Reflections Magazine Issue #60 - Fall 2003 | Page 4

From the
Heights

2

Commencement!

Not A Day But A Season At Siena Heights
The graduation season started on May 4,
a day of bright sunshine and cool breezes.
Degree candidates from our degree-completion centers in Port Huron, Monroe, Southfield, Jackson and Lansing joined their
Adrian counterparts for a day of well-earned
celebration on the Adrian campus.

Student commencement speakers (from left)
Deb Keller, Tod Skrzynski, and Meghan Vigeant.

In addition, two Siena Heights alumnae received special honors from the
University.

This year’s main campus commencement
included speeches from three graduates representing the three colleges of Siena Heights
University: Meghan Vigeant, receiving a
B.A., spoke on behalf of the College of Arts
and Sciences. Tod Skrzynski, receiving a
B.A.S. degree through the Jackson Center,
represented the College for Professional
Studies. Deborah Keller, one of the first
eight recipients of the new Specialist of Arts
in Educational Leadership, spoke for The
Graduate College (related story on p. 7).

Clinical psychologist Dr. Donna J.
Markham, OP ’70 received the Siena
Medal, the University’s highest honor, given
to individuals who have helped transform
the social and political world, enabling
others to live in dignity and peace.
Anna Bakeman Tompert ’38, author of
more than 30 children’s books and a lifelong learner who at 85 will publish three
more books this year, received the honorary
degree Doctor of Humane Letters.
The first cohort of students in our Port
Huron program also graduated this spring.
The Port Huron students participated in
the main campus Commencement, but also
were honored at graduation ceremonies
at St. Clair County Community College,
where the Siena program is headquartered.
Top right: special honorees Ann Tompert
(left) and Donna Markham. Right: Mother and
daughter grads Sue (right) and Amanda Gerhard.

The Commencement season continued with
graduation celebrations in Battle Creek on
May 17 and in Benton Harbor on May 18.
Congratulations to all graduates!