Column
from the editor
Doug Goodnough Editor
Has It Been 10 Years Already ?
In this issue of Reflections Magazine , we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of our President , Sister Peg Albert .
Because I arrived at Siena Heights a few months before her , I ’ ve had a “ front-row seat ” of sorts to her presidency , and all that has happened during her time at SHU .
I had the privilege of introducing her to the Siena community at her opening press conference ( I tried to act like I knew what I was doing back then ). Being the first Adrian Dominican president in more than 30 years at Siena Heights , I remembered thinking , “ this is history in the making .”
And the impact of her arrival was immediate . Things started happening . A lot of things . We ’ ve documented many of those “ things ” over the past decade in this magazine . But taking a step back , it truly is remarkable what has been achieved when put into the perspective of our 97-year history .
However , as Sister Peg likes to say , Siena Heights is more than just bricks and mortar . It ultimately is about the people . Allow me to share one particular quote from her that I think really hits home for me : “ During the recession ( in 2008 ), we could have laid off people . What we decided to do is to keep everybody working and not be able to give a raise or maybe lower the match for retirement . We knew that a lot of spouses or significant others have been laid off . The best thing we felt we could do for our community here is to keep them working . The last thing we were going to do was lay anybody off .”
And I know she has been just as unfailing in supporting and impacting the lives of our students . People have remained at the core of her presidency .
As someone who would rather be called “ Peg ” than “ President ,” and is known more for her hugs than her handshakes , she in many ways has redefined what it is to be a college president . And she has used her dedication to the Siena Heights mission like a rudder , keeping the University on its Dominican Catholic course .
What ’ s the next destination for Siena Heights ? Who knows ? I know 10 years ago , I never dreamed of sitting in the stadium press box watching a football game on a brisk fall Saturday , lunching in a new University Center or attending a nursing pinning ceremony .
All I know is with Sister Peg at the wheel , Siena Heights University is in good hands . Here ’ s to another exhilarating 10 years !
4 | Reflections Summer ’ 16