LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. — On the News & Views radio program on July 7, host Kevin Mullen welcomed three guests to talk about the importance of mentoring young people: Jim Snyder, who directs a mentoring program at Siena College; Kevin Daly, a Siena alumnus who’s been involved in service activities on and off campus; and Brittany Dobbs, a Siena student majoring in marketing and management.
Snyder founded the mentoring program at Siena 42 years ago, at the suggestion of alumnus Fr. Peter Young. He later developed a summer program at the prompting of Boniface Hanley. Snyder estimates that more than 3,000 students have been involved: including Brittany, who was mentored and is now doing that in turn (but she doesn’t see it as an obligation as much as a pleasure).
Daly demonstrated “Mr. Wizard”-type science feats for the youngsters.
Donors and supporters of the mentoring program have included the Benevolence Fund of the Franciscans of Holy Name Province, and also a few individuals who want to remain anonymous.
News & Views airs the first Saturday of each month, on WVCR, 9 a.m. Eastern time, 88.3 FM in the Capital Region and simulcast on the Internet at www.wvcr.com
— Janet Gianopoulos is director of news services at Siena College.