In honor of his upcoming retirement, the Siena College community celebrated the legacy and achievements of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany The Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, D.D. H ’77 with an academic symposium titled “Social Justice, Lay Leadership and Interfaith Dialogue.”
“The power of the presentations and the depth of the presentations really overwhelmed me,” said Hubbard, whose formal connection to Siena began in 1977 when he was ordained a bishop on the College campus.
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Harry J. Flynn’56, M.A. ’66, H ’98, D.D. offered an introduction. Then, Boston College Associate Professor of Theology Fr. Kenneth Himes ’71 O.F.M., Ph.D., Senior Rabbi of the Beth Tzedec Congregation and President of the Toronto Board of Rabbis Baruch Frydman-Kohl and Georgetown University Professor Emerita of Systematic Theology Diana Hayes, Ph.D. discussed three key elements of Hubbard’s 36-years of episcopal ministry and explained the lasting impact Hubbard’s work will have on the diocese and the people he reached.
“There’s a sense of loss as I realize that he will be retiring from his episcopal office, but I know that will not slow or stop him from continuing to work for the greater good of the church of Albany and for the betterment of our world in whatever capacity he is able to serve,” said Hayes.
Siena College is ensuring that Bishop Hubbard’s legacy will live on through future generations of students. During the symposium, Siena College President Fr. Kevin Mullen’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. announced the launch of the Bishop Howard J. Hubbard Scholarship.
“That just blew me off the chair,” Hubbard said. “I’m still awe struck.”
Beginning next fall, a $3,000 annual scholarship will be awarded to students who gain admission to Siena College from the following high schools within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany: Bishop Maginn High School, Catholic Central High School, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Middle and High School, Saratoga Central Catholic High School, the Academy of the Holy Names, Christian Brothers Academy and La Salle Institute.
“Bishop Hubbard is the spiritual leader of the diocese and was responsible for ensuring high-quality Catholic education at all levels. This scholarship gives students coming out of Catholic secondary education in the Capital Region the opportunity to continue their studies at Siena College, a school that is rooted in the Catholic and Franciscan tradition,” said Siena College President Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D.
Hubbard said he is proud that the scholarship will bear his name.
“Those youngsters who receive this scholarship will benefit from a wonderful Franciscan education with all of the values and ideals of Francis of Assisi and the whole Franciscan movement,” said The Most Reverend Bishop Howard Hubbard, D.D.
The newly created scholarship will allow students from the Capital Region’s Catholic high schools to potentially follow a path that Hubbard would’ve pursued. The Troy native has often related that if he had not chosen to go to the seminary, he would have applied to become a Siena student. Instead, his legacy at the College will be helping others receive the education of a lifetime.
