Dear Siena Alumni,
There is a special, infectious energy on campus today. I’d like to tell you about it.
More than 500 students are presenting their original work as part of Siena’s annual Academic Showcase. Some projects address systemic problems, such as the prison reentry system; others have helped solve crimes, like the forensics genetic genealogy project that cracked a cold case. Across the academic spectrum, students are sharing research and ideas that reflect months, and in many cases, years of exploration and discovery. It’s one of the most powerful expressions of who we are as a University.
At Siena, we speak often about providing the Education for a Lifetime. That phrase is intentional. It reflects our belief that learning is not confined to the classroom, nor limited to a particular stage of life. It is a lifelong pursuit. One that is rooted in curiosity, shaped by experience, and strengthened by our alumni who proudly live our mission everyday.
Siena’s commitment to undergraduate research, experiential learning, and the never-expiring pursuit of knowledge is a defining strength. Our students are not passive participants in their education; they are active contributors. Exceptional faculty members, like Dan Moriarty '93, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and biochemistry, inspire this pursuit. Dan directs our Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA) where more than 200 students each year conduct meaningful research, collaborate one-on-one with faculty mentors, and engage with real-world challenges in ways that prepare them to lead and serve. Our mission relies on this personal mentorship from our faculty, but it is also fueled by the connection between our students and alumni like you who have walked in their shoes.
It is my hope that our students have the opportunity to meet and network with as many alumni as possible. I witnessed the impact of these connections last month when we welcomed best-selling author Laszlo Bock, former chief people officer at Google, and his wife, Gerri Hutchings Bock '93, to campus for an extraordinary event. Laszlo delivered Siena’s annual Lewis Golub Executive Lecture Series address focusing on AI and the future of work. One student shared with me that she’ll take to heart Bock’s advice to “work hard at everything you do and have humanity.”
Alumni contributions to the student experience take many forms, and each enhance the educational journey for our students. In recent months, Siena has received two transformational gifts that will expand opportunity for our students and deepen the impact of a Siena education. The $1 million Stewart’s and Dake Family Opportunity Fund is helping to ensure equity of experience, providing students with the resources they need to fully engage in campus life. At the same time, the legacy gift from Rosario “Sal” Ilacqua '50 is advancing business education through the Sal Ilacqua '50 Business Lecture Series, while also supporting scholarships and creating new pathways for students to connect their academic work to professional opportunity.
These investments reflect a shared belief in the value of a Siena degree and the lifelong impact of an education rooted in our Franciscan values.
There is a great deal of momentum at Siena, and days like today serve as a powerful reminder of why that momentum matters. It is about our students: their ideas, their growth, and their potential to shape the world around them.
As alumni, you are an essential part of this culture of lifelong learning. Your leadership and continued engagement with Siena help to sustain and strengthen our mission. We will rely on your support and continued friendship as we move forward with confidence and purpose. Thank you for all the ways you support our students and our University.
Peace and all good,
Chuck