Reflections Magazine Issue #76 - Spring 2012 | Page 31

The Archives

From the SHU Archives

Serving Sisters
Several Adrian Dominicans Sisters
were well-known for their service
to Siena Heights:
• Sister Bertha Hominga was the first Siena
Heights registrar and seemed to have memorized the transcript of every student.
• Sister Laurine Neville (above right) was
very devoted to working with the migrant farm
workers in Lenawee County, and she always
involved the students in this ministry.
• Sister Irene Morence was dedicated to finding financial aid for every student who needed it.
Sister Raphael McDonald was the director of
Finance and Planning from 1973-78, a time
of major changes at Siena Heights.
• Sister Jeannine Klemm (above) was named
head of the Art Department in 1957, when there
were 20 majors. By 1982, the number had grown
to 200. She first worked in Studio Angelico on
the fifth floor of Sacred Heart Hall.

But she knew the space could accommodate neither the new techniques (such as metalworking with blow torches) nor the increase
in the number of students. So Jeannine, as she
travelled to various workshops and master classes, studied art studios to get ideas for the one
she wanted. Told only one floor was planned,
she raised the roof! Then she raised the money
for the second floor by soliciting donations from
local industrialists and by printing greeting cards
and selling them and other art works. In 1992
The Catholic Weekly states, “Sister Jeannine has
never allowed limits set by others to keep her
from achieving what she believes is right. The
building in which she works is a good example.
It rises from the surrounding rolling pasture
like a piece of sculpture. Best of all, according
to her, ‘You can walk right in.’ ” u

From the SHU Archives: Pictured above is a
photo taken in 1968 of Sister Laurine Neville
working with students