Click here to see photos from the celebration.
Siena College was turning 80, and Shelby Wadsworth ’18 thought a birthday party was in order.
Sure, the College had observances planned to mark the milestone – such as a Mass celebrated by the Bishop – but why not have some fun?
Wadsworth decided to put her considerable organizing skills to work creating a celebration that would allow students to unwind after a week of classes while honoring Siena’s Franciscan heritage.
With just a week to go until the September 22 anniversary date, she reached out to the College’s marketing and communications office to run by them a list of possible activities. Field games? Check. Free ice cream? Check. Thank-you postcards for Siena’s Franciscan friars? Check.
And why not a therapy pig? She even scored a 100-pound pig named…wait for it…Bacon Bits, whose handlers bring him to special events to meet people and spread some happiness.
Bacon Bits sported his own green and gold Siena kerchief. He was a huge hit with the students, who lined up to pet him and snap selfies.
The Glen, N.Y. native is a marketing and management double major, with a minor in entrepreneurship.
"Siena is just the greatest experience I had yet in life," she said. “I wanted to do something where we could all have a great time and make memories, but also show the College how much it means to all of us.”
Siena Chaplain Fr. Larry Anderson seconded the gesture.
"Every day is important, but it is also important to take time to remember the people who made a lot of sacrifices throughout the years to make Siena the school it is today," he said.
Wadsworth is a 2014 graduate of Fonda-Fultonville High School, where she was class president. The leadership skills she has continued to develop reaped benefits on Friday for her fellow students at Siena.
Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M, has served as Siena’s 11th president since 2014.
“We want our graduates to go out into the world as well-rounded people who will truly make a difference in their families, in their careers and as citizens,” he said to those gathered at the midday Mass at the College’s chapel. “May the spirit of our founders live in our hearts and the Siena difference be known throughout the region and beyond.”
