Siena College Opens Rosetti Hall
The opening of Siena’s newest building, Richard and Joan Rosetti Hall, gives the College’s departments of education, social work and sociology a new home and new teaching tools.
“All of the classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology,” said School of Liberal Arts Dean Janet Shideler, Ph.D.
Along with 27 offices, seminar and meeting rooms, and computer labs, the $6.9 million building features a video editing suite and five classrooms equipped with the latest in teaching technology.
American studies education major Michael Wallace’14 said Rosetti Hall is a fantastic addition to the Siena College campus. “The emphasis on technology is really great. In all my education classes, we get to be hands on,” Wallace said.
Senior sociology major Deanna Danzy ’14 said the technology gives students opportunities for new projects. “I was even talking to one of my professors about making one of our classes into a podcast so that we’ll have social theory on the Internet,” said Danzy.
Social work major Marisely Rodriguez ’14 said some of Rosetti Hall’s new features will allow her to sharpen her professional skills. “I think it’s fantastic that we have some video recording rooms and editing rooms, especially for social work where we do a lot of mock role plays and interviewing with clients which are actually our peers,” said Rodriguez.
In addition to having access to equipment that will help them hone their skills, Rosetti Hall’s layout and design gives students opportunities to collaborate and connect with their peers and professors.
“We can form, like, study groups and it’s just much easier to talk one-on-one,” said sociology major Megan Crandall ’16.
Professor of Sociology Paul Murray, Ph.D.’s favorite feature of the building is the gathering spaces. “Being a sociologist, I’m interested in social interactions and I see lots of spaces there that really promote that kind of interaction,” said Murray.
Rosetti Hall is also a model for sustainability. It is LEED Certified and utilizes a geothermal heating and cooling system. It has photovoltaic solar panels on the roof and, thanks to a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, it’s one of the first college buildings in upstate New York to have LED lighting throughout.
“The Lord was part of this project. Not because of anything the friars did, not because if some magical intervention, but because the people who built this and dreamed it were people who had vision and a mission,” said Siena College President Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D.
“They really imagined spaces that would, that would help students for years to come. And to help create communities of students who know how to collaborate,” said Shideler.
1987 Siena College graduate Richard Rosetti’s parents, Richard and Joan, made the lead gift toward the building that bares their name. “Through good fortune and hard work, my family has been blessed with health and great success. Therefore, it’s a great privilege for us to give back to a place that has such a strong connection with our family,” he said.
Through their generosity, generations of Siena College students will have the opportunity to learn in a technologically-advanced, environmentally-friendly building that serves as a beacon for Siena’s promise of providing the education of a lifetime.
