- I was born in Troy, New York. At six months old, my family moved to Latham where I have resided for 63 years and counting. I am a proud Marine brat. My father was a military man – Sargent Frank Renaud, United States Marine Corp. He served in the Korean Conflict and is a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient. He passed in 2004. My mom is a simple gal from Hudson, New York, and she is now 90 years young. I have one brother and another brother who passed away in 1962 of cancer at the age of four.
- As a child, before I became an annoying teen, I loved playing baseball in the neighborhood field with friends, and I was an avid mini-bike rider zipping through the woods on trails my friends and I blazed. If only we could go back in time! I played a bird in my 1st grade play in Snow White. When I was in 6th grade, I was the lead as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz! My acting career ended there.
- I have an odd obsession… I collect dolls from the late 50s and 60s. I have hundreds of them, and yes, a lot are Barbie and friends. I have this one doll; her name is Betty Big Girl. With that said, she bears a striking resemblance to our very own Professor Emerita, Betty Bachman, Ph.D., of the psychology department, whom I adore. As a joke, I took my Betty doll to one of Dr. Bachman’s classes, many years ago. Before she arrived to teach, I placed the doll at the podium. It was truly a moment to remember. Sometimes you just have to have some fun, even at work.
- I have one son, Rick, who is now 41. Where does the time go? He is married to the lovely Amy Jones-Renaud, who is an adjunct professor here at Siena in health studies. I also have two beautiful grandsons, Colin, who is 16 now, and Lincoln, who is just about 6 months. Yes, brothers who are 15 years apart! When Colin is 30, Lincoln will be 15. Crazy, right?! Besides my son and grandsons, I have two other loves, and many before them, my two dogs, Canolli and Clover. Both rescues.
- My goal in my early life was to become a Nurse, but I’ve made a career at Siena College for 27 years this coming June. I started in the School of Liberal Arts office in 1996 and stayed there about 10 years. I then moved up in the world to Academic Affairs where I held a few positions, my last being the assistant director of academic programs. In 2021, I was fortunate to be able to go back to where it all began, to the Liberal Arts office, where I am now the assistant dean. Through hard work and dedication to Siena and its students, I have come a long way. Siena is my second home. I have made countless friends here over the years, and what makes me love my job is our students. Being here for them and assisting them in many different ways is truly rewarding.
- My hobbies, when I have time, are quilting, photography, sewing and cross-stitching. I am also obsessed with ancestry.com and building my family tree! I have gotten back to 1650 with the Renaud line! Here is a fun fact… well I think so… after I started working here, while researching on Ancestry, I came across my great-grandfather’s obituary. I found out that Frank King was a maintenance worker at Siena College from the day it opened to the day he passed in 1959. I also love going to antique fairs and flea markets with my brother. You never know what you can find. It is like a treasure hunt!
- I did a lot of donation work in the past, and I always find it rewarding. I am still a collector of things that may be needed by others. I pass them on through friends mostly, or donate the items to shelters and churches. Unfortunately, I have not had time to do much of this in the past few years.
- I am an open book. In the past 5 years I was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases, one being Lupus, the other I cannot pronounce… but both are debilitating and cause much pain. Through all of this, I keep going like the energizer bunny. One has to keep pushing forward! Here is the true story of the beginning of my diagnosis: A Siena student saved my life. Yes, it is true! One day while I was in the Academic Affairs office, a student came in and said to me, “Are you alright?” I said, “Yes, why?” He says, “You are red and have a rash.” I did not even realize it. Long story short, due this wonderful student’s honesty and caring, I was on my way to a full diagnoses and treatment. Talk about the Franciscan way! The moral is to not dismiss what others have to say, it could save your life!
- For those from the Siena Community who know me, I am the self-proclaimed “Queen of Siena.” Many call me Queen or Queenie. It was just a silly remark I made one day and it stuck. The friars who know me address me as “Your Majesty,” as Fr. Dan Dwyer and Fr. Mark Reamer can attest. Ask Fr. Mark about the email he sent me when the Queen of England passed away! Never mind, here it is: “Are you okay? The news is reporting your death! How awful!! I'll put the black and purple bunting up on the Friary door.” Fr. Mark - I love working at Siena with such wonderful people who are willing to have a laugh! In addition, I am a former Saints Among Us! My first recognition at Siena. Does that make me a Saintly Queen?
- Being back in the Liberal Arts office working with my Dean, Chris Farnan and co-worker Kathy Collins-Trahan has been a true blessing. I passed the Commencement torch and all things Academic Affairs to two women who have outshined the Queen already, April Backus and Sam Hesler. Lynn Rogers, retired former Director of Academic Programs would be proud of them as well.
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