The initial idea was to fill an ordinary plastic bin with water and gently sprinkle the blessed H2O onto the parking lot. But, in the spirit of "Dream Big," the original plan was scrapped and a fire truck was called to campus instead.
In less than two years, Nobel Hall – a $35-million, 40,000 sq. ft. addition to the College's science complex – will be raised from the parking lot behind Roger Bacon Hall. Before construction commences, community members gathered on site to offer good wishes and prayers during a June 26 ground blessing.
More than 150 community members and friends, including College trustees and associates from Gilbane Building Company, convened near the footprint of the future Nobel Hall. The blessing, which was covered by the Times Union, unofficially marked the start of the grounds' evolution from parking lot to state-of-the-art science building. Coming in the spring 2025, Nobel Hall will directly impact more than 40 percent of the student body, and all Saints will benefit from this transformative addition to the College's science complex.
John Cummings, Ph.D., dean of the School of Science, opened the event by sharing his vision for the new space, then Meghan Kelly '25 offered a student's perspective (below). Next, a vice president for Gilbane stressed the building company's commitment to Siena and its passion for the project. And just before the blessing, Fr. Greg Gebbia, O.F.M., Fr. Bob Sandoz, O.F.M., and Tim Reno, DMA, associate professor of creative arts, led the gathering in song.
Now, about that fire truck. Friends from the Shaker Road Fire Department eagerly agreed to participate in the blessing, with one condition: if they got a call, they'd have to leave abruptly. Fortunately, there was no call, and the rain held off just long enough.
Fr. Mark Reamer, O.F.M., vice president for Mission, offered a prayer and then signaled for the fire hose. As the water saturated the parking lot, Fr. Mark offered this blessing:
Lord God almighty, hear our prayers and bless this water
from the Shaker Road Fire Department.
With this water we bless the ground upon which the Nobel Hall will be constructed.
Through the gift of your eternal wisdom,
grant that the undertaking we begin today for your glory and our own well-being
may progress day by day to its successful completion.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
“We've adopted the phrase 'Dream Big' from the Nobel Hall benefactors, Das and Nipa Nobel, who graciously put forth the largest pledge in College history to see their dream of our new science building realized. Now it's our turn to dream big.
When I dream, I first think about our talented faculty, our inspiring student body, and the cutting-edge resources we’ll gain from Nobel Hall. Add them together, and that’s the recipe to make Siena College a highly sought, in-demand destination for the sciences in the Northeast. This is a dream rooted in everything I know about Siena, and everything I know about our community. We have the desire to reach for extraordinary heights, and we’ve proven time and again our resolve to achieve extraordinary successes."
Chuck Seifert, Ph.D., president
"We students are excited to see what the new Nobel Hall will bring in its many facets. As a sign of our many thanks, we promise to fill these future halls and rooms with extensive knowledge, extraordinary discovery, and everything in between. Thank you Siena, I think we can all agree it's a great day to be a Saint."
Meghan Kelly '25
