healthcare industry in New Jersey.

1985

Catherine & Ron Bjorklund bjork90@comcast.net Paul Sausville was promoted in April to the rank of Colonel and assigned as the State Judge Advocate for the New York Army National Guard. He is the primary legal advisor to the Adjutant General for the State of New York and oversees legal support to approximately 16,000 Army and Air National Guard members in New York.

Joe Bidwell will be leaving his position as an associate professor in zoology at Oklahoma State University to take a position as professor of environmental science and management at the University of Newcastle in Newcastle, Australia in January 2011. Joe was recently on a Discovery Channel episode of “When Fish Attack.” Joe’s episode involved an Oklahoma traditional form of catfishing called “noodling” involving catching large catfish (up to 70 pounds) by sticking your hand in their nest and letting them bite you and then wrestling them into the boat.

Joe and his grad students have run a tournament each year which brings in a real eclectic bunch!

Kenneth “Kenn” Todorov was recently promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, USAF, at a ceremony at United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) in Colorado. Todorov commands NORTHCOM’s Joint Task Force that responds to terrorist threats and natural disasters in our h­ omeland.

Lori Matt-Murphy has accepted the position as the first chief regional development and external relations officer for the American Red Cross. In this position, she will be responsible for the development and communications efforts in their entire 17 county Northeastern New York Region.

Congratulations to Stephan Kudyba, associate professor in the New Jersey Institute of Technology

1986

Edward Giordano Edward86@thegiordanos.us Susan Slattery susanslattery@gmail.com Michelle Roche mrroche@comcast.net From Ed: Hello Class of ’86!

Happy to say we have three alumni who will be making sure your

SIENA 31

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Chris Gibson ‘86 was recently elected ­congressman of New York’s 20th Congressional district

Jennifer Gilchrist ’96 has just published her first children’s chapter book; Into the Land of Nede

news and notes are accounted for – Edward Giordano, Susan Slattery and Michelle Roche. Hope to hear from all of you – especially as we approach the unbelievably approaching 25th year. Send your contributions to the above e-mail addresses.

From Susan: Come on, 86ers, pony up! I’d love to hear about your recent promotion to executive director or whatever, your new baby or new grandchild (Class of ‘86, can you believe how the time has flown?)

Did you recently get an a ­ dvanced degree? Change careers? Do some exotic volunteer work? We’ve been absent from this space for far too long and now it’s time to show off.

Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Inc. hired Sandy Woods as a sales executive specializing in commercial property-casualty, health, and workers’ compensation insurance.

Sandy has previous sales experience with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and previous development/publishing/marketing experience with Delmar Publishers. Sandy and her husband, Neville also own their own business, Woods Seal Coating. Sandy is an ­active member of Women in Development of Northeastern New York, an association of women in the fields of development, advancement and related professions.

Chris Gibson was recently elected congressman of New York’s 20th Congressional district. Chris was commissioned an officer from the Siena Army ROTC program. Over the course of his decorated 24-year Army career, Chris rose to the rank of colonel and deployed seven times.

Congratulations, Chris!

Athens, N.Y. If you are in the area, stop by and have a great meal. I am sure Mary would love to see you.

Congratulations to Forrest MacDonald on his recent appointment as vice president of accounting and financial reporting for Cengage Learning. Cengage is a world leader in providing learning solutions for academic, professional and library markets fostering academic excellence and professional development. During his 21-year tenure with Cengage, Forrest was the controller for the Academic and Professional Group. Forrest lives in Malta, N.Y. with his wife Liz and two children, Colin and Christopher.

I would love to highlight the accomplishments of our classmates.

Please send me your updates: promotions, weddings, birth announcements, accomplishments, awards or anything else that is new. I look forward to hearing from you!

1987

Geraldine ‘Gerry’McAndrew geraldine.mcandrew@comcast.net Mary DiStefano and her partner, Dana Wegener, are keeping busy with their two children Stefan, 15, and Zoe, 10, but still have time to cook up great food. Mary is the co-owner of the popular MOD Gourmet Café located on Main Street in Catskill N.Y. She is also the chef at Stewart House, Athens Hotel & Bistro, SIENA 32

1991

Kevin Clarke Siena91@optonline.net Hey, Class of 1991!

We are ­officially on Facebook – Siena Class of 1991.

We are 60+ members strong and growing each week. Spread the word and if you haven’t taken the leap – learn along with the rest of us.

Deb Killeen/Macarchuk and her family are living in Croton-onHudson, N.Y. She spends all her time taking care of the kids, Sean, 8, and Hannah, 6, as well as keeping up with fellow Siena alumni/neighbors.

Deb promises that TH 31 will be well represented next spring at the reunion. Tim Holloway, Corrine and their kids are living in Houston, Texas and enjoying life.

Dina Vacca/Allen and her husband Richard are happy to announce the arrival of child number three, Natalie Margaret, born May 21.

Dina has also volunteered to help with the reunion.

Dr. Rose Frasco in her podcast discusses her path to becoming an optometrist. She shares a “typical” day for her in the office, a few war

stories and great career advice.

Check it out at www.bit.ly/9Rc0cI. Congratulations, Rose!

The reunion dates are locked in – June 3 and 4, 2011. The planning is underway and the letters are out. The goal is 10/15/20 – let’s see what we can do to set a record! If you have any questions, please let me know or contact Michael Utzig ’07 at mutzig@siena.edu.

For next issue, let’s hear from Jen Petrilli, JP McGuirk and let’s try to get 120 members on Facebook.

Finally, I wish you all a very happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

1993

Susan Hannon shannon@ryeneck.k12.ny.us Hello, class of ’93! Hope everyone is well! Congratulations to Sharon Britt who has been named to the permanent appointment as a professor of English at Horry Georgetown Technical College. Ann Dejnozka gave me the update on former housemate Patti Hundiak.

She and her husband Alan Scott had their first baby, Colin, in late July. Ann herself is on “the crazy train” after having a second baby, Julia, in May. Julia is only 14 months younger than her brother. Ann secretly hopes that “Julia and Colin will meet up at Siena in 18 years!”

Tracy Martin has been busy since graduation. She was a stay at home mom for her first two children, Justine and Brendan, for eight years and has worked in pharmaceuticals for 7+ years with various companies — most recently with a California based company, Santarus. Tracy was named to the 2009 Presidents Club (the top 20% of their sales force) and has reached the top 10 overall. Her most recent addition is Liam, 1, who was born just two days after good friend Lori Bubb’s little girl. The two e-mail baby questions and issues back and forth thanks to Facebook.

Tracy lives in Clifton Park N.Y. with her life partner Simon. Tracy shares that Rene Murdico/Stryjski lives right around the corner with Greg Stryjski ‘92 with their two sons Thomas and Jason. Gerri Hutchings/Bock continues to share more about our former classmates. Chris DeOrio/Truax lives in Maryland with her husband, Todd and two children, Jordyn, 11, and Blake, 8.

She has taught French and Spanish, lived/studied in Spain, been a stay-at-home mom while obtaining a master’s degree and soon will be living in China. Keep it coming with the updates people! I hope you all have a very happy and healthy holiday season. My best to all of you and

your families.

1996

Brian Murray murray21@hotmail.com Jennifer Thompson-Gilchrist published her first children’s chapter book Into the Land of Nede. She found it to be a tremendous experience and accomplishment to birth the book amid the responsibility of raising four children. The book is currently available at www. jgilchristbooks.com or can be ordered through Barnes and Noble.

Christopher Lillis, M.D. and his wife Amy Garrett Lillis celebrated the birth of the first child, Thomas Jesse (TJ) Lillis on O ­ ctober 20. Chris and Amy live in Fredericksburg, Va, where Amy teaches and Chris is a private practice Internal Medicine physician. Chris writes a monthly health column for the Free Lance Star newspaper, and was recently named the director of Progress Notes — a blog focused on health policy www.drsforamerica.org/blog.

1997

Selena Dutcher selenadutcher@yahoo.com George Benzie lives outside of Boston. He and his wife, Susan Kelly are enjoying life. George is the principal of Mystic Valley Regional Charter School. He tries to make it back for at least one basketball game so be on the lookout.

Eileen Morrissey/Mulroy is proud to announce the addition of Caitlin born on February 23. She joins big sisters Megan, 4 and Tara, 2.

Matt Millea has accepted a position as deputy county executive of physical services for Onondaga County. In addition, they have two boys to keep them busy—Ethan, 5 and Aaron, 2.

Kate Howard/Bender ’96, husband Adam and daughter Indigo, 3, welcomed Genevieve to their family on June 23, 2010. Also, a former student of Kate’s from Classical Magnet School in Hartford, Conn., Daniel Hollens, has matriculated to Siena as a member of the class of 2014.

1998

Janine Trapp/Scotti sienasaints98@yahoo.com Jackie Zore/Smrek and her husband Rob Smrek welcomed their handsome son, Owen Andrew, on May 13, 2010.

Lisa Marie Ruscitelli was married to Jeff Stoltzfus earlier in 2010 and together they welcomed a beautiful daughter, Josephina Marie, on August 27.

Stacy Lee announced her engagement to David McNamara! They are planning a 2011 wedding.

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Donald Zumpano ’01 (middle) and Timothy Delaney ’88 head of the new agent’s training program (right), both FBI Special Agents at Donald’s FBI Academy graduation

Robert Stout ’02 has joined the law firm of Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP in Albany, N.Y.

Ryan Keleher ’04 joined Hiscock & Barclay Law Firm in Albany, N.Y. as an Associate Attorney

After 13 ½ years together Jolene Johnson married Michael Thompson on July 31 at his family property in Worcester, N.Y. They had Siena alums celebrate in many ways. Lindsay Flax was a bridesmaid, Casey Diminico/Ragan captured the memories while playing photographer, Michael Petersen ’06 kept the drinks flowing while tending bar and Dana Cairns gave a stellar stand-up comedy routine at the bachelorette party. Michael and Jolene have been living on Long Island for three years now, and during this time Jolene has been working as an environmental educator with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. She is also attending graduate school at Stony Brook University and intends to receive her teaching certification in the spring of 2011.

On June 14 Christina Sudano/ Klejsmyt, David Klejsmyt ’04 and their daughter, Emma welcomed another beautiful baby girl, Molly Rose. Congratulations to the K ­ lejsmyt family!

­ hristopher Edward on August 17; C and Jaime McIntyre/ Richardson and C ­ hristopher Richardson finalized the adoption of their two sons out of foster care: Alexzander Shem, 2, and Daryus Christopher, 5.

2000

Shaymus R. Schweitzer SienaSaints2000@hotmail.com Hello all! Hope you are doing well. It was great catching up with a lot of you over Reunion Weekend in June. Hopefully we’ll see more of each other before the next five years are up.

Bronwyn Tobin/­ Wucherpfennig and her husband Craig ’99 welcomed their second son, Owen William on January 5.

Owen joins older brother Declan.

Lindsay Gennari/Thomas completed four years at Albany Medical School, a three year residency in internal medicine and her second residency in anesthesiology. Dr. Gennari currently practices on staff at Albany Medical Center.

Michelle Stefka, M.D., has joined the Department of Gastroenterology at Lahey Clinic North. Michelle received her Doctor of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in New York. She completed both her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology at Lahey Clinic.

My wife, Kristina Turley/­ Schweitzer and I were happy to welcome our second daughter, Emma Riely on August 23. Emma joins big sister Natalie who is a great helper.

2001

Maura Mack sienanotes01@gmail.com Meg Allessio/ Duquette and ­Brian Duquette ’97 welcomed a baby girl, Isabella Grace, on May 22. Meg is an attorney with Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP focusing on business and banking.

Christina Torelli/George and J.R. George ’99 welcomed a baby girl, Abigail C ­ ecilia on July 21.

Christina Ganieri/Brandi and her husband, are happy to welcome their first son, Christian Julius (CJ) Brandi, born June 9. Will Laffey and his wife Dana welcomed a son, Connor William, on November 1. Mike Monaco, his wife Klara ’02and big brother Will welcomed Keira, on September 4. Scott Knapp and his wife Jennifer welcomed their second child, ­Samantha Mary Knapp, September 9. Cheryl Cassino/ Rasmussen and her husband, Anders, welcomed their second child, daughter, Abigail Lee, on January 13.

John Lizzi and Kelly Mackin/ Lizzi and big sister Claire welcomed John Michael Lizzi III on April 8.

Mary Helldorfer-Cooney and her husband Ryan welcomed their first baby in September, Annaliese Roeckell Cooney.

Chris Hough recently moved from Maine to North Carolina. He married Kelly Barber in August 2008.

Jordan Birdsall happily married Amanda Bennett on July 17. Congrats to Kendra Johanson and Jason Grassick ‘02 who are engaged, getting married in October 2011.

Jessica Zaborowski-Hartz is proud of her camp, “Camp Stanley for the Performing Arts,” celebrating the Franciscan spirit. Last year Jessica gave discounts to her campers for community service hours. Over 50 percent of her campers took advantage of this incentive program.

Projects have included everything from starting a coat drive to recycling batteries.

Remember to mark your calendars for our 10 year reunion, June 3 & 4, 2011!

2002

Christine Cinnamond christine.cinnamond@gmail.com Rob Stout has joined the law firm of Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP in Albany, N.Y. as a member of the firm’s environmental, clean teach, real estate development, zoning and land use practice groups. At Whiteman, Rob will continue his practice of advising clients on complex environmental regulatory matters as well as sophisticated commercial real estate transactions including leasing, lending, land use and the purchase and sale of commercial property.

2003

Gina Gizzi sienasaints_2003@hotmail.com On July 25, 2009 I attended the “destination” wedding of Gina Yates to James Peattie. Gina and James were living in California at the time but returned to our alma mater for their ceremony, followed by a very lively reception at the Century House. They now live in the Albany, N.Y. area.

2004

Jolleen Wagner jolleen_wagner@yahoo.com Season’s Greetings, Class of 2004!

Ryan P. Keleher has joined the Albany, N.Y. offices of Hiscock & Barclay Law Firm as an associate attorney. Congratulations to John Paul Ciejka and Lyndsay Reed,who were married at Emma Willard this past October. John Paul has been promoted at the Albany County Hall of Records where he manages the archives, preserving and making historic record more accessible. Belated congratulations to Colleen Dacey who was married on April 28 and to Kelly Collins who married Daniel Webster on August 8, 2009.

John Witkiewicz and Kelsey Hanno/Witkiewicz welcomed Henry Finn on May 15; J­ ennifer Peloquin/Banker and Brian Banker welcomed Andrew Judd on July 30; Melissa Termine/Goetz and Steve Goetz welcomed

2005

Breanne Suhrland bsuhrlan@att.net Greetings, class of 2005! This summer I became engaged to a ­fellow Siena grad and the love of my life, Chris Elsesser ’06! We are busy planning and are looking forward to our July 30, 2011 wedding.

Colleen McCue, married Brendan McLaughlin ’04 on August 21, 2009 in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. Brendan is a marketing manager for Silhouette in Green Island, N.Y. and Colleen is a tradeshow coordinator in Albany. The couple resides in Wynantskill, N.Y. Be sure to check out their wedding photo at the end of this issue.

Kevin Kaleita married Jocelyn Maningo on September 24, 2010 on Long Island, N.Y. Jocelyn is a 2005 graduate of Elon University in North Carolina. Check out their wedding photo in this issue too.

2006

Chris Elsesser christopher.elsesser@gmail. com Ashley Boland Ashleym.boland@gmail.com Hello Class of 2006! On September 1, 2010, I (Chris) became engaged to my longtime “Siena Sweetheart” and fellow Siena class notes editor, Breanne Suhrland, ’05. Dan Schuldt and Bethany Madej were married on July 17 at Siena College. Their ceremony was performed by Fr. Bill Beaudin ’76. Their special day featured many of their Siena friends being in attendance, including wedding party members ­Christina Pepe, Derek Jones, and Sean McInerney. (Be sure to check out their Siena wedding photo.) Since graduation, Dan has been working in litigation services for SIENA 33

Class of 2007

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Summer gathering in ­Brighton, Mass

Marc D. Roberts ’07 was promoted to Research Analyst at Fenimore Asset Management, the investment advisor to FAM Funds

Yuliana Cummings ’07 joined the Certified Public Accounting firm of CMJ, LLP as a Senior Associate in 2007 and recently received her CPA designation

Kevin Gioia ’10 has joined Fenimore Asset Management, the investment advisor to FAM Funds, as a Junior Research Analyst

moved to Williamsburg, Va. to attend graduate school at William and Mary. After graduate school, Beth moved back to New York for a teaching job at Fayetteville Manluis; where she teaches fifth grade. Recently, Dan and Beth purchased a home in Camillus, N.Y. and luckily Xerox has allowed Dan to keep his job in Albany while living near Syracuse with Beth.

Tiffany Montgomery completed her master’s degree in childhood education/literacy this past August at the Sage Graduate School. Tiffany is now enjoying her first year as a second grade teacher.

Natalia Kutzer, shared updates on our classmates. Kristen Kubera recently became engaged to Carmen Cavatassi. They are planning to marry on October 1, 2011 in Rochester, N.Y. Ashley Boland recently became engaged to Jim Tyner. A July 2011 wedding is planned in Lake Placid, N.Y. Maggie McKeon recently accepted a new position as director of communications for the New York City Opera.

2007

Sean Robbins PO Box 11222 Loudonville, NY 12211 SeanRobbins@att.net Michael Utzig mutzig@siena.edu Greetings class of 2007! Erin Hennigan married her boyfriend of seven years in October. Erin’s husband works as a police officer. Erin graduated from SUNY Albany with a master’s in literacy in December 2009.

Joshua Werbeck has joined the firm Green & Seifter, Attorneys, PLLC as an associate. Josh was a summer associate with Green & Seifter, Attorneys, PLLC during the summer of 2009 and graduated cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law with a J.D., in 2010. While completing law school he earned the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers Leadership SIENA 34

Award, admission to the National Order of Barristers, admission to the Justinian Honorary Law Society, and the C.A.L.I. Excellence Award.

Josh focuses his practice in the areas of business transactions, employee benefits, tax planning and advocacy, real estate, economic development initiatives, bankruptcy and litigation.

Yuliana Cummings received her CPA designation. Yuliana works at CMJ, LLP as a senior associate in accounting, assurance and advisory Services located in Queensbury, N.Y. Stephanie Richter of the Northeast Parent & Child Society has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Capital Alliance of Young Professionals.

Jen Rota is graduating from New York Law School this semester and will be taking the NJ/NY Bar in February.

Amanda Kuryluk, who recently graduated from Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law joined the law firm, Thorn, Gershon, Tymann, and Bonanni, LLP, in Albany, N.Y. as an associate attorney.

David Jalette passed the CPA exam last month and was promoted to senior associate at KMPG. He recently went to Buenos Aires, ­Argentina to visit Catlin Phillips who has been working as a study abroad coordinator and English teacher. Meredith Toussaint has a new job working as an employment operations specialist in human resources at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y..

Amanda Brown and Andrew Knipfing ’06 got married this summer in Syracuse, N.Y. Their reception was at The Lodge in Skaneateles.

Lauren Winn was a bridesmaid.

Father Bill Beaudin ’76 married the couple and they honeymooned in Santa Cruz and San Francisco.

Ryan Watroba got married on July 24 to Heather Frame in Siena’s Saint Mary of the Angels

Chapel. Their reception was held at Riverstone Manor in Scotia. They honeymooned in St. Lucia. Ryan moved into a new position as assistant director of technology for enrollment management at Siena.

James Tumulty is beginning the second semester of his master’s in biology at East Carolina University.

He just completed a four month field season in the Peruvian Amazon doing research for his thesis on the evolution of monogamy in the mimicking poison dart frog (Ranitomeya imitator). With basketball season upon us, go check out www.sienasaintsblog.com for all your up-to-date Siena bball needs.

Matt Restivo who finished the NYC Marathon recently is in charge of the site and does a fantastic job with it.

Dave MacDonald married Kristin Wernig on September 18 at Siena. The reception was held at the Edison Club in Rexford N.Y. Stephanie Korona married Erik Ebbesen on July 31 in Loveland, Colo. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Long-time Siena friends Caitlin Goodman, Jamie Knightes and Maura Titterington were there. The reception was held outside at Ellis Ranch in Loveland. They honeymooned in Kauai, Hawaii for a week after the wedding.

2008

Danielle Grasso Patrick Preston SienaCollege2008@gmail.com

2009

Tiffany Salonich LovesRain87@aim.com Hello, Class of 2009! I thank those who sent me well wishes upon hearing of my car accident. I am healing slowly. It is wonderful to have Siena community support.

Jenny McNulty got engaged to Daniel Mulhall. They are getting married in August of 2011.

Heather Stec played for the Horsholm 79ers in Denmark where they finished as national champions.

She was named player of the year, forward of the year and import player of the year. This year Heather is playing for the STOL Grasshoppers in Katwijk, Netherlands.

Christian Wolf started a master’s program in economics in Lisbon at the Faculdade de Economia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa. He attends Sunday mass at the Church of St. Anthony, which has been built at the site of the original house of the saint. “I also walk by this church every morning on the way to the university. Nevertheless, I really miss my Franciscan friends at Siena College,” said Christian.

Gary Domermuth and A ­ shley Davison were published in the November/December issue of FRAUD Magazine. “We wrote an article as part of the master’s program at Siena that we graduated from this past year.

The article is about our internships, our findings and how internships can be helpful to students in applying classroom education to the real world,” stated Ashley. The magazine is the publication of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the world’s largest anti-fraud o ­ rganization.

Tara Nolan recently started with a CPA firm in Saratoga and she loves it. Vic Cristiano wishes to share this for the Annual Fund: By now, you have received a letter and an e-mail regarding Siena’s Young Alumni Challenge. As Siena gears up for the fourth month of this challenge, I wanted to take a moment to update you on where we are and remind you of the importance of Young Alumni Giving. To date the participation rate for Young Alumni is close to 2 percent.

That is only 8 percent away from our goal of 10 percent. For those of you who have made a gift to Siena, I thank you for your continued support of the college. Remember, if Siena is able to reach or exceed the goal of 10 percent, each donor will receive a Siena College mug from the annual

weddings

fund office.

2010

Kelly Peckholdt Kellypeckholdt@gmail.com Hello, Class of 2010! Amber Ethier recently started a job as an underwriting services specialist at Farm Family Insurance in Glenmont, NY. Michelle Sullivan started off this school year “on the other side of the desk”…as a 9th grade French teacher at Monroe Woodbury High School.

Jillian Pabis started teaching at Bishop Maginn High School this year as a high school chemistry teacher. At the beginning of the year, Jill said, “In just two and a half weeks of school, I’ve already taken away five cell phones and kicked two students out of class! But I love my job!”

arried uer ’92 m Marty Da minski on Tu Alison , 2009.

August 8

Stephanie K Erik Ebbes orona ’07 marrie d en on July 31, 2010 .

Dr. Ad am Schisle Coleman ’0 5 r ’05 o n Septe married He ath mber 5, 200 er 9.

Dan Schul

In Memory of: John E. Maloy, Sr. ’43 Joseph E. Riley ’47 Ernest Kershaw ’48 James McGeever ’48 John J. Sebunia ’48 John S. Sweet ’48 Stanley B. Eisenberg ’49 William F. Gaffney ’49 John B. Garrett, Jr. ’49 Walter R. Henningson ’49 Frederick J. Murphy ’49 Vincent James Selkis ’49 Robert Buckley ’50 E. Edwin Du Pont ’50 George J. Gearhardt ’50 Thomas J. Hennessey ’50 Timothy Holland ’50 Richard W. Keeler ’50 Robert J. Mahar ’50 William McCann ’50 William K. Murphy ’50 James R. Raciti ’51 Bernard W. Cobb, Jr. ’56 Teresa (Morone) Copeland ’56 James J. Hynes ’56 William Forget ’57 Robert T. Sullivan ’59 Francis V. Keegan ’60 Alan Lee Roth ’60 Aurelia M. Aiossa ’63 Thomas A Giroux ’65 Robert J. Hilt ’66 John T. Bryant ’67 Joseph “Jay” F. Stewart. Jr. ’72 Carl M. Montanino ’73 Kathleen C. Gadomski ’80 Br. John-Joseph Dolan, O.F.M. ’82

dt ’06 ma rried Beth on July 1 any Mad 7, 2010 at Siena. ej ’06

Kristin Wer ld ’07 married Dave MacDona th at Siena.

18 er mb pte on Se

ew Knipfing ’06.

Amanda Brown ’07 married Andr

nig ’07

rried Gina Yates ’03 ma on July ’03 ttie Pea es Jam .

25, 2009 at Siena

Jolene Johnso n ’03 married Michael Thom pson on July 31, 2010 .

ster Daniel Web ’04 married Kelly Collins 09.

20 8, t us on Aug

Jeremy Berli n ’10 marrie d Heather MacDonald ’09 on June 5, 2010.

’05 Kevin Kaleita Manlyn ce Jo ed rri ma ingo on , 2010.

September 24

Colleen McCue ’05

married Brendan McLaughlin ’04 on August 21, 20 09.

When submitting wedding photos to the magazine please make sure they are 300 dpi. If you have any questions please contact communications@siena. edu.

SIENA 35

515 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211

Don’t forget to make your tax-deductible gift to the Siena Annual Fund by December 31.

Donate online at www.siena.edu/MakeAGiftOnline or call 1-888-SIENA4U. See what else Bernie has been doing at www.siena.edu/10