Reflections Magazine Issue #76 - Spring 2012 | Page 27

Column

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from the alumni association

My Siena, My University:
Then…and Still!
Flash back . . . Labor Day weekend, 1972.
A young lady from northwest Ohio arrives at
Siena Heights College as a freshman. What a
growing year this will be for her – and Siena.
For only the third year, men will be living in
the dorms….4th floor only! Siena will have its
first male intercollegiate baseball team. Prior
to her graduation, more changes will occur.
New academic programs are added, including
a criminal justice program with many of
“Adrian’s finest” enrolled at Siena Heights for
the first time ever. More sports are brought on
campus, including wrestling and basketball.
Home games are played in small, local venues.
Weekend life includes parties in Sage Union
(does anyone really know how to spell Wapatoola??), traying down the hill in front of
Ledwidge Hall, movies in Benincasa, Sunday
night Mass in Ledwidge Ballroom.

Fast Forward . . . April 13, 2012. This same,
not so young lady is driving to Jackson, MI. As
Vice President of the Siena Heights University
Alumni Association, she will be welcoming
some of the newest alumni to the association
– graduates from the Jackson, Lansing, Battle
Creek and Distance Learning programs. Siena
Heights University now consists of seven sites
around the state of Michigan, as well as an online
program. The university now boasts 50+ undergraduate programs, including a new top-rated
nursing program, and more than 20 graduate
programs. Graduates of the performing arts
program are accepted to top national graduate
programs. Alumni, students and staff participate
in community service projects around the
country, giving back to others in need. In the
past year, football has come to Siena Heights—
along with an incredible multi-sport performance stadium which also hosts its men’s and
women’s lacrosse, soccer and nationally-ranked
track and field teams. The baseball team has just
dedicated its new field. The University Center
is rising up on the west end of campus, near the
Campus Village apartments which house many
of our students.
In this 40-year mental review, so much has
changed at Siena Heights. The University name,
population mix and numbers, academic offerings, intercollegiate athletic teams and physical
plant have all morphed and grown over the
years. However, a common thread runs through
these same years. Siena Heights has never lost
its Dominican tradition. Teaching and learning
continue in all venues, not just inside the classrooms. Even with its growth, there is a feeling
of family-like warmth, compassion and concern on campus.

One just needs to read the biographies of
past years’ Alumni Award recipients to see the
story of a university that has played a major part
in developing people who are committed to
being competent, purposeful and ethical in
all they do.
As alumni, we can continue to be a part
of carrying on this strong tradition. I ask each
of you to share your time, talents and treasures
with the university. The 2nd Annual Summer
Spectacular, coming on June 22, will be a wonderful opportunity for you to visit Adrian, see
all the positive changes, feel the energy and spirit,
and financially support this fine institution.
Monies raised from this event will help sustain
our traditions by providing scholarships to
future generations. Continue your involvement
by attending Homecoming in Adrian October
5-7. Come home to Siena, bring your family
and encourage your friends. Start creating new
memories for yourself.
I look forward to seeing you on campus
soon. I’ll be the “not so young” girl who just can’t
stay away from Siena Heights! Blessings!

Mary Small Poore ’76
Vice President
Alumni Association Board of Directors

Reflections Spring ’12

27