Siena Celebrates Siena Like Never Before

Sep 26, 2025

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The September 18 ceremony began with a recorded, symbolic march through campus that blended into a live procession. The prerecorded pre-procession featured community members carrying banners, representing Siena's five core values, through campus. They united at the Grotto and then led the procession into a standing-room only UHY Center.

Following the procession, an inspiring video set the stage for the ceremony and a full day's worth of celebrating. Did the narrator of the video, who also emceed the ceremony, sound familiar? His name is Alan Roach, and in February, you'll hear him introduce the players at the Super Bowl.

Once the ceremony ended Saints filed out to the Academic Quad for a little bit of everything. There was the Academic Symposium, and a curated display of Siena artifacts. The blanket giveaway line wrapped around Roger Bacon, and of course there was music and food, games and drinks, a pop-up store, raffle prizes, and a night-capping, jaw-dropping drone show!

The day was chronicled through pictures (check out the full photo gallery) and with video (News10 ABC was among the media outlets covering the celebration), and also with... voicemail. A rotary phone was displayed, but it wasn't just another relic of Siena College. Saints were encouraged to pick up the phone, wait for the beep, and leave a message. The prompts included: 'What are you most looking forward to about Siena University?' and 'What's a memory from Siena you'll always hold on to?' Read some of the messages, below!

"My favorite memory of Siena was when people held the door open even if you were a mile away. And I loved everything, all of the goings on at the Rat. We are so excited for the name change so we can get some new shirts! New merch, yay! Thank you, Siena. Good luck!"

"Our favorite memory is living together all four years!"

"Something about the University that will feel like home and never change will be the people around us, and Baloo the dog, and Bernie the mascot."

"As we transition to a university, I feel like Siena will never truly change from what it's been and will remain the same home that I've always loved."

"I just want to thank Siena for all of the memories it has given me. This is 100 percent a home away from home. I'm a junior and I'm going to cherish these next two years all that I can. Shoutout Siena Dance Team. Thank you Siena for giving me my future bridesmaids, aunts to my kids, and my future family. I love Siena. Go Saints!"