Reflections Magazine Issue #57 - Spring 2002 | Page 3

Role Models, Mentors
and the Importance of Ethics
y father passed away in early
March. He was a gentle man
and a gentleman. He raised his
three boys “by the seasons”—baseball, football, basketball. That my brothers and I have
a competitive spirit is no surprise, nor that we
are inclined to play by the rules, to set goals,
and to strive for excellence. Sportsmanship
was sacred: play fair, be honest, treat your
teammates and opponents with respect, win
or lose. And when we sought his advice on
problems, my father’s guidance was usually
quite simple: do what is right. Good lessons
from a good man.
Of course, he’s on my mind these days; can’t
shake him from my consciousness.
Subconsciously, perhaps it was Siena’s mission—to become more competent, purposeful and ethical—that called me to Adrian
eight years ago; because along with the Catholic trinity, this
Siena trinity was
the path to my
adulthood. Ray
Artman didn’t
use the same
words; only the
younger of his
many siblings
had the opportunity for a college education.
But he knew
God’s word; and
doing right was
demanded of his
family.
The University
inaugurated its
new endowed
lecture series on
ethics in February. A priority for our capital campaign, the
lecture series will bring speakers to our campuses to help us live our mission. I’m most
grateful to Catherine Reuther, to the Edward
M. and Henrietta M. Knabusch Charitable
Trust, and to individuals who have made substantial gifts to thi ́