1. I grew up in Albany and attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and was all set to attend Vincentian Institute (my parent’s alma mater) for high school. That is, until the Sisters of Mercy called my parents and convinced them I should attend an all-girls high school – Mercy High. I loved my years at Mercy and made lifelong friends. Though Mercy High School closed in 1990, we have a vibrant alumnae association and many of us get together often.
2. From 7th grade through my junior year of high school I was a member of the “Wendy Ward Teen Board,” at Montgomery Wards in Menands, NY. We were representatives of Montgomery Ward and modeled their clothing in fashion shows around the local area. It was great fun and met many wonderful people.
3. After high school, I attended a community college where I majored in photography. I found such creativity in taking photographs, developing my own film and printing the images I’d just taken. My dream job was to be a photographer for National Geographic, which I grew up reading, or another prestigious magazine.
4. I have a long history with Siena. My father graduated in the Class of 1959, my brother graduated in 1984, and my mother (Joan Gorzynski) worked at Siena in the Arts department for 20 years. Her license plate read: JOAN OF ARTS. I used to visit her on campus often and loved the wonderful community I witnessed.
5. As a stay at home mom after the birth of my children, I was busy with play dates, gymnastics, and volunteering as PSA president at St. Pius School. I also volunteered at food pantries, homeless shelters, Toys for Tots and for Meals on Wheels as a home delivery aide. I believe that is where my love of volunteering really took hold.
6. One day my mother called me from work, 28 years ago this month, and asked if I would be interested in a part time, temporary job of two weeks helping a friar friend of hers, as he had just lost his secretary in Campus Ministry (as it was then called). That “part-time, temporary” job was the beginning of what is now close to three decades with the College. The first ten years were in the Chaplain’s Office; since then I have worked in the Franciscan Center for Service & Advocacy.
7. After I began working at Siena, I decided to further my education and began taking classes. My major was religious studies and I graduated in 2006. Some of my favorite classes were Franciscan Tradition, Native American Spirituality, and Bread and Religion! I subsequently earned a certificate in Franciscan studies as well.
8. My children, Matthew and Meagan, also attended Siena. Matthew (double major of Philosophy and English) and I actually graduated together in 2006. We walked across the stage right next to each other and it remains one of my proudest moments. Meagan was a Spanish major and graduated in 2010.
9. Some of my fondest memories of working at Siena are the trips I have taken while working here. While a student, I participated in a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, Italy, which was a wonderful way to learn about St. Francis and St. Clare and walk in their footsteps. My daughter studied abroad in Seville, Spain during her junior year and I was fortunate enough to visit her for 10 days. The countless Habitat for Humanity and immersion trips to St. Francis Inn are indelibly etched in my memory.
10. My greatest blessing in life is my family, and I am grateful to have both of my children live near me. I am the proud grandmother of five grandchildren – four granddaughters (Addison, Brooke, Mia and Emery) and one grandson (Ryan). They keep me on my toes and fill our lives with love and laughter.
