Siena News Summer 2007

Siena SIENA NEWS • A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS • SUMMER 2007

The Places We’ll Go

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Siena News • 2

Contents

Siena News Board of Trustees Ronald Bjorklund ’85 Michael Bucci ’73 Robert F. Campbell ’66 Beverly A. Carroll Robert M. Curley Robert T. Cushing ’77 Susan Law Dake Virginia L. Darrow ’83 John J. Dawson, Esq. ’68 Scott C. Donnelly Howard S. Foote ’74 Robert L. Guido ’68 Rosanne M. Hall, Esq. Douglas T. Hickey ’77 Rev. Kenneth R. Himes ’71, O.F.M., Ph.D. Gary C. Holle ’77 Edward J. Johnson ’63 Alberto C. Mariaca ’60 Rev. Jerome J. Massimino, O.F.M. Pamela McCarthy Robert J. McCormick ’87 Susan M. Merritt, R.D.C., Ph.D. Rev. Dominic V. Monti, O.F.M., Ph.D. 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 O’Connor, O.F.M., LL.D. Walter A. Osterman ’87 Joseph M. Pastore, Jr., Ph.D. Kenneth M. Raymond, Jr. Rev. Peter A. Schneible, O.F.M., Ph.D. Michelle M. Schoulder ’99 Christine L. Standish Br. Daniel P. Sulmasy, O.F.M., M.D., Ph.D. Dennis L. Winger ’69

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Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., ’75: Leading with Heart

FEATURES Leading With Heart...........................4 Administrator and Faculty Honored.................................8 Finance Majors Win First Place.......9 What’s in Your Cup of Joe .............10

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The Places They’ll Go

Are College Students Obeying The Hands Free Cell Phone Laws?...................................................12 Capital Region Loves Siena Interns..................................................14 Siena Celebrates it’s Sixty-seventh Commencement................................15 The Places They’ll Go.....................16

20 College Honors

Distinguished Sons And Daughters Of Siena

The Siena News - Summer 2007 Published by Siena College, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 122111462 • Email: sienanews@siena.edu • Publisher: Noel Hogan • Editor: Ned Jones • Contributing Editors: , James Eaton, Allison Maloney ’06, Paige Collins ’07, Janet Gianopoulos, Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., Jason Rich ’98, John Sise ’75, • Director of Art & Design: Sergio Sericolo • Alumni Class Notes Editor: Ashley Boland ’06, Nathan Maloney ’00 • Photography: Sergio Sericolo, Paige Collins ’07, James Eaton, Jason Rich ’98, Mike Hemberger • Printer: The Lane Press, Burlington,VT.

College Honors Distinguished Sons and Daughters of Siena........20 A Breakthrough Season....................34 Fr. Kevin Mackin O.F.M., Enjoys Busy Final Month of Presidency .........................Back Cover

DEPARTMENTS Short Takes..........................................33 Planned Giving..................................32 Alumni: Fall Class Notes..........24-31

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A Breakthrough Season Siena News • 3

Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., ’75:

Leading with Heart

Following the African proverb about children, it takes a village to raise a college student. And so follows Fr. Kevin’s vision of his presidency as one of collaboration with faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, and students. “We are here first for the students. Siena grows because of the success of our students and we need to work as a community to guarantee this legacy of extraordinary achievement continues.”

Siena News • 4

Fr. Kevin’s leadership will be within the Franciscan tradition, stressing the dignity of each individual, call to serve, and sense of community. “I will equally challenge myself and others to be this mission. I want to take our Franciscan roots off the page and put it into people’s hearts.”

Experienced Educator Fr. Kevin’s 32-year relationship with Siena, as a scholar, alumnus, dedicated and popular professor, and trustee, has dedicated him to the nature and purpose of the valuable undergraduate education we provide. He holds in high regard the importance of good teaching as it relates to liberal arts and professional courses.

As a student in the history department he personally gained the skills needed to succeed as a theological scholar, receiving a Master’s of Divinity degree from Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., where he also supervised ministry in adult education and held a hospital chaplaincy. He received his doctorate in theology from The Catholic University of America, also in Washington, D.C., where his interest in medical ethics grew, and where he continued to hone his pastoral heart.

Fr. Kevin’s area of interest is moral theology, in particular medical ethics. He has given numerous lectures on end-of-life care and life sustaining treatments and has used his knowledge in the classroom, teaching courses in medical ethics and Catholic social thought.

Fr. Kevin taught full-time at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, N.Y., from 1987-1990. He continued part-time while working in Boston at Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, and Emmanuel College. He has also taught at St. Bonaventure and at Siena in the Foundations course.

By teaching Foundations, Fr. Kevin has literally worked at the core of Siena’s liberal arts tradition. He teaches students to make connections between disciplines, and to approach information with an analytical and questioning mind, in order to lay the foundation for their academic career. His students rave about his classroom manner. “He made Foundations fun and enjoyable. Fr. Kevin opened the door for me to succeed in other classes,” remarked Marie Walker ’10. Michelle Sullivan ’10 added, “Class was at 8:30 in the morning, and Fr. Kevin tried to engage us and wake us up. He was very successful; we had interesting conversations, he made our classroom a comfortable place, and was always available if you

Guardian/Director of the St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, Mass.

• Largest friary of the Province • 15 masses a week, including one in Spanish and an enthusiastic charismatic mass • 12 hours each day of confessions • 55 friars living and working on location • 115 Eucharistic ministers and lectors • Adult spiritual education, offered at noon, on weekends, and in the evenings • Everything from liturgical seasons to scripture prayer to political responsibility to intervention for addicts • All day walk-ins, for those simply in need of advice, counsel or support from the friars.

• Faithworks ministry, a program developed to help lay people connect to their faith within their careers. needed him for anything. He has a very warm and inviting personality and made my freshman year enjoyable.”

Fr. Kevin’s experience working on a personal level with students as a faculty member will allow him to hear the voices of these groups clearly as president. After he has settled into his new position, he plans to get back into the classroom, a place he loves dearly.

Competent Leader Fr. Kevin brings vast experience to the presidency in both the academic and administrative realms.

His leadership experience is diverse. The most substantial experience was his nine-year tenure as guardian/director of the St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, Mass.

During his directorship, the Shrine, a 11 story building located at Downtown Crossing in Boston, was the largest income producer for the Franciscan Province of the Most Holy Name and also housed the largest number of friars. It is both a popular parish and a model for adult spiritual education.

Fr. Kevin also served on the board of directors of the St. Francis House for most of the 1990’s.

In fact he was chairman of the board from 19971999. “Fr. Kevin worked tirelessly to promote the needs of our guests and the work of Saint Francis House,” said Executive Director Karen Lafrazia. In Siena News • 5

1994, St. Francis House was named as a National Model Program by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Speaker’s Task Force on Homelessness.

“National model or not, Fr. Kevin knew more needed to be done to help homeless men and women move beyond that experience and he knew that employment and housing were critical components to making that happen,” said LaFrazia. Under Fr. Kevin’s leadership, St. Francis House launched two new initiatives. In 1995, St. Francis House began the Moving Ahead Program (MAP), a comprehensive, 14-week program that provides job readiness assessment, pre-employment training, work experience and job placement assistance. In 1997, Next Step Transitional Housing Program was launched, providing single room occupancy, transitional residence for up to two years for 39 formerly homeless men and women.

In 1996, the board of the St. Francis House established a goal to end homelessness, in Boston and beyond. As chair, Fr. Kevin led this effort by advocating for the homeless and lobbying politicians

Chair, Board of Directors at The St. Francis House, Boston, Mass.

• Largest non-profit, nonsectarian day shelter in New England.

• Serves more than 800 men and women every day of the year • Open 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year • Offers basic services including food, clothing, daytime shelter, and medical care combined with mental health and substance abuse counseling and rehabilitative services, as well as job skills training and transitional housing to help guests establish lives independent of shelters and institutions • Successful $5 million capital campaign • Campaign to End Homelessness • National Model Program by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Speaker’s Task Force on Homelessness.

across the city to raise awareness for the homeless and garner state and federal funding.

While chairman of the board of the St. Francis House, Fr. Kevin planned and successfully implemented the first Capital Campaign. Launched in 1998, it raised just over $6 million. What’s more,

while Fr. Kevin was the chairman, the agency’s annual budget grew by almost a million dollars, and realized a 26 percent growth in private fundraising and 16 percent growth in public/government contracts. “Fr. Kevin was a fantastic fundraiser. Nearly $1 million of our Capital Campaign revenue was a direct result of Fr. Kevin’s intervention with the city of Boston,” said LaFrazia.

At the St. Anthony Shrine, Fr. Kevin managed small donations as diverse as daily offerings to planned gifts left to the Shrine through wills. “These people, who would donate five or ten dollars a week, would donate thousands of dollars to the Shrine in their wills. Our work was supported by people who believed in our mission and wanted to support it.

They saw service, and then gave it,” said Fr. Kevin.

As a result, he understands that even the smallest donation is meaningful, much like our alumni who simply give what they can to Siena. Fr. Kevin ensured that money went straight to the Shrine’s programs, and the surplus was given back to the Province to support other valuable missions of the Province.

After nearly a decade of challenges and success achieved in Boston, Fr. Kevin returned to his home state of New Jersey to serve as pastor/guardian of St. Leo’s Church in Elmwood Park and as a parttime chaplain at a state correctional facility. Fr. Kevin has also served on the board of trustees of Christ the King Seminary, Siena’s Board of Trustees, the ethics committee of Sister’s Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y., and the board of directors for the Franciscan Children’s Hospital in Boston, Mass.

For the past 11 years, Fr. Kevin has also held the elected position of director of finance for the Holy Name Province Provincial Council. Through this role, he has gained extensive fundraising, investment and budgeting knowledge while working with finanSiena News • 6

A Note Marked “Personal” Published in the winter 1997 issue of The Spirit of St. Francis and reprinted with permission of the St. Francis House.

cial experts. Using resources available to him, he manages the investment portfolio for the Council and has overseen a 5-year cash flow study, as well as the budget. His role has been to ensure spending is reduced and that the Province is living within its means.

In the spirit of communal living, all financial activities are transparent and available to his fellow brothers through a Website, something Fr. Kevin feels is important.

A Call to Action For Fr. Kevin, the development of Siena means honoring the strategic plan set before him and putting mechanisms in place that will allow the plan’s goals to be reached by collaboration with everyone in the Siena community. He also looks to enhance the College’s financial standing through a capital campaign and finding new, innovative sources of revenue.

In the next year, Fr. Kevin plans to do a lot of traveling around campus and alumni regions as a first step in his call to action. Not only does he want to become familiar to all, he plans to hold forums with the different community constituencies and even people outside of the campus who simply love Siena, to hear what their ideas are for the College’s future.

“It is important to lead by example, but also listen to the voices from within the community,” he said. Only by working together can we continue Siena’s legacy of preparing leaders who will make the future brighter for all of us.

Elected to represent his brother friars at the General Chapter of the Franciscans last spring, St. Francis House Board Chairman, Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., showed up at Logan Airport with his ticket and passport only to discover there had been a snafu.

Those things happen. He understood. But because he was so agreeable, they promised to “bump” him up to first class when he returned to the U.S. a month later—a gift for being so pleasant.

A very tall man of ample proportions, Fr. Kevin made a point of arriving early at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport with his ticket, passport, and that solemn promise of a “bump-up”.

While waiting, Fr. Kevin’s name was called over the public address system. With no reason given, he was politely informed that he would not be flying first class. He said he understood, which he didn’t, but genially accepted this disappointment.

Boarding the plane, he noticed no one in first class at all. “Maybe I can go up there when the flight takes off?” he mused.

Then he looked down the tarmac, saw a security van pull up, and out came Mother Teresa, her doctor, and a bevy of her blue and white saried sisters. They were all whisked into first class.

“Bumped-down” by Mother Teresa! Fr. Kevin told the story to the delight of everyone, including a former Malden policeman, who in turn told it to one of the Missionaries of Charity. In her recent and last trip to the U.S., Mother Teresa finally heard of how an airline’s kindness to her was offered at the expense of a Boston Franciscan.

She chuckled, enjoying the tale, then asked for a pen.

A few days after she died, the retired police officer stopped off at St. Anthony’s Shrine with an envelope marked “Personal” for Fr. Kevin. In it was a small card with the Prayer of St. Francis printed on it. Scrawled across it was: “Fr. Kevin, God bless you. Mother Teresa”.

Siena News • 7

Administrator and Faculty Members Honored for Excellence Fr. Kevin Mackin, O.F.M, with honorees (left to right): Dr. Munir Beken, assistant professor of creative arts, Dr. Raj Devasagayam, associate professor of marketing and management, and Dr. Jim Nolan’ 75, dean of the School of Business.

At the annual Faculty-Administrator Dinner Reception, Dr. Raj Devasagayam received the Jerome Walton Award for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. Munir Beken was the winner of the Raymond Kennedy Award for Excellence in Scholarship, and Dr. James Nolan ’75 won the James Knust Award for Excellence in Administration.

Excellence in Teaching Dr. Devasagayam, associate professor of marketing and management, independently developed the course in International Marketing and was actively engaged in developing the course guides for marketing and management courses. In the past four years, he has supervised five independent study courses with several of these courses resulting in manuscripts accepted for publication. His students have participated and won accolades for their joint research in numerous scholarly conferences including in 2005 when Michael Quinn ’05 and Dr. Devasagayam received the Best Overall Paper Award at the Marketing Management Association Conference in Chicago, Ill. In his teaching, Dr. Raj has geared his efforts to ensure that his students find a center and balance between word and action, between concepts and applications, between academe and “real-world,” and between the classroom and the boardroom.

Excellence in Scholarship Dr. Beken, assistant professor of creative arts, will be lecturing and performing at Yale University this summer, as well as in Vienna, Austria, with premieres of his new compositions in Europe and South America. Recently, Dr. Beken was in Bulgaria celebrating a premiere performance by The Sofia Philharmonic of his second symphony, “Tales of Istanbul.”

Dr. Beken is praised as an astonishingly gifted composer and instrumentalist whose compositions and performances have become a part of the music history of the world.

Excellence in Administration Dr. James Nolan, dean of the School of Business and professor of quantitative business analysis, led the School of Business’s pursuit of accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Dean Nolan was responsible for the preparation of Siena’s Self-Evaluation Report and then for the planning and execution of an impressive On-Site Evaluation Visit. His hands-on leadership and personal tenacity at pursuing the School’s AACSB accreditation objective, coupled with his ability to reach out to campus and community supporters, were the most important reasons for Siena College attaining AACSB initial accreditation in December 2006.

Siena News • 8

Finance Majors Win First Place Finance majors Rhiannon Darrone ’07, Danielle Macready ’07, Ross Pancoe ’07, and Katherine Sansone ’07 collaborated on a paper titled “The Sick Dough Fund,” for Dr. Eric Girard’s Portfolio Management course this past spring. The students, who act as managers of a portfolio, examined investing in the healthcare sector. After diligently researching the sector, they found investment opportunities that they believe would result in positive results.

After reviewing the paper, Dr. Girard encouraged them to submit it to the St. John’s Investment Management Conference. Like their portfolio, this was a good decision as “The Sick Dough Fund” outperformed 200 other papers and received the first place prize of $1,000. Below is a summary of their award winning paper:

Background The finance majors decided

to examine the healthcare sector because it is the largest single industry in our nation’s economy. With the aging of baby boomers, longer life expectancies, and rising chronic illness, the healthcare sector continues to grow. Increasing costs in healthcare led the managers to focus their investment strategy soley on the stocks in the healthcare sector. After careful consideration and research, the managers found many undervalued stocks for possible investment. Their target investors for this project are young adult investors looking to build long-term capital appreciation for future needs.

KOS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tanox, Inc., Novartis AG, Charles River Laboratories, Inc.,and China Medical Technologies Inc.

Performance

The Sick Dough Fund achieved the goal of long-term appreciation and outperforming the benchmark. The managers beat the benchmark through stock selection and cash/equity allocation. They watched market trends while researching and reevaluating existing positions. Stocks that did not show improvement were dropped from this fund while the managers selected new undervalued stocks.

W HY I NVEST IN THE S ICK DOUGH FUND? The managers of The Sick

Dough Fund believe in the basic strategy of investing in quality investments. They pay close attention to current market conditions before investing money. Thorough and extensive research is completed on each stock before adding it into their portfolio with the idea that they only want positive returns for their investors. Due to the fact that they are a specialty fund, solely based within the healthcare sector, their fund could also be added as a component to an already existing portfolio.

Investment Strategies

The Siena students chose their stocks based on a specific screening test. In order for the stock to be considered, it had to have a return on assets and equity that was greater or equal to the healthcare sector average. They also focused exclusively on stocks that had a positive forecasted revenue growth. When examining the stocks, they took into consideration the detailed strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities of each stock.

Management Process The students

decided to invest semi-aggressively in equity securities (ownership interest in a corporation in the form of common or preferred stock) because the goal of this investment is to create long-term capital growth. Allocation of investment funds was determined through the use of tools like the Efficient Frontier, a device that assists investors in finding the highest returns compared to benchmarks.

Significant Investments

The students found the following stocks had the greatest potential which led to investing in them:

Danielle Macready ’07, Ross Pancoe ’07, Katherine Sansone ’07, and Rhiannon Darrone ’07 display their first place certificate from the St. John’s Investment Management Conference.

Siena News • 9

What’s in Your Cup of Joe?

By Paige Collins ’07

This spring break, Dr. Eccarius-Kelly’s Women and Revolution in Nicaragua course traveled to Nicaragua. They had the opportunity to meet with women from every sector of Nicaraguan life: factory workers, women working in a sewing cooperative, women from human rights organizations, former government ministers, and other female activists.

For Paige Collins ’07, the most inspirational part of the trip was their overnight stay on a coffee farm. The students took a two hour bus ride on unpaved back roads to get to the female owned coffee cooperative. But it was well worth it to experience this community, which has taken a farm with nothing, to its current status as a Certified Fair Trade Organic Coffee Cooperative. “These families are the reason fair trade matters; they are living examples of the benefits of a fair trade program, which guarantees a stable price for their coffee, and allows them to consistently support their families,” explained Paige. This is her story:

Living the life of a coffee farmer After a long and bumpy bus ride filled with anxious anticipation about the upcoming day, we finally arrived at the coffee farm. I will always remember the face of the woman from the co-op who, when we got off the bus, came up and gave each of us a hug. The Sontule Community is part of a coffee cooperative, called Nuevo Amanecer (New Dawn), and is located in the Northwest of the Central American country. Here, each of the families has a stake in the production and profit of the coffee they grow and harvest.

The first thing we did was watch the harvest process firsthand. Most people are not aware of the long and tedious process that must take place before the coffee beans can even be roasted. The cherries must be peeled away leaving two beans covered in a slimy coating. The coating is washed away, and then the beans must dry. The dried beans are sorted and classified by size and color. Only at this time are the beans ready to be roasted. It takes Siena News • 10

about 2,000 coffee cherries to make just one pound of roasted coffee beans.

After my experience with my home-stay mother, Amada, I realized how hard of a life they live at the co-op. We were struck by the fact that what we had packed for our 10 day trip amounted to more than all the worldly possessions of her family. My father is three years older than Amada and yet she looked at least 10 years older than him.

Her skin has been worn by the sun and she was missing her front teeth. Despite these things, she and her family are happy. They are proud of what the co-op has accomplished and are grateful for the income secured through fair trade.

The Importance of Fair Trade The principles behind Fair Trade Certification ensure that coffee farmers receive dependable, fair, above market prices for their coffee, work under fair labor conditions, and foster community growth and environmental sustainability.

Coffee is the second largest commodity traded in the world (second only to oil). Over 50 percent of coffee is produced by small family farms.

For each daily coffee drinker, there is at least one person who depends on coffee for their livelihood.

Although coffee is Nicaragua’s principle crop, the country remains the second poorest coun-

try in the Western Hemisphere (Haiti is the poorest). Almost half of Nicaragua’s population lives below the poverty line (surviving on less than $1 a day). Over half of the population is either unemployed or underemployed. Of those employed, 29 percent work in the agricultural sector, harvesting crops such as coffee.

Fair trade helps these workers and their families to survive. The stable, guaranteed prices given to fair trade offer an average income three to five times greater than the income of coffee farmers who sell their coffee on the regular market. Fair Trade Certified coffee is the fastest growing segment of the coffee industry in the U.S. Yet, despite this popularity and the increase in availability, less than one percent of coffee consumed globally comes from Fair Trade Certified farmers at this time.

There is a common feeling that one person cannot change a system, but the coffee growers we met are living testaments to the fact that one person can make a difference. That difference can be as simple as making sure your coffee has a Fair Trade seal.

Left to Right: Suyapa Flores, Paige Collins ‘07, Amada Flores (home-stay “mother”), Holly Pennington ’08, and Ramon Flores at the Miraflor Reserve in Nicaragua

“These families are the reasons fair trade matters; they are living examples of the benefits of a fair trade program, which guarantees stable price for their coffee, and allows them to consis tently support their families.”

-Paige Collins’07

Siena News • 11

Are College Students Obeying the Hands Free Cell Phone Law?

by Jennifer Oddo ’07

In the United States’ over 236 million people subscribed to wireless communication devices such as cell phones as of May 2007, compared with approximately 4.3 million in 1990, according to the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association.

Increased reliance on cell phones has led to a rise in the number of people who use the devices while driving. There are two dangers associated with driving and cell-phone use, including text messaging. First, drivers must take their eyes off the road while dialing. Second, people can become so absorbed in their conversations that their ability to concentrate on the act of driving is severely impaired, jeopardizing the safety of vehicle occupants and pedestrians.

The convenience cell phones offer must be judged against the hazards they pose. Inattentive driving accounted for 6.4 percent of crash fatalities in 2003 — the latest data available — according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Inattentive driving includes talking on a cell phone, eating, putting on make up and attending to children.

IT’S THE LAW In 2001, the New York legislature was the first in the United States to ban the use of handheld phones while operating motor vehicles. Despite the law, I often see my peers talking on their cell phones while driving. Even though I know better, I sometimes engage in the same behavior myself. If I see a police officer on the road, I will drop my phone in a panic, afraid of being pulled over for violating the Hands Free Cell Phone law. Yet, no one I know has been ticketed for this offense.

Siena News • 12

RESEARCH STUDY With the assistance of Dr. Paul Murray, professor of sociology, I created questions to measure the frequency of cell phone use while driving as well as attitudes toward the Hands Free Cell Phone law. I distributed this questionnaire to 108 students enrolled in four General Sociology classes in March 2007.

THE FINDINGS: NONCOMPLIANCE IS WIDESPREAD I found that although most student drivers are aware of New York’s Hands Free Cell Phone law, a large percent do not comply with the law.

• 63 percent of students reported that they always or very often answer their cell phones while driving • 40 percent reported always or very often placing calls while driving • Only 2 percent of student drivers reported never answering their cell phones while driving and 3% said they never placed calls while driving • 62 percent of the students did not own a hands free cell phone device that would allow them to legally talk while driving • 20 percent of students reported always or very often sending text messages while driving (text messaging while driving is not prohibited under current New York law) My findings indicated little difference between male and female usage of their cell phone while driving. I also found very little difference in cell phone use behind the wheel between students with high grade point averages and those with low grade point averages.

Students who had been involved in accidents talked on their cell phones while driving only slightly more than those with accident free driving records. It became clear that cell phone use while driving is widespread among all types of students.

2. Public service Jennifer earned a B.A. in campaigns are sociology with minors in needed. The media criminal justice and business does an excellent this past May. She job emphasizing the currently works as an importance of not investigative analyst with drinking and the New York State driving. We also see Attorney General’s Auto highway signs that Insurance Fraud Unit. She encourage drivers to is also working toward her “Buckle Up, It’s the Master’s degree in public Law.” The Hands administration and hopes Free Cell Phone law, to pursue a career within however, does not the Federal Bureau of receive similar Investigation. attention.

3. Make hands free cell phone devices more readily available. Auto dealers and cell phone providers should be encouraged to provide these devices at reduced cost to all drivers.

4. Ban sending or receiving text messages while driving. Text messaging can be much more distracting than talking on the phone and this provision should be added to the Hands Free Cell Phone law.

The goal of New York’s Hands Free Cell Phone law is to increase highway safety by eliminating one major source of distraction for drivers. The lack of enforcement and the relative absence of media emphasis on the dangers of cell phone use while driving increase this level of non-compliance. By raising public awareness and stepping up enforcement, traffic accidents, especially those involving younger drivers, can be reduced.

RECOMMENDATIONS: THE LAW NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED Overall, 91 percent of students I surveyed felt the New York State Hands Free Cell Phone law was a necessary safety precaution. However, most college-age drivers do not obey the law. I have four recommendations to increase compliance with this law: 1. Police enforcement needs to be increased. A majority of my respondents believe that police do not regularly enforce the Hands Free Cell Phone law.

Compared to drinking while driving and seat belt use, cell phone use while driving seems to be a low priority with New York police agencies.

Above: Dr. Paul Murray, professor of sociology served as a mentor to Jennifer Oddo ’07 on her cell phone research project.

Siena News • 13

Capital Region Loves Siena’s Interns

During the 2006 - 2007 academic year, 325 students completed an internship at approximately 300 different potential employers. A large majority of these employers are located in Siena’s backyard, the heart of Tech Valley. While the benefit to the student is obvious, employers are realizing that they are getting a pretty good deal too.

Chris Haggerty ’08, a political science major, spent his spring semester interning in Senator Betty Little’s office. “Chris was an extremely valuable intern who brought strong communication skills and a wealth of knowledge regarding Senator Little’s district to our office. His solid work ethic allowed us to tackle other projects that we wouldn’t have had time for,” Dan MacEntee, director of communications for Senator Little’s office, said. “He was our first Siena intern and we wouldn’t hesitate if Siena offered us another one in the future.”

Other employers like Gerald Shaye, director of international trade for Empire State Development, have been hosting Siena interns for over 10 years and count on having one each year.

“Year after year they are bright, creative, and anxious to learn.

Siena students are ethically sound individuals who often bring knowledge of another culture into our company as well as strong computer skills,” Shaye said. “They are a great resource for us.”

Renee Zych ’07, a history major, completed a second internship this past year at the Albany Institute of History and Art. “We couldn’t have been happier with Renee’s enthusiasm for history and the professionalism she brought to our work place,” Doug McCombs, curator of History at the Albany Institute of History and Art said.

“She was a very motivated worker and we miss having her here now that she has graduated.” This seems to be the only downfall to hiring a Siena intern these days.

Top Five Reasons the Capital Region Hires Siena Interns 1. They are likely to use outsidethe-box methods.

2. They bring the youthful enthusiasm needed in most companies.

3. It is a win-win situation for student and employer.

4. They are excited and open to new ideas.

5. They consume less resources than hiring a full-time employee.

Employers looking to hire a Siena intern can e-mail sienanews@siena.edu for more information.

Top left: Renee Zych ’07 spent her fall semester interning as a curator at the Albany Institute of History and Art. Top right: Chris Haggerty ’08 pictured with New York State Senator Betty Little, assisted the senator as her intern during the spring semester.

Siena News • 14

Siena Celebrates It’s Sixty-seventh Commencement

At this year’s Alpha Kappa Alpha honor society induction, Fr. Kevin Mackin, O.F.M., told the inductees the story of Diogenes, who carried a lantern in broad daylight around Athens in search of an honest human being. That light shined on the Class of 2007 at the sixty-seventh commencing.

On Sunday, May 20, the sun broke through the gray sky and shed light on the accomplishments of our newest alumni. The Class of 2007 included 35 Alpha Kappa Alpha honor society inductees, 12 honors fellows, as well as the 17 summa cum laude, 127 magna cum laude, and 147 cum laude graduates.

Over 800 graduates were conferred with Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, or Bachelor of Science degrees by the Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard, D.D., bishop of the Albany Diocese. Not only did they receive this recognition of their hard

work and growth from the past four years, but also some advice for what is yet to come from honorary degree recipients Chairman of TrustCo Bank Robert McCormick, “First Lady of the Press” Helen Thomas, and former CBS Evening News anchor, Dan Rather.

McCormick encouraged the graduates to live life as they would play golf, a game where you must hold yourself accountable for your actions. Thomas, who covered the White House for more than 45 years, encouraged students to “Never stop learning ... and never stop being outraged by all of the injustices around you.”

“Courage” was the theme of Rather’s address, the same word he used to sign off his final broadcast as a CBS news anchor. The man who has interviewed every president since Dwight Eisenhower and covered news events ranging from President Kennedy’s assassination to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, did not relay any anecdotes from his remarkable career, but rather encouraged his “fellow graduates” to be active citizens and to always “demand better of themselves.”

Like Diogenes, who called himself not an Athenian, not a Greek, but a “citizen of the world,” the class of 2007 is prepared to find success in their careers and ready to make a difference in the world.

For more on commencement and to view a slide show of the event, visit www.siena.edu/news.

Above: Former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather embraces renowned White House journalist Helen Thomas upon his arrival to campus. Both were awarded with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at this year’s commencement. Below: Robert McCormick, chairman of TrustCo Bank, addresses the Class of 2007. This year’s ceremony was held in the Alumni Recreation Center on campus.

Siena News • 15

The Places They’ll Go! “Congratulations!” begins Dr. Seuss’s The Places You’ll Go, “Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” As the campus held its sixty-seventh commencement, we celebrated the many achievements of the Class of 2007.

Siena News • 16

Citizen of the World Paul Notar has found himself in one of the most prestigious scholarship programs offered by the U.S. government. This summer, Paul is in Yemen on a U.S. State Department scholarship to study Arabic.

Of the 3,300 students who applied for this competitive program, Paul was one of 150, or 4 percent of the applicant pool, admitted.

For Paul, it is just the next step in a direction he has been headed since taking Economic Development his sophomore year, a class that gave him his first taste of international business. “I became fascinated that economic principles and business concepts can be applied to solve some of the worst problems in the developing world,” explained Paul.

He enrolled in Arabic I with Dr. Munir because if he was going to work for developing regions, he knew he would need to broaden his language skills. Paul also headed to Morocco for a semester, where he received a whole new perspective

on the Middle East. Here he wrote an independent study on the structural causes of unemployment and the resulting despondency and radicalism among youth, connecting business theory to the violent ideologies of the Middle East that Americans fear.

Paul spent this last semester in London with the International Internship Program as a full-time analyst for Middle East capital markets with Grant Thornton International. He conducted research for the publication of GTI’s first Middle East Markets Guide..

Thanks to his experiences, the future is wideopen for Paul. He has been offered jobs, but has postponed the start of his career until his return from Yemen in September. Then he hopes to break into the international business arena. “Although international business conjures up the image of wealthy brokers in expensive suits, below the surface these people have the opportunity to finance an

Siena News • 17

Above:Ryan McIntyre,class president, addresses his fellow classmates of the class of 2007. Paul Notar, awarded a U.S. State Department Scholarship to study Arabic, stands with his parents Paul and Donna Notar after graduating. Right: Honors Fellow Whitney Tarella ’07 and Jamee Bresee ’07. electrical power plant in the desert; list a mobile phone company on a developing market stock exchange so they can begin to acquire capital and expand into rural areas or they may be working on a merger to make the market more competitive, and as a result more fairly priced. In these ways, international business can be both an exciting and socially responsible career.”

American Scholar Dr. Seuss describes a potential hazard on the path to success: A place where people are “waiting around for the fish to bite, or waiting for wind to fly a kite, or waiting around for Friday night, or a string of pearls or a pair of pants, or a wig with curls, or another chance…just waiting.”

Whitney Tarella did not wait. Encouraged and inspired by Siena’s faculty, she decided early on that she wanted to become an academic scholar, and she didn’t wait until graduate school to begin.

As an honors fellow, Whitney’s courses allowed her to pursue original research within the course topic, endowing her with skills needed

to produce a graduate level thesis during her undergraduate coursework. In her thesis, Whitney takes a unique look at arguably the most iconic American book ever written, Gone With the Wind.

She contends that although Gone With the Wind portrays the Civil War and subsequent Reconstruction era, it is actually representative of the late 1920s- early 1930s, the time period in which Margaret Mitchell wrote. Whitney makes clear connections between the roles of women in Gone with the Wind to the New Women movement of the 1920s by using both historical and literary evidence.

She writes, “During the most difficult days of the Civil War and Reconstruction, Scarlett O’Hara reflects the women of the Great Depression, hardened by their experiences but certainly not silenced or inactive. In many ways, Scarlett O’Hara is anything but a ‘Southern belle’,” as her image maintains.”

For Whitney, her thesis was an invaluable experience, “I feel much more prepared to enter graduate school having gone through it. I understand

Siena News • 18

how people can spend their lives doing such projects.”

This fall she will begin graduate school in George Washington University’s history program, where she will be doing just that.

Experienced Biochemist Pursuing a nationally-ranked laboratory intensive graduate degree in a program that produces internationally recognized research might sound intimidating. But, as Dr. Seuss philosophizes, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” And so, Jamee Bresee, armed with her knowledge and experience will enter the PdD. biochemistry program at the University of Colorado with the confidence and skills to succeed.

Jamee began working in Dr. Sterne-Marr’s biochemistry lab as an independent researcher during her first college summer vacation, and racked up three years of lab experience before graduating. The project she has worked on pertains to cellular signaling, particularly the GRK2, a receptor kinase which has significant implications for human disease. “Cellular receptors are vital to cellular signaling pathways. In turn, cellular signaling is important to normal function of the cell and thus the human body.

Without the normal function of receptors and their normal signaling pathways, serious consequences to the cell can occur. For example, disruption of the GRK2 signaling pathway may lead to the onset of certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. Thus, GRK2 is of great interest to the scientific research community. The more we know about GRK2, the better we will be able to apply the information we discover to the diseases it is tied to and understand certain signaling pathways. This could include the possibility of drug therapy for the future,” explained Jamee.

Through this research, Jamee was exposed to mutagenesis, immunoblotting, chromatography, and radioactivity laboratory techniques. “In short,” she said, “I was able to learn a wide variety of laboratory techniques that would prove very useful in graduate school and in my other courses.”

Already prepared with graduate level research skill she said, “I plan to continue to study cellular signaling, while exploring my other interests and investigating the many wonders of biochemistry that CU has to offer in order to find the right fit.”

The members of the Class of 2007 are truly off to “great places.” They may have, as Dr. Seuss writes, “mountains waiting.” But, not only are Paul, Whitney, and Jamee and their peers ready to climb them; they are prepared to move them.

Siena News • 19

College Honors Distinguished Sons and Daughters of Siena As part of this year’s alumni reunion weekend, Siena honored five alumni for their extraordinary achievements. This year’s recipients were: THE PROFESSOR JOSEPH A. BUFF AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OR ACHIEVEMENTS Dr. Arthur M. Strosberg ’62 & Douglas T. Hickey ’77

DR. ARTHUR M. STROSBERG ’62 Arthur is a 30-year veteran of the American biopharmaceutical industry, having begun his career as an assistant research biologist in pharmacology for Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute in Rensselaer. Since then, he has spent 25 years as head of the Department of Cardiovascular and Regulatory Pharmacology, and subsequently as the head of administration and policies at the Syntex Corporation and Roche BioScience, both in Palo Alto, Calif.

“Siena College gave me an education for life provided by teachers who care. This education has allowed me to meet life’s daily challenges, to celebrate its joys, to handle its moments of sadness, and to excel in the biopharmaceutical industry,” Arthur said.

In 1996, he left Roche BioScience and became a consultant to the international biopharmaceutical industry. As a consultant, he worked with American and Japanese pharmaceutical companies; as part of his consulting, he worked with a Russian clinical research organization conducting clinical trials in the former Soviet Union.

In 2002, he joined the Institute for OneWorld Health in San Francisco as a senior program officer. He is currently a senior director in charge of volunteer programs at OneWorld and is a member of several scientific societies. Arthur has also written over 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

“I received an education for life at Siena that has allowed me to experience a very rewarding career,” Arthur said. “I’m just doing my part in trying to make this planet a better place on which we all live.”

Siena News • 20

DOUGLAS T. HICKEY ’77 Doug has held senior-level positions at companies he helped build from the ground up like Critical Path, MFS Datanet, Metricom, and Global Center. Currently, he is a partner at Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, a San Francisco based firm known as the first venture capital fund to invest exclusively in software companies.

“My education at Siena prepared me for the challenges of an ever-changing technological world that we live in,” Doug said. “I will always be grateful for what this college gave me.”

Prior to Critical Path, Doug was president and CEO of Global Center. Global Center became one of the first and largest providers of advanced web hosting. Doug also held the position of president and CEO of MFS Datanet, the Internet and data arm of MFS communications.

MFS Datanet grew to more than $200 million in revenues and became widely recognized as the leading bandwidth and connectivity provider to more than 3,000 ISP’s and leading corporations worldwide.

Doug was a key member of the team that negotiated the purchase of UUNET, positioning MFS as the world leader in Internet data traffic.

Doug has been a continual supporter of Siena and its community since he graduated with a B.A. in economics. He has donated more than $1 million to fund the Douglas T. Hickey Chair in Business and to make possible the creation of the Hickey Financial Technology Center in Siena Hall. This center is one of only a handful of similar facilities across the country that gives students real-world exposure to the data and tools seen in today’s financial centers. He is also a supporter of Siena’s Annual Fund, and sits on the College’s Board of Trustees.

The College recognized his generosity by naming him one of the “Builders of Siena.”

Siena News • 21

CHRISTOPHER J. MADDEN ’77 For more than 30 years, Chris Madden has given generously of his time, talent, and treasure to help his alma mater continue to grow and prosper. “Siena College is a special place that gave me a great education and opened up doors of opportunity for me. Giving back to the College is the least that I can do,” Chris said.

Following his graduation, Chris went to work for Callanan Industries, Inc., a major supplier of crushed stone, asphalt, ready-mix concrete, and construction services established in Albany, and served as its president from 1996 to 2002. He currently is the president of Oldcastle Materials: NewYork/New Jersey Division, which includes Callanan Industries and three other operating companies. The NY/ NJ Division employs around 2,500 people in Rochester, the Capital Region, the lower Hudson Valley and Northern New Jersey. Oldcastle Materials is a subsidiary of Dublin, Ireland based CRH plc, a leading worldwide building materials producer and supplier.

Chris and his wife have been leadership donors and volunteers, helping the College in numerous campaigns. They have been members of the Annual Fund President’s Circle for over 25 years. During the Values and Vision Campaign (1996-2001), they honored Jerome K. and Joan F. Madden with a Million Dollar View naming in the J. Spencer and Patricia Standish Library. More recently they endowed a scholarship (Madden Family Scholarship) in honor of both of their parents.

THE REVEREND BENJAMIN KUHN, O.F.M. AWARD FOR SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE SIENA COMMUNITY Barbara A. Vertefeuille ’62 & Christopher J. Madden ’77

BARBARA A. VERTEFEUILLE ’62 Barbara was a long-time member of the Siena community until her death in April. She graduated with a B.A. in history and went on to work for 10 years in the Dean’s office, and 25 years as the registrar of the College. In 1988, she was honored with affiliation to Holy Name Province of the Franciscan Order for her outstanding support and loyalty to the friars at Siena.

“Since I came here in 1945, I can’t think of anyone who was more loyal and affectionate to Siena College than Barbara was,” Fr. Matthew Conlin, O.F.M. said.

An orderly systematic thinker by nature, Barbara was well suited to the tasks of registrar. She gradually developed the knowledge and always had the temperament which made her confident of every decision she was asked to make.

In addition to her time, she was extremely generous philanthropically; she was a member of Siena’s planned gift group, the St. Francis Society, and a consistent Annual Fund donor.

Even after retirement, her experiences as both a staff member and alumna had kept Barbara active with Siena. She regularly attended Mass at the Chapel, as well as many other functions on-campus, and continued to be a resource for the current staff. Barbara’s funeral was presided over by Fr. Kevin Mackin, O.F.M. and Fr. Matthew Conlin, O.F.M., in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel on Friday, April 27, 2007. She will be missed by the Siena community.

Siena News • 22

THE PROFESSOR EGON PLAGER AWARD FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN ADVANCING THE WELFARE OF OTHERS Francis X. Bice ’82

FRANCIS X. BICE ’82 Frank has been an inspiration to many, both during and after his time at Siena. During his senior year at Siena, Frank suffered a football injury that left him a paraplegic. In the fall of 1980, in his third game of the season, Frank, who played a defensive back, tackled a receiver. As they collided, he dropped his head, breaking his neck.

“By the time I hit the field, I was paralyzed,” he said. However, Frank’s injury has not slowed him down.

“Thanks to Siena, I learned to live a life of faith, to keep a positive attitude, to set goals and move forward,” Bice said. After an eight month recovery, Frank returned to Siena and served as assistant football and lacrosse coach for the teams he captained prior to his injury. Thanks to the assistance of his friend and caregiver, Terrence Regan ’82, he was able to complete his degree.

“Frank wanted to know if I would be his roommate.” He explained that being his roommate would entail also being his physical attendant, helping him get showered and dressed in the morning and into bed at night.

I wouldn’t allow anybody else the privilege of that assignment,” Regan said.

After graduating from Siena, Frank worked as a business representative for NY Telephone for over four years and continued to volunteer as a coach in Manhasset and Port Washington on Long Island while earning two master’s degrees. In his spare time, Frank also taught religious instruction at St. Mary’s Elementary School on Long Island, and worked as a camp counselor at a camp in Newport, RI for adults with spinal cord injuries.

In November of 1998, Frank married his long time love, Liz, becoming a stepfather to her children. Shortly after, Frank was ordained a deacon at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, NY, completed his doctorate in theology, and became a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, working primarily with churches and nonprofit organizations.

He now serves as a deacon at St. Dominic’s in Oyster Bay, NY, and serves on the boards of Tuesday’s Children and the United Spinal Association.

Class of ’82 Takes on Dome Restoration Project The signature symbol of Siena College, a white and gold dome with a cross atop Siena Hall, was draped with scaffolding just before Reunion weekend. A banner from the College stating “Thank You Class of 1982” points to the value of giving back as Siena’s Class of ’82 Dome Restoration Fund is aiming to raise $82,000 to cover necessary structural reinforcements, new glass, painting, and re-gilding for the signature dome.

This is a 5-year project that the Class of ’82 has decided to pursue. An anonymous classmate created a challenge to their class; for every $1,000 donated, he/she would match the $1,000 up to a maximum match of $25,000. If you are interested in more information on this project, please contact Margot Anderson ’82 at 518-782-6868 or manderson@siena.edu.

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Summer Class Notes 2007 Editor: Ashley Boland ’06 Please submit all of your Class Notes information to your class coordinator, or if there is no coordinator listed for your class, please send all information to alumni@siena.edu for posting in the magazine!

1959 Frank Martin ftmartin@earthlink.net 1962 Ken Deitcher dukaytravel@att.net 1964 Nathaniel H. Daffner, CPA will become a partner in the accounting firm LCS&Z, L.L.P. Nathaniel has earned both BBA and MBA degrees from Siena College and has practiced public accounting for the past 37 years.

1968 Bill McGoldrick bmcgoldrick@washmcg.com Tim Kamper and Barbara have lived in Phoenix since he graduated from law school.

“My partner of 10 years retired in 2004 making me a sole practitioner again. My practice is limited to plaintiff’s personal injury cases.” Tim has earned certification as a specialist in injury and wrongful death litigation, provided by the State Bar of Arizona to only about 200 Arizona attorneys. “Barbara and I still like to hike and bicycle, although our joints are beginning to complain a little as we approach middle age.” Barbara works as Tim’s receptionist and their daughter, Beth, is in law school and will take the Arizona Bar in 2008. Their daughter, Caroline, is work-

ing in New York City for the Institute for International Research as a meeting planner.

“I’m definitely a long way from retirement!” Gene Jannotti and Carol Kearney live in Garwood, NJ. After retiring from 25 years at Verizon in 1995, Gene spent a year as CIO of the Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages and then joined Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) where he is currently a program director in their consulting services division, performing IT project management services for various Future 500 Companies. Some recent clients included General Dynamics, Johnson & Johnson, Tyco, and Educational Testing Service (ETS). We have all taken a couple of their tests. Gene also enjoys traveling and works with Carol in her travel agency in Garwood.

1973 Brian Valentine (202) 586-9741 bgvalentine@verizon.net Brian Valentine is the new class notes coordinator and “would welcome hearing from all members of Siena class 1973!”

1974 After 32 years with Chrysler, Raymond Fisher has retired.

He has since accepted a position as the president and

COO of Donlen Corp., a Northbrook Il based Fleet Management Company.

Henry Phillips was recently named vice president of advertising for Fort Wayne Newspapers. Since graduation, Henry went on to pursue graduate studies in medieval and early American literature at Middlebury College in Vt. He spent 20 years working in various advertising capacities with the Gannett Company including 10 years as vice president of the Des Moines Register in Des Moines, Iowa. He was involved in the launch of USA Today. The past 10 years he has worked with Ogden Newspapers including positions as associate publisher and publisher prior to his recent appointment. He has a novel in progress, Goodbye Buddy Holly, and sings and performs on guitar at various venues. He is currently studying piano. He lives on a five acre farm in South Whitley, Ind. with his wife, Marge, of 30 years. Their two grown boys, Nathaniel and Ryan live in Des Moines.

1975 Maureen Liccione, a partner at Jaspan Schlesinger Hoffman, has been selected as one of Long Island’s 50 Top Women and was elected director of the Suffolk County Bar Association.

1976 Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company has appointed Peter F. Luciano to senior vice president and manager of indirect consumer lending.

1977 Linda Fitzsimmons fitzsimmons@hvc.rr.com Gary Holle has been employed for 15 years with the Knickerbocker Arena/Pepsi Arena/Times Union Center and has been honored with the Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award. Gary has consistently sold over $1 million in sales for the last 11 years and this DSMA recognition is long overdue.

1979 Sue Reilly/Hayes CLIFTON522@aol.com 522 Chili-Riga Town Line Road. Churchville, NY 14428 (585) 889-2072 Hi, everyone! Unbelievably I have no scoops, news notes, updates or e-mails to report this time. I guess everyone is too busy celebrating the big 50! Please take the time to drop me an e-mail or photo of your celebration, summertime fun, vacation, etc. It doesn’t have to be earth shattering news—I’d love to hear updates on what you’ve been doing over the last 28 years.

Do it fast…the deadline for

Siena News • 24

the next issue comes up quickly. We usually have one of the longest, newsiest columns in the Class Notes section…I need your help to get back on track. Thanks!

1980 Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company has appointed Thomas J. Murphy CPA, to senior vice president and manager of personal trust.

1981 On May 4, Vincent Filanova, D.D.S., received his fellowship from the Academy of Dentistry for People with Disabilities at their annual meeting in Denver.

1982 Becky Simbari/Almstead PO Box 496 Newtonville, NY 12128 almstead@msn.com Kim Kamilow/Luker and Abraham Rust have been appointed to Siena’s Associate Board of Trustees. Mark Lawrence, a self proclaimed “college basketball junkie” played for Siena’s last JV team in the late 70’s. He has been a season ticket holder for 20 years and traveled to two Sweet 16’s and has always dreamed of making it to the Final Four. Fifteen months ago, Mark was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

His employer has since given Mark and his family a trip to Atlanta to see the Final Four for which Mark is very greatful. We wish Mark and his family all the best. Dr. Kathleen Manupella/ Sweener, has received the 2007 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service from Hudson Valley Community College.

1983 Elvira Altimari-Jaeger

60 Wyatt Rd Garden City, NY 11530 eaj6@optonline.net Hey ’83!! Okay, it’s beginning to work. My shout-outs are now yielding more responses. I finally heard from Michael “Moose” Higgins, who apologized for keeping us all hanging for so long.

Moose still lives in “good ole South Buffalo” with his wife Carol and three children, Madelyn, 11, R.J., 9, and Kiernan, 8. He and Carol just celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary on April Fools Day (I am not touching that one Moose). My congratulations to you both. Since 1987 Moose has been at Tom Greenauer Development. In 1999 he and two other managers bought the company.

Tom Greenauer is a paving and sitework construction company and Moose says things are going well. He would love to hear from his classmates and is looking forward to June ’08 and our 25th Reunion. Moose passed along some information about another classmate. Apparently, Mark Wagner tied the knot last year. He and his lovely bride, Karrie, live in Plymouth, MA. Congratulations are also in order for the newlyweds on the birth of their first child. Hanna was born May 4, 2007. Mark, you are supposed to let us know when you do important things like getting married and adding to the Siena Class of 2025!

I got a “hey,” as they say down South, from John Walker. In 2002, John moved from Syracuse to High Point, NC for “better weather, a longer golf season, and lower taxes.” He is married to Lynn and they have three children, Andrew, a junior and Kara, a freshman at Bishop McGuinness High School, and Alyssa, a 6th grader at Immaculate Heart of Mary School. John works

at Cornerstone Healthcare, a 100 physician multi-specialty group, where this year he was elected to the board of directors. John has also been on the Scientific Advisory Board for Vitacost.com since 1997. Vitacost is an Internetbased health and nutritional supplement company. John said, “It’s been fascinating using natural treatments in addition to conventional medicine.” He is also hoping to get back for the 25th Reunion next year. We also heard through the grapevine that Lori Ford/Ehrensbeck is back at Siena as assistant comptroller. She has been in the position since January.

Last but not least, I have an update on our fearless leader Karen DeBlieux-Vachon.

Karen is currently a “cheese head” (she lives in Wis.) but has traveled the USA and beyond since her days as commander and chief of the Class of ’83 (and Muddy’s Hole).

She is married to Mark, an executive at GE and they have two children, Lauren, 16 and Philip, 13. Karen had a great career at GE after Siena, but then retired with the birth of her second child and a move to the Netherlands. She spends time volunteering and traveling between Wis. and her vacation home in N.H. There is a list started for a reunion committee for our 25th in June of ’08. If you have any interest in being involved in the decision making process for our 25th, please e-mail me. I already have 12 members from the class of ’83 and the more the merrier. It will be a minimal time commitment, I promise. As our reunion year approaches I would like to do more shoutouts. So if there is someone you would like to hear from, e-mail me and I will add it to the shout-outs. This issue I

would like to send a shout-out to Kevin K eating and Monique Powelson, where are you guys and what are you up to?

Inquiring minds want to know.

1984 Lisa San Fratello/ McCutcheon 305 The Parkway Ithaca, NY 14850 mclisa@twcny.rr.com Hello Class of 1984! There is only one piece of news to report, Dr. Laura Ann Mastrangelo has received the 2007 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching from Hudson Valley Community College. I’m still waiting to hear more from other classmates, so please send in your news!

1985 Catherine & Ron Bjorklund

14 Stevens Lane Tabernacle, NJ 08088-9744 bjork90@comcast.net Congratulations to Sue Tase Cleary who has been appointed by the mayor of Albany as the director of special events. The city holds several events each month, including the three-day Tulip Fest, Jazz Fest, and ten Alive at Five concerts. Sue has been in the special events office for 12 years, and before that she worked in the Urban Cultural Park Visitors Center and the city budget office. Diane Barone/MacDougall has just graduated with her Master’s in Education from Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y. This is a change of career for Diane since she left Siena with a degree in accounting. She is currently teaching kindergarten at Holy Child Academy in Old Westbury, N.Y. and loving every minute.

Husband, Tom Siena News • 25

MacDougall, also graduated with an accounting degree and is currently working for the finance department as an accounting consultant and is very happy with his job. They are empty-nesters as their two children are both in college now. Nicole, 21, is a junior at Quinnipiac University in a 5 1/2 year program to get her Master’s in Occupational Therapy, and their son, Tommy, is almost 19 and is a freshman at Quinnipiac in a 6 1/2 year program that will give him his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. If anyone would like to get in touch with Diane and Tom, they can e-mail them at: macsonofdt@netscape.net.

What’s Ram Verma been up to, you ask? Here’s a brief update since Siena: Ram worked for GE for 17 years. He moved with GE to: Burlington, Vt.; Valley Forge, Pa.; Stamford, Conn.; Eden Prairie, Minn.; and Denver, Colo.

He has been working and living in Denver for the past 12 years and is currently working as a vice president for Lehman Brothers. Ram skis about 50 days a year at resorts, and spends about 15 days in the back country skiing.

He is also an avid mountain biker, and during the summers has been a member of the Park County Search and Rescue team since 2000.

Anyone catch the Today Show on April 5th? Yes, that was our own Sue Maserjian appearing on the show as a “real person” model for a segment on spring fashion trends!

1987 Gerry McAndrew Geraldine.mcandrew@verizon.net As I write this column summer is right around the corner! It was great to see our classmates that attended our 20 th reunion. A special THANK YOU to our classmates and the alumni department for planning this special event. Congratulations to Kerry Ann O’Connor/Roff on the birth of her daughter, Molly Ann, on December 12, 2006. Molly joins her brothers and sisters, Emily, 10, James, 8, Andrew, 5, and Kelly, 2. Kerry Ann’s life is hectic with 5 children but she would love to hear from any of our classmates Roff7@verizon.net. Please take a minute and let me know what is going on in your life.

Enjoy the summer!

1988 Paula Cacossa Paula.gymboree@sbcglobal.net 1989 Mike Carbonaro 3140 10th Street Bethlehem, PA 18020 (610) 737-1147 sienanews.1989@yahoo.com Class of ’89 where are you?

Another three months have passed and my inbox is gathering dust bunnies and cobwebs. Do you know my kids asked why tumbleweeds were flying across my screen while I was checking my email? While I have heard from a few, there is little news to report! Except, First Niagara has recently hired Tom Amell to lead its operations in Eastern New York.

Congratulations Tom! So the rest of you, think about this, two years from now we will be celebrating 20 years since graduation. We were only 21 when we graduated and soon we will have been out of

school for about the same amount of time it took us to get to our college graduation. There has to be something you want to tell your classmates and the greater Siena alumni community.

1990 Stephen Leavenworth stephen.leavenworth@cit.com (212) 382-6975 Chris Beaudin is presently a senior project manager/process analyst at General Electric Corporate Benefits Delivery in Schenectady, N.Y. Chris lives in Latham, teaches fitness classes at Golds Gym in Latham, and volunteers for Proctors Theater and the AIDS council. Brian D. Casey, of Hiscock & Barclay’s Albany office, has been elected to the Partnership. Casey focuses his practice on insurance defense and commercial litigation.

Kimberly Keelan/Fanelli and husband, Jeff ’89, returned to the East coast about five years ago, after 10 years in Minneapolis.

Together they have operated their marketing company, Reposition, Inc., for about 10 years.

They currently live in Lyme, Conn. Kathleen Schulze/ Navola, her husband, Phil, and their daughter, Josephine, want to announce a new addition to their family with the birth of Elizabeth Madeleine Navola on February 17, 2006. Some from the rugby team might remember Kevin Conway and wife Gwen’s little baby girl, Brittany Conway. From the “make you feel old department,” Kevin emailed to tell us that Brittany is now going to be 18 and on her way to college this coming September.

1991 Craig Sanders and his wife Aletta proudly announce the birth of their son, Cohan Thomas Sanders, born March 19, 2007 in Boston, Mass. “Baby Cohan completes our family!”

He joins sisters Chandra & Jaigh Lauren, and big brother Braeden at their home in Hanover, Mass.

Tom Columbia and his wife, Kathryn announce the birth of their third child, Marissa Nicole on April 18, 2007.

1992 Mary Pat McLoughlin/ Holler jmpholler@optonline.net Annette Kozlowski/ Nagle and Matt Nagle ’92 had a baby boy, Sean Joseph, born July 24, 2006.

He joins his big brother Jack, 3. On Monday, September 10, 2007, a benefit golf tournament will be held for the family of Kerriann Coleman/ Cohen at Fairways of Halfmoon in Mechanicville, NY. Kerriann died of cancer last November at the age of 35, leaving behind her loving husband, Mark Cohen ’89, and their three young children. The tournament is being organized

by Andy Cohen ’88, Jim Davis, Bill Coleman ’96, and Dan Coleman ’97.

For more information or to sign up for the tournament please contact Andy Cohen at (518) 857-6110 or via e-mail at acohen4@nycap.rr.com.

1993 Susan Hannon shannon@ryeneck.k12.ny.us 213 W 252nd St Riverdale, NY 10471 (917) 796-2085 In the last issue, I wrote that Paul Praylo was married – but didn’t realize he married another alum – Christine Liverani. I apologize for not getting the whole story. Paul is seSiena News • 26

nior vice president of Tishman Realty & Construction. After giving birth to their first child Nicolas, Christine retired from her job as a director of wholesale carrier distribution for Verizon Wireless. Child number two is on its way in just a few months. Dan McDermott thought he would finally let you all know that he got married in 2004! On September 25, 2004 he tied the knot with Deborah and is expecting their first child. Currently living in Sea Cliff, Dan works two jobs. He is the director of a DWI program in Queens, and works parttime with the Birch Family Camp for families affected

by HIV/AIDS. Andrea Wedler of Poestenkill put her marketing/management degree to good use as she was recently named director of financial aid at Albany Law School. Liam Thomas Condon was born to Patrick Condon and his wife Christy in September. He joins his brother, Aidan Patrick Condon, born in June 2005.

I forgot to ask if they have red hair?! Pat has been living in Cornelius, N.C. for the past three years. He is the program management executive for Global Wealth & Investment Management at the Bank of America where he works among a number of other Siena grads.

Steve Lincoln wants to thank the Siena Community for its support of his family last fall when his wife of 13 years, Lisa, lost her battle with cancer. The support was a great feeling during a time when his world was turned upside down. Steve left ADP after ten years and has been a police officer in Nassau County for three years now. He’s still living in Wantagh, N.Y. with his

three children, Keara, Patrick, and Katie. He was mad he couldn’t make the rugby alumni game this spring, but he made good use of the time as he ran the LI Half Marathon. For next issue let’s hear from Leanne Lauer – my long time classmate. Lee Matthews – are you still playing hoops anywhere? Laura Tesoriero – remember the wing study breaks in Plassmann?

Cristina Tartaglione – do you still have your book from Jessica Stones? How about you John Nolan – what’s going on with you? Have a great summer everyone and start making plans to attend our reunion next June!

1994 Glenn Hofsess gh@endcap.com 83 Kellogg St Brookfield, CT 06804 I would like to begin this quarter’s column with some news of my own. My wife Kristi Lynn and I proudly announce the birth of our second son, Landon Michael, who was born on March 22, 2007. Landon joins older brother Parker, who just turned two in February. Over the past several months I have had the pleasure of corresponding with many of you and it has been extremely rewarding to catch up. Even though many of us have not seen or heard from each other in a number of years, we still have a common bond that will always remain. Therefore, please continue emailing and sharing a little bit of your lives with the rest of us. I want to wish everyone an enjoyable summer and be sure to keep me updated. Congratulations to Kristen Lawrence/ Michalski and her husband Scott on the birth of their son, Ryan Scott, who was born on May 17, 2007. Ryan joins his

big sister Erin who is 2 ½ years old. All the best to Kristen and Scott with their new larger family. On March 29, 2007, Anh D. Vu, accepted a position as the first assistant chief of probation from the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Probation Services. In her new position, Anh vows to continue to share the Siena vision and values of the Franciscan community and make her alma mater proud. Director of Financial Analysis Rebecca L. Foote has been named the new Syracuse University comptroller. Tim and Carmelina Morrison have created the Thomas Patrick Morrison Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, to honor the memory of their son by providing financial support to children and families of children suffering from rare diseases and disorders. The Foundation’s 2nd Annual Golf Classic will be held this year on September 19 at the Orchard Creek Golf Course in Altamont, NY. Following the golf tournament will be a dinner with a silent auction and raffle. All those interested in participating in the Golf Classic or in receiving more information about the Foundation, please contact: Thomas Patrick Morrison Foundation, PO Box 238, Guilderland, New York 12084, (518) 281-0930, tpmfdn@nycap.rr.com.

1995 Neil Wilcove nwilcove@fmglaw.com Tara Mitchell/Siri and her husband Sean Siri are proud to announce the birth of their son Timothy Michael, born on January 15, 2007.

1996 Brian Murray murray21@hotmail.com

bmurray@betterbackschiropractic.com Phone: (614) 270-6003 Martha Mulholland/ Bean ’96 and Jared Bean ’94 welcomed their third son, Jacob Daniel on January 25, 2007.

Jacob joins brothers Luke Jared, 8 and Matthew Mulholland, 5. Jacob shares his birthday with his uncle Jeff Mulholland ’94! Martha earned her Masters in Special Education in 2003 and has been enjoying time at home with the kids since 2001. Prior to that, Martha was a middle school science teacher for five years. Martha and Jared will be celebrating their 11-year anniversary this summer!

Yes, you read that correctly…11 years since we graduated. Congratulations are in order for William J. Parlapiano, III, who checked in to let us know that he is no longer CEO of the Building Performance Institute, Inc. He is now president of BP C o n s u l t i n g www.bpconsulting.org. Sorry ladies, Frederick Pratt is no longer on the market. He has recently announced his engagement to Erin Sims. They will be married in Albany on October 13, 2007. Class of 1996 updates can be forwarded to murray21@hotmail.com.

1997 Selena Dutcher selena.dutcher@regentcomm.com bronx_bombers25@yahoo.com (518) 265-2127 It’s summertime in Upstate New York and as always it’s beautiful! I hope that you had fun at our 10th Reunion…it was definitely a blast and great to see so many of you.

The summertime is the busiest time of the year for me in radio and it seems to fly by.

Hopefully you and yours are able to get away for a little bit to enjoy the weather! Here is an update on some of our Siena News • 27

classmates…Kate Howard/ Bender and her husband Adam welcomed their daughter, Indigo Parker Bender, on April 18 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn. Congratulations! Make sure that you send your “update e-mails” to me so that I can include them in the newsletter. Are you planning to move? Are you getting a promotion? Let me know and I’ll pass the word along! Remember, to make a submission for the newsletter, please contact me by e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you!

1998 Anna Dinaburg/White and her husband Langdon White ’97 gave birth to a baby girl, Morgan. Morgan White was born on March 20, 2007. Congratulations! Jon Scalzo and Milena Perna/Scalzo are pleased to announce the birth of their little princess, Sofia Arlene. Sophia was born December 9, 2006. They couldn’t be happier! Marisa Ricciardi was married to R. Ryan Kidney on November 3, 2006 in Tribeca, NYC. 1999 Brendan Fitzgerald nyfitzgerald@yahoo.com fitzgeb@assembly.state.ny.us (518) 258-9272 2000 Shaymus R. Schweitzer SienaSaints2000@hotmail.com 103 Sherman Ave Troy, NY 12180 (518) 727-3392 I hope you are all enjoying your summer! Please keep your good news coming, and I promise to get it into the magazine as soon as possible. My apologies if your article seems a magazine behind or so… The Class Notes section has been experiencing such an overwhelming response, that some class articles need to be pushed

one edition later than your submission. I heard from Bronwyn Tobin and her husband Craig Wucherpfennig ’99 recently. They are both excited to announce the birth of their first son, Declan Thomas Wucherpfennig, on January 13, 2007. Bronwyn tells me that they are all doing great and adjusting to a lot less sleep. As a high school English teacher, Bronwyn is looking forward to a full summer with her new son. “Declan is really a joy, thriving, doing well, and becoming more and more interactive by the day,” she said. Tracy Correale/Catalanotto and her husband Vito Catalanotto brought a new baby girl into the world on January 7, 2007. Her name is Eva Marie Catalanotto.

Mom, Dad, and baby girl are all happily living in Cheshire, Conn. Congrats to both of you! Erin Dahlmeyer/Bonano and John Bonano were married on September 23, 2006 at the bride’s home church, St. Monica’s, in Northford, Conn. A reception was held at the Saybrook Point Inn located on the point and marina where the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound meet. The happy couple honeymooned in Aruba for a week and currently live in Schenectady, N.Y. Give me some more news to write about in the fall, and enjoy the rest of your summer!

2001 Maura Mack mmack@hbs.edu Hopefully everyone is having a relaxing summer. By the time you read this some exciting things will have happened for our classmates. Tara Crawford

(President of the Siena Alumni Club in Boston) married Brian Hennessy on May 27, 2007 in Somerville, Mass.

Colleen Tobin/Balsamo married Steven Balsamo on March 24, 2007 in Bay Shore, N.Y. Many Siena friends were there to celebrate with the Balsamo’s! Janelle Murray married Joseph Lyons on June 2, 2007 in Latham, N.Y., and Siena bridesmaids included Angela Cifra/Salonia and Jen Campbell/Ciccotto. Janelle also earned her Masters in Science in counseling from Sage Graduate School this past May. Congratulations and best wishes to all.

Kendra Johanson also earned a graduate degree, completing her MBA from Marist College in May 2007.

Megan Duquette has joined Dion Money Management as a staff attorney and compliance officer. Sarah Ross has moved to the Office of Student Life at Syracuse University as assistant director. Prior to that, she was a career counselor in the Center for Career Services. In her new position, Sarah will be working with student organizations on planning events, including homecoming and senior celebration. Hiking for a cause—Colleen Dunn hiked eight miles in the “Hike for Discovery” program at Grand Canyon National Park this past spring. Colleen personally raised over $5,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, contributing to the $2 million raised through the program. This is an amazing accomplishment, and your classmates are proud! As always, please submit your news and notes to my e-mail and encourage your friends to do the same.

Best, Maura.

2002 Christine Cinnamond christine.cinnamond@gmail.com (646) 942-0970 Alyssa Claire Mydlarz was born on February 24, 2007.

She is the daughter of Lindsay Frasier/Mydlarz and Michael Mydlarz. Joshua D. Quick, M.D. finished up his transitional internship in June 2007 at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Calif. In July 2007, he will begin training as US Naval flight surgeon at the Naval Aerospace Medicine Institute in Pensacola, Fla. The training is six months long and covers topics important to aviation, including ground school, water and land survival, topics specific to aviation medicine, and training in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Following training, he will be assigned as a flight surgeon with either a Navy or Marine Corps squadron. Siena sweethearts Emmy T. Ingalsbe and Michael P. Langer were recently engaged and are planning a September wedding.

Emmy is currently an account associate at Coach, Inc. in New York. Michael is currently the controller for Century 21 NY Metro, a residential real estate firm in Manhattan.

2003 Gina Gizzi nyginamarie52@yahoo.com PO Box 5133 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 421-4316 Many congratulations are in order for the alumni who submitted news this issue from the Class of 2003.

Elizabeth Ridge and Robert McNamara ’04 would like to announce that they have become engaged, an event which occurred in March 2007. Best wishes in planning your wedding! On April 21, 2007, I made a celebratory Siena News • 28

visit to the Siena Campus, joined by Gina Yates, Vince Pasqualino, Laurie Spofford, Leigh Naughter, and Chris Cannucciari for the lovely wedding of Christina Sudano/ Klejsmyt to David Klejsmyt ’04. The ceremony took place in the Siena Chapel with Fr. Bill Beaudin as the exuberant officiator, and the entire day was fondly enjoyed by all! Amy Bodette/DeMagistris and Chad DeMagistris ’02 were also married at the Siena Chapel on October 21, 2006 followed by a honeymoon in Europe. Currently they are residing in Washington, D.C. where Amy was recently promoted to director of the chairman’s office at the Democratic National Committee. Kate Snyder was married on August 12, 2006 in Syracuse, NY to Bryant Carruth.

Elsewhere in the professional spectrum, Matthew Schmidt recently began a new job in New York City as the manager of communications for the International Trademark Association at their world headquarters located in midtown Manhattan.

2004 JolleenWagner jwagner@sanmiguelchicago.org In April 2006, Eddie Lavoie took a position as a professional representative at Merck & Co., Inc. Ken Jubie was part of a group of Siena alumni that created a short film that has been named one of the best in the country.

Decision 2006 was ranked among the 15 best movies in the 2006 National Film Challenge, a competition asking filmmakers nationwide to create a short film in a single weekend. The spoof of television news election

coverage was also recognized for its use of dialogue last weekend in Albuquerque, N.M. during “Filmapalooza.” In the movie, Ken plays a reporter covering the “Decision 2006” election. Decision 2006 can be viewed on the http:// Website, www.midastouchmedia.net/ films/decision2006.htm.

2005 Sabra-Joi Dingman Dingman@bard.edu (845) 758-7692 John “Jack” Thomas was born to Jonathan and Alexis Boyd/Currie on April 5.

Jack has brown hair and blue eyes like his father, but, at first glance, seems to bear more resemblance to his mother. Congratulations and best wishes for Jack’s good health. Siena sweethearts Amanda Fucci and Kevin Bartoszek were married on August 26, 2006. Father Bill Beaudin, O.F.M., married the two in the Siena Chapel. They had a great reception at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. Robert F. Manfredo, a student at Albany Law School, has been chosen as the 2007 recipient of the Judge Bernard S. Meyer Scholarship administered by The New York Bar Foundation. Kathryn Czynski, Robert Del Greco, Todd Meredith, Ethan Wallett, and Michael Wickham were part of a team of Siena graduates that created a short film that has been named one of the best in the country. Decision 2006 was ranked among the 15 best movies in the 2006 National Film Challenge, a competition asking filmmakers nationwide to create a short film in a single weekend. The spoof of television news election coverage was also recognized for

its use of dialogue last weekend in Albuquerque, N.M. during “Filmapalooza.”

2006 Chris Elsesser celsesser@mail.fairfield.edu Ashley Boland aboland@siena.edu Here we are…Happy summer everyone! We hope that this edition of Siena News finds you happy with whatever it is that you are up to and not stuck somewhere in the dog days of summer! Remember, it is never too late (or too early) to let us know what you have been up to. In addition to taking MBA classes, working at Fairfield University, and commandeering the family boat on Long Island Sound whenever possible, I (Chris) am happy to announce that I have reentered the world of radio, broadcasting, as I have landed a new part-time gig as one of the play-by-play and color “voices” of the Bridgeport Bluefish, a minor league baseball team of the Atlantic Independent League, here in Connecticut for the summer.

This opportunity allows me to combine my love for teaching, radio and baseball and utilize the lessons learned from my time at 88.3 The Saint. In other news, we are happy to report this quarter that Margaret “Meg” Hutcheson has taken a job as a personal insurance billing representative for The Hartford Insurance Group, in Southington, Conn. Also, two classmates of ours, Stephen Hensel and Elizabeth Whitney were members of “Team Midas,” a group of Siena alumni that created a short film that has been named one of the best in the country.

Decision 2006 was ranked among the 15 best movies in the 2006 National Film Challenge, a competition asking filmmakers nationwide to cre-

ate a short film in a single weekend. The movie was a spoof of television news election coverage. Okay class of 2006, for those of you who didn’t make it back for the All Alumni Bash at Reunion Weekend, you missed quite a party! Be sure to mark your calendars for August 18, because it’s 100 Days After Graduation. I know, I know, we didn’t just graduate but that doesn’t mean that we can’t crash the party! I (Ashley) look forward to seeing you there and catching up on the time we’ve spent since graduation. I ran my first marathon last weekend – it was the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, Vt. And, not to brag, but I did it in 4:58:00. I can’t wait to hear what all of you have been up to. Please let us know—we will be waiting to hear from you! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

2007 SeanRobbins PO Box 11222 Loudonville, NY 12211 sksrobb@yahoo.com Hello Class of 2007. While I realize we just “walked the stage”, it’s never too early to share with the rest of the class how things are going and what you’ve been up to. If anything, it may even help in adjusting to the shock of being classified as alumni!

During my time at Siena, I was actively involved with The Promethean as a regular staff writer. Additionally, I was a member of Stage III, which afforded me the opportunity to appear as a lead in the 2005 world premiere play Distant Music. Most recently (since October 2006), I have been a DJ for the college radio station: WVCR 88.3 The Saint—a position that I look forward to continuing as a Siena alum. I strongly beSiena News • 29

lieve that these unique experiences coupled with the genuine sense of community at Siena have provided a great base that will likely enable further opportunities just around the corner. This summer I will be traveling to Washington D.C. to train as a news reporter with Herb Brubaker, a former producer with NBC Nightly News for 20 years. I will also be studying acting at The School for Film and Television in New York City. I am excited to have the opportunity to serve as YOUR class coordinator. I’m looking forward to hearing from everyone!

Meghann Collopy ’00 & Lucas Chyla ’01

In Memory of: Joseph M. Dalton ’47, Michael J. Flannery ’48, Rodger Fryer ’49, Edgar Dickinson ’50, William F. Messier, Sr. ’50, Lloyd R. Chase ’51 , Robert P. Biggica ’52, Thomas J. Hogan ’55, Robert Ryan ’57, Richard Schermerhorn ’58, Robert Schlesinger ’58, Richard Quentin Manns ’60, Laurence Caroll Rainey ’61, Dr. Donald J. Burke ’63, Charles Cavanaugh, Jr. ’64 William F. Walsh ’69, Kenneth Morrison ’73, John G. Fitzgerald ’76, John Thomas Ilacqua, Jr. ’77

Deborah & Dan McDermott ’93

Marisa Ricciardi ’98 & R. Ryan Kidney

Amanda Fucci ’05 & Kevin Bartoszek ’05, 1st row: Father R. Purcell ’62, K. Bartoszek ’05, A. Fucci/Bartoszek ’05, V. Franklin/Capano ’05, M. McGinnis ’05, R. Wichelns ’05, K. Giaquinto ’05. 2nd row: R. Fischer ’05, M. Carpentieri ’05, M. Bartoszek ’02, K. Scanlon ’03, E. Sellati ’05, M. Panayotou ’05. 3rd row: M. Andrus ’04, S. Kiernan ’05, K. Buonasisi ’05, R. Manfredo ’05, J. Comley ’06, C. Romano ’05. 4th row: A. Carter ’05, M. Barbell ’05, C. Gandolfo ’05, D. Weidman ’05. Missing: G. Matos ’07

Kate Snyder ’03 Top Row: S. Powers ’03, W. May ’03, B. Carruth, D. Snyder ’07, E. Frey ’03, M.E. Snyder ’03, C. Price ’02. Middle Row: K. Ostrosky ’03, T. Shellard ’03, K. Carruth/Snyder ’03, M. Snell ’03, M. Papa ’03, J. Reuter ’03. Bottom Row: M. Zeoli ’03 and H. Nichols ’03

Victoria Haneua/Downes ’02 & Thomas Downes Back Row: M. McKeon/Charette ’02, A. Rizzo/Ihnatolya ’03, N. Ihnatolya ’02, S. Gray ’03, G. Gizzi ’03, P. Moffitt ’02, H. Picard/Moffitt ’02 Siena News • 30

Emily Argis/Barker ’95 & John Barker ’93 B. Shoemaker ’93, K. Bascelli/Samet ’95, D. Ellis/ Santangelo ’95, E. Argis/Barker ’95, J. Barker ’93, L. Barker ’67, C. Barker ’98, D. Barker, J. Hough ’73

Matt Woodard ’00 & Denise Egolf/ Woodard ’00

Amy Bodette ’03 2nd Row: D. Fisher ’01, C. Wojeski ’02, K. Bohrman ’03, S. Zimmerman ’02, M. Gagliarducci ’03, R. Rasmussen ’74. 1st Row: S. Parillo ’05, A. Bodette/DeMagistris ’03, C. DeMagistris ’02, L. Visconti/Svetics ’79, M. DesJardins ’02, K. Rasmussen ’03

Annemarie Rizzo ’02 & Nick Ihnatolya ’02 Front Row: V. Huneau/Downes ’02, Meredith McKeon/Charette ’02, N. Ihnatolya ’02, A. Rizzo/Ihnatolya ’02, C. Black/McCue ’02, J. Ihnatolya ’69, B. Rizzo ’72. Back Row: J. Rizzo ’75, D. LaBarr ’74, J. Scarchilli ’77, D. Hoffman ’72, E. Lewis ’89, S. Tobin ’97, J. Tobin ’97, E. Huerter ’92, T. McCarthy ’65, T. Huerter ’91, M. Bottillo ’87, J. Valentini ’72, E. Fogarty ’81

Monica Prinzivalli ’04 married Chris Acker ’03

Erin Dahlmeyer/Bonano ’00 & John Bonano M. Gorman/Anderson ’00, K. Turley/Schweitzer ’00, S. Schweitzer ’00, M. White, A. Steiner/Bonano ’00, P. Bonano ‘99, Erin Dahlmeyer/Bonano ’00, B. Ryan ’00, E. Cardinale ’00, Alison Thomson/Bush ’00, K. Julian ’00 Siena News • 31

Insuring The Vision Benefiting Your Loved Ones and Others Through Your Will (Bequests) In addition to being one of the simplest ways to distribute your estate, your will can also be a creative vehicle through which to make thoughtful gifts.

After providing for the needs of your loved ones, you may choose one of several ways to benefit Siena College.

The total dollar value of a bequest to education is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes.

Here is suggested language for incorporating a provision for Siena in your will: • I give and bequeath to Siena College, Loudonville, New York the sum of ___________ dollars. This bequest is unrestricted or (is to be added to the endowment of the College and the income there from be used for (scholarships, academics, athletic programs, etc.).

• I give and bequeath to Siena College, Loudonville, New York __________ % of the remainder of my estate. This bequest is unrestricted or is to be used for capital projects determined by the Board of Trustees, etc.

A Gift With Income That Never Changes A Gift Annuity is a wonderful way to make a gift that allows you to receive a guaranteed fixed income for the rest of your and your spouse’s lives.

The fixed payment can be paid quarterly, semi-annually or annually and a substantial portion of it may be tax-free. The amount of the fixed payment is determined by the age of the donor(s). The donor is able to take advantage of a significant income tax deduction in the year of the gift.

Example: In December, 2005, Mr. Quigley, 71, purchases a gift annuity in the amount of $10,000 using appreciated stock that is presently paying him a dividend of $300 (3% yield). Based upon his age, Mr. Quigley will receive $660 (6.6%) annually from Siena for the rest of his life. He more than doubles his income from the stock, avoids a capital gains tax on the appreciated stock transferred, and gets a $3,711 income tax deduction in the year of the gift.

“We

Mr. Quigley directs that the proceeds of the gift after his death be used to purchase laboratory equipment in the School of Science. With larger gifts, the donor may use a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust to accomplish the same result of guaranteeing a fixed income, eliminating any capital gains taxes on appreciated assets transferred to the trust, and generating a large income tax deduction in the year of the gift.

A Gift with a Variable Income For those donors who wish to share in the long term growth of their gift and are willing to risk market downturns, a Charitable Remainder Unitrust may be desirable. With this gift arrangement, the donor, at the time the gift is made, fixes the percentage of the trust value that the donor will be paid each year. Each year that the value of the trust assets increases, more income is received by the donor. Conversely, if the value of the assets declines, the annual income will be less. Additions can be made to this type of trust, and a tax deduction is allowed for a portion of each amount contributed.

For many people, the unitrust can play a welcome role in planning for retirement years.

Example: In June 2006, Mrs. Jones, 65, chooses to place $100,000 in stocks in a unitrust paying 6%; the first year she receives $6,000. Next year, if the assets are worth $110,000, her income rises to $6,600 (6% of $110,000.) She is entitled to an income tax deduction of $24,060 in the year that she arranges her gift. She also avoids all capital gains taxes at the time the trust is created. Mrs. Jones has directed Siena to use her $100,000 gift to fund student/faculty summer research projects.

For more information on proper estate planning, see your accountant, lawyer, financial advisor, or contact Jack Sise, Esq. ’75, director of planned giving, at Siena College, (518) 783-2432 for a free, confidential analysis on how any of these plans can work for you.

make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” - Winston Churchill Siena News • 32

Short Takes Bernardine Medal Awarded to Saratoga Businesswoman Siena celebrated the life and work of Phyllis Dake, the long-time executive vice president of Stewart’s Shops and humanitarian by awarding her the Bernardine of Siena Medal.

Stewart’s Shops is a business boasting many “firsts.” Stewart’s was first to introduce the square, folding half-gallon ice cream carton, in 1948. That same year, founder Charles Dake’s wife, Phyllis, tried letting people make sundaes their way.

Stewart’s “Make Your Own Sundaes” were made famous on the first TV station in the Capital Region: WRGB, now CBS6. Stewart’s also named an ice cream flavor for Siena College.

Siena’s relationship with Phyllis Dake goes back more than 20 years. She has been an active member of the College’s Board of Associate Trustees since 1985. Her generous gifts have supported Siena’s Annual Fund, Hickey Financial Technology Center, Standish Library, Sarazen Student Union, Creative Arts, the Dell Thompson Scholarship, and the Loretta Epstein Scholarship.

“Phyllis Dake’s personal and professional accomplishments, her distinguished involvement and support of Siena College, and her contributions to sustaining the Siena and Franciscan tradition made her an ideal candidate for the Bernardine of Siena Medal,” Fr. Kevin Mackin, O.F.M., said.

Siena College Dedicates New TV Studio and Radio Station In the process of beefing up the broadcast studies program this spring, Siena opened its new television studio and recognized its popular radio station by honoring New York State Broadcasters Association President Joseph A. Reilly.

The two hubs of Siena’s broadcasting program were dedicated on April 24 as the Joseph A. and Carol M. Reilly Broadcast Centers, in recognition of Reilly’s gift, his work as president of the Association, and in memory of his late and beloved wife, Carol.

“We are very grateful to Joe Reilly for a generous gift to Siena College,” said Siena’s former president, Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M. “Now our students have the ability to get a hands-on learning experience on campus in the television broadcasting industry.”

The Reilly Broadcast Centers’ new TV studio includes a soundproof control booth and a studio space with a new audio system, monitors, switchers, and four Macintosh video editing bays, four complete field kits for reporting classes, as well as upgraded electrical service.

Committee Selects Two Clare Boothe Luce Scholars The Siena College Clare Boothe Luce Selection Committee has selected Patricia Carroll ’08 and Christina Sillery ’08 as the first ever Siena Luce Scholars for the 2007- 2008 academic year.

Patricia is a physics major with a 4.0 cumulative GPA. Upon graduating, she would like to pursue a doctorate in astronomy. This summer, Patricia will participate in an NSFfunded Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) students. Her summer research project will be in the area of astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.

Christina is a computer science and biology major with a 3.54 cumulative GPA. Christina’s future plans include graduate school and a career in bioinformatics. This summer, she will also participate in an NSF REU project at DePaul University and Northwestern University in the area of medical informatics.

Last year Siena was awarded a $268,714 grant by the Henry Luce Foundation. The grant is awarded to two female students in their junior year in biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, math or physics. The award provides funding for tuition, fees and room and board.

Siena News • 33

A Breakthrough Season Lacrosse is called the fastest game on two feet.

It’s also the fastest growing sport in the country. Although lacrosse has been a staple of Siena’s athletic program for decades, recent changes have led to a breakthrough season this year.

Prior to the spring of 2007, the Siena men’s lacrosse program hadn’t posted a winning record since 1983. Under the guidance of third year head coach Brian Brecht, the Saints won eight of their last nine games to capture their first MAAC Regular-Season Championship this past spring.

Brecht, who received his second MAAC Coach of the Year award in just his third season, is the driving force behind Siena’s recent success.

This year, Siena went 7-1 in league play and boasted the league’s Offensive Player of the Year, sophomore Matt Girsh - the 2006 Rookie of the Year and one of the country’s most prolific goal scorers - as well as this year’s co-Rookie of the Year, freshman Brent Herbst - who quickly emerged as one of the MAAC’s elite goaltenders as a freshman.

Brecht began the rebuilding process with an aggressive recruiting schedule resulting in the three most talented classes in program history.

“We have the resources to attract the top lacrosse student-athletes in the country,” Brecht said.

“The young men considering Siena are comparing our program with some of the nation’s best.”

Siena’s location and student population serve as an ideal sell for Brecht on the recruiting trail. Throw in the College’s new $2.9 million turf field and Brecht’s audacious goals may not be as unattainable as they initially appear.

To help increase student attendance to home games, he purchased t-shirts with the team’s home schedule on the back and hand delivered them to the student body. But it’s not all fun and games. Brecht is demanding of his players, expecting the same level of commitment he has placed in each of them.

“He expects us to win,” Girsh said. “And if we don’t, he’s disappointed. He lets us know about it.” It is a philosophy built on respect and attention to detail. He oversees all aspects of the program, even doing the team’s laundry on occasion.

“I know I use a few choice words with them every once in a while,” Brecht said. “So when they come to practice, they deserve to have a clean towel and their practice gear washed and hanging in their

Above left: Head Coach Brian Brecht guided the Saints to their first regular season lacrosse MAAC Championship. Above right: Matt Girsh ’09 led the team in scoring and earned MAAC Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts.

Siena News • 34

locker. They should have a clean pair of socks before they go to work.”

Brecht has also kept alumni involved in the program through e-mails and mailings to former members of the program – even picking up the phone from timeto-time to check in with past players.

“We have tremendous alumni who really care about the future of Siena lacrosse,” Brecht said. “One of my main goals coming in was to reach out to these people and get them on board with what we wanted to do with the program.”

At the final home game this spring, which drew over 1,000 fans, Brecht honored all-time leading scorer Tony Asterino ’81. Asterino, who was a first ballot Siena Sports Hall of Fame inductee in 1986, was a member of Siena’s only undefeated sports team – the 1979 lacrosse team which finished a perfect 12-0.

“The idea is to show people that Siena lacrosse does have a history and that we are a proud program,” Brecht said. “We have hundreds of alumni who dedicated countless hours to lacrosse at Siena and we want them to share in our current and future successes.”

As for the future Brecht has high expectations.

“We expect to win the MAAC every year and ultimately win NCAA Tournament games,” he said.

Are you ready to jump on Brecht’s bandwagon?

If you are, you better act fast because it is moving quickly.

Siena’s Graduation Success Rate Ranks Third Nationally among DI Schools Siena’s student-athletes posted a 97 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) according to information released by the NCAA office. The GSR measures graduation rates at Division I institutions and includes students transferring into the institutions. The GSR also allows institutions to subtract student-athletes who leave their institutions prior to graduation as long as they would have been academically eligible to compete had they remained. The fouryear aggregate rate considers scholarship student-athletes who entered school between 1996 and 1999. Siena’s rate of 97 percent ties for the third highest among all Division I institutions. It is the second year the NCAA has used the GSR. Siena tied for fifth nationally with a 97 percent GSR in the initial report last year.

“It is a goal of ours to perform among the elite academic institutions in the country,” Director of Athletics John D’Argenio said. “We take great pride in the academic achievements of our student-athletes, and the GSR is a reflection of their hard work and dedication in the classroom.”

Top GSR at NCAA Division I Institutions Navy - 99% Notre Dame - 98%

Siena - 97%

Above: Tony Asterino ’81 (center) with Brian Brecht, men’s lacrosse coach, and John D’Argenio, director of athletics, is the program’s all-time leading scorer and still remains as the only men’s lacrosse player to earn All-American honors. He was honored on April 21 as one of the pioneers of the Siena lacrosse program and helped guide Siena to its only undefeated season in 1979, finishing with a perfect 12-0 record.

Duke - 97% Davidson - 97% Boston College - 96% Bucknell - 96% Dayton - 96% Georgetown - 96% Holy Cross - 96% Northwestern - 96% Robert Morris - 96% Valparaiso - 96% College of William & Mary - 96% The Citadel - 95% Coastal Carolina - 95% Colgate - 95% Loyola (Md.) - 95% Richmond - 95% Army - 95% Siena News • 35

Fr. Kevin Mackin, O.F.M., Enjoys Busy Final Month as President Fr. Kevin was the man of the month in May as various groups paid tribute to the popular president before he stepped down. The campus held a friendly roast for him on May 2. Dr. Maryellen Gilroy, vice president for student affairs, surprised him on May 4 with a Special Recognition Award. He was inducted into the Tech Valley Business Hall of Fame on May 16. The month culminated with a fundraising event on May 17 hosted by the Siena College Board of Trustees. Following the lead of the Class of ’81 who raised a founding gift of $50,000 for their 25th anniversay, the Board of Trustees’s reception oraised $675,000 from over 250 leaders of business, civic, spiritual, health and education venues.

The proceeds of the event are for the Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M., Scholarship for Siena students. “I’ve enjoyed participating in and providing students the opportunity to develop skills of mind and habits of heart: to achieve a productive career and live a life of integrity,” Fr. Kevin said. “Thank you, for the good memories, and for the wonderful gift to provide scholarships for Siena College students.”

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