-
I was helping with Move-In Day at Ryan Hall when I realized it was exactly 30 years since my mom dropped me off to start my Siena experience. At the time, I had no idea I’d still be here three decades later! Reflecting on how much Siena has grown and changed since I was a student, it’s amazing to see how this community continues to shape lives, including mine. Even Ryan Hall is hard to recognize now.
-
In high school, I was a New York State Champion…in Marching Band! That’s right, I played a mean flugabone (Google it, or see below) for the New Hartford Marching Spartans when we captured the title at the Carrier Dome. After that, I received a scholarship to play for the Rochester Patriots drum and bugle corps the summer before I came to Siena. We traveled across North America in a bus to compete in stadium shows. Sadly, I haven’t played since.
-
If the high school sounds familiar, it could be because Siena’s 13th President also went to New Hartford High School (way before I did). Fun fact: I was in the first class Dr. Seifert taught at Siena—International Finance in 1996. He loves to tell the story of creating the A+ grade for Katie Szalda, now our vivacious Director of Admissions. He didn’t need to invent any grades for me (I got an A-, not bad).
-
I studied at Oxford. Chuck’s lectures inspired me so much that I spent the summer of 1997 studying the European Union at Keble College. I went punting on the River Thames, tried my hand at cricket, spent weekends exploring London’s theater scene, and took the Chunnel to Paris with new friends just weeks before Princess Diana’s tragic accident. After earning my certificate, I wrapped up the summer with a two-week solo trip through the Scottish Highlands. It was an exciting time to be across the pond with Tony Blair taking office and the Spice Girls beginning their first world tour.
-
Vicky and I celebrated 15 years of marriage this summer by returning to her parents’ backyard, where we tied the knot. It wasn’t hard to plan since we live on the land now, along with her mom, sister, and brother, each with their own house. It isn’t the Dutton Ranch, but there’s always plenty of action and support. We’re a stone’s throw from the start of the Erie Canal, and have found lots of Saint colleagues who call the village of Waterford home.
-
Most of you know my Siena journey began in Athletics, which gave me 16 incredible years traveling with our Saints. Highlights include: Hawaii (Dale Taylor was on the team then and you must ask Lori Anctil about our snorkeling adventure), Montana (yes, I did ski Big Sky), Italy in 2008 with men’s basketball (and again in 2020 with Fr. Mark’s class), Colorado in 2005 for the NCAA volleyball Tournament (I brought back Fat Tire), Cancun for the 2003 basketball Mexico foreign tour (I promise, I was working), and countless tournaments at Disney World. Of course, I’ll never forget the NCAA Tournament trips, from women’s basketball (Nashville in 2001) to baseball (Fort Worth in 2014) and those incredible men’s basketball games in Tampa, Dayton and Spokane! From Siena College to Siena, Italy it has been a privilege taking our story to so many amazing places.
-
I’ve always loved sports. Growing up my mom would let me listen to the Yankees when I went to bed and I’d keep the stats (who knew, that could be a career!). During a family camping trip, I asked my aunt for the van keys to hear the game. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to drive stick. When I turned the key, the van rolled over a cliff. Everyone screamed. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but I’ll never forget Kawichi (the Japanese exchange student staying with us) yelling, “It’s like horror film!” I also remember the Yankees won.
-
My passion for sports, and unfortunately the Dallas Cowboys, has rubbed off on our youngest son Sam. You would be quite surprised—and I’d be embarrassed—if you caught us watching a game together. Last Christmas, I planned a family vacation to Texas centered on a Cowboys game. To keep everyone entertained, we toured San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the Cathedral of Junk, the National Video Game Museum, ate plenty of Mexican food, and made many, many PokéStops along the way (including Buc-ees…if you know, you know!). Sam and I arrived for the 7 p.m. game at 3:30 to see which player had the best whip (Micah Parsons’ matte black Range Rover and Jerry Jones’ helicopter stole the show). The Cowboys beat the Lions 20-19!
-
I always need to be doing something and am generally up for anything. Since I don’t have much free time, this has led to a lot of interests and hobbies that I’m not particularly good at (golf, softball, low-stakes poker, rebuilding old pinball machines, horse racing, bird watching, astronomy, Kenny Chesney concerts, etc.). But also lots of fun times. I love planning vacations and road trips. When Ben was six months old, we travelled with him to Puerto Rico, bringing him everywhere from the beach to the rain forest (the four of us returned last year). We’re currently taking advantage of Sam’s fourth grade status to tour our National Parks. We recently crossed off Rocky Mountain, Acadia and the Cape Cod National Seashore. Next up: Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon!
-
Of all the travel, our favorite place might be the Adirondacks. We have a small 90-year old log cabin on a non-motorized lake between Lake George and Lake Luzerne and get up there whenever we can (we saw the Northern Lights this fall!). Vicky is a New York State guide and a 46er (all High Peaks summited), and I’m a proud 26er (sampled 26 ciders in a year at Nine Pin Cider Works). I have conquered 15 of the High Peaks though and the two of us completed the Lake Placid 9er challenge on my birthday this past September.
