Siena College - Saga Yearbook (Loudonville, NY)

Page 11 text:

In the Franciscan spirit of education and development of every aspect of the student, Ft. Cyprian Mensing re- quested from the Provincial on July 14, 1940, permission to construct a gymnasium. The firm of Gander, Gander and Gander was engaged to draw plans for this structure which was to have a capacity of 2,000. Rapid work made the new gymnasium ready for the first commencement and graduation in 1941. The build- ing was named in honor of the Ot- dinary of the diocese, Bishop Gibbons. V5 THE STUDENT BODY appreciated the ample room provided by the new building. BISHOP EDMUND GIBBONS, Ordinary 0f the Albany Diocese, dedicated Siena Hall to God's glory. 5

Page 10 text:

An absolute charter was granted to Siena on March 20, 1942, empower- ing the college to grant the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. In the space of these few years the physical plant of the school had vastly expanded. St. Francis Hall, or the Old Friary to those who knew it well, soon gave way to a modem classroom building. The cornerstone of this building, Siena Hall, was laid on June 20, 1958. The building was constructed in the Georgian - Colonial style of architec- 3; . Ge; 9. U THE COMMUNITY'S first chapel was on the fourth Hoot of Siena Hall. THE FINANCIAL BURDEN of the founding years necessitated the erection of Siena Hall in sections. tute which was to serve as precedent for subsequent college structures. Be- cause of the financial burden of the institution, the building had to be completed in sections. The south wing was completed first and served as permanent classroom facilities. The north wing was finished in 1940, and the first. Mass was sung in the chapel 0n the fourth fioor on January 28, 1940. At this Mass the community of religious and collegians joined in thanksgiving for the rewarding of their labors on behalf of Catholic higher education.

Page 12 text:

The academic life of the college was the herald 0f the physical de- velopment of the campus. In 1958, the Evening Division was opened with nearly one hundred students registering. Siena boasted the first Evening Division in the Capitol Dis- trict to offer courses leading to a Bachelofs degree. At the opening of the third academic year a complete four-year curriculum was offered. In AN AERIAL VIEW 0f the college portrays academic expansion in a rustic setting. June, 1941, seventy-six students who had entered the tiny farm house four years before received their degrees from the University of the State of New York through Siena College. These students truly realized that they had participated in the founding of a cathedral of learning. The original Community of Fran- ciscans became a formal convent in July, 1945, with the Rev. Mark Ken-