John DePerno '27 didn't know the man who stepped into his living room five years ago wearing a brown robe, and he had never heard of Siena. But that visit, and inspiration from the gift that came with it, changed the course of DePerno's life.
Not all pizza is created equal, and not all slices are the same size. Those undeniable truths were at the heart of the issue now in front of Siena's Senate. The Piazza Station in Lonnstrom Dining Hall had replaced customizable personal pizzas with specialty slices. The well-intended change had its detractors. DePerno, a senator-at-large, took an interest.
"I took to advocating for it in the Senate. I reached out to the director of Siena Fresh, and the next day, personal pizzas were back. It felt really good to take action on behalf of the students."
DePerno is now the treasurer of the Senate, and according to administrators in Student Life, last year's Budget Allocation Committee, which oversees a $1.2 million budget, navigated the process with unprecedented efficiency. DePerno, a political science major from the Utica area, is also the president of Siena's chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, a law fraternity, and he serves on the executive board of Siena's Pre-Law Society. Clearly, DePerno is all-in on the college experience, but in high school, he was an average student, and other than starring on the football field, he was more comfortable on the sidelines.
"I've maintained a 4.0 at Siena, but in high school, I wasn't a good student. I ranked 33 out of 70 in my class. But here, I did a 180. I would credit Siena and its Franciscan values for that."
Before DePerno got to know Siena's Franciscan values, he had a brief encounter with a Franciscan. DePerno's dad, also John, was a resident assistant in college at St. Bonaventure. Fr. Mark Reamer '83, O.F.M., vice president for mission, was, at the time, assistant director of communications at St. Bonaventure and lived in the same residence hall as the elder John. Fr. Mark became good friends with both John and his future wife, Kris. In fact, Fr. Mark was invited to preach at their wedding and would later baptize their daughter.
"We lost regular contact for a while until I came to Siena and we renewed our friendship over basketball, specifically the Franciscan Cup – John and Kris are devoted Bonaventure fans, and I, obviously, Siena," said Fr. Mark.
Fr. Mark's intent may not have been to balance the scales, but when he paid the family a visit several years ago, he brought a Siena shirt for DePerno.
"That was probably the first time I saw a friar in a brown robe," said DePerno. "At that point, I had honestly never heard of Siena, but because of Fr. Mark, Siena is the first college I applied to. I'm in the 3+2 pre-law program, and Siena just ended up being the best choice for me."
Plus, by the end of high school, DePerno started to connect with his faith in a more purposeful way. He's continued that journey at Siena.
"That's a big part of my 180 as a student. I started taking life seriously and embraced the idea that everyone has a purpose. I became more motivated. Also, the learning environment at Siena is perfect for me. I've been able to thrive with smaller classes and getting to know my professors."
DePerno has also had the chance to reconnect with Fr. Mark. In fact, Fr. Mark appointed DePerno as one of two student reps on the committee that's organizing this September's Academic Convocation celebrating the 800th anniversary of St. Francis's transitus. DePerno is also a volunteer coordinator with Siena's campus ministry.
"The friars are all super nice. I took a Franciscan Leadership course and had the privilege to visit Italy with Fr. Mark and Fr. Larry. It was a phenomenal experience."
DePerno took his LSATs yesterday, and he plans to attend Albany Law beginning next fall. The goal is to become a district attorney, an idea sparked by his internship in the Oneida County DA's office this summer. It's not the path he originally saw for himself, but this one feels like it has purpose. It all started when a stranger in a brown robe showed up at his door.
"I don’t think it was the shirt that convinced him – I know it was the academic excellence and strong commitment to our Franciscan mission that swayed him to Siena. As providence would have it, Johnny was randomly assigned to Plassmann Hall his first year – and he and I became friends. Now at the Franciscan Cup games, Johnny and I root for Siena while his parents root for their alma mater."
Fr. Mark Reamer '83, O.F.M., vice president for mission
