Reflections Magazine Issue #74 - Spring 2011 | Page 19

Column visit our alumni website at www.sienaheights.edu from the alumni office Spring Fever: New Life, New Alumni, New Reflections on Old Lessons When you read this, summer will be near. But as I write it, more than a week into “official” spring, the forecast calls for “possible snow.” Again. Still, at my desk, I see spring everywhere: Graduating students stop in daily requesting extra Commencement tickets. Alumni call for details about our spring dinner-theater event or the summer Mud Hens outing. Professors rush by, anxious to squeeze as much teaching as possible into the next few weeks. 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 Keller ’74, ’75, ’02, Past President Maricruz Avitia-Moore ’06 (Southfield) Mary Beaubien, OP ’55 Charles Colombo ’00 David Condon ’74 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 Jennifer Hamlin Church, Administrative Liaison Christine Matthews, OP ’63, Alumni Assistant But the surest signs of spring are the senior presentations announced each morning in Siena’s Daily Bulletin. Main-campus students I met as freshmen (just last month it seems) now speak professionally about their in-depth studies: A biology major discusses “Using the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to identify the Effectiveness of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Cases in the U.S.” A psychology major reports on “Poverty and Obesity: A Hunger-Obesity Paradox.” A theater major examines “Stanislavski’s Influence on Modern Acting” while a religious studies major explores “All Male Priesthood: Jesus’ Intent?” Similar things are happening in senior seminars across the state. Wow! Our seniors are certainly ready to become alumni! Just as the crocuses and daffodils are ready to burst into new life at any moment, another class of Siena Heights learners—undergrads and grad students; main campus, off-campus and on-line students; young, old and in-between students— is about to bring new energy and potential to their communities and careers. We look forward to watching them bloom and grow. As seasons pass, these 2011 graduates may look back on their Siena Heights experiences, reflecting on something like this question which I once posed to the Alumni Board: “Which professor had the greatest impact on your Siena Heights experience—and what lesson has stayed with you most powerfully since then?” Riffling through old files recently, I came upon some of the answers to that question, scribbled anonymously onto slips of paper during a longago Alumni Board retreat: • “Toni Carroll. She encouraged my love of mathematics and provided the proper support during those ultra-difficult junior and senior level courses. I try to provide such encouragement with my co-workers today.” • “Sister Carmelia. She taught us to have a smile on your face, work at all hours of the day and night, always keep busy, and help people whenever you have the opportunity.” • “Sister Beth Butler. No matter what problem or situation you were facing, she would say, ‘Listen to your heart.’” How would you answer the question? Who had the greatest impact on your Siena experience and what enduring lessons did you learn? I look forward to hearing from you! Jennifer A. Hamlin Church Associate VP for Advancement & Director of Alumni Relations [phone] [email protected] Reflections Spring ’11 19