Editorial
from the president
“Be Bold. Think Higher.”
By now, if you’ve seen the cover of this issue of
“Reflections,”you’ve figured out the theme I chose
for Inauguration Weekend.
What exactly does “being bold”mean in higher
education? In my inaugural address, I said to
be bold is an act of courage. Perhaps it is more
common for individuals to be bold, but institutions such as Siena Heights University must be
bold as well. Being bold is not a careless act, but
rather an act that is initiated because one cares so
much. Siena Heights University is an institution
that cares beyond reason and is made bold by its
history and its distinct mission from its founding
to this present day.
Being bold means branching out into new areas,
reaching out instead of pulling back, and trying
out different approaches when the status quo is
not working.
Branching out could mean increasing enrollment,
and doing it by recruiting more local, national
and international students.
Reaching out could mean collaborating more
with local businesses and organizations in order to
create new opportunities and improve the quality
of life for all.
Trying out could mean adding new programs, like
nursing, to enhance the quality and variety of the
academic experience at Siena.
If that isn’t bold enough for you, I promise there
are more exciting plans on the horizon!
But the other half of my inaugural theme,
“Think Higher,” is just as important to the future
success of Siena Heights. Thinking higher challenges our students, administration, faculty and
staff on many different levels, whether achieving
an elevated academic standard, focusing on a
greater spiritual purpose for their lives or
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Reflections Winter ’07—Be Bold. Think Higher.
striving for a better place in the professional
world. Hopefully, the combination of all aspects
of thinking higher will impel all of us to make a
positive difference in our world.
I have seen first-hand what “Be Bold. Think Higher”can mean. When I was put in charge of a struggling law school in Orlando, Fla., several years
ago, the situation looked bleak. There were less
than 100 students enrolled, and the school had not
yet been accredited by the American Bar Association – a major roadblock to student recruitment.
However, through some bold moves and higher
thinking, today the school has more than 500
students enrolled and received provisional
accreditation, with final accreditation in sight.
Since arriving at Siena Heights University in
July, the reception I have received from both the
Siena family and the Lenawee community has been
overwhelming. As a board member, I had a chance
to get a closer look at Siena, but as its president,
I have fully immersed myself in the people, place
and spirit that are truly Siena Heights University.
Events like Alumni Weekend and Inauguration
Weekend only solidified those feelings, and now
that those festivities are over (but certainly not
forgotten), it is time to focus even more on the
task at hand.
I’m excited about being at Siena, especially when
I envision what the future can hold. As the 10th
President of Siena Heights University, I promise
to remain true to my inaugural theme. Won’t you
join me?
Be Bold. Think Higher!
Sister Peg Albert, OP, Ph.D.
President