Reflections Magazine Issue #72 - Summer 2010 | Page 27

Column from the alumni association A Call to Service In most organizations, when a new president takes the helm, they have in mind a goal they would like to achieve during their tenure. My goal, as president of the Alumni Board since October 2009, has been to reach out to alumni, especially students and graduates of our offcampus programs, in hopes of creating a more unified and engaged alumni community. No matter where you studied or where you live now, we want you to know that you belong to something larger. Siena Heights University Alumni Association Board of Directors Dennis Reeder ’78, President Michael K.Lane ’05, Vice President Denise Baldwin ’02 (Southfield), Secretary Deb Carrington Keller ’74, ’75, ’02, Past President David Condon ’74 Katherine Cusick ’84 Paul Flowers ’94 Mary Kloeckner Halley ’89 Katie Hatch ’07 Karen Johnson ’04 (Southfield) Sarah Baker Korth ’82, ’97 Harold J. Love ’08 Leslie Love ‘93 JoAnn Curtin Monaghan ’65 Reginald Moore ’83 Nick Oliverio ’05 Dan Pena ’01, ’08 (Adrian, Benton Harbor) Mary Small Poore ’76 Theresa Rahn ’03 (Benton Harbor) David Stevens ’81 (Southfield) John Stoyka ’04 (Southfield) Carole Sporer Stroh ’52 Joni Warner ’83 Elly Teunion-Smith ’89, Faculty Representative Jennifer Heineman ’12, Student Representative The Membership Committee of the Alumni Board has successfully recruited alums from many of the off-site programs this year, and I’m pleased to report that the Alumni Board has quite a wide and diverse group of alumni serving the University this way. I have another year ahead as president and look forward to welcoming even more alums into an active relationship with SHU. The Alumni Board’s message to all alumni is this: “You are a part of a great University. And your University needs you.” There are many ways you can share your time, talent and treasure with Siena Heights. You have benefited from a great SHU heritage and now you can help shape that experience for those who come behind you. Have you considered how you might promote Siena Heights University to others or renew your ties with other Saints? One way you can do this is through service. On May 9, at Commencement on the Adrian campus, I gave the Alumni Association welcome to the graduates of 2010. I asked them to stay in touch and to consider doing service projects— where they live—in the name of Siena. Are you part of a group that serves the needs of people in your community? Do you help the elderly or provide service to the hungry or the homeless? Let’s share the message that graduates of Siena Heights University lend their hands and feet to do a greater good. What about organizing SHU alumni to fill a need in your community? Are you interested in working with one or two or ten other Saints to make a difference? We are competent, purposeful and ethical people and we need to share the good news that our small but mighty University makes a difference in others’ lives, not just on campus but in communities around the state, the country and the world. I invite alumni everywhere: Gather your Siena friends, wear your Siena Heights shirts, and serve your communities on Saturday, October 23, as part of national “Make A Difference Day.” Then send photos and tell us what you did. Let us know if we can help you. I look forward to hearing from anyone with interest and ideas about how we may serve others in this effort. Go Saints! Dennis Reeder ’78 President of the Alumni Association [email protected] Incoming Members in October: Maricruz Avitia-Moore ’06/MA (Southfield) Rob Hemmig ’07 Bwalya Lupambo ’06 (Benton Harbor) Beth McCauley ’06/MA Reflections Summer ’10 27