Welcome back to The Legacy Family Spotlight, a monthly media feature highlighting the proud tradition of attending Siena where green and gold runs through the generations. Our next family, the Zielinski family, stretches back to the 1960s and 70s and brings us to the 21st century. Within the heart of every Zielinski chronicle lies a colorful thread of school spirit, a vibrant and unyielding force, that unites them in celebration of their shared love for Siena.
The legacy of the Zienliski family begins with Alfred Zielinski, a graduate of the class of 1971 who majored in mathematics and had a minor in physics. When Alfred first arrived at Siena, the College was still an all-male school but experienced the transition of Siena going co-ed at the turn of the decade. During those days the heart of Siena’s social tapestry was the Rathskeller located in Gibbon’s Hall, now Foy Hall where students, faculty, administrators, and friars gathered bridging the gap between academia and cordiality. Alfred recalls his fondest memories being created in the Rathskeller with classmates and Friar Br. Hanhausser during class study sessions. Those moments shared over a cold drink, laughter, and a shared vision for academic excellence would bind the Siena community.
Jessica (Zielinski) Filarecki, a graduate of the class of 2000, began her Siena story and shared experiences with her father, Alfred, just over two decades later. An English major, and avid spirit team member by being a member of the kickline team, now Siena Dance Team, felt those colorful threads of school spirit at every basketball game. Coincidentally, Jessica’s father Alfred was a high school basketball player himself and shared the same passion for Siena basketball. Jessica’s parents never missed a performance or game, and the tradition lives on to attend as many games a season as possible. Some of Jessica’s favorite memories include the men’s basketball 1999 MAAC Championship title run, surprising her dad with tickets to Madison Square Garden to see the Saints play for his birthday, and performing during the holiday season wearing Santa hats bringing not just Siena spirit, but the holiday spirit to the community.
Today, Alfred is retired and enjoys traveling with his wife of 48 years, golfing, fishing, and attending his grandson’s soccer and basketball games. Alfred spent his 40+ year career serving in the US Army reserves, and New York State government where he spent his last 26 years with the Department of Health as the HIV Prevention Program Director. Jessica has been a local elementary school teacher for 22 years teaching kindergarten for 15 years, and first grade for the last 7. Jessica has been married for 20 years and together they have one son.
For the Zielinski family, Siena was more than just an alma mater, but a thread in their family story that has spanned generations.
Are you a legacy family and want to share your Siena story? Email us at alumni@siena.edu. We would love to hear from you!