Siena College - Saga Yearbook (Loudonville, NY)

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Joseph A. Smith s Business Manager John E. Boiiey Editor in Chief SAGA STAFF Herman Beltzer Poul Centi Robert Collins Donald Cosgro Sam Fogler Conrad Gander Kenneth Girard Maureen Healy Patricia Healy James Hopkins

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ch'em mark was almost realized when Siena opened in 1940. On June 9, l94l , seventy-six young men and women received their degrees in Gibbons Hall, in the name of the University of New York. The new gymnasium, the most modern in the State, with a capacity of over 2000, and estimated by some to have cost over $250,000, had been completed in time for the First Commencement and Graduation. The magnificent structure has been named in honor of His Excellency, Bishop Gibbons of Albany, who at times has been called the Founder of Siena . This Leader of the Church has followed the growth of the College with a paternal interestefrom its in- fancy in 1937 till today. Bloodshed and horror in Europe cast an ominous cloud of apprehension over the initiation of the fifth school year, September, 1941. Fears were justified when the disaster of Pearl Harbor hit the nation. Many Siena men enlisted or were called into imme- diate service. Nevertheless, eighty-two seniors re- ceived their academic degrees on May 20, I942, rep- resenting the first class to receive the honors from the President and Board of Trustees of Siena. This had been possible after the school received its Permanent Charter granted by the New York Board of Regents on March 20 of that year. Navy students under the V-l, V-S, and V-7 pro- grams and future Army radio technicians were among the 668 students that enrolled in the war-time ac- celerated studies of the sixth year, 1942. The Hay- wood property at the south end of the campus was purchased, a large frame house of twelve rooms, to provide billets for the Navy Pre-Flight men. lnci- dentally, Siena was to be commended as rating the first place among six colleges in the THIRD Naval District for the training of Naval Aviation Cadets. The memorandum from Commander Albert W. Rice, U.S.N., on June the third, placed the College over such schools as Union, Colgate, Syracuse, and Cornell. The war noticeably affected the ranks of the Grad- uating Class, which totaled no more than fifty in April 26, 1943. May the fifth, l943, was a great day for the School. On that day it was awarded membership in the Middle States Association of College; and, received the formal approval of the Catholic University of America. From this day onward, graduates of Siena College had an equal official standing with all member colleges for graduate work in major colleges and universities. The six-year term of Father Cyprian Mensing, O.F.M. expired on July 31, 1943. With the liwell- done of his superiors in his ear, he handed the reins of government over to Father Mark Kennedy, O.F.M., from Holy Name College, Washington, D. C. The war years of 1944 and 1945 reflected the irregular times in school activity and student com- ponent. Though civilian students were admitted, the military personnel formed a major element in Siena. No less than fourteen of the Fathers connected with Siena served God and country as Army and Navy i mas 52'1ng Fl, 1 t l, l X . . II! I 5': p chaplains. When the war ended, thirty-four Siena students had been killed in action. The shrine of the Blessed Virgin on the campus lawn commemorates these heroes. Surrender by the Japanese was the signal for an- other great period of advancement. The College was to play its greatest role now in absorbing the tre- mendous overflow of students. Only God could have foreseen, back in 1937, the dire need for a Catholic College at this time. The last three years are familiar ones. A Day Summer School was a must . No less than 2500 students registered for the Fall Semester of l947! In the early part of 1947, Siena College received in- stitutional membership in the American Council on Education, as well as constituent Membership in the National Catholic Educational Association; and, was made a member of the Association of American Colleges. Publicity efforts in the past have been proficiently managed by members of the Faculty with their Critics' Forum lCatholic Thought on Best Sellersl , Forum on Industrial Relations, Social Science Forum, and Siena Opera Forum. Needless to say, the National Anti- Communist Club has done much to bring the school into the limelight of public notice. The Siena Basketball Team has played a unique part in immortalizing the name of the school. The quintet has played magnificient basktball under the superb captaincies of men like Howard Tucker, '41, and George A. Weber, '48, under the skillful coach- ing of Dan Cunha. The latter, former Vincentian Institute mentor and with an excellent reputation at Notre Dame, took over the Varsity Basketball post left vacant by Henry Bunoski. Reflecting the admirable spirit of the school, the Alumni are very active, having formed a Club of their own. Many of these former Siena men have made good in their fields as engineers and scientists, as well as in business and arts. Need we mention that many delightful romances have budded in the halls of Siena College, and culmi- nated in truly Catholic weddings. Sien-o-rita eve- ning students are fit prey for Cupid's arrows. Today, there live at least three Sienese tots being fattened for Registration Day, 1965. A word of recognition must be tendered to Mister Joe Keehn. The thin man, complete with glasses and pipe, who keeps the modern comfort stations so spot- less, came with the building, and has been declared an institution of Siena College. Visitors are cautioned not to be disconcerted at the variegated kennel of dogs who feed off the fat of the land on Siena property. True to their founder's love for animals, the Fathers have given them a permanent haven on the premises. This is the story of Siena, the story of prodigious expansion in fame and size, the incredible story of prosperity and blessing, the result of a blind Faith in the great Teacher Himself. OId-timers agree that such vast achievement has been possible only through prayer and work. With Saint Bernardine of Siena College fast be- coming the cultural center of the New York State's Capital District, in the next ten years we can look for mighty accomplishments inspired and supported by the Indestructible Spirit of God.

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Joseph A. Grafton Associate Editor Arthur A. Acosta Associate Editor Chester F. Pachucki Photo Editor Peter McCardle Feruccio Morondi Michael Mryczko George Panfely Walter Pappin Martin F. Kenny Joseph Powers Treasurer Ornello Rinaldi Raymond Roohcn John Short Edward Tatro Peter A. Fiore Page I l