Siena College had its inception in the year 1937 when His Excellency, the Most Rev. Edmund F. Gibbons, D.D., Bishop of Albany, extended an invitation to the Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name, to establish an institution of higher education within the confines of the Capital Region. A site suitable for this purpose consisting of 38 acres, located iin Loudonville, was acquired in April of the same year as the first step in the realization of this project. Since the beginning, the College was placed under the patronage of St. Bernardine of Siena, the illustrious 15th century Franciscan scholar. St. Bernardine is a fitting patron for he embodies the rich and deep intellectual tradition that the followers of St. Francis bring to education.
The old farm “mansion” that had stood on the site for over 50 years immediately underwent extensive renovations to serve temporarily as a college building. On September 22, 1937, the new college opened its doors for the first time to 90 freshmen.
The Regents of the University of the State of New York provisionally
chartered the College in 1938, granting absolute Charter in 1942. Siena College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and is a member of various academic and administrative organizations.
Since 1971, the College has been governed by an independent Board of
Trustees. A Board of Associate Trustees serves to strengthen the relationship between the campus and the surrounding community. Siena has 201 full-time faculty members, 119 part-time faculty members, 194 administrators, and 200 support staff employees.
Siena College, now located on 162 acres of land, offers its students a stimulating academic program featuring a core liberal arts education and
professional programs in business, social work, and education. While pursuing any one of 29 majors and 45 minors and certificate programs, leading to the Baccalaureate, as well as a Master of Science in Accounting, Siena students participate in study abroad, internships, independent studies, honors programs, and undergraduate research, as well as NCAA Division I athletics, intramural athletics, and a wide variety of club and service organizations.
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