Editorial
from the editor
The Best Time is Now.
I recently had a chance to do some catching up
around the house.
You know those “project lists”everyone seems to
have? Yep. I have one, too. But as time passes that
list seems to grow instead of shrink. Most of you
probably know what I’m talking about. I believe
the proper term is procrastination.
As someone who worked in the newspaper business
before arriving at Siena Heights, I rarely could
afford the luxury of procrastinating in my professional life. Everything in that business is deadline
driven. Miss a deadline, and… well, thankfully, I
never had to find out.
However, as soon as I walk in the door of my
house, it’s another matter. Personally, if I can
put it off, I will. For example, I had a patio room
installed a few years back, and the wood door that
served as my entrance needed staining. I bought
some of that blue painter’s tape that protects the
window and other areas from the staining process
and carefully affixed it around the edges. I began
staining the door, but for some reason, I thought
it better to wait and finish the project for a more
convenient and appropriate time.
That time (probably six or seven years later) came
just a few weeks ago. I found the extra can of stain
I purchased way back when, and was so proud of
myself as I put the finishing touches on the project. There was just one problem: the tape was still
there, too. And I remember the suggested instructions on the package: Do not leave on for more
than three weeks. Oops. What should have been a
couple minutes of easy cleanup took more than
three hours using a heat gun and the sharp end of
a razor blade. Oh, and there was also the sticky
residue to deal with after the tape was removed.
4
Reflections Summer ’07
Why is this relevant to you, alumni and friends of
Siena Heights University? I’m glad you asked. In
late September, Siena will host its annual Alumni
Weekend (all the details are included in this issue). This is the prime opportunity every year for
alumni and friends of Siena to return to campus
and catch up on the past and present. Jennifer, our
alumni director, puts her heart and soul into this
weekend to provide something for everyone. Some
of you, if you are like me, may get initially excited
about something, but then decide to “put it off ”
for a more convenient or opportune time.
Honestly, the best time is now. If you don’t believe
me, believe Ping Dong. Earlier this spring, I found
Ping, a 1986 Siena Heights alum who lives in
Beijing, China, wandering the hallways of Siena.
I had the pleasure of reintroducing him to campus (you can read more about Ping’s story in this
issue). He visits the United States a couple of
times a year and decided to finally return to Siena
after more than a 20-year hiatus. Even after all
that time, he quickly reacquainted himself with
Siena Heights, and said later he was glad he made
the trip.
And he came from China.
So don’t delay your return to Siena Heights,
because you may end up like me and my project
list—you’ll regret you didn’t get it done much,
much sooner.
Doug Goodnough
Editor