Who in your family has attended Siena?

Jean Reamer Keam, Daughter of Frances and Raymond: BBA in Accounting, 1976

Fr. Mark G. Reamer, OFM, Son of Frances and Raymond,  BA in Religious Studies Education, 1983

Christopher Reamer Vinchiarello, Grandson of Frances and Raymond, BA in History, Minor in Business, 1999

What quote would you like to share with current Siena students?

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” St. Francis of Assisi

 

Favorite Siena memories

As the first Reamer to attend Siena, Jean vividly remembers the day she toured Siena and right then and there knew Siena was for her.   As she was walking across the campus on a beautiful spring day in 1971 with her friendly Siena tour guide, Rudy, he was greeted by so many students with a wave or a shout out as they passed by.  That community spirit and friendliness of Siena, which lured Jean in, did not disappoint throughout Jean’s four years.  

Fr Ben Kuhn, one of the founding fathers, would also be a favorite memory of Jean’s and many of her classmates.  He would often greet those coming and going from the cafeteria with a friendly, “How are you?” and strike up a conversation.

Jean’s love of Siena influenced her younger brother, Mark, when it came time for him to select a college.  Mark also came to know the friars on Long Beach Island during high school summer vacations, which furthered his interest in Siena.  Jean was very excited when her nephew and godson, Christopher, decided to attend Siena.  While Jean and Mark may have had some influence, Christopher’s love of sport was instrumental in his decision to attend Siena.  He initially played baseball and then was hooked on rugby. 

Playing rugby provided Christopher many favorite Siena memories.  Rugby is a demanding sport requiring collaboration for success.  The camaraderie shared with his rugby teammates developed into lifelong friendships. 

Our Siena experience

Our time at Siena can be summarized as a transformational journey of learning, growing, enjoying College life, and developing lifelong relationships. It is those lifelong relationships that keep the Siena spirit alive for each of us.

Siena impact on business or personal success

Siena provided not only an educational foundation, but a basis for establishing sound value-based working relationships that supported Jean throughout her career in corporate business.  

Mark gained an appreciation for the friars that set him on a life-long journey following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi as a friar, in large part due to his lived experience at Siena College.  After twenty-three years in parish ministry, Fr.  Mark returned to Siena in August 2014 and is currently serving the President of Siena as the Vice President for Mission and as the Guardian of the Friary of St. Bernardine of Siena.

Christopher continues to enjoy the relationships he formed at Siena.  It may be a friendly chat on the train with a classmate or rugby teammate he doesn’t see too often, or networking with Siena friends on both a personal and/or business level.

Inspiration to give back to Siena

Our parents, who on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary received the Franciscan habit of the Orders of Friar Minor, instilled the value of education in their family and we benefited from a Franciscan Catholic education.  We are grateful to our parents and to Siena.  We show our appreciation with our desire to give back to Siena College.