Reflections Magazine Issue #58 - Summer 2002

The Inside Scoop 2 From the Editor In this issue... Farewell to a Scholar President’s Message ............................................................................................................. 2 From the Heights: News About People, Programs and Events at all SHU Locations Commencement 2002.................................................................................... 4 Thirtieth Anniversary of Eclipse.................................................................... 4 Excellence on Campus .................................................................................. 6 VanHorn Garden ............................................................................................ 7 Remnant Trust ............................................................................................... 7 Campaign Update: The Kresge Challenge! ......................................................................... 8 Fieldhouse Expansion.................................................................................... 9 Alumni Spotlight: Krista Purvis Forys ‘98 .................................................. 10 A Community of Scholars ................................................................................................. 11 The Literary Tradition of Harry Potter ........................................................ 12 Tod Marshall ’90: Publishing Persistence ................................................... 13 Student Studies Purple Loosestrife.............................................................. 14 The Busy Life of a Student Scholar............................................................. 15 McNair Scholars Program .......................................................................... 18 A Legend Passes: Remembering M2 .................................................................................. 20 Class Notes ..................................................................................................................... 22 Alumni Spotlight: Mary Sullivan McLaughlin ‘38............................................................ 23 Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Aschenbrener ‘97 ................................................................... 25 On my ﬁrst day of work at Siena Heights seven years ago, Miriam Stimson marched into my ofﬁce, introduced herself briskly and said, “I certainly hope you’re not going to…” As it happened, I WAS going to... And I spent the next hour or so explaining why. We discussed the issue at length, articulating our opposing views, ﬁnally agreeing (more or less) to disagree. By the end of that conversation, I had a friend. Although Miriam and I often did not see eyeto-eye, I held her in the highest regard; and she seemed to appreciate my willingness to consider and debate most any issue of interest. Her independence, humor and tenacity, combined with the joy she found in God’s world, quickly made her, in my eyes, a role model for growing—and growing old—with vigor and zest. How appropriate that we say farewell to Miriam, a great scholar, in an issue of Reﬂections that celebrates scholarship. On the Cover: Sister Miriam Michael Stimson taught chemistry at Siena Heights from 1939 to 1968 and was a familiar ﬁgure to hundreds of Siena Heights alumnae, working in the chemistry lab in full habit. Later, when she returned to campus to direct the graduate studies program, new generations of alumni became acquainted with the scholar known for her large and distinctive hats. On page 20, we remember Miriam, who died in June. We also celebrate our “Community of Scholars” and the excitement of a campaign challenge from The Kresge Foundation. Jennifer Hamlin Church Editor Letters to the Editor I thoroughly enjoyed the Spring Reﬂections. I sat down and read the entire issue with enthusiasm and interest. I loved the message on ethics, various kinds and methods of education, the photography, the Dominican Life Center, honors bestowed—just everything! The Mission of Siena Heights University The mission of Siena Heights, a Catholic university founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, is to assist people to become more competent, purposeful and ethical through a teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all. Kathryn Noonan, OP ‘46 Adrian, MI I was greatly impressed with your recent magazine. I’m sure Catherine of Siena is very proud of you! Alice Wolski, OP ‘49 Warren, MI Reflections Staff Debbie Myers, Editor Jennifer Hamlin Church, Communications Specialist Associate Vice President for Advancement Steve Ott, Graphic Design Rik Mertens, Director of Marketing for Off-Campus Sites Graphic Designer and Director of Publications Jere Righter ’93, Contributors Deb Carter, Mary Weeber ’83, Dean of the College for Professional Studies Director of Grants and Foundations Adjunct English Faculty Reﬂections is © 2002 by Siena Heights University.

Reflections Magazine Issue #58 - Summer 2002 | Page 2