ADRIAN — Siena Heights University hosted its final fall convocation on Tuesday, headlined by keynote speaker and longtime theatre professor Mark DiPietro.
Around 300 students and community members lined the pews at St. Dominic Chapel to hear remarks from university leaders, including President Douglas Palmer, Professor Julie Barst, and Campus Minister Nathan Rawlins.
The ceremony also featured a performance of the university’s alma mater by the campus a cappella group, led by Professor Michael Yuen.
In his keynote address, DiPietro, an alum of SHU’s class of 1983, looked back on his memories as a student and faculty member, discussed themes of redemption in religion and popular culture, and looked forward to the upcoming year in the face of the school’s impending closure.
Following DiPietro’s speech, a benediction was led by the university’s former chaplain, Father Tom Helfrich.