Awards & Recognitions

St. Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) is the patron of the University. The original name of the University was St. Bernardine of Siena College and the friary is St. Bernardine of Siena Friary. St. Bernardine of Siena was a Franciscan Friar who lived at the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th centuries. He was a famous preacher who also risked his life to assist victims of the plague. He popularized devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus-thus the emblem of the Holy Name on the seal of the University.  Coincidentally, St. Bernardine's feast day is May 20 which often happens to be the day of Siena's commencement exercises.

An Honorary Degree at Siena University is the highest honor the University can bestow on an individual. Honorary Degree Recipients are approved by the Board of Trustees in consultation with the University's president.

The Siena Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1964 with the induction of Howard Tucker '41. Over the past years, Siena has distinguished their most exceptional athletes and coaches with induction into the Hall of Fame.