Reflections Magazine Issue #53 - Summer 2000 | Page 3

Ethics, Values and Mission: Building a Life as a President and a Person President’s Message 3 t was six years ago this spring when I was recruited to consider the presidency at Siena Heights. Our mission and sponsorship were among several important qualities about the college that attracted my attention. I was inspired by the history and mission of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, and intrigued by a campus where everyone could recite the core components of the school’s mission: competent, purposeful and ethical. This trinity resonated with me, as did the opportunity to work and lead from my Catholic faith. Years before coming to Siena, I had developed my own mission statement, through participation in a time management seminar. The experience helped me establish my life priorities by examining a set of governing values. These continue to guide my life and personal decision making today. Here then are the components of my personal mission statement, the highest priorities of my life: To be faithful to my family. This encompasses the many roles, responsibilities, obligations and expectations of husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and nephew. To be a competent professional. No wonder Siena’s mission jumped off the page for me! Competency is a continuous quest and a prerequisite for excellence. To be physically fit. This is a means to achieve the other values; I am of no value to my family or our university if I don’t take care of myself. This is why my noon h