An Opening Day Message from the President
Dear Community Members:
Welcome to the first day of the 2023-24 academic year! I am excited for all of us as we begin this new chapter of the Siena College story. I have been part of our campus community for more than 25 years as a professor and administrator, and now I am experiencing the start of a new year from a different vantage point. It is my great honor to do so. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve an organization that means so much to me.
You’ve heard me speak occasionally of the inspiration I derive from seeing a worn divot in the top stone step leading into Siena Hall. I think of the tens of thousands of students who have entered those main doors over the decades, seeking an education that would not only transform their lives, but ultimately transform society. The Franciscan values we learn and share here are far too important to be kept to oneself. This fall we welcome nearly a thousand new students who will begin their own Siena journey that will lead to their making the world more just, peaceful, and humane.
You’ll notice a very active construction site behind Roger Bacon Hall. This summer we were able to realize the next steps in our goal of a new science center on campus. Because we do things in a special way here at Siena, we held a ground blessing (rather than a typical ground breaking) for the new Nobel Hall in late June, and construction crews have been busy ever since preparing the foundation for what will be a state-of-the-art academic facility that will help Siena unlock its full potential in the sciences.
I want to thank everyone in advance for your patience and cooperation throughout the construction process. There will be adequate parking for everyone, but you may not be able to park right next to your class or office building, or you may need to enter and exit campus via a different road. There will be some inconveniences, but I promise you the results will be well worth it. We’ll keep you regularly updated about the project on a dedicated webpage, through the Daily Digest, and other forms of communication.
Nobel Hall wasn’t the only project happening on campus this summer. The area around the Ring of Honor on the Academic Quad has been reimagined to create another peaceful gathering place for our community. Upgrades have been made to several residence halls and townhouses. Renovations were made to Lonnstrom Dining Hall, and in the coming weeks you will see artwork installed there that will celebrate the Siena story. The campus is our learning space, our workspace, and for many of us, our home, and we want it to be welcoming.
While I began my term as president on June 1, it will become truly official with our inaugural celebration on September 20-21. The symposia, and the main ceremony featuring a procession in full academic regalia, are by no means about just one person. This is a celebration of our community; a joyful time to acknowledge the traditions and values that make Siena stand apart and inspire lifelong attachment and commitment. I do hope you will fully participate.
Meanwhile, I encourage all members of the Siena community to let the enthusiasm of this “first day of school” carry on throughout the entire academic year. Attend guest lectures and events. Join clubs. Take part in the special celebrations of the Franciscan religious calendar. Reach out to a stranger on campus and make them a friend. Each connection makes the Siena family stronger and makes our Education for a Lifetime richer.
Again, my best for a successful and meaningful academic year.
Peace and all good,
Chuck