The institution was founded in 1919 as St. Joseph's College by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. In 1939, it was renamed as Siena Heights College, after Saint Catherine of Siena. In 1969, it became coeducational. In 1998, it was renamed Siena Heights University. The University is mentioned in Mario Vargas Llosa's novel "The Scape Goat".
The Sisters minister in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and in seven countries outside the United States: Canada, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Responsive to the "signs of the times," they strive to address the needs of the world, to serve where they are called to go.
Siena Heights is affiliated with and sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college seal uses the Dominican Shield of the International Order of Preachers, consisting of four white and four black gyrons or triangles. These symbolize the unity of a body of people working together for the common good. The "cross fleury" superimposed on the gyrons, signifies victory, duty and self-sacrifice. The sable symbolizes wisdom, silence, fortitude and penance. The light color signifies peace, purity, charity and sincerity. The motto surrounding the shield, "Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare," means "to praise God, to bless His people and to preach His gospel." The shield may also be surrounded by the six- or eight-pointed star that is the distinguishing symbol of St. Dominic.
Academics
The university has more than 40 academic programs of study between the College of Arts and Sciences, the College for Professional Studies and the Graduate College. The undergraduate college is further divided into seven academic divisions: Business & Management; Computing, Mathematics & the Sciences; Humanities; Nursing; Social & Behavioral Science; Visual/Performing Arts & Teacher Education. Siena Heights also provides classes for high school students through dual enrollment. This gives juniors and seniors who meet certain criteria to get college credit and experience while still in high school, getting students a step closer to going to college and learning about college life and class work. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1.
Athletics
Siena Heights teams are known as the Saints. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, primarily competing in the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference, while its football team joined the Mid-States Football Association in 2012. Prior to the addition of women's lacrosse by the WHAC, the women's lacrosse team competed in the National Women's Lacrosse League, Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track & field and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, dance, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track & field,volleyball, and wrestling. The mascot of the Saints is "Halo the Husky", created by former student, Matt Larson. Recently, the Saints baseball team won the WHAC tournament in 2012 to earn a bid to the regional site in Daytona Beach, FL. Siena Heights University is a five-star member of the NAIA's Champions of Character program.
Siena Heights offers a variety of housing options for students. Students are required to live on campus, but are exempted from this requirement if they live with family within 35 driving miles to campus, are 21 or older, have 88+ completed hours, are married, have dependent children, or are veterans. Ledwidge Hall and Archangelus Hall are the traditional residence halls on campus. St. Catherine Hall was completed in fall 2015. Three residence halls accommodate a total of approximately 500 students, all of which are required to carry a university meal plan used in the Dining Hall and SHU Shop convenience store located in the McLaughlin University Center. The residence halls have a variety of room types, including private rooms, shared suites and standard rooms with community bathrooms. Campus Village Apartments, located on the western edge of campus, is a privately owned modern apartment building that is managed by the University. A total of 154 students live in Campus Village.
Notable alumni
Ben Braun, college basketball coach
Darrell Issa, member of the U.S. House of Representatives
