23
The Inside Scoop
Every Diploma Tells a Story!
The Class of 98 made institutional history as the last class to graduate from Siena Heights College, at
ceremonies held May 3 in Adrian, May 9 in Benton Harbor and May 10 in Battle Creek. More important,
however, were the unique personal histories contained in each of the 600-plus diplomas achieved with pride by
the newest alumni of Siena Heights University. Here are a few of their inspiring stories:
Temperance resident Betty Jo
Payne earned her B.A. in business
administration at Sienas Monroe
County Community College Center.
Betty Jo, who is blind, crossed the
stage in Adrian with her faithful
classmate Rozzie, a German
shepherd/Siberian husky mix leader
dog who attended classes with her
throughout her academic career.
For Laurie Kosek of Ottawa Lake, completing her bachelors
degree with Siena Heights in Monroe was a positive way of
dealing with the tragic loss of twin sons to leukemia. Now a
bereavement intern for Hospice in Monroe, Laurie plans to
pursue her masters degree in counseling from Siena Heights,
and hopes to work with terminally ill children and their
families.
Genevieve Siegel of Pittsford
finished her associates degree in
Adrian this spring at the age of 74,
just in time to welcome her
granddaughter, Jennifer Letherer, to
campus this fall as a freshman. A
great example of lifelong learning,
Genevieve plans to continue
working toward her B.A. -- and
might even have a class with
Jennifer!
Brian Smith of Pittsford knows what it means to be a
student-athlete at Siena. It means achieving your best, in and
out of class. Brian did exactly that,
graduating from the Adrian campus
as a cum laude biology major, a
finalist for the Outstanding Student
Award, an All-American ScholarAthlete and honorable mention AllAmerican as a member of the mens
track and field team, and a national
award-winner for his senior research
on endangered snakes in Lenawee
County.
Like many Siena alumni, Anna Rodriguez-Webber was the
first in her family to graduate from college. Unlike most of the
Class of 98, however, Anna beat out six brothers and seven
sisters to win the title -- and spent almost 30 years doing it.
Part of a family of migrant workers, Anna went to work after
high school, unable to attend college. Three decades later,
after raising her own family, she achieved her dream, graduating
from Sienas Benton Harbor Center.
Violence prevention advocate Clementine Barfield of
Detroit, business ethics expert Gerald Cavanaugh, SJ of
Detroit, and business and philanthropy leaders Warren and
Catherine Reuther of
Lambertville are this
years recipients of the
honorary degree,
Doctor of Humane
Letters. Barfield, who
has worked tirelessly
to curb teen violence
since her two sons
were gunned down in
1986, and Cavanaugh,
President Rick Artman (left) and Trustee who has spent most of
Chairperson John Tierney (right) congratulate his career researching
two recipients of the honorary degree, Doctor business ethics,
of Humane Letters: anti-violence advocate
Clementine Barfield and business ethics expert received their
doctorates in Adrian
Gerald Cavanaugh, SJ.
May 3. The Reuthers,
active supporters of education, social services and the arts in
Monroe and Lenawee Counties, will be honored at a later date.
Diagnosed with sickle cell anemia
at age 5, Sandra Love of Battle
Creek was told she would not live
past 21. She beat the odds in a big
way, raising a family, increasing
public awareness of the disease, and
with support from Siena Heights
faculty and fellow students
earning her degree in human
services at Sienas Battle Creek
Center this spring, at the age of 50.