By Evan Hymes '15
With their classes complete, papers turned in and diplomas collected, Siena College’s Class of 2013 is ready to embark on the next phase of life. While there is some uncertainty that comes with taking the next step, the graduates leave Siena with a sense of hopefulness that was evident during Commencement. “I don’t really know what’s going to happen and that’s great,” said history major Andrew Ford ’13. “I can leave knowing that I am prepared.” Ford will be working in the insurance industry. He plans to attend graduate school at UAlbany and pursue a career in politics.
Siena awarded 805 Bachelor’s and 52 Master of Science in Accounting degrees to the Class of 2013. The College also awarded honorary degrees to United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of New York the Honorable Mae D’Agostino ’77, business and civic leader Walter Kicinski ’62 and President of Nigro Companies John Nigro.
As they celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2013, the sense of pride coming from the College community was contagious. “Measured by any standard, the Class of 2013 achieved more than any other class in the history of Siena College,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Cushing ’77.
Commencement Marshal and Professor of English Meg Woolbright, D.A. reflected on the progress the students made since they started their college careers. “It’s just so much fun to see these students that you had as freshmen, and now they’re graduating and they’re adults and they’ve accomplished so much,” said Woolbright.
Students have built a strong foundation not only in the classroom, but socially as well. Many students feel as if they have made lifetime bonds with friends and faculty alike. As a result, economics major and men’s basketball player O.D. Anosike ’13 said Commencement brought on a bittersweet feeling. “I’m going to miss Siena a lot, all the great friends and relationships that I built,” said Anosike. “At the same time, I think Siena has prepared me to move on.” Anosike plans to pursue a professional basketball career.
An aspiring entertainment critic, creative arts major Mitchel Clow ’13 is heading across the country to attend California State Fullerton to pursue his master’s degree in communications. Clow said it felt great to graduate as part of the Siena College community. “I can call these people friends for the rest of my life,” said Clow.
Physics and math major Alissa Earle ’13 will be attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology to pursue a doctorate in planetary science. She said the Siena faculty helped to shape her future. “The faculty that I’ve had the chance to work with and had for classes have all just been really fantastic,” said Earle.
With the time in Siena classes concluded, members of the Class of 2013 are poised to put what they learned into practice as they continue their education or begin their careers. As Earle will learn, not even the sky’s the limit to what they can accomplish.
Video Credit: David Etzler, video production specialist
