Celebrating Town and Gown Collaboration

As the Siena College community celebrated the academic and leadership awards received by its students, it also recognized the successful partnerships formed with the Town of Colonie. The Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) Special Recognition Award was given to the Town of Colonie Police Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Shaker Road Loudonville Fire Department. The VPSA Special Recognition Award is presented each year to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to the Siena College community.    

Vice President for Student Affairs Maryellen Gilroy, Ed.D. presented the award to Town of Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan, Police Chief Steve Heider, EMS Chief Peter Berry and Shaker Road Loudonville Fire Department Chief Dave Leonardo.

“Siena’s partnership with The Town of Colonie and all of the services it provides fosters a welcoming community for our students to live, study and work,” Gilroy said, adding that, under Mahan’s leadership, Colonie’s commitment to integrating the College community into the Town will continue with the installation of sidewalks along Route 9. “The sidewalk project will ensure the safety of our students walking to area businesses or for leisure,” Gilroy said. “It will come to fruition early next year.”

As she presented the award, Gilroy also recognized the Colonie Police Department’s support in keeping the College community safe by making officers available to respond at a moment’s notice in support of Siena students. “The Department works closely with our Public Safety staff to investigate reported crimes and provides us with information to assist our students,” Gilroy said.

Town of Colonie EMS and the Shaker Road Loudonville Fire Department also respond diligently to emergency and fire calls to the Siena campus. EMS supports calls from Health Services and Athletics to transport our sick or injured students to St. Peter’s Hospital and last year assisted in saving the life of a student who was in cardiac arrest.

 
Since 2007, the Shaker Road Loudonville Fire Department has partnered with Siena Public Safety to host Campus Fire Safety Day each September and, earlier this year, the department lead an initiative to enhance Siena’s fire protection systems to reduce the number of false alarms in the MacClosky Square Townhouses.

“I am grateful to the dedicated, talented and professional people in the Town of Colonie who work tirelessly to ensure that the members of the Siena College community, especially our students, receive the support and care we need,” said Siena College President Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. “We are blessed to have such wonderful partners.”

Siena’s collaboration with the Town of Colonie will continue this summer as the College partners with Colonie Police and EMS to stage a full-scale emergency preparation exercise.

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