Welcome back to The Legacy Family Spotlight, a monthly feature highlighting the proud tradition of attending Siena where green and gold runs through the generations. For the Van Woert family, Siena is more than a college. It is where faith, family, and service are woven into their story. From meeting on a Habitat for Humanity trip, to marrying in the Siena Chapel, to now watching their daughter thrive on campus, Siena has been central to their family’s journey.
Chris Van Woert ’98 and Maureen (Krant) Van Woert ’98 met during their sophomore year while serving on a Habitat trip, later marrying at Siena in 2001. Their wedding was officiated by Fr. Jim Sabak and Br. Michael Harlan, two Friars they had come to know well during their time at Siena. Their daughter Maura, Class of 2027, now carries the family legacy as a Visual Art and Design major with a minor in Educational Studies. Active in Swim Club, Habitat for Humanity, and campus art projects, Maura says, “Siena is special to me because of the history and memories I have here with my family, along with the memories I am now making with my friends.”
The Van Woert Siena story extends well beyond Chris and Maureen. Many of Chris’ siblings and in-laws are proud Siena graduates, including Elizabeth (Van Woert) Scavo '87, Mark Van Woert '85, Lori (Matteo) Van Woert '87, James Van Woert '89, and Christina (Fusco) Van Woert '89. His nephew, Andrew Van Woert, also continued the tradition, earning his bachelor’s in 2018, master’s in 2019, and graduate certificates in 2020. Even the campus itself has a family connection, as Chris’ late father, Richard Van Woert, rebuilt the Chapel after it was damaged by fire in the 1980s.
For Chris, Siena was defined by service and leadership, from founding the Habitat for Humanity Club to working in the Athletic Training Room with Greg “Hammer” Dashnow to engaging in Campus Ministry retreats. For Maureen, Siena was equally transformative. In addition to the Social Work program and professors like Donna McIntosh, she found meaning and community through Campus Ministry, serving on retreats, the Volunteer Ministries Board, and participating in service trips to the St. Francis Inn and Habitat for Humanity. These experiences, rooted in faith and service, shaped both her Siena journey and her 27-year career as a social worker. Together, Chris and Maureen find joy in seeing their daughter embrace the same Siena values that impacted their own lives.
The Van Woerts, Chris, Maureen, and their three children, Maura, Keira, and Brendan, live in Guilderland, NY. Chris is a District Sales Manager at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, and Maureen is a Social Work Care Manager and HIV Program Specialist at CDPHP.
For the Van Woert family, Siena is not just a place of study. It is the heart of their family legacy, built on service, community, and the Franciscan tradition that continues to inspire each new generation.