Column
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from the alumni association
Reconnect with Your Golden
Days on the Heights
Siena Heights University 2010 -11
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
Maricruz Avitia-Moore ’06 (Southfield)
Charles Colombo ’00
David Condon ’74
Paul Flowers ’94
Mary Kloeckner Halley ’89
Katie Hatch ’07
Rob Hemmig ’07
Sarah Baker Korth ’82, ’97
Harold J. Love ’08 (Distance Learning)
Leslie Love ’93
Bwalya Lupambo ’06 (Benton Harbor)
Beth McCauley ’06
JoAnn Curtin Monaghan ’65
Reginald Moore ’83
Nick Oliverio ’05
Dan Pena ’01, ’08 (Adrian, Benton Harbor)
Mary Small Poore ’76
David Stevens ’81 (Southfield)
Carole Sporer Stroh ’52
Joni Warner ’83
Elly Teunion-Smith ’89, Faculty Representative
Andrew Switzer ’13, Student Representative
As I write this column, a few months after a record-breaking Homecoming, the cliché “home
is where the heart is” seems very appropriate. For
me, the capstone of that weekend was after the
Sunday Brunch when a handful of alums, myself
included, gathered in the lobby of Dominican
Hall and began to sing the “Alma Mater.” I found
it amazing that we still remembered the harmonies (hours in the choir room with Sue MatychHager must have paid off ). Even more amazing
was that, as we sang, all of the alumni still chatting in the room where the brunch was held were
drawn out to the lobby. Some joined in, some
even cried, everyone enjoyed. It was a fitting end
to an amazing weekend, because we were all
there, as the lyrics say, reliving our “sweet golden
days of dreams” and “long laughter-studded
hours with classmates fond and true.”
But you don’t have to wait for next Homecoming to relive your own golden days of dreams.
There are opportunities to reconnect with your
SHU roots throughout the year.
First, I urge you to attend one of the Siena outreach events held across the country. That’s right:
even if you can’t make it home to Siena, SHU
will bring a piece of home to you! I had the privilege of attending two of these events last spring.
As a resident of NYC these days, I was thrilled
to meet the many alums, representing a 50 year
time span, who gathered in midtown Manhattan
last June. I also made the bus trip to meet with
our alums in Boston. I think everyone who attended these events would agree that the passion
and inspiration shared by Siena President Sister
Peg Albert filled us with hope and pride for the
things happening at Good Ole’ SHU.
Second, consider this column your invitation to
join our alumni group on Facebook. Search for
“SHU Alumni” and join the over 1,000 alums
who stay in touch via the wonders of social networking. The Alumni Office and Alumni Board
will send information about upcoming events
and ask for your input on new ideas. You may
even run across a classmate you were hoping
to reconnect with. While you’re there, why not
become a fan of the official Siena Heights Facebook page as well. Fill your news feed with exciting news from SHU.
Finally, be assured that you can always go home
to SHU. Contact the alumni office to arrange a
tour and see the changes since you left Adrian.
Check the schedules of our athletic teams, theatre department, or art gallery and make your
own mini-homecoming any time you want. Attend Winterfest for a basketball game and some
amazing chili on February 5. Check out the
opportunities for graduate study at Siena, including online options. If you find yourself driving
down M-52, go that extra couple of miles and
follow your heart onto Siena Heights Drive.
No matter the day, the season or the weather,
you are always part of Siena and there is always
someone waiting to welcome you home.
“So in the deepest gratitude
for years that too swiftly fly,
we rise and give our thanks to you
before we say goodbye.”
Michael Kirk Lane ’05
Vice President of the Alumni Association
[email protected]
Reflections Winter ’11
31