The Faculty
Dean Sharon Weber, OP, ’69 and by the
faculty’s Rank and Promotion Committee.
Promoted from associate professor to
full professor were: Joe Bergman,
art, who has taught printmaking and
graphics for 24 years and has overseen
development of the computer graphics
curriculum; Tom Venner, art, a 17-year
faculty member who teaches ceramics,
coordinates the art program and chairs
the Division of Visual and Performing
Arts and Education; and John Wittersheim, art, a metalsmith and sculptor
who has taught since 1979.
DiPietro, Venner Named Outstanding Teachers
Mark DiPietro ’83 (above left), assistant
professor of theatre and communications, and Tom Venner, associate professor of art, received Siena’s top teaching
award, the “Sister Eileen K. Rice, OP,
Award for Outstanding Teaching,” at
this year’s Honors Convocation.
After graduating from Siena Heights,
Mark DiPietro worked in radio in Adrian, earned his M.F.A. from Brandeis
University, and worked as a professional
actor. In 1994, he returned to Siena as
a full-time faculty member. The teaching award honored DiPietro “for making
class both educational and enjoyable
through your narration of past theatre
experiences, and for your helpful and
honest advice; for your demonstration of
your passion for the theatre and for your
teaching--both in and out of the classroom; for your dedication to being with
the students on stage and in the class;
and finally, for not only expecting students to go beyond their best, but for expecting the same of yourself.” DiPietro
directed this year’s campus productions
of A Shayna Maidel and A Midsummer
Night’s Dream and the Croswell Opera
House summer musical, Guys and Dolls.
Tom Venner, head of Siena’s ceramics
program and chair of the Visual and
Performing Arts and Education Division, is an Alma College graduate with
an M.F.A. from Eastern Michigan. He
has taught at Siena since 1979. The
teaching award for Venner read, “In your
dedication and vision for the performing
arts