Need a document notarized? Kathleen Kiernan in the president’s office has you covered – and can give you the chance to donate to a College endowment honoring Siena’s late leader.

Kiernan, assistant director for board and cabinet relations, recently became a notary public. As such, she is approved by the state government to witness the signing of important documents and verify their authenticity. She is one of several people on campus who have the designation.

Although notaries can charge for their services, the College offers notary services for free as a courtesy for the community. So although Kiernan would not be collecting fees, she had an idea: she would encourage those seeking the notary’s seal to make a small donation to the College’s Br. F. Edward Coughlin O.F.M. Endowment to Advance Franciscan Values, which was established after the 2019 death of Siena’s 11th president.

She hit upon the notion when she found a ceramic bank in the shape of a Franciscan friar at a flea market in Troy.

“This is a fun way to honor the memory of Br. Ed and the values he espoused,” she explained. 

The endowment supports the Siena mission and its intrinsic connection to the values of St. Francis of Assisi. It was founded by the Coughlin family and their in-laws.

Faculty, staff and students can contact Kiernan to make an appointment for the notary service. The level of donation is totally up to the individual.

“I’m collecting change in honor of Br. Ed’s endowment.”