Siena College - Saga Yearbook (Loudonville, NY)

Page 18 text:

EATHER CYPRIAN7S vision, foresight and energy have, Within the space of four short years, raised before us our present College. Under his leadership we have seen the modern structures, which now grace the campus, developed from an old colonial mansion. His thoughts and deeds have always been for the task before him . . . the founding and building of Siena. The sacrie . hces he and the first faculty endured are 16 Wte BEVEREND CYPPJAN MENSING 0. F. M PH. D. Pigmwi 9f $5243 60W enshrined in every inch of the Colleges growth. Seeking no honor or glory for What he has done, his real reward can be found in the durable structure he has created amid the shifting sands of contemporary thought. With heartfelt gratitude, we, the hrst graduating Class, Will ever remember the untiring efforts of our President, who epito- mizes the same spirit which has dominated the work of the Franciscans from ages past.

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knowledge against pedantry and sophism. St. Francis, himself, with his simplicity and directness of thought set the type for the Franciscan thinker, of which St. Bonaven- ture in Theology and Roger Bacon in Natural Sciences are typical. Franciscan history also is connected ine timateiy with American history. From the earliest days of the opening of America to European Civilization, on through the cen- turies, the Friars have been identiEed with the highest and best in American history. It was a Franciscans inHuence which secured for Columbus the necessary funds for his historic voyage, and this same Fran- ciscan, Father Juan Perez, who accompanied him on his second trip, celebrated the First Mass in the Western Hemisphere. By reason of their later missionary work the Friars have been called iiAmeriCis First Apostlesn The history of Siena follows the usual pattern of Franciscan settlements, as a few friars, before building a dwelling for them- selves, began to build a school. Thus another group of Franciscan pioneers, inspired and strengthened by the work of their fore- bears, endeavored to rear a temple of learn ing for the Christian education of youth. The Present F acuity 15

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FR. JOSEPH VANN, O.F.M., MA. Dean of Arts JOHN R. XVILKINSON, M.B.A. Dean of Business Ad1111'111'stmt1'011 FR. VINCENT DEVINE, O.F.M., B.A. Dean of Admissions FR. GILES XVEBSTER, O.F.M., B.A. Dean of Discipline humpm