Welcome back to The Legacy Family Spotlight, a monthly media feature highlighting the proud tradition of attending Siena– where green and gold run through the generations! This month features Peter Aitkin, class of 2000, and his step-daughter Bianca, class of 2028. Even though the final whistle has blown on Peter’s time at Siena, the starting whistle has just sounded for Bianca.
For Peter Aitkin, class of 2000, Siena College holds a special place in his heart, both for the education he received and the lasting friendships he made. "Siena prepared me for the real world by receiving a great education, and at the same time making lifelong friends who continue to be a part of my life today," Peter shares. One of Peter’s fondest memories was as a student-athlete with an unforgettable lacrosse game against Canisius on a beautiful spring day. "We won 17-16 in an upset. I had three goals and three assists, but it was the crowd’s energy that made it truly special. I still remember the roar when we pulled off that victory," Peter recalls. The lacrosse community at Siena annually meets in the fall for their Alumni Weekend where current and former players and parents come together to celebrate the proud tradition of being a part of the Siena lacrosse community.
Fast forward to 2023, Peter returned to Siena’s campus with his step-daughter Bianca for a lacrosse game, coincidentally during Siena’s annual SienaFest, a spring weekend filled with events, energy, and memory-making. Peter remembers the game being crucial for the team to continue their season. A win meant they were in the MAAC tournament. The atmosphere was electric, and Bianca thought the crowd was awesome. The crowd willed the team to a 1-goal victory, and just like that the Saints were heading to the postseason.
As the Saints were heading to the postseason, Peter and Bianca were headed across campus. After the game, Peter took Bianca on a walk, showing her the buildings, both familiar and new. "The townhouses were alive with grilling and cornhole, and she could see herself fitting right in," Peters recalls. The visit sparked something deeper for Bianca, who began researching Siena’s majors and minors. When she discovered that a combination of psychology and forensic science could lead her toward her dream career of becoming an FBI agent, Siena quickly moved to the top of her college list.
The momentum continued in October 2023, when Peter and Bianca returned for an open house. The sense of community, the strong alumni network, job placement support, the social life, clubs, and Siena’s overall reputation all lead to Peter and Bianca declaring that none of the other schools that they visited could be compared to Siena. That same night, Bianca applied for early action/decision, and within five days, she was accepted to Siena.
Peter is now the Vice President of Client Development for Precision Sample, LLC, and Bianca is preparing to follow in her father’s footsteps with shared experiences. The Aitkin family's legacy continues at Siena College, bridging generations with shared values of academic excellence, community, and lifelong connections.