Matthew Purdy '25 didn't know the hamster personally, but when he was asked to play the bagpipes at its funeral, he felt honored to be included.
To put it bluntly, Siena's history club was on the verge of being history. Three years ago, attendance sagged into the single digits and the club leadership was preparing to graduate. The outgoing president looked out at the two people who had gathered for the final meeting of the semester and underscored the obvious, "Either one of you takes over, or there won't be a history club next year." Matthew put his hand in the air.
Matthew credits his experience with Boy Scouts of America for developing his leadership skills, and he values his Eagle Scout title as importantly as his identity as a Siena Saint. Meanwhile, it was his high school history teachers who stoked his passion for the past. But truth be told, he's more interested in today and building a better tomorrow. He just happened to find his opportunity through history.
"I encourage people with a passion to go out build it. We should preserve the past, but build the future. We need to be a community of build-aholics. This is what I've had the opportunity to build."
Leading a club of one, he got started. The first move Matthew made was to change the name of the Siena College History Society to the History Club, which just felt more accessible. Next, he drafted a new constitution and cast a new vision statement. He also changed the club's logo to the green, gold, and white cockade which he proudly pins to his shirt. Of course, it all would have been a futile exercise if he wasn't able to recruit new members. For that, he leaned a few hundred years into the past.
"That first club fair, I stood at my table in a very warm colonial outfit. I certainly stood out in the crowd. I ran around telling people I would be bringing a cannon to campus, and that got their attention, too. I was able to collect quite a few signatures."
He scored more than 60 signatures, and now has nearly two dozen active members. They'll explore the history of anything you want - from chocolate milk to historical mysteries - and they're currently planning this spring's annual Day of Living History. Meanwhile, Matthew continues to promote the club in his own unique way.
Matthew's email signature lists his class year as MMXXV, which is 2025 in roman numerals. He enjoys doing things his own way, especially when it spreads good vibes through the community. He laments the closed doors, faces buried in phones culture, and that's partly what prompted him to play the tin whistle at the townhouses. He traded in the whistle for the bagpipes that had been collecting dust at his aunt's house, and once he taught himself to play by ear, he began taking requests at the townhouses (always careful to avoid quiet hours). He's become so popular in fact, he gets requests to play the pipes at birthdays and, in one case, a funeral. Matthew solemnly performed as those who knew the hamster best paid their final respects.
"I dislike being called a campus celebrity. Anyone could slap on a goofy costume and play something. But most people sit idly by and wait for instructions, I just want to do. I don't know how many times I've made people's nights and I get an inebriated, "I love you!" in return. I'm just a guy who wanted to have a little fun."
He expects he'll make the rounds, in his kilt, at the townhouses again this spring as the weather gets nicer. He's also given some thought - as any history buff might - to his legacy. The history club is now in steady hands, and the future looks promising. So what does that say for Matthew?
"I'm thankful to family, friends, teachers, and the kind people of the Siena community. The world does need more Saints I suppose. I know it's a tagline, but it's true. Of course, throughout history, many saints have become martyrs. So for me, hopefully not yet."