Honors for Siena

Siena College was recently honored as one of the top Catholic institutions of higher learning in the United States.

Catholic Consensus placed Siena College as the eighth-ranked Catholic college or university in the country in its latest online survey. According to collegeconsensus.com, the rankings are “comprehensive by design, bringing the results of the most trusted ranking publishers together with the most reputable student review sites.”

Publishers such WalletHub, the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News & World Report determine the “Publisher Rating,” while student reviews such as Cappex, Niche and Students Review made up the “Student Review Rating.” Combine the two together and you have the “Consensus Rating.”

"Guided by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, Siena College students are prepared for the privilege to lead and serve with intelligence, empathy and compassion,” said Siena President Chris Gibson. “We are grateful that our Franciscan-inspired Education for a Lifetime has been recognized as one of the best in the country." 

The University of Notre Dame was the top-ranked Catholic college or university followed by Georgetown University, Boston College, College of the Holy Cross, Loyola University Maryland, Fairfield University, Villanova University, Siena College, University of Dallas and St. Mary’s College to round out the top 10. 

"Siena College's Franciscan tradition and Catholic identity have been at the heart of our mission since our founding in 1937,” said Father Mark Reamer, OFM, vice president for mission and guardian of the Siena friary. “It is our distinctive value! Siena seeks to advance not only the intellectual growth of our students, but also their spiritual, religious and ethical formation. It is heartwarming to receive this recognition and helps to reinforce our desire to continue to embody the values and vision of St. Francis of Assisi."

To see the full list, head to collegeconsensus.com/rankings/best-catholic-colleges.

RICE VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be the featured virtual speaker at Siena’s commencement ceremonies May 30.nSiena will host two separate ceremonies that day to comply with capacity regulations outlined in New York State’s Interim Guidance for End of Academic Year Celebrations During the COVID-19 State of Emergency.

Siena will award approximately 800 bachelor’s degrees at the ceremonies. Other commencement activities, including the awarding of about 60 master’s degrees, will be held on campus in the preceding days. Rice will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Siena.

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and to accommodate the two ceremonies, she will prepare a video address to be shared at the Times Union Center.