The Faculty
David Van Horn:
Siena’s Beloved Architect of Art History
By Melissa Durbin ‘90
For over a quarter of a century, David Van Horn, C.P.P.S., has
been a familiar face and strong
presence on the Siena Heights
campus in Adrian. On May 1, he
turned in his final grade report
and closed the door to his office
in Studio Angelico. With his
immediate plans still uncertain,
Father Van Horn knew the time
had come to retire as Professor of
Art, a position that allowed him
many exceptional opportunities.
“I came to Siena more than 25
years ago to teach art appreciation
courses,” he recalled in an interview. Back then, there were no
art history courses offered, just a
general survey course. “I started
every art history course here, “ he said with a twinkle in his eye.
Having the opportunity to develop Art History as a course of study was one
of his [