Welcome back to The Legacy Family Spotlight, a monthly media feature celebrating the proud tradition of attending Siena where green and gold runs through the generations. For the Windover family, Siena is the place where friendships became family, where faith and community flourished, and where love not only found its way but was the heart of their journey, beating stronger and stronger, shaping experiences, forming memories and a lasting legacy.
It was in 1981 that Mark Windover ’83 first met Patty (DeBeauvernet) Windover ’85 when she arrived on campus. While their connection was instant, fate had its own timeline. It would take nine years for their first date, but from there, everything fell into place. The number 13 played its part as they were engaged 13 weeks later, married 13 months after that, and then three years later, they welcomed twins, including Carolyn Windover ’15, and sister Melissa. And with that, their story was just beginning.
For the Windovers, faith and community have always been at the heart of their Siena experience. Mark helped shape the campus when he spent a summer transforming the friary into Hines Hall, but the spiritual foundation built during this time was even more impactful. The Siena friars played a profound role in Mark and Patty’s journey, offering guidance, support, and lifelong connection. Mark fondly remembers Sister Rosemary Sgroi, whose spiritual leadership left a lasting impression. For Patty, Siena’s Masses were a cornerstone of her faith journey, fostering a sense of community that remains with her today. Some of her most cherished memories include attending Sunday night Mass with friends, but not before heading to The Rat with The Liquor Cabinet (senior class advisory board). Mass was usually led by beloved friars such as Fr. Jerome Massimino O.F.M., who married Mark and Patty, Fr. Kevin Tortorelli, O.F.M., and Fr. Dennis Tamburello ’75, O.F.M.. After mass, they would head to Muddies, where faith and friendship seamlessly intertwined into the Siena experience.
For Carolyn, Siena’s legacy played a special role in her own college experience. She met lifelong friends through her Siena connections, including Kathryn Mannix at the Legacy Photo on move-in day. Their fathers reminisced about playing football at Siena, bringing the next generation together. She also knew Kelly Nealon, Class of 2015, before arriving on campus. Kelly’s uncle, John Weaver ’85 was one of Patty’s Siena friends. As fate would have it, Kathryn and Kelly ended up in the same wing of Plassmann as Carolyn, reminding us what makes Siena so special, the way its bonds transcend generations and are felt in the most unexpected moments.
Some of the Windovers’ best Siena memories revolve around the College’s beloved traditions, especially Family Weekend. Patty had chaired the committee as a student and returned years later as a parent when Carolyn was on campus. Experiencing Family Weekend as parents added a whole new layer of joy for Mark and Patty. One of their favorite moments was during Carolyn’s sophomore year, when they brought their puppy, Carolyn’s twin sister Melissa, their younger siblings Michael and Catherine and beloved nephew Jay to campus for the Blessing of the Animals, blending faith, tradition, and family fun. But the most unforgettable Family Weekend came during Carolyn’s senior year when Mark and Ron Bjorklund ’85 planned an epic barbecue at the townhouses, bringing together Patty’s Class of ’85 parents and their Class of ’15 kids. Despite pouring rain, Mark—dressed in full rain gear—made sure the celebration went on, with Siena alumni from all generations joining in, creating laughter and memories that would last a lifetime.
Senior year at Siena has always been more than just a countdown to graduation—it’s a time filled with unforgettable moments, deepened friendships, and celebrations that leave a lasting mark. For Patty, Senior Week meant 10 incredible days of non-stop fun, creating memories that would bring her back to campus for Reunion Weekends year after year just to get a glimpse of the nostalgia. For Carolyn, senior year was just as special, with traditions like the middle school dance-themed countdown party at Townhouse 31, where decorations stayed up well into Senior Week, a vibrant reminder of the friendships that shaped her Siena experience.
Today, Mark and Patty have settled in the Capital Region after raising their family in Connecticut. Living on Glass Lake, they have reconnected with fellow Saints in the area. Patty works at Hudson Valley Community College in the Career and Transfer Office, while Mark continues his 20-year career in Public Safety technology. Carolyn, now living in New York City, works at Bloomberg LP after several years at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She remains connected to Siena’s Economics Department, especially the Federal Reserve Challenge, ensuring that Siena remains a part of her life no matter where she goes.
Siena has always been the backdrop for some of the Windover family’s most treasured memories. “One of the reasons Siena is so special to our family is that our children grew up with their Siena ‘cousins,’” Patty shares. “We have experienced decades of memories with our Siena friends and their families—celebrating milestones together, just as we did as students,” Patty shares. For the Windover family, the story continues to expand from generation to generation including Barbara (DeBeauvernet) Battaglia ’95 and Samantha (Windover) Black ’12.