Siena

SIENA NEWS • A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS • SPRING 2010

The $2 Million PENGUIn

INSIDE:
Siena Serves

A Run Like
No Other
 from the president
A small school making Message from
a big splash.
This is the way I would
the Editors
describe Siena over the past
several months, making it the In an effort to enhance Siena-
perfect time to spread the good related news to alumni and friends
news about Siena beyond of the college, we have been
our community. developing and posting videos.
I am hoping you will help With that in mind,
me in this endeavor. you may notice
This issue of Siena News is that throughout
filled with stories that readers this issue we
will want to share with others. have placed a
It includes the announcement camera icon next
of Siena’s largest federal grant to the stories that
ever, the success of our men’s have supporting videos.
basketball team and its impact If you are looking for other
on the College as a whole and ways to stay connected to
the continued dedication of serving others by our students, Siena, join the conversation at
staff and alumni. www.facebook.com/sienacollege.
It doesn’t matter which Siena stories you decide to emphasize. Siena has more than 5,000
But, as a member of the Siena community, you have a Facebook friends!
responsibility to open it up to others. If you are headed on a
Just wearing your old Siena cap or sweatshirt is a great way summer vacation this year, post
to spark a conversation. After the conversation begins, put in a picture of yourself wearing
a plug for our rigorous academic programs, the character of our a Siena College shirt, hat, etc.
graduating students, the College’s Catholic Franciscan tradition, wherever you are having fun on
or our commitment to making Siena accessible and affordable. Siena’s Facebook page or send to
Or tell your own Siena story. You, who have lived the Siena communications@siena.edu. We
experience and know firsthand the value of belonging to the hope to run these photos in an
Siena community, are the best person to answer the question: upcoming issue.
“Why Siena?”
Thank you for your continued support.
Enjoy!
Fraternally,
Jim Eaton and
Allison Maloney ’06

Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. President

SIENA 2
 2009 - 2010 Board of Trustees
contents
Ronald E. Bjorklund ’85
J. David Brown
Michael Bucci ’73
Robert F. Campbell ’66
Robert M. Curley
Robert T. Cushing ’77
Susan Law Dake

4 The $2 Million Dollar PENGUIn Virginia L. Darrow ’83

John J. Dawson, Esq. ’68
Scott C. Donnelly
Howard S. Foote ’74
Shari Golub-Schillinger ’86
Robert L. Guido ’68
Douglas T. Hickey ’77
Rev. Kenneth R. Himes ’71, O.F.M., Ph.D.
Edward J. Johnson ’63
Walter T. Kicinski ’62
Rev. Jerome J. Massimino, O.F.M.
Pamela McCarthy
Robert J. McCormick ’87
Rev. Dominic V. Monti, O.F.M., Ph.D.
James J. Morrell ’66
Very Rev. Kevin J. Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D.
John F. Murray ’79
John J. Nigro
Very Rev. John F. O’Connor, O.F.M.
10 Siena Serves Walter A. Osterman ’87
Joseph M. Pastore, Jr., Ph.D.
Kenneth M. Raymond, Jr.
Mark S. Rose ’65
Rev. Peter A. Schneible, O.F.M., Ph.D.
David M. Stack ’73
Christine L. Standish
Br. Daniel P. Sulmasy, O.F.M., M.D., Ph.D.
Nimmi M. Trapasso ’98, M.D.
Dennis L. Winger ’69

Siena News - Spring 2010 Published by Siena College

515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462
E-mail: communications@siena.edu

• Publisher: Delcy Fox

• Editors: Jim Eaton, Allison Maloney ’06

12 A Run Like No Other • Contributing Editors: Mark Adam, Lisa Dussault ’10,
Jodi Ackerman Frank, Ken Jubie ’04, Christine Maccarone ’10,
Hildy Marinello ’11, Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D.,

departments
Jason Rich ’97 and Lynn Ryan
• Director of Art and Design: Sergio Sericolo
• Alumni Class Notes Design: Jean Higgs
• Alumni Class Notes Editor: Janice Goca and Victoria Abdulla ’07
• Back Page Design: Jim Knox
On Campus News | 13 Alumni Connection | 23
• Photography: Athletics Office, Alumni Office, Dave Boswell ’12,
Faculty News | 20 Alumni Class Notes | 28 Celeste Gross, Ken Jubie ’04, Billy McHugh ’13, Tony Purificato,
Saints Corner | 22 NASDAQ, Sergio Sericolo, Virgina Sherwood/NBC
and University of Tampa
• Printer: The Lane Press, Burlington,Vt.

SIENA 3
 COVER STORY

The $2
By Allison Maloney ’06 and Ken Jubie ’04

In February, Congressman Paul Tonko joined Fr. Kevin Mullen,O.F.M.,

and Associate Dean of Science Allan Weatherwax, Ph.D., to announce the grant,
which is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“The Recovery Act has made an unprecedented investment in research and development to help foster
the innovations of the future,” said Tonko, who joined members of the news media on tours of Siena’s
physics labs, and even on the roof of Roger Bacon Hall, to see how Siena students and faculty members are
studying science.
“Congratulations to Siena College and to the Science Department,” Tonko added. “This grant will help
Siena continue its goal of creating a culture that is advancing student skills, understanding and opportunity in

SIENA 4
Million PENGUIn
Siena’s School of Science was awarded a $2 million
National Science Foundation grant. It is the largest
federal grant in the College’s history.

science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

Siena will serve as the science and engineering
lead on this PENGUIn (Polar Experiment Network
for Geospace Upper-atmosphere Investigations)
project. The team under the grant includes
collaborators from Dartmouth University, Stanford
University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology,
the University of New Hampshire, Augsburg
College of Australia and the University
of California, Berkeley.
Weatherwax, who is the principal investigator
under the grant, his fellow scientists and Siena

SIENA 5
 “This NSF grant validates that Siena
is equally strong in the sciences.”
- Alfredo Medina, assistant vice president for academic affairs

students will collect data from autonomous observatories in Antarctica. These

Images taken by observatories will provide year-round “space-weather” data from some of the Earth’s
harshest environments. The data will be used in conjunction with NASA satellites to
Weatherwax during a reveal information about Earth’s upper atmosphere and the sun. The research could lead
to advances in astronaut and aircraft safety and developments in “green” power.
recent trip to Antartica.
“We want to go to some of the most remote places in the world that have some of the
The research team harshest climates to study what’s going on in space, just above the atmosphere in this
tenuous region called the Ionosphere,” Weatherwax said. “It’s where the space shuttle
will collect data from flies. It’s where many of our satellites live. They could be in trouble if there is a huge solar
eruption, and we want to be able to predict when these things might happen.”
observations like The grant symbolizes an important feat for Siena as a liberal arts school.
“This NSF grant validates that Siena is equally strong in the sciences,” said Assistant
this from the
Vice President for Academic Affairs Alfredo Medina. “Building a track record of grant
polar continent. procurement is much like building an institution’s credit score. This grant will not only
position Siena to receive additional grants from NSF, NIH (National Institutes of Health)
and NASA, but it will also help to attract and recruit top-notch faculty with postdoctoral
research experience and prospective students who value research and learning outside the
classroom.”
That is why, Mullen said, these types of grants are so valuable at a small school like
Siena College.

SIENA 6
Physics majors Jennifer Williams ’11 and Bobby Carroll ’11

are two of the 12 students employed by Weatherwax

under various research grants.

“I am particularly excited
about the opportunities that our
undergraduate students will have
in working alongside renowned
scientists on cutting-edge
research that could improve our
quality of life,” he said.
Among those undergraduates
is Jennifer Williams ’11, who is
one of the 12 students employed
by Weatherwax under various
research grants.
“Researching in the Science
Department instills confidence
in students like myself,”
said Williams.
Last summer, students helped
to build satellites on the roof
of Roger Bacon as part of a
collaborative project with MIT
and Cornell. These satellites,
used to track global positioning
systems, were made possible by
a previous NSF grant.
Weatherwax’s student
researchers now await the
exciting prospect of traveling
with him to Antarctica for the
PENGUIn project, as well as
working with scientists from the
other collaborating higher
education institutions.

To see video about this story

visit www.siena.edu/news
and search “Weatherwax”

SIENA 7
 Siena Serves
By Ken Jubie ’04

Lady Gaga’s smash hit “Poker Face” blared in a

cluttered and busy room while students smiled and
sang along.
That may be the only similarity between a typical
spring break and the Habitat for Humanity construction
site in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where about 20 Siena
students helped to build affordable housing.
“It just makes you feel good that, at the end of the
day, you did some work for somebody else. Someone
is eventually going to move into this house and
make it their home,” said Nabil Yafai ’12 as he stood
outside the nearly finished house.
Instead of soaking up the sun and sipping tropical
drinks, Yafai and more than 100 members of the Siena
community, including fellow students, faculty and
administrators, volunteered to do everything from
putting up roofs and siding to installing fixtures and
painting closets. They worked at six different Habitat
for Humanity sites in North and South Carolina.
“It’s a good way to give back. As Siena students, we
want to give back to our community. It’s a great way to
help out, and we get a lot back ourselves,” said
Sam Racette ’11.
During spring break, students also served meals to
the homeless and working poor at the St. Francis Inn
in Philadelphia. They shared Racette’s sentiment about
service and explained that their willingness to help others
truly reflects Siena’s Franciscan sprit.
“It’s part of our mission to go and serve those
who may be a bit forgotten and don’t have
anybody else to turn to,” said Michelle Campbell ’13.
They spent the week preparing food, serving
meals and striking up conversations with people
eating at the soup kitchen. Fr. Dennis Tamburello ’75,
O.F.M., noticed the impact the experience was having
on the students.
“They come down and they’re very connected with
cell phones and texting, but as the week goes on I see
them getting more and more into what’s happening,”
Tamburello said.

SIENA 8
 Service
Documentary
For the first time, the energy,
enthusiasm and impact of Siena’s
spring-break service trips were
captured on video. Media Relations
Specialist Ken Jubie ’04, Franciscan
Center for Service and Advocacy
Assistant Director Judy Dougherty
’06 and Siena College Television
Studio Manager David Etzler piled
into an SUV and traveled down the
East Coast videotaping the work of
Fr. Mathias Doyle ’55, O.F.M., director for the Franciscan Center for students, faculty and administrators
Service and Advocacy saw a similar transformation in the half-dozen in Boston, Philadelphia, and North
students he brought to the St. Francis House, a day shelter for the and South Carolina.
homeless in Boston. During their 2,100 mile road trip,
“They’re somewhat hesitant at first. They’re very willing, but they’re Jubie filed reports from each of the
not sure what they’re getting into. But once they get into it, they really spring break sites. To see the clips,
are great,” Doyle said. visit www.siena.edu/news search
The students themselves noticed the difference they were making as and type in “Siena serves.” Jubie,
they began to embrace the people they were helping. Dougherty and Etzler are in the
“You can really change a person’s attitude. When you serve people process of creating a documentary
and talk to them a little bit, they smile,” said Chris Hughes ’12. that highlights the work being done
Those smiles and the growing sense of community involvement at the various sites as well as all the
behind them are why students and their leaders say service trips shape fun the groups were having along
the Siena experience just as much as what they are studying. the way.

To see video about this story

Who We Are
visit www.siena.edu/news
and search “Siena Serves”

The way Catholic colleges and universities integrate service and

worship with academics was the focus of an article
written by Fr. Ken Paulli ’82, O.F.M., Ed.D. in the
February/March issue of Momentum magazine.
Chief of Staff to Siena’s President’s Cabinet and
Associate Professor of Education, Paulli wrote that
Catholic colleges and universities, unlike many
institutions of higher education, encourage students to
make connections to the larger world by helping the
poor and fighting for social justice.
“The difference is that we integrate the life of the
mind including our rich Catholic intellectual tradition
with the life of service and the life of worship because that’s who we are,
not something we do,” Paulli said.

SIENA 9
 A Run
Like No
Other
By Jason Rich ’97

T
he last three years have provided Siena basketball fans with some of the greatest moments in the
program’s 70-year history. The 2009-10 Saints equaled a program record by posting 27 wins and
advancing to the NCAA Tournament. As a 13 seed, they just missed upsetting another team from
the Big Ten when they lost to Purdue University, 72-64. Still, Siena became the only school in the country
to win its regular-season and tournament championship each of the past three seasons.
The Saints stormed through the MAAC, winning a conference record 17 games (17-1). The team also
continued to receive national recognition, earning votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA
Today Coaches’ Poll for most of the season, while having six games televised nationally.
At one point, Siena boasted the nation’s longest winning streak, which reached a program record of 15
games. Capital Region fans came out in record numbers to cheer on the Saints. More than 133,000 fans
attended Siena home games this year, an average of 7,853 per game. The electrifying atmosphere at the
Times Union Center helped extend the Saints’ home-court winning streak to an astounding 38 games, the
second longest streak in the country.
Alex Franklin ’10, Ronald Moore ’10 and Edwin Ubiles ’10 completed three of the most stellar careers
in Siena basketball history. Franklin was named MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Tournament MVP.
He became the first player to record at least 1,700 career points and 900 career rebounds. Moore led the
nation with 261 assists (7.7/game) and finished his career 23rd all-time in Division I with a MAAC record
of 823 career assists. Ubiles was a Lou Henson All-American and a MAAC Second Team selection. He led
the Saints with 18 points in the NCAA Tournament game against Purdue, raising his career total to 1,939 –
the third highest point total in history of the Siena men’s basketball program.
Although the Saints have big shoes to fill next season with the departures of the “Big Three” and Head
Coach Fran McCaffery, there is a lot to look forward to. Rising seniors Ryan Rossiter ’12 and Clarence
Jackson ’12 were All-MAAC selections this year and are set to serve as the leaders for a Saints’ squad that
will look to capture its fourth straight MAAC Championship and extend the team’s most successful run.

SIENA 10
Please, Mr. President, Pick Siena!
Siena’s student leaders wanted to make sure that President Barack Obama was thinking about the Saints
while he was making this year’s basketball tournament picks. During the week leading up to the NCAA
tournament, members of the Student Senate sent a letter to encourage Obama to choose the Siena Saints in
his NCAA Tournament bracket this year.
Last year, President Obama picked Ohio State to beat Siena in the opening round of the tournament. His
bracket was busted when Ronald Moore drained a three pointer in double overtime to beat the Buckeyes.
Along with reminding the president about Siena’s past success in the “Big Dance” and pointing out the
Saints’ accomplishments this season, the letter highlighted some of the team members’ accomplishments off
the court, including their community service and academic achievements.
“Our pride for our basketball team reaches far beyond what it does on the court,” said Student Senate
President Stephen Archer ’11. “The Saints embody
many of the things President Obama has asked
the country to stand for. The team, like the rest of
the Siena community, is dedicated to volunteering,
helping those in need and serving as positive
role models.”
Congressman Paul Tonko brought the letter
to the White House.

To see video about this story

visit www.siena.edu/news
and search “President Obama”

SIENA 11
 March Madness generated $6.1 million
in publicity value for Siena College*
* according to eNR PR, a media tracking agency

Siena’s Latest Fan:

Jimmy Fallon By Jim Eaton

On his March 17 show, NBC late-night talk-show host

Jimmy Fallon made the Siena Saints his pick to go all the way
in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
“The team we’re backing this year is a favorite among bracketologists —
and believe me, I’ve done a lot of bracketological research — so I’m proud
to announce the 2010 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon NCAA Tournament
pick: the Siena Saints,” Fallon said. (Bracketology is the process of predicting
the field of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.)
Fallon’s sister, Gloria, graduated from Siena in 1995. Fallon said he also
applied to Siena but he was not accepted.
“That doesn’t matter now — none of it matters. All that matters is the
13th-seeded Siena Saints have a very realistic chance of beating the 4th-
seeded Purdue Boilermakers in the first round of the tourney on Friday,”
he said.
The day before Siena played its NCAA tournament game, Siena
employees packed a courier truck with Siena-branded items for Fallon’s
show, including 200 t-shirts, 50 foam fingers, 250 “March on Siena”
and “Let’s Go, Saints” signs, a necktie and
a coffee mug. The admissions office also
To see video about this story
included a spoof acceptance letter into Siena’s visit www.siena.edu/news
bracketology program. and search “Jimmy Fallon”

Mitch is the Man for Siena

Mitch Buonaguro became the 15th head men’s basketball coach in program history
on April 8, 2010. The top assistant on the Siena staff for the past five years, Buonaguro
inherits a team that has won 27 games each of the past two seasons.
“I’m humbled,” he said. “I understand how important this program is to a lot of people,
to the administration, to the community. One thing I guarantee is that I’ll represent the
college and the program in a first-class manner. And certainly we will win.” Buonaguro
referred to the Siena coaching position as his “dream job.”
Widely regarded as one of the most experienced and respected assistant coaches in
the country, Buonaguro has helped guide the Saints to a 112-51 mark since arriving in
Loudonville and has been an integral part of three straight MAAC Regular Season and
Tournament Championships. Fran McCaffrey, his predecessor, was hired as the head
coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team.

SIENA 12
 ON CAMPUS NEWS

Ringing the NASDAQ Bell

Siena students, faculty, and administrators joined Trustco Bank executives to ring the opening bell at
NASDAQ in Times Square in early February.
“Opening up one of the world’s largest financial markets is something that any college finance major
would like to do,” said Stephen Rosamino ’10.
An invitation from Trustco, which is listed on NASDAQ, set the event in motion, giving the students the
thrill of a lifetime. Two top Trustco executives sit on the Siena College Board of Trustees: Robert Cushing ’77
and Robert J. McCormick ’87. Both attended the NASDAQ event. After sounding the bell, the Siena group
explored the headquarters, visited the Bank of America building and toured the Merrill Lynch fixed-income
trading floor.
Rosamino said the experience was good for the students and the College. “Even though the opening bell is
only shown on TV for about 15 seconds, it is excellent exposure for the school,” he said. “Having a five-story
Siena College logo flashing in Manhattan for more than an hour isn’t bad either!”

SIENA 13
 Siena’s Road Through Morocco
By Hildy Marinello ’11

During winter break, 14 students had the opportunity to explore one of the
world’s most exotic and culturally rich countries, Morocco. Deb Kelly, Ph.D.,
assistant professor of management, led the study tour that was offered as a
one-credit Global Connections course.
“The trip was a lot of fun and allowed us to explore
and experience another culture and country,” said Jill Duarte ’11.
The Siena group toured Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Marrakech.
In each town, the group visited medinas, or markets. The group also had
the opportunity to tour two universities in Casablanca, where they met
students and faculty members.
A highlight of the trip was when Siena students
appeared on stage during a dinner show in Fez.
Students also witnessed the snowy Middle Atlas
Mountains and experienced the thrill of riding a
camel on the beach.
“I would encourage anyone who has the
opportunity to visit Morocco to do so; it is a
remarkable country,” said Duarte.

SIENA 14
An Adventure in Costa Rica
By Hildy Marinello ’11

One of the most adventurous classes at Siena College is Tropical

Biology. The fall 2009 course culminated with a research trip to Costa
Rica during spring break. For two weeks, 17 students studied
tropical ecology and biodiversity in one of the world’s most
biologically diverse countries. They visited ecosystems in various
types of forest, including a dry, a wet and a cloud forest. “Each
spot offered a different forest for us to explore,” said
Morgan Fryer ’11.
The Siena students also experienced Costa Rican culture and
lived in a range of environments. “It was fun sleeping in bunk beds
draped with mosquito nets,” said Paul Sesink Clee ’10.
The trip was led by Andrea Worthington, Ph.D., professor
of biology; Kate Meierdiercks, Ph.D., assistant professor of
environmental studies; and Chris Harbison, Ph.D., assistant
professor of biology.

SIENA 15
 Helping Haiti
In the wake of the recent devastation in Haiti,
the College implemented its own relief effort
known as Saints for Haiti. Students collected
money from fans at men’s basketball games, by
donating meals in Serra Hall and by showing their talents during the annual Expoze performance.
The money was given to the people of Haiti through Catholic Relief Services.
“We’re very fortunate to be at this school and to even have an opportunity like this. It makes us feel like
we’re coming out and doing something that’s more than watching a basketball game. We’re doing some
good and doing something fun, too,” said Alyssa Herrmann ’13.
The tragedy gave new meaning to a 10-year-old Siena tradition as well. Siena’s 10th annual Wine Tasting
for Haiti raised more than $2,000. Organizers pushed up the event to ensure that the proceeds would
help the rural village of Fondwa rebuild immediately. With Siena’s help, it had developed an orphanage,
drinkable water sources and a health clinic.
“This year, the support has been overwhelming. We had a full house, with well over 20 students. The
mix of people were as important as the wine,” said philosophy professor and event organizer
Ray Boisvert, Ph. D.

Living Dr. King’s Legacy

The Sarazen Student Union was transformed into an energetic
conference center when nearly 200 middle and high school
students from about 20 Capital Region schools came together to
talk about stopping prejudice and fighting violence.
“Lots of work takes place in individual schools, but this is the
one place where lots of kids from many different schools and
different economic and racial backgrounds get together to talk
about these issues,” said Associate Vice President for Academic
Affairs Peter Ellard, Ph.D.
The annual gathering is called the STOP Conference. STOP
stands for Students Together Opposing Prejudice. Anti-
Defamation League facilitators guided small-group discussions,
giving students tools to battle bullying, discrimination
and violence.
“We’re just going to stand up to people who do that and tell
them that this is wrong and they shouldn’t be doing this because
it’s just not nice. Everybody needs to feel like they fit in,” said
Hoosick Falls High School senior Cheryl Bisson.
The STOP Conference is part of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
and Coretta Scott King Lecture Series.
“Dr. King was all about teaching peace and justice and
teaching against discrimination in any form, whether it has to
do with weight, sexual orientation or the color of one’s skin.
I think Dr. King would be
proud that we’re continuing To see video about this story
that legacy in our own way,” visit www.siena.edu/news
Ellard said. and search “STOP Conference”

SIENA 16
Moot Court Mock
Trial Advances
to Nationals
By Christine Maccarone ’10

For the third time in seven

years, the Moot Court Mock
Trial Team advanced to the
opening round of the American
Mock Trial Association’s
national championship
tournament at Pace University Law School.
“This is the second time that our team has moved on to the Nationals. It is quite an honor,” said team
captain Michael Ellement ’10. To succeed, the students must effectively argued both sides of a case. During the
competition, students act as attorneys and witnesses.
“The students train on a weekly basis on all elements of the case. They are involved in legal argumentation,
deposition and affidavit examination, cross-examination, evidentiary standards and procedures provided by
AMTA and our coaches, who are experienced trial litigators,” said Political Science Professor Len Cutler, Ph.D.
Pre-law students said being on the team has given them a better understanding of the demands
of building a strong case.
“I’ve enhanced my knowledge of the law and developed a few friendships along the way. It is a sizeable
commitment, but it has turned out to be well worth it,” said Michael DiSiena ’10.

Pretty in Pink
By Mark Adam

The Siena women’s basketball team raised

more than $12,000 to fight breast cancer during
its 10th annual “Pink Zone” game against
Loyola University of Maryland. Usually a sea of
green and gold, the Alumni Recreation Center
was pretty in pink, as players, coaches and
fans raised money for Capital Region Action
Against Breast Cancer.
“Our Pink Zone game was a huge success because of the
generosity of our sponsors and the entire Capital District community,” said Head Coach Gina Castelli. “I
am happy that Siena women’s basketball could provide the platform for CRAAB to raise the funds it needs
to continue to make a difference in the community.”
Siena players and coaches escorted breast cancer survivors onto the court during team introductions,
recognizing them for their courageous battle against the disease. At halftime, the Patricia Brown Memorial
Scholarship was awarded to three area youths who created bookmarks that describe ways to fight breast
cancer. The winners were given scholarships to Siena sports camps.

SIENA 17
 TAP and HEOP Celebrate
Milestone Birthdays
By Christine Maccarone ’10

New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program

turned 35 this year while the Higher Education
Opportunity Program turned 40. The Commission
of Independent Colleges and Universities hosted a
celebration for both programs in Albany’s Legislative
Office Building.
“TAP and HEOP have helped millions of people
afford college. I will remember the big smiles of
students who came to place a face on student aid,”
said cIcu communication and advocacy assistant
Michelle Pickering ’09.
During the celebration, Siena College HEOP
students Derrell Melton ’10 and Melissa Infante ’11
addressed the crowd and supporters wrote messages
to their legislators.
“I have built relationships with many people at
Siena College, which will help me reach my career
goals. If it was not for TAP, I would not be here,”
said Infante.
TAP and HEOP provide financial support to
New York state residents seeking higher education.
Since its inception, TAP assists high school graduates
by awarding eligible students up to $5,000 in tuition
assistance. Likewise, HEOP provides disadvantaged
students with counseling, tutoring and money for
books, transportation and other expenses.

Derrell Melton ’10, economics

major, spoke to the audience

and legislators at the

Commission on Independent

Colleges and Universities’

(cIcu) birthday celebration in

February for the TAP and HEOP

programs of New York state.

SIENA 18
Crowning Mr. Siena
By Christine Maccarone ’10

Move over Miss America, Mr. Siena is coming through.

This year, the honor went to Alex Mazza ’12.
“It means that I put on a good show for my friends and
the judges, and that’s all I was out to do,” Mazza said.
Six hundred people packed the Sarazen Student Union to
see eight Siena heartthrobs strut their stuff to raise money for
Habitat for Humanity.
The contestants participated in a variety of events,
including the formal wear competition, a talent contest and
Good Old-Fashioned Family Fun
choreographed dances, raising $2,700 in the process. They may not be old enough to take college
“I loved the talent portion of the contest. I never knew that classes, but as the Student Events Board’s annual
these guys could move like that,” said Shawna Sammis ’10. Siblings Weekend proved, you’re never too young to
Mr. Siena started five years ago as a fun and interactive way enjoy Siena’s community spirit.
to help support Habitat for Humanity projects, including More than 170 brothers and sisters of current
spring break trips to North and South Carolina. students came to campus in mid-March for a variety
“The Habitat club goes on multiple trips throughout the of ’50s-themed festivities, including a sock hop, a Rock
year and sponsors its own Around the Clock Carnival and a music trivia dinner.
Siena House here in Albany,” Mark your calendars for next year’s sibling weekend-
To see video about this story
said Mr. Siena Chairperson visit www.siena.edu/news March 25-27, 2011.
and search “Mr. Siena”
Alexandra Georgieva ’12.

SIENA 19
 FACULTY NEWS

Ricciardi Receives
Kennedy Center
Grant
Paul Ricciardi, assistant professor
of creative arts, has been awarded
one of six Kennedy Center National
Teaching Artist grants for 2010. The
award will support his continued
research in voice training for theatre.
Ricciardi came to Siena in fall 2009 to
teach acting, voice and movement in
the theatre program.
Ricciardi’s work focuses on
the Linklater Technique, an
internationally recognized method
that connects vocal skills with the
actor’s emotions.
Ricciardi serves as the resident
voice, speech and dialect coach for
the Siena College theatre program.
As an actor and award-winning solo
performer, he has worked extensively
throughout New York City and
regionally. Recent regional theatre
credits include Love Song at Chester
Theatre Company, The New Play
Festival at Proctor’s Theatre and Take
Me Out at Boston’s Speakeasy
Stage (IRNE Award, best ensemble).
He is directing George Bernard
Shaw’s Pygmalion at Siena this spring.

SIENA 20
Bridging the GAAP History Prof Named to
The job prospects for U.S. accounting students may depend, in
part, on Chester Brearey. Brearey, assistant professor of accounting,
National Council
recently received $10,000 from the PricewaterhouseCoopers Barbara Reeves-
Charitable Foundation to investigate new ways of bringing Ellington, Ph.D.,
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) into the associate professor of
classroom. If he’s successful, generations of U.S. students will leave history, was named to
college better qualified for accounting positions around the world. the Phi Alpha Theta
Right now, college students who graduate as accountants are up National Council, the
against an imposing roadblock. The United States is the only nation national honor society
still using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to for history at the college
maintain and audit corporate books. The rest of the world uses and university level. She
IFRS. By and large, U.S. colleges don’t teach IFRS yet because the was one of seven faculty
flexibility and professional judgment embedded in IFRS will make advisors chosen to
fuzzy numbers a certainty and comparability an impossibility. serve as national councilor out of 870 candidates.
“That makes it very difficult for their students to find accounting Reeves-Ellington has taught United States
jobs or internships in other countries,” Brearey pointed out. “The history at Siena since 2003.
Big four, for instance, offer very desirable internships in Europe, Her current work examines the ways in which
but you can’t get them if you don’t know IFRS.” The Big four American Protestant missionaries exported ideas
consists of the largest networks of accounting firms in the world. about religion, gender and race to the Ottoman
Empire; as well as how Orthodox Christians in
the empire negotiated and rearticulated those
ideas during a period of increasing sectarianism
in the Ottoman domains. She was a Fulbright
fellow at the Institute of Balkan Studies,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 1999-2000,
and a fellow at the Leslie Humanities Institute,
Dartmouth College, in fall 2002.

Reeves-Ellington recently
published a book titled
Competing Kingdoms:
Women, Mission, Nation,
and the American
Protestant Empire, 1812-
1960 (Duke University
Press). The book
rethinks the importance
of women and religion
within U.S. imperial culture from the early
nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth.

SIENA 21
 SAINTS CORNER

Saints in the Community

By Jason Rich ’97

From soup kitchens to elementary schools, Siena’s student-athletes give of their time each year
to enrich the Capital Region community through the Saints in the Community program. During
the 2009-2010 academic year, student athletes spent more than 2,000 hours volunteering.

O.D. Anosike ’13, Davis Martens ’13 and Kyle Griffin ’11 from the men’s
basketball team volunteered at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New
York. They sifted through bins of donated apples and packed them for needy
families. The Saints’ visit coincided with a food drive during the Mount St.
Mary’s game at the Times Union Center during which a record amount of
food — 755 pounds — was collected. An additional $750 was raised through
raffle donations.

The field hockey team prepared a meal at the Ronald Meghan Yi ’11 of the cross
McDonald House in Albany. Each of the athletic country team spent time with
teams visits the house during the academic year to a youngster during her team’s
prepare a meal for the families of sick children who recent visit to Colonie to
are staying there. meet the Shooting Stars, an
organization that matches local
high school and college athletic
teams with youngsters with
The women’s
special needs who are ages 5-21
basketball team visited
years old.
the Eddy Heritage House Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center in Troy on New
Year’s Eve. Players and coaches sang,
danced and spent time with the home’s
residents to raise their spirits.

Cate Quinlan ’10 of the The men’s lacrosse team volunteered at

women’s lacrosse team
worked with her teammates
on a Habitat for Humanity
house on North Pearl Street
in Albany. The project
was part of Collegiate
Challenge, a program
organized by Habitat for
Humanity. The Saints
built a deck and tore down
a dilapidated shed.
the 50th annual Center for Disability
Services Telethon in January. It marked
the fifth year the Saints have worked the
phones and accepted donations on behalf
of the center.
Captains Matt
Leithead ’10, Kyle
Vercruysse ’10 and
Mike Whalen ’10
presented a check
for $1,000.

SIENA 22
 ALUMNI CONNECTION

PROUD TO BE
SAINTS!
By Lisa Dussault ’10

Throughout the year’s momentous men’s basketball season,

Siena alumni across the country gathered to cheer on their Saints
at “game watches.” Alumni gathered for conference games, the Bracketbusters, MAAC
Tournament and the NCAA Tournament game. These gatherings occurred in Albuquerque;
Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Buffalo, Kingston, Latham; Novi, Michigan; Syracuse, Troy
and Spokane.
“The watch parties are a great way for our alumni to stay connected with the
college, with each other, and to share our Siena pride,” said Mary Beth Finnerty
‘85, director of alumni relations. The events were organized by regional club
coordinators with the assistance of Janice Goca, assistant director of
alumni relations.
During the first round of the NCAA tournament, fiercely loyal fans followed
the team at game watches in nine cities.
“One of the great things that Siena alumni can still enjoy is rallying behind our
Saints! We had alumni of all ages sitting side-by-side, cheering on the green and
gold,” said John Palmeri ‘05.

SIENA 23
 Mrs. V
Remembering a Life
Well Lived and a
Woman Well Loved
M atilda Vawter, known as
“Mrs. V” to the Siena community, worked for
31 years in the College’s dining hall, where she
brought smiles to thousands of students’ faces.
She would greet all the students coming for
meals with a generous smile.
“She knew all of the students by name,
which was good, or not so good if you were
trying to sneak into 21 club,” said Norm
Kvam, director of dining services.
“She loved the students. Siena was her
second life,” said her daughter, Celeste Gross.
On Jan. 9, Mrs. V died at age 85.
Although Mrs. V was beloved by
generations of Siena students, most of them
did not know what an inspiring life she
led. After graduating from high school, she
enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during
WWII. “She was very avant-garde for the
era,” said Gross.
Mrs. V met her husband, Lt. Col. Elton
Lee Vawter, while in the Navy working
as a teletype operator. They met on
opposite sides of the teletype. After a long
conversation, Mrs. V asked Elton, “Are you
RON?” which meant, “Are you remaining
overnight, on the ship?” He replied that

SIENA
SIENA 24 24
 Scholarship to
Honor Mrs. V
Sodexo Food Services is
partnering with the Siena
community to endow a
scholarship to honor Mrs.V.
For every $2 donated, Sodexo
will match $1 up to $10,000
he was, and they continued to talk late into the night. Then they met for breakfast toward the Matilda B. Vawter
the next morning. They named their son Ron. He later attended Siena as a member Scholarship. The scholarship
of the class of 1971. He was an acclaimed actor until his death in 1994, appearing in will be established by Sodexo
Philadelphia and The Silence of the Lambs. and Mrs. V’s family and
Through her son, Mrs. V met Tom Hanks and Andie McDowell. She hosted friends to perpetuate the
Willem Dafoe in her home on many occasions. memory of her spirit and
When stationed in San Diego, she was offered a ride in a helicopter. When she got kindness. It will be awarded
off, she thanked the pilot and asked his name. It turned out that the pilot was Igor
to a student based on need.
Sikorsky, the inventor of the first successful helicopter. She also would watch a group
“It’s nice that the college
of young men practicing baseball, who, she said, were trying to start up a team. That
is honoring someone who
team later became the San Diego Padres.
had such an impact on Siena
Mrs. V was a world traveler. She took her family on trips to Europe, the Soviet
Union (she was there when the General Secretary of the Communist Party, and its students,” said Kvam.
Konstantin Chernenko, died) and beyond. She toured Israel with a Siena group. In All those wishing to make
her late 70s, she traveled the Inside Passage of Alaska. a contribution to the Matilda
When the Siena basketball team played at Madison Square Garden in 1994, B. Vawter Scholarship
students invited her along. can do so online at
“I tried calling her around dinnertime and she didn’t answer. I figured she just www.siena.edu/mrsv,
didn’t hear her phone. We turned on the Siena game and there she was in the middle or by making a check to
of the student cheering section, holding up a foam finger,” said Gross. Siena College and placing
“She was always busy at Siena. She judged Halloween contests, the multicultural “Matilda B. Vawter
fashion shows. It kept her independent,” said Gross.
Scholarship” on the memo
Upon her retirement, Mrs. V was awarded the Vice President for Student Affairs
line. Checks should be
Special Recognition Award for her long and faithful service to 31 classes of Siena
mailed to Siena College
College students.
Development and External
“She didn’t want to retire, but as her health deteriorated and she began using a
walker, she worried that it would affect the students,” said Gross. Affairs, 515 Loudon Road,
When Mrs. V moved into her daughter’s home six years ago, they found Mrs. V’s Loudonville, NY 12211.
house was filled with Siena memorabilia—including a beer mug with her photo on it! For more information,
Even in the weeks and days leading up to her death, Mrs. V was Mrs. V. “You never please call the Development
knew what she would come out with,” said Gross. “She enjoyed life.” Office, 1-888-SIENA4U
Mrs. V died wearing her Siena class ring. (1-888-743-6248).

Visit www.siena.edu/mrsv
SIENA 25
 Letters from the Heart
The following are excerpts from letters written by student scholarship recipients to their donors.

Dear Mr. Barrett and Mr. Murphy,

Dear Mrs. Raub, This is my fourth and final year at
Siena. I am both scared and
Siena has given me a excited for graduation, knowing that
I can now utilize what I learned
great education, and I am from Siena and build a path of my
own. There will be many obstacles
really looking forward to in the future, but knowing Siena has
prepared me well for what is
my senior year. My ahead gives me a boost of confidence
. I am truly thankful for your
favorite class (also the financial assistance with all of my
heart.
most challenging) I would not have been able to do so
much and not have
is Advanced Investments to worry about affording college if
not for your
with Dr. Girard. Although generosity. I hope this scholarship
will continue
feeling to benefit future Siena students.
it was very demanding, I came out
It insp ired me
fulfilled and wanting more. Sincerely,
uate .
to go into investing after I grad Pui Jan J. Ma ’11
getting
I greatly value the education I am
rece ive this
at Siena and am honored to Ma is an economics major and recip
ory.
scholarship in your loved one’s mem Barrett ’59 and Thomas J. Murphy
ient of The J. Patrick
’67 Scholarship.
Sincerely,
Bryan Daly ’10
Dear Ms. Apps,
Siena has influenced my
of The Franciscan tradition at h
Daly is a finance major and recipient to share this tradition throug
l Scho larsh ip Fund. life in many ways. I am able ce, where I
The William R. Raub Memoria ng with the admissions offi
liturgical ministry and worki nce with
about the Franciscan experie
have the opportunity to talk education
Siena is a unique school; the
prospective students. I feel love
cannot be put into words. I
and friendships I have made
tinued support makes it
attending Siena and your con
ily, affordable for me.
Dear Bond Fam
of the
Being a part
m un ity Sincerely,
Franciscan com
ve n m e Jill Pabis ’10
of Siena has gi
an d
the knowledge recipient of The Mary
serve Pabis is a chemistry major and
passion to help
. I have Burke Apps ’53 Scholarship.
the community
om a
just returned fr Rica and
k m is si on ar y trip to Costa
tw o- w ee itude of those
a. E xp er iencing the grat
Pa na m ly gave me a
e so un de rprivileged real Dear Mr. and Mrs. Crouch,
w ho ar termination
rs pe ct iv e on life and a de I am writing to thank you for
awarding me the
ne w pe to provide
de di ca te m y professional life scholarship in memory of you
r son Brian. It is difficult
to d.
e underprivilege to afford one college educat
health care for th u fo r yo ur worked to send three of us
ion, but my family has
thank yo
I would like to te d do na tio n has with one more coming next
here in the past six years,
ro si ty. Y ou r kindhear year. Your substantial
ge ne an u yo
ed m y fa m ily and me more th contribution is truly a blessin
g.
he lp This summer, I spent six we
.
could ever know my summer of service. I wo
eks in El Salvador for
the border of Honduras and rked in a health clinic near
later assisted in a wound clin
Sincerely, hospital, where I got to exp ic at a San Salvador
0 erience the healing process
Jessica Badale ’1 you for allowing me to hav
e these experiences.
first hand. Thank
pient of
y major and reci
Badale is a biolog hi p.
Sincerely,
ily Scholars
The Bond Fam Steve Hannigan ’10

Hannigan is a biology major

and recipient of The Brian M. SIENA 25
Crouch Scholarship.
 Leaving
A Legacy
C reating a legacy at Siena was a natural thing to do for Christine Hause ’89 and her husband, Jeff. Hause’s
parents taught her at an early age to appreciate what she had and to share with others. Reflecting back, that spirit
was reinforced by the education she received at Siena.
“I received a quality education that made me push the limits of what I could accomplish and understand the
importance of values, ethics and the spirit of giving back,” says Hause. “Dr. Martino gave me my interest in law; Dr.
Santilli gave me confidence in my writing; Dr. Rossetti confirmed my passion for sales and marketing; and so many
other professors instilled the thirst for knowledge and continued intellectual growth.”
Endowing a scholarship at Siena College assured Hause and her husband that generations of students will receive
the same Franciscan education that she received.
“With the help of my parents and a financial-aid package, along with working two jobs, I was able to receive a great
education that has served me well in my life,” Hause said. “Siena remains a very important part of me, and we want to
be able to provide that same opportunity to future Siena students. Education opens minds and doors, two things that
should never be closed.”
After graduating from Siena, Hause spent 10 years in the nonprofit world prior to joining Charlotte State Bank,
where she is a vice president in the Trust & Investment Management Department.
“Charitable giving was a natural outgrowth of working with nonprofits. With my present work, using estate
planning to accomplish our charitable goals made good sense,” she said.
Living 1,300 miles away doesn’t allow Christine to return to Loudonville often, but every trip home to see her
family includes a visit to campus to “see how much the College has grown and to recharge the Franciscan
tradition battery.”
If you would like to learn more about creating your legacy at Siena College, please contact Jack Sise ’75,
director of gift planning, 518-783-2432 or jsise@siena.edu for a confidential discussion.

SIENA 27
 class notes
Editors: Victoria Abdulla ’07, Development Assistant, and Janice Goca, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations.
Please submit all of your class notes information to your class coordinator; or if there is no coordinator listed for your class,
please send all information to classnotes@siena.edu for posting in the magazine!
1951
John Hourigan
joninca@comcast.net
Charles Jeseo
charltax@aol.com
We are happy to announce that
two members of the class of 1951
have stepped up to be the Class
Notes coordinators for our class.
The first is Charles Jeseo and the
second is John Hourigan. Please
e-mail them with any updates you
might have. Below is an update
from John.
Hey, classmates! Let’s tell the
rest of the Siena community what
we’ve been up to. Send me your
notes, and I’ll be glad to create a
column of your stories.
As for us, we keep busy running
up and down the west coast,
visiting children and grandchil-
dren, holding a family camp every
summer somewhere between San
Francisco and Seattle, gardening,
computing and checking out the
latest movies. I’m really enjoy-
ing the new, almost unbelievable
technologies that stretch from
my slide rule (c. 1948) to a super
fast Apple computer and now, the
iPad. To escape the rainy winters,
we’ve been hitting Puerto Vallarta,
Mexico for the past few years, and
often I see old friends there who are
also escaping the weather around
Albany and New York.
After graduating from Siena,
Lawrence Mahar went into the
Army and served in the Army of
Occupation in Germany, following
the defeat of Germany in World
War II. He authored a book titled
Living with the Enemy, which
details his experiences in Germany.
Incidentally, a while back one of his
plays was performed by the Siena
theater group. He also has another
published story that details how he
got his Siena degree by success-
fully hitchhiking from Saratoga to
Siena the 3 1/2 years it took him to
graduate. He wound up being a vice
president of a New York City ad-
SIENA 28
ALUMNI
vertising agency before he retired in
1980 and started his own business.
thoughts and prayers to his wife,
Mary, and his family.
1969
Joe Condon received the Capital
Tell me what you all have been During Siena’s wonderful basket-
District Keys for Kids “Gratitude”
doing, and I’ll be happy to be the ball season, many of our classmates
Award. Capital District Keys for
class note-taker. made it to the game from out of
Kids is a free nonprofit program
’Bye for now. Hope to hear town including Carmen Cognetta,
designed to teach youth ages 7 to
from you! Jerry DeFrancisco and Denny
15 how to read, play and appreciate
Dobbyn.
music. Joe and his wife, Kathleen,
1959 Class notes only works if you
are residents of Menands, N.Y. Joe
Frank Martin send your news to me at the e-mail
is public affairs director for Albany
ftmartin@nycap.rr.com above. I need your help. All the best
Broadcasting Company, Inc.
to you and yours!
1962
Ken Deitcher
dukaytravel@att.net
1965 A Life-Changing Gift
Jack Mulvey, Jr.
jkmulvey@gmail.com
1967
Rick Spataro
rspataro001@twcny.rr.com
61 State Street
Malone, NY 12953
518-483-3566
1968
Bill McGoldrick
bmcgoldrick@wash-mcg.com
The last time that I wrote these
notes, it was with the sad news of
John Dawson’s death. This month,
unfortunately, I have to report the
passing of two more classmates.
Bill Keon died last October.
Bill was a successful and respected As Dan McKillop ’69 reflected on his 40th anniversary of
businessman, active in his Coral graduating from Siena, he wanted to make a big impact.
Gables, Fla. community, and an avid He wanted to do something that would be life-changing for
outdoorsman who loved the water generations of Siena students to come. Dan and Irene, his
and the company of his entire fam-
wife, decided to endow a scholarship for students who might
ily. We all extend our condolences
be struggling to make the dream of a Siena education a
to his wife, Pat, and his sons.
reality. “It was the best way to honor my 40th reunion,” said
Pete DeGaetano passed away
Dan. “I never thought that I could make such a direct impact
March 4, 2010. Pete was an All-
America baseball player at Siena and on students’ lives, but to be able to help them join the Siena
community is a wonderful feeling.”
when he attended our last reunion,
he bragged about being the oldest
If you’re thinking about celebrating your milestone reunion
player at the alumni baseball game.
by supporting Siena students, please contact Mike Utzig,
Pete had a successful 40-year career
associate director of the annual fund at 518-783-2914 or
in the cosmetic industry and was
executive vice president of Verla
mutizg@siena.edu.
International Ltd. We all extend our
1972
Jack Callahan
Jackcallahan33@gmail.com
1973
Brian Valentine
bgvalentine@verizon.net
202-586 -9741
Greetings to all of the Siena
College community — alumni, stu-
dents, faculty, trustees, and friends!
We have news from two of our
Class of ’73 classmates. Joseph
Cardillo (B.A., English), professor
of English at Hudson Valley
Community College and best-
selling author of the nonfiction
books Be Like Water and Bow to
Life, recently announced the world-
wide release of his latest book, CAN
I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?
How To Think Fast, Find Your
Focus, and Sharpen Your Concen-
tration. The book combines ancient,
attention-building processes with
cutting-edge attention research in
psychology, neurology and biology.
It presents a redefinition of atten-
tion deficit and reveals a variety
of natural, non-medical tools that
can significantly improve anyone’s
attention! Cardillo’s work has also
been contracted for foreign transla-
tion editions in 10 languages.
John Penzer (B.A., English) was
named executive director of Shelters
of Saratoga (SOS). SOS offers a
broad continuum of services to
the homeless and at-risk homeless,
including a 19-bed homeless shelter
for men and women, home repair
to allow qualified individuals to
remain in their homes, rapid re-
housing, case management, mobile
outreach and transitional living.
Class of ’73— please send me
news about yourselves, and your
families, too! We would love to hear
about you.
1975
Janet Gutowski Hall
janet.hall@wku.edu
1977
Linda Fitzsimmons
lfitzsimmons@hvc.rr.com
Chris Madden of Callanan
Industries was honored by the
Commission on Independent
Colleges and Universities Alumni
Hall of Distinction. Honorees were
recognized in an awards ceremony
on March 1, 2010 at the New York
State Capitol. Chris is the National
Division President of Old Castle
Materials, Inc., a company that
produces crushed stone, asphalt
and ready-mix concrete products,
and is one of the largest asphalt
paving contractors in the markets in
which they operate. Additionally,
Chris received Siena’s Distinguished
Alumni Award in 2007, which
recognized his specific service
contributions to improve the Siena
community. Chris is married to
Carleen Nelson Madden, and they
have three daughters: Katharine, 20,
Elizabeth, 18, and Sarah, 15.
1978
Brian Baker of Bordentown,
N.J. has been granted a six-month
sabbatical leave from the New Jer-
sey Education Association (NJEA)
to investigate the core relationship
between politics and the media
today and where that relationship is
trending. His study will focus heav-
ily on the 2008 Presidential race in
which the Obama campaign tapped
most effectively into the power of
this “new” news media and inspired
a new generation of citizens to
vote for the first time. It also will
consider the media’s increasing
dependence on “spin” and interpre-
tive commentary at the expense
of hard informational content in
television and radio news report-
ing. A lobbyist for NJEA for 10
years, Brian will produce an internal
organizational report on how the
Association can best make use of
new technology to support public
education and to shape the political
agenda in New Jersey. Prior to
that, he worked as editor of NJEA’s
member newspaper and as a writer/
reporter for various publications in
Albany, N.Y. His leave began
January 1, 2010.
Mark Grimm was recently
named Trainer of the Year at the
annual conference for the Hudson-
Mohawk chapter of the American
Society of Training and Develop-
ment. Grimm is the founder of
Mark Grimm Communications,
a Guilderland firm that provides
public speaking training, media re-
lations and message strategy. He is a
former Entrepreneur of the Year for
the Guilderland Chamber of Com-
merce. He is a published author,
the producer/host of Siena Alumni
Connection on WVCR, an adjunct
media professor at Siena and a
Guilderland Town Board member.
1979
Sue Reilly/Hayes
CLIFTON522@aol.com
522 Chili-Riga Town Line Road
Churchville, NY 14428
585-889-2072
I recently received a lovely
e-mail from classmate Elizabeth
Bouchard, an English major who
commuted to Siena from Latham,
where she still resides. She received
her master’s in library science from NEWSMAKER
SUNY Albany in 1984, and works
as the catalog librarian at Bethlehem
Public Library in Delmar. She is
also a part-time reference librarian
and archivist for Maria College in
Albany. She shared a heartwarming
story that I’ll let her recount in her
own words: “I wanted to share how
Siena came through for me recently.
My father, Arthur J. Bouchard,
attended Siena after he came home Chris Madden ’77
from serving as a combat engineer
of Callanan Industries was
in Europe during World War II.
honored by the Commission
In 2005, Dad was diagnosed with
on Independent Colleges and
esophageal cancer and I became
Universities Alumni Hall of
his primary caregiver. In 2007, we
Distinction
learned that the cancer had returned.
I brought Dad home again, and
called Community Hospice. I also
called the Siena Campus Ministry NEWSMAKER
and spoke with Father Kevin Daly,
O.F.M. (Note: Fr. Kevin was a
member of Siena’s Campus Ministry
team until August 2009, when he
was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s
Church in East Rutherford, N.J.)
Although we belong to a local
parish, I wanted to bring Dad back
to Siena. I told Father Kevin the
circumstances, and asked if we
could use the chapel for Dad’s
memorial mass. He was very
Brian Baker ’78
gracious, and welcomed us. On
of Bordentown, N.J. has been
April 5, 2008, the night Dad
granted a sabbatical leave
died, I called Father Kevin, and
from the New Jersey
he immediately offered to come
Education Association
to the house for prayers and to
to investigate the core
give Dad a blessing. He was there
relationship between politics
in 10 minutes, and stayed with
and the media today
my family and me until after the
funeral director left. We were able
to have Dad’s Mass the very next
Saturday at Our Lady of the Angels and five kids, and Uncle Bob and
Chapel on the Siena campus. Father his wife Mary Alice are retired and
Kevin also allowed my two griev- settled in Brant Lake.”
ing nephews, Alexander, 13, and Check out the wedding photo
Christopher, 11, to say the eulogy section for a lovely shot of Peter
for their beloved Papa. After they and Kathleen Canter Ognibene,
spoke, Father Kevin remarked that who were featured in my last
they had just done a very difficult column. Also pictured is Mike
thing, and he asked the mourners Johnson, O.F.M., who performed
to give them a round of applause. the ceremony, and Kathy’s brother-
This was a wonderful demonstra- in-law Tom Bastian ’84.
tion of compassion for two grieving Congratulations to Jane Bennett
children who loved their grandfa- who was invited back to Siena in
ther so much. Their mom, Melissa March to give the Annual Philoso-
Boncordo/Bouchard ’91, is also a phy Lecture on “Green Material-
Siena alumna. Alexander has already ism.” Jane is a professor of political
made the decision that he, too, will science at Johns Hopkins Univer-
attend Siena. Again, my utmost
thanks to Father Kevin and to the
sity in Baltimore. She works in the
fields of political theory, philosophy
Siena community for being there for and ecological thought. She has
all of us.” The Bouchard family has authored several books, and the
additional Siena ties. Elizabeth adds, most recent one, Vibrant Matter:
“Dad’s younger brother, Robert A Political Ecology of Things, was
Bouchard ’62, and his son, Francis published earlier this year.
Bouchard ’84, both from Waterv- In January, Jim and Lisa Calvelli/
liet, are also Siena graduates. Fran Meyer headed to the Capital
lives in Loudonville with his wife District from North Carolina to
SIENA 29
 NEWSMAKER
Anne Gasperini/Colucci ’85
of Quorum Federal Credit
Union in Purchase, N.Y.,
was recently promoted to
senior vice president and
chief financial officer
check in with their son Paul, who is
undergoing nuclear reactor training
at a U.S. Navy facility in Saratoga.
Other than the adjustment to winter
driving, Paul was doing well and
will join the naval fleet sometime
in the fall, possibly in Guam. The
entire Meyer family, including
daughter Jessica, visited with Jim
and Lisa’s old college buddies,
John Corbett ’78, Jeff and Anna
Famosi/Rougeau ’78, at the Log
Jam Restaurant in Lake George.
Lisa reported that her kids really
enjoyed tales of the Swamp Boys
and 3W girls. They also enjoyed
hearing that their dad was actu-
ally a bio major at one time, had a
good vertical leap and had taken
the month of October off in his
junior year, along with Jeff and
Corb! Lisa said that, although they
had not seen each other in 20 years,
it was like no time had passed, with
much reminiscing about “shopping
cart races in the hallways, the day
Mary Cronin/Buser and I filled the
‘Jeffs’ (Rougeau and Naughton ’78)
room with leaves and the wooden
scaffold campfire one long week-
end. Jeff and Anna are grandparents,
and their oldest daughter turned
30 the day we saw them.” Lisa
continued, “We visited Siena—took
a short stroll around campus and
walked into the chapel. There was
a friar there who updated us on all
the changes since we left. That was
fortunate because the chapel looked
nothing like it did when we were
there. Jim thought maybe he partied
more than he thought he had, but
the friar told us the story about the
fire and subsequent renovation. The
campus looked great and we look
forward to returning north when
the weather is better and maybe
having a chance on our next trip to
catch up with Connie Cahill Sise
and Dave Smith.”
SIENA 30
Let this column inspire you
to share your favorite Siena
moments—past or present—with
your classmates. Keep the info com-
ing. Thanks to all!
1980
Diane DeSilva
desidian@shenet.org
After graduating from Siena,
Christopher C. Robinson received
his M.A. from SUNY Albany and
the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst and his Ph.D. from SUNY
Albany. He has been a member of
the Clarkson faculty since 1998 and
is also co-host of North Country
Public Radio’s Readers and Writ-
ers on the Air. He is an assistant
professor of political science at
Clarkson University. Chris recently
authored a book titled Wittgenstein
and Political Theory: The View from
Somewhere, which discusses the
philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein,
and his approach to politics.
1982
Bob Young
RYoung60@aol.com
1983
Elvira Altimari-Jaeger
eaj6@optonline.net
60 Wyatt Rd
Garden City, NY 11530
Hey, all. I am submitting my
column on the eve of the Big Dance,
and I have my fingers crossed for
the Saints to make it to the Sweet
Sixteen. I have a few updates:
Keith Miner received the Peter
J. Mancinelli Small Office Post-
master of the Year Award for the
Westchester District of the United
States Postal Service. Keith has been
with the Postal Service since 1988
and is the Postmaster of Glenford,
N.Y. Keith and his wife Lorraine
Clyne/Miner ’84 are also pleased
to announce that their daughter,
Victoria, has been accepted as a bi-
ology major into the Siena Class of
2014. Victoria joins a few other 1983
kids to join the Siena ranks. I also
heard from John Walker who was
also excited about the Saints’ third
appearance in the NCAA Tourna-
ment in as many years. John started
a new position as chief medical of-
ficer for Cornerstone Healthcare, a
150-doctor, multispecialty group in
the Piedmont Triad region of North
Carolina. John says that it is differ-
ent from what he was doing, but he
is using a lot of the skills he learned
as a resident assistant at Siena.
I would like to remind everyone
about the Class of 1983 50th birth-
day party to be held in NYC on
Saturday evening, October 28, 2011.
More information will be available
soon, but save the date, and spread
the word. If you want to be kept
in the loop about the 50th birthday
party, and anything else going on,
please e-mail me at the above
address and we will add your name
to the e-mail blast. To keep us in the
spirit of the basketball triumphs of
the current Saints, shout-outs will
go to some former INDIANS:
Mary Gaudreau, Tom Roginski,
Katy Sturgis, Mark Dufort,
Angela Fedullo, Rod Mullin and
Joan Nowak. Where are you all,
and what are you up to? The former
TeePee Rowdies from the Class of
’83 want to know.
1984
Lisa San Fratello/McCutcheon
mcclisa@yahoo.com
305 The Parkway
Ithaca, NY 14853
Now that we have everything
straightened out with my e-mail
address, I hope I will be able to
fill our column up with more news
from our class. Our 25th reunion
last June was a great success, and it
was fantastic catching up with every-
one. I think it was great for everyone
who came because the weekend
brought back such great memories
of past parties at Siena. Thank you
to Maureen Rossi/Morgan and
Maureen Morris for sending me
pictures from the reunion.
Please send me anything you
want shared about your time at the
reunion, or where you are now. It
was great seeing Bob Walsh and
Mary McGuire/Walsh, Hummer
Morgan and Maureen Rossi/
Morgan, Judy McGrath/Chidester,
Rick O’Brien, Mary Byrne,
Mary Reeves/Hayes, Lisa Apuzzi/
Caldwell, Sue D’Angelo, Caroline
LaVelle, Tom MacKay and Paula
Daiuto/MacKay, Bob McLoughlin,
Sean Doolan, Mike Fitzgerald,
Dave Miller and Mike Connell
(whom we haven’t forgiven for
starting the Jameson’s!).
On a personal note, I have my
oldest daughter graduating from
high school and heading off to col-
lege in the fall. I know some of you
have been through this but she is our
first. She loved Siena but has chosen
Stonehill College. At least it is close
to my brother, Mary Reeves/Hayes
and Sue D’Angelo. I am counting
on all of you to look after her!
If you know of any other
classmates whom you would like
to contact or anything you want to
share, please write me and I’ll be
sure to answer you.
1985
Catherine and Ron
Bjorklund
bjork90@comcast.net
14 Stevens Lane
Tabernacle, NJ 08088-9744
Moving on up!
Anne Gasperini/Colucci of
Quorum Federal Credit Union in
Purchase, N.Y., was recently pro-
moted to senior vice president and
chief financial officer. Anne began
her career with the White Plains,
N.Y. office of Ernst & Young
immediately after graduation and
received her CPA certification in
New York soon thereafter. Anne
also worked at Fishkill National
Bank and Trust Company and
Mahopac National Bank before
joining Quorum. Anne has worked
at the Credit Union for 15 years,
beginning her tenure as comptroller
and earning a promotion to
vice president of finance and chief
financial officer in 2001. She is a
member of the New York State
Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA),
where she served as a board
member in the Westchester Chapter
from 2001–2006. She is also a
member of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA). Anne lives in White
Plains with her husband and two
children and volunteers for numer-
ous activities within the church and
community.
Ring, ring…
Ron Bjorklund, along with a few
current Siena finance students and
Board of Trustees members, rang
the opening bell with Trustco Bank
on the NASDAQ stock exchange
on February 2, 2010.
Siena networking pays off!
After being laid off in February
2009 in these tough economic
times, Brian Ranagan searched for
months for a job. It was network-
ing with some of his classmates
that made all the difference. Kevin
Maguire ’82 had sent Brian’s resume
to his brother’s friend, and Brian
subsequently went on a series of
interviews. Brian was hired for a
company called Unified Resources
in Display as an account executive.
As Brian said “You should take ad-
vantage of your classmates and the
networking that Siena provides!”
Like father, like son
Matt Pastore is following in his
father Rob Pastore’s footsteps,
and is playing rugby as a freshman
for Siena.
Countdown to reunion
Gathering at the men’s basketball
game on January 9, 2010 to discuss
upcoming reunion plans and also
just to have a great time were
Brian Ranagan, Tom Joyce,
Susan Cronin, Ellen McCarthy/
Guerin, Kathy Casscells/Hanlon,
Paul and Mary Beth Finnerty,
Sean Stack, Dom Sabatino, Susan
O’Connor/Coyne and her husband
Jim Coyne ’84, Steve Hart, Chris
Rosetti along with ’84 friends Bill
and Maureen Morgan and Bob and
Mary Walsh.
Sharing the Siena spirit
Tom (Bo) Kelly and four other
New Jersey businessmen went on
a humanitarian mission to Haiti to
help build housing for orphanages.
Tom was fortunate to have returned
to New Jersey the day before the
earthquake struck in January, but his
friends were there and stranded for
several days.
Myles Birrittella and wife Robin
made a surprise visit to the Alumni
Office in February. They are busy
with their six teenage children and
are planning a mission trip to El
Salvador with their family.
Back to school
On March 15, Brian Jennings
returned to the Siena College
campus to participate in the School
of Business Lecture Series. During
his lecture to about 80 business
students, he spoke about his
position as executive vice president
of marketing at the NHL (National
Hockey League) and his accom-
plishments since working there.
1987
Geraldine “Gerry” McAndrew
Geraldine.m.candrew@comcast.net
117 Thayer St
Abington, MA 02351
508-335-7744
1988
Paula Cacossa
pcacossa@gmail.com
Recently, I heard from Donna
Geronimo/McGregor who is
living in Hopewell Junction with
her husband, Thomas, and twin
sons Matthew and Kyle, who are
8 years old. She is keeping very
busy as a mom, and in her career as
president/chief executive officer of
the Putnam Hospital Center in
Carmel, N.Y., a position she
has held since 2007. Donna
really enjoys the many challenges
of balancing a demanding and
very rewarding career and a
wonderful family!
Bill Andrews and his wife
Faye Corey/Andrews are living
in the Albany area with their
two children, Emily and Rick.
While enjoying his career in law,
Bill also enjoys life as a dad. He
spends hours at the hockey
rink, freezing and watching youth
hockey games. He has lots of
fun being his son’s den leader for
the Cub Scouts. Bill has also done a
few things with the Siena’s Pre-Law
Mentoring Society.
With summer approaching,
please send me info on your travels
and gatherings with Siena friends.
1989
Mike Carbonaro
sienanews.1989@yahoo.com
3140 10th Street
Bethlehem, PA 18020
610 -737-1147
I write to you with sad news
regarding a member of our class
from her friend, also of the Class of
1989. I received the following from
Mary Johnson/Ryan, and I am
including it as I received it. “It is
with great sadness that I am writing
to report of the passing of my
Siena College roommate, Tracy
Pleva/Hill. Tracy left us in body in
February 2009 after a nine-year
battle with breast cancer. Diag-
nosed at age 32, Tracy did not back
down from the disease but met it
head on with strength, tenacity
and even humor. She said that the
disease would have to fight for
every bit it took from her, and truer
words were never spoken. Tracy
continued to live life to the fullest,
including riding a Harley Davidson
motorcycle across the UK on her
40th birthday. Always a devoted,
loving wife and mother, as well
as a working woman, she added
advocate, spokeswoman, counselor,
mentor and inspiration to her
resume. Tracy was an advocate for
the Young Survival Coalition, an
organization dedicated to young
women with breast cancer. She
even allowed cameras to follow
her around in two documentaries
which chronicled the lives, hopes,
dreams and fears of women living
with breast cancer. They are called
“Fighting for Our Future” and
“The Beautiful Eight.” She served
on various boards and panels and
was always willing to share herself
by counseling women diagnosed
with breast cancer. She also
authored a blog which she used to
share her personal insights, trials,
joys and humor that touched,
comforted and inspired countless
people. This truly exemplified the
Siena spirit! Tracy is no longer with
us, but she lives on in the hearts
of all of those fortunate enough
to have been touched by her. My
friend and inspiration — Tracy
Pleva/Hill 1967– 2009.”
I also received information about
Mrs. V. For all of us who lived NEWSMAKER
on-campus and frequented Serra
Hall, Mrs. V was someone whom
you could not forget. She worked
for Siena for over 31 years, and I
am sure she had an impact on many
of the students before and after
the class of 1989. She passed on
January 9, 2010. Our thoughts and
prayers go out to her family.
Please think of your fellow
classmates and send your updates to
sienanews.1989@yahoo.com. Also, Frederick Keator ’90
as mentioned in the last newslet- was just recognized as one
ter, a Facebook group now exists of the Top Financial
for the Siena College Class of 1989 Advisors in the Country and
alumni, so check it out. Starting the State of Massachusetts
with this article, I will post the news
article when the newsletter arrives
to the Facebook group.
1991
1990 Kevin Clarke
Siena91@optonline.net
Janet Shotter/Swierbut
I heard from Stacey Thompson/
jswierbut@yahoo.com
McCuin last month. It was great to
Reunion time is just around the
catch up and hear about her journey
corner! I am really excited to bring
since Siena. After teaching Spanish
my family to campus in the hopes
in Johnstown and Mt. Kisco, N.Y.
that one (or all) of my children will
for almost 10 years, she moved to
someday be Siena students. I just
Massachusetts and became an Army
reconnected with Kerri Hunt/
wife. Her husband, Tom, has been
Donovan through Facebook. She
deployed to Afghanistan twice,
is living in Columbus, Ohio. Kerri
conveniently leaving her with
has two children, and she says she
month-old infants each time. They
is “living the dream.” I understand
live in Alexandria, Va., with their
she baked a lot of Irish soda bread
three children: Aine (born in 2002),
during St. Patrick’s week! I also just
Sean (born in 2004) and Norah
heard from Jennifer Lombardi/
(born in 2007). Thanks for the
Nebraska who, funny enough, lives
about a mile from Kerri, which
update, Stacey, and all our prayers
to Tom in his endeavors.
they just recently discovered.
I also got to catch up with Ron
Jennifer and Paul Nebraska have
Tumsuden. He is living in New
been married for 18 years! They
York City with his wife and new
have lived in Ohio for 8 1/2 years,
baby. Ron just started his own
and prior to that, lived in San
company integrating security
Francisco. Paul has worked
systems and importing LED
for Travelers (formerly Aetna) for
lighting fixtures from Italy. If you
20 years. They have two children,
have an interest in doing business,
Ryan, in 7th grade, and Emily, in
let me know, and I’ll connect you
4th grade.
to Ron through e-mail. He also
Chris Repetto mentioned that
reported a recent Bob Burke sight-
Raisin Cain and The Throwbacks
ing in New York City with a group
are booked for the Saturday picnic
of Siena friends.
during reunion weekend, so be sure
John Riley responded to my
to watch for more details on that.
shout-out in the last issue. He
Frederick Keator has just been
and his wife Sue Reh/Riley and
recognized as one of the Top
good friends Dom and Sharmela
Financial Advisors in the Country
Chandlall/Myrand recently
and the State of Massachusetts.
attended a Siena basketball game
Additionally, Frederick is serving
where Tom Huerter was announc-
as a member of the Franciscan Vol-
ing the game. They were quickly
unteer Ministry (FVM) Associate
brought back to the days of our first
Board. He was first introduced to
NCAA tournament visit and the
the FVM through Siena in 1989 dur-
great time that was. (As I write this,
ing the inception of the program.
we are headed there again!). John
That’s all I have for now, so find
and Sue live in New York where
me on Facebook, or send me an
John is the associate dean of finance
e-mail to update us all on what
for the School of Medicine at Stony
you’ve been up to. Hope to catch
Brook University and Sue teaches
up with you in June.
pre-kindergarten.
SIENA 31
 Keep the updates coming. And
for next issue, let’s hear from Bob
Burke (since you have a sighting, I
can’t let you off the hook yet), Tony
Di Leo and Pat Mc Kenna.
All the best!
1992
Mary Pat McLoughlin/Holler
jmpholler@optonline.net
Jill Steenburgh/Becker contact-
ed me to let us know that after years
of working as an executive recruiter
and staying home with her children,
she graduated in December with an
M.S. in childhood education (grades
1-6) from Sage Graduate School.
She is currently working as a sub,
and promises to update us when she
gets a permanent position. And now
since issues and issues have passed
with no updates, I, too, will join
friends from years before and after
us (Sue and Kevin) and give the
shout-out! So Townhouse 2, 4, 9, 12
and 24, what are you up to? Please
e-mail me and let me know.
I really want more to report for
each issue.
1993
Susan Hannon
shannon@ryeneck.k12.ny.us
213 W 252nd Street
Riverdale, NY 10471
917-796 -2085
Happy spring everyone! I sit
here on the eve of the Saints/Purdue
game in the NCAA basketball
tournament. I have picked the
Saints to make the Sweet Sixteen.
Hope my prediction came
true! Here are the updates: Gerri
Hutchings/Bock wanted you all
to know that her third daughter,
Annabelle Elizabeth, joined their
clan last April. Her big sisters
Lila and Emily were thrilled to
meet her, and now the house is
full of toys and real Barbies and
princesses. Gerri has been living in
Northern California for almost four
years with her husband, Laszlo,
who works for Google. Since
relocating, she has been a stay at
home mom and keeps up with
most of her townhouse mates on
Facebook. According to Gerri
“college was such a fun time and it
seems so long ago.” It certainly was!
Anyone else want to go back to
those days?
Some sad news was sent to me by
Lisa Bianco/Clarke, class of 1994.
Angela Panzeca/McCarthy passed
away last December. She suffered
from cancer for four years, and left
behind a 5-year old daughter, Jenna.
Please keep her and her family in
your prayers.
SIENA 32
Lori Bubb/Mackey has moved
again. You can now find her in
Crozet, Va. And finally, Karen
Martino/Steinmetz filled me in
on her life. Karen and her husband
and two daughters (who are 5 and
7) live in Rhode Island, where she
is a physician assistant, practicing
cardiology. Her Siena roommate,
Teresita Smith/Hamilton, who is
a family practice doctor, lives just
15 minutes away with her husband
and three daughters (who are 2,
4, and 6). Bet you thought that
jobs and family would keep them
busy enough. Not the case. Their
“hobby” is competing in middle-
distance triathlons! According to
Karen, the husbands and five girls
can be found at the finish lines with
shirts that say, “Mommy swim.
Mommy bike. Mommy run.” How
cool is that?! Good luck in the next
race, Karen and Teresita! Ok, that’s
all for now. Have a great rest of
the spring and enjoyable relaxing
summer! This issue’s shout-outs
go to: Tom Cassidy — what are
you up to? How about Steve
Downey? Tom Lawless? Karen
Murray — what’s up with you and
Steve? If you respond, it will take
care of two alumni!
1994
Glenn Hofsess
gh@endcap.com
83 Kellogg Street
Brookfield, CT 06804
I would like to begin with the
happy news – on February 13, 2010,
Kyle Howard married Stacy de
Boom at the Indian Wells Country
Club in Indian Wells, Calif. I had
the honor of serving as best man,
and enjoyed having the opportunity
to share in their special day at
this magnificent California desert
location. Siena was well represented,
even as a snowstorm threatened
many flights leaving the east coast.
Congratulations and all the best
for a lifetime of happiness together,
Kyle and Stacy!
Chris Thestrup and his wife
Nichole are proud to announce
the birth of their second child,
Nicholas Dennis, who was born
on December 15, 2009. Nicholas
joins big brother Ricky, who just
turned 2 in April.
I am quite saddened to make
my final announcement and
do so with a heavy heart. Our
classmate Andrew Martin passed
away suddenly in January. After
graduating from Siena, Andrew
received his law degree from
Albany Law School in 1997. After
law school, he accepted a position
with the Rensselaer County
District Attorney’s Office, where
he became bureau chief of the Drug
and DWI Unit. After ten years
with the District Attorney’s office,
he entered private practice as an
accomplished attorney, and was
most recently at the NYS Education
Department. I met Andrew on
our first day at Siena back in 1990,
and remained friends throughout
our Siena days. I will always look
back and smile at the many fond
memories I have of spending time
with Andrew and everyone from
our wing during those two years
living in the basement of Ryan Hall.
I remember him as a truly great guy
with a big heart whom you could
always count on. He was always
fun to be around, and could engage
you in a riveting conversation about
just about anything. Andrew loved
Siena, and worked vigorously on
behalf of his fellow classmates in the
student senate. I will always keep a
piece of Andrew in my heart, and be
grateful for how he touched my life.
We’ll miss you Andrew. You left
us too soon. If you are interested
in making a contribution to create
a lasting memorial for Andrew at
Siena, please contact me.
1995
Neil Wilcove
nwilcove@fmglaw.com
Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP
100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30339
770 -818 -1430
On November 28, 2009, Mark
O’Brien married Katie Dugger in
Tampa, Fla. In attendance at the
wedding were officiant, Father Sean
O’Brien (former Siena professor),
and groomsmen, Mike “Rookie”
Ryan and Casey Cook ’94.
Congratulations to the happy
couple.
1996
Brian Murray
murray21@hotmail.com
bmurray@betterbackschiropractic.
com
614-270 -6003
Northwestern Mutual employee
Allessandro Tronco of Cohoes has
been honored with the company’s
2010 Eastern Region Top 10 Award.
The honor recognizes him for an
outstanding year of performance
with Northwestern Mutual.
1997
Selena Dutcher
selena.dutcher@regentcomm.com
bronx_bombers25@yahoo.com
518 -265 -2127
1998
Janine Trapp/Scotti, MBA
sienasaints98@yahoo.com
201-294-0395
Looks like spring is just around
the corner, and not a minute too
soon!
We have lots of little ones
to announce in this issue. Kimber
Lewis/Monroe and her husband,
Brian, welcomed their third
child, Gwen, on December 1,
2009. Gwen joins siblings Lance,
3, and Paige, 2. Milena Perna/
Scalzo and her husband, Jon Scalzo,
welcomed Giana Isabel on January
25, 2009. Giana joins big sister,
Sofia, who is thrilled to have a new
sister. Congratulations to both
families!
Please keep the news coming,
Class of ’98!
1999
Brendan Fitzgerald
nyfitzgerald@yahoo.com
518-258-9272
By the time you read this, I
will have turned 33, and probably
most of you are right there with
me. We’re 11 years out of col-
lege, holding down jobs, paying
mortgages and daycare bills, and,
in many cases, responsible now for
lives other than our own. What the
heck happened?! Where are the days
when beers before noon were OK,
and movie quotes were a second lan-
guage? I bet many of you have now
graduated from war stories to day
dreams about explaining to your
sons and daughters and nieces and
nephews why it will be important to
study hard and get the most out of
college. And speaking of some folks
who definitely have a few of those
chats in their future, the Siena fam-
ily grows! At least that’s the news
this quarter from Bryan Treharne
and Devon Couden/Treharne, who
welcomed Brady Andrew Treharne
on January 7, 2010. Brady joins
his 4-year-old brother, James, and
2-year-old sister, Reagan, to make
the Treharnes a family of five! Also,
Karen Henry/Sutphin gleefully
announces that she and her husband
John Sutphin had a daughter, Lucy
Katherine on September 11, 2009.
She is their second child, joining her
brother George Henry, who turned
4 in March. How about Deirdre
Sheehy/Pashley and her husband,
Eric? They welcomed their first
child, Aidan Roberts, on July 10,
2009. Deirdre says the experi-
ence of seeing the world through
Aidan’s eyes has been indescribably
wonderful! And Elaine DiDonato/
Sheridan and her husband, Brian,
are thrilled to announce the arrival
of their daughter, Alivia Grace, who
was born on February 25, 2010.
Congratulations to all of you
first-time parents, and you brave
families having second and third
additions!
2000
Shaymus R. Schweitzer
SienaSaints2000@hotmail.com
103 Sherman Ave.
Troy, NY 12180
518-727-3392
2001
Maura Mack
sienanotes01@gmail.com
’Tis the notes section of
classmates’ birth announcements!
Congratulations to Karen Musa/
Izzo. She and her husband,
Thaddeus, were married in Saratoga
on February 10, 2007, and
celebrated the birth of their daugh-
ter, Grace Katherine Izzo, on
February 8, 2010. Karen is working
as a school counselor at Northville
Central School, and the Izzos reside
in Northville, N.Y.
I recently heard Janelle Murray/
Lyons’ great news. She and her hus-
band, Joe, welcomed a son, Tyler
Joseph Lyons, on July 31, 2009!
Also, it was exciting to hear from
Carrie Blasi/Ellis, that she and her
husband, Alan Ellis ’00, welcomed
their daughter, Christine Elizabeth,
on October 1, 2009.
I was also happy to hear from
Erin Quinn/Vargo. She and her
husband, Tom, wanted to share
their joyous news with the Siena
community that they welcomed
their first child, Emmet Thomas,
on January 8, 2010, weighing
8 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring
21.5 inches long.
Congratulations to classmates,
Jen Quinn/DeMarco and Joe
DeMarco, who recently launched
their own business, Local Barre, at
Maxwell Place in Hoboken, N.J.
Local Barre is a studio that features
a fusion of ballet fundamentals, core
conditioning, yoga and stretching
for a total body workout. I wish
I lived closer so that I could take
advantage. As if that won’t keep the
DeMarcos busy enough, they also
welcomed their son, Joseph William
DeMarco, on February 28, 2010,
weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces.
Wishing all these new parents
best wishes and sleep!
It was great to hear from so
many of you this time around, and
hope to hear from even more of
you soon.
2002 tourney … were YOU there? Let us
know. Our very own Ken Jubie was
Manhattan. Please be sure to check
out all of their beautiful wedding
Christine Cinnamond
in attendance, cheering loudly while photos at the end of this issue!
christine.cinnamond@gmail.com
representing not only our class, but One of our own, Katie Cardus
646-942-0970
also the entire Siena community as received an early Christmas
In May of 2009, Kelly Anne
the Siena College media relations present this year! Katie’s new
Goodwin earned a master’s degree
specialist. fiancé, Jonathon Spiegel, popped
in applied linguistics with an ad-
By way of weddings, there the question on Christmas Eve,
ditional teaching certificate in ESL
is some news to share from our and they are planning the wedding
(English as a Second Language)
from New Jersey’s Montclair
classmates Megan Coyne, Andrea of their dreams for May 2011. In
Disponzio, Michael Stabile and addition, this May Katie will have
State University and is pursuing a
Kelly A. Collins. Megan Coyne completed her Teach for America
supervisor certificate from Rutgers
married Joe Heegan in September service and will have her masters of
University. She is teaching ESL
of 2008. The two wed in the teaching in secondary mathematics.
in grades K-8, and elementary
presence of 18 of our classmates at Many of Katie’s friends from Siena
Spanish in Allendale, N.J., while
the Crescent Beach Club on Long will be bridesmaids in the wedding.
also choreographing summer and
spring musical productions.
Island and are currently living in They include: Josie Orsini,
Brooklyn. Andrea Disponzio and Margarite Benevento, Deirdre
Congratulations! And now a
Michael Stabile were married this Gilfeather and Marisa Luvera ’06.
message from Kelly Anne that we
past July at Carlyle on the Green Congratulations to all!
can all agree with: “I miss my days
in Bethpage State Park on Long Just a reminder that our
at Siena and all of the fun times a
Island. Kelly A. Collins married reunion is quickly approaching on
lot. I wish all of my fellow members
Daniel T. Webster, an Albany police June 4-5th! Please keep a lookout
of the Class of 2002 health and
officer, on August 8, 2009. Kelly for information in the mail, as
happiness!”
is a 4th grade teacher in the well as online at www.siena.edu.
Congratulations to Samuel
Watervliet School District. Her We hope to see as many of you
Zimmerman! He recently started
sister, Kathleen Collins ’12 served there as possible, so please mark
a new position as financial advisor
as maid of honor, and Erin Cassidy your calendars early! If you have
at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in
’03 was a bridesmaid. Congrats and any questions or would like to get
Niskayuna, N.Y.
best wishes Megan and Joe, Andrea involved, please feel free to e-mail
Brie Brolley/Ellwood and her
and Michael and Kelly and Daniel. me at the address above or Mike
husband Brian welcomed Jake
May your marriages be filled with Utzig at mutzig@siena.edu. Please
Christian Ellwood on July 28, 2009.
blessings and adventures. keep the e-mails coming. It is great
Jake joins his 4-year-old sister,
More congrats go out to Paul to hear from all of you! Enjoy the
Haylee. Congratulations, Brie!
Oliver and his wife, Jennifer, who upcoming beautiful weather!
2003 had their first child, Matthew
Oliver, on October 8, 2009. 2006
Gina Gizzi
Chris Elsesser
sienasaints_2003@hotmail.com
The Class of 2003 has been a little
2005 Christopher.elsesser@gmail.com
Breanne Suhrland Ashley Boland
quiet this quarter; however, we do
bsuhrlan@att.net Ashleym.boland@gmail.com
have a few announcements. Jessica
Hello, all! Spring has sprung and Class of 2006, HOW ARE YA?!
Hurlbut married Tom Tortora ’02
so has the season of weddings and We hope that by the time you read
on November 7, 2009. Check out
engagements! We have a few Class this, you have all thawed out from
the picture included in this issue!
of 2005 weddings to announce the brutal winter months (especially
Andrew Nikola was selected
in this issue. This past summer, the N.Y. metro residents) and are
to receive the Forty Under 40
Amy Fortnam and Ryan Pine enjoying some warmer weather! We
“Shaker Award,” courtesy of
were married August 15, 2009. have many exciting things to share
the Greater Southern Dutchess
Marisa Nicotera and Brett Cardillo with you this quarter, which would
Chamber of Commerce. The goal
were also married last summer on not have been possible without the
of this program is to recognize 40
July 25, 2009 in Utica, N.Y. Marisa’s awesome assistance of a couple of
people under the age of 40, who are
roommates, Kacie Daley, Amanda our classmates.
committed to shaping this region
Daniels and Heather Budney/Stoja We start with exciting news from
of New York State, making it a
were all bridesmaids. our fellow pre-med classmates (and
better place for everyone. It also
Another class couple, Jennifer upcoming 2010 graduates from
recognizes those individuals who
Longobardi and Bryan Cox Albany Medical College). After
have taken on decision-making
were married on September 25, several months of anticipation,
roles at an exceptionally early stage
2009. The couple met during the long awaited residency job
in their lives.
their freshman year and dated placement list was announced on
We would love to hear more
throughout all four years at March 18, 2010. The list is as
news for next time, so if you have
Siena. Jennifer and Bryan were follows (Name/Department
an important event coming up,
married in the bride’s hometown Placement/Location): Karen
please remember to tell your fellow
of Highland Mills at St. Patrick’s Patricia/Pediatrics/Baylor College,
alumni about it!
Church, where Fr. Kevin Mackin, Houston, Texas; Melissa Krueger/
2004 O.F.M. officiated and Br. Michael
Harlan, O.F.M., assisted during
Psychiatry/SUNY Buffalo, N.Y.;
Greg Perry/Emergency Medi-
Jolleen Wagner
their ceremony. Their reception cine/SUNY Buffalo, N.Y.; Dave
jolleen_wagner@yahoo.com
followed at the Pleasantdale Auringer/Ophthamology/Albany
Class of 2004, how are you?
Chateau in West Orange, N.J. The Medical Center, Albany, N.Y.;
The Saints went a’marching at the
couple lives and works in Kerry Barba/Internal Medicine/
SIENA 33

NEWSMAKERS
Siena Class of 2006 Albany Medical College Class of 2010
(Congratulations!)
Albany Medical Center, Albany,
N.Y.; Justin DeWillers/Emer-
gency Medicine/Strong Memorial
Hospital, Rochester, N.Y.; Doug
Fair/Pediatrics/University of
Texas-Southwestern, Austin, TX;
Liz Hubbard/Orthopedic Surgery/
Duke University, Durham, N.C.;
Alex Leahey/Internal Medicine/
Portland, Oregon; Shyama
Mathews/OBGYN/Lenox Hill,
New York City; Joe Skowronek/
Anesthesiology/Georgetown
University, Washington, D.C.
Congratulations, Doctors! Be sure
to let us know how you make out!
We would like to thank Karen
Patricia for compiling this list
and sending it in. Please be sure to
check out the picture of our
Albany Medical College grads
above.
In the industry of law, Carl
Falotico graduated from law
school and is now working in the
Schenectady County District
Attorney’s Office as an assistant
district attorney. Shauna Farrell
has passed both New York
State and New Jersey State Bar
examinations and is working as
an assistant district attorney for
Suffolk County on Long Island.
Shauna was also nice enough to
gather and send in this next batch
of ’06 news! Thanks Shauna!
Congratulations and best of luck!
In wedding news, Kathleen
Brennan and Christopher
Karam ’05 are engaged to be wed
on December 31, 2010. Kathleen
recently received a promotion from
the Nestlé Company, where she
has worked for over three years.
Bridget Tobin and Anthony Kos
will be married on July 17, 2010,
and they just purchased their
first home in Northport, N.Y.
Kimberely Burns/Orth and Eric
Orth will be celebrating their one
SIENA 34
year wedding anniversary this May.
They recently purchased their first
home in St. James, N.Y. Shauna
also reported the following job
news: Tricia Eldred was recently
promoted at Price Waterhouse
Coopers. She is currently living
in New York City and completed
the 2009 ING New York City
Marathon. Jennifer Kratochvil is
also living in New York City, and
has been working in the Marketing
Department of InStyle Magazine
for three years. Amy Jordan is
currently residing in Albany, N.Y.
and is an accountant at the CPA
firm Marvin & Co. She is also
working towards getting her CPA.
This quarter has proven again to
be a great share of news and events
from our class, which of course
continues to make this column
interesting and exciting to read! If
you have recently contributed to
our space, we ask that you either
send us a new update, urge your
friends to share their news for the
first time, or collect a pile of news
from your friends and send it in
yourself! Enjoy the warm weather!
We will now leave you with a
quick editors’ note: There is ONE
YEAR left until our 5 YEAR
REUNION! BOOM!
2007
Sean Robbins
SeanRobbins@att.net
PO Box 11222
Loudonville, NY 12211
Michael Utzig
mutzig@siena.edu
Greetings, Class of 2007! With
the excitement of the Saints NCAA
run, the blush of spring behind us
and summer ahead of us, the Siena
Class of 2007 continues to make
news of its own. Case in point,
here’s some news that was recently
shared by some of our alumni.
Amanda Benvenuto shared that
she recently started a new job at the
New York State Department of Tax
and Finance. Way to go, Amanda!
Alexandria Latina reports that
she is doing well. Currently she is
working as a team leader/member
service manager for the member
solutions center at SEFCU credit
union. She further reports that she
recently bought a house and that
she plans to wed this September.
Congratulations!
Since graduation, Stephanie
Richter is a member of the
Community Relations team at
Northeast Parent & Child Society,
a large nonprofit organization
based in Schenectady. This
February, she was promoted to
director of development and
communications. She is engaged
to Andrew Douglas and will be
married in October of this year.
Andrew, a professional bagpiper
with a school in Albany, is Pipe
Major of the Oran Mor Pipe
Band. If you were ever up early
enough on a Sunday morning and
ventured down to campus from the
townhouses, you might have heard
the band practicing in Foy Hall.
Andrew and Stephanie met through
her very good friend and former
Siena student, Eric MacNeill, who
is lead drummer in the band.
Best wishes for the summer and
keep us posted with your great
news for the fall!
2008
Danielle Grasso
Patrick Preston
SienaCollege2008@gmail.com
2009
Tiffany Salonich
lovesrain87@aim.com
Hello Class of 2009. Hope you
all got to see Siena becoming this
year’s MAAC champions. It has
been one year since we graduated
and it is great that we still support
Siena in every way. Go Saints!
Congratulations Vic Cristiano,
who was recently hired by Siena
to serve as assistant director of the
annual fund dealing with young
alumni giving. “I am excited to be
back at Siena working with the
annual fund. In my four years here
as a student, the Siena College
community gave me so much. I am
happy to be giving back to a com-
munity that has done so much for
me,” said Vic Cristiano.
I hope you all are enjoying the
warm weather! Please e-mail me
anytime at lovesrain87@aim.com to
share any news with our class.
In Memory:
Siena College mourns the loss
of the following members of
our community.
Joseph W. Kennedy ’41
William F. Leikhim ’41
John J. Noonan ’41
Edwin C. Rado ’42
Thomas F. Connell, III ’47
Arthur Acosta ’48
Otto Ciavardoni ’49
Abram Cuttler ’49
John P. Ryan ’49
John R. Allen ’50
Charles J. Nardiello ’50
Frank Lo Giudice ’51
Jeremy M. Lynch ’53
Nathan P. Wild, Jr. ’55
Dorothy Van Sleet Buff ’55
Richard J. Lukasiewic ’59
Theodore Hajos ’62
Walter LeClair ’62
Dan Di Nicola ’63
Joseph C. Forman ’63
James T. O’Brien ’64
Lawrence T. DiStefano ’65
Richard Fletcher ’66
Wallace Donnelly ’68
Pete DeGaetano ’68
William Keon ’68
Peter J. Meehan ’69
William Thompson ’70
Mark David Kramer ’81
Anthony Labruzzo ’83
Patrick D. Visker ’85
Daniel E. Bohl ’89
Tracy Pleva/Hill ’89
Angela Panzeca/
McCarthy ’93
Andrew M. Martin ’94
Update us!
Want to stay connected and
well-informed about the
goings-on at Siena? Make
sure to update the Alumni
Relations Office with your
contact information! If you
haven’t already, send your
current address, phone
number and e-mail to
alumni@siena.edu today!
 weddings
Megan
Coyne
’04 ma
rried Jo
e Heeg
an in S
eptemb
er of 2
008.
4
el Stabile ’0
and Micha
nd re a D is ponzio ’04 pa st Ju ly.
A d this
were marrie

leen Canter ’79 got

Peter Ognibene ’79 and Kath
Octo ber 10, 200 9 at St. Camillus
married on
Silve r Spri ng, Mar yland.
Church in nearby
of ‘79) officiated.
Mike Johnson, O.F.M. (class

Mark O’Brien ’95

married his
wife, Katie, on
November 28,
2009 in Tampa,
Fla.

ebster
l T. W
r r ie d Danie
a
s ’04 m 009.
. Collin August 8, 2
Kelly A on

Marisa
Nicote
marrie ra ’0
d on Ju 5 and Brett C
ly 25, 2 ardillo
009 in we
Utica, N re
.Y.

ried
2 were mar
m Tortora ’0
ut ’03 and To
Jessica Hurlb r 7, 20 09 .
on Novembe

Bryan Cox ’05 were married

Jennifer Longobardi ’05 and
on Septemb 25, 2009.
er

When submitting wedding photos to the magazine please make Amy Fortnam ’05
sure they are 300 dpi. If you have any questions please contact and Ryan Pine ’05
were married on
August 15, 2009
communications@siena.edu. .

SIENA 35
 515 Loudon Road
Loudonville, NY 12211

A Gift to the Annual Fund Supports Every Aspect of the Siena Experience

Make a gift online:

Use the secure online
form to make your gift
with your credit card at
www.siena.edu/AnnualFund
Mail a check to:
Siena College Annual Fund
The Annual Fund Office
515 Loudon Road
Loudonville, NY 12211

Even a small gift can make a big difference. Call:

1-888-SIENA4U
Please considering giving to Siena College. (1-888-743-6248) to give your
credit card information to the
Annual Fund staff.