Br. Ed's name will grace the outside of a MacClosky Square townhouse, and seniors wishing to advance his legacy will have their names written on the townhouse as well.
In 2014, the 11th President of Siena College, only months on the job, sat down for an interview at Casey's with a Siena student. She asked him, "What is your impression of the Siena community and how do you see it growing in the future?" His response:
"I believe the Siena community is very much rooted in the Franciscan spirit... I believe the whole sense of communities and others is part of our tradition, and so it continues today in terms of how do we build a spirit of community, a sense of belonging, a sense of bondedness, and a sense of connectedness."
In honor of his connection to the Class of '21, and his spirit that continues to inspire all who knew him, the seniors will dedicate a MacClosky Square townhouse in his name as part of their senior class gift. The Class of '21 will also donate all contributions made toward the class gift to the Siena COVID Emergency Health and Safety Fund. All seniors who donate $100 or more will have their names added to a plaque that will hang, forever, at the Br. Ed Coughlin House.
Anyone can contribute to the senior class gift at siena.edu/seniorgift. The College often receives donations from parents, alumni and community members, as well. Plus, all community members can contribute to the fund through their purchase of the 2021 Siena College Friar Calendar! Each month represents a different theme with a different campus friar. July was reserved for Br. Ed - he was born July 2, 1948 and died of complications from heart surgery on July 30, 2019.
You can order your calendar, for a $20 donation to the Senior Class Gift at siena.edu/friarcalendar.
The Class of 1968 is credited with being the first class to establish the senior class gift. The tradition was then re-established by the Class of 1979, and has continued annually ever since. Here's a look at the five most recent gifts and the combined contributions of the graduating seniors:
2020 Bells of Remembrance not finalized
2019 Nigro Family Plaza Construction $19,062
2018 Grotto Candle Endowment $21,743
2017 Champagne Toast Endowment $21,129
2016 The Ring of Honor $13,418
