ALBANY, N.Y. — Former Siena College president Kevin Mullen, OFM, was recognized this month for his service to academics and the New York capital region with the 2014 Academic Laureate Award from the University at Albany Foundation.
The Provincial Minister, who was president of the Loudonville, N.Y., college from 2007 until last summer, received the award Nov. 6 at a gala at UAlbany.
Kevin has supported the UAlbany Foundation award dinners in the past, he said, adding, “It is probably one of the largest philanthropic organizations in Albany.” He was recognized for his accomplishments in trying to advance the connection between academics and the business world.
In his remarks, Kevin said his “motivation was to remind the business community that education is about justice. Education is an act of justice.”
The UAlbany Foundation award was established in 1977 to strengthen the ties between the academic and business communities. The foundation began 10 years earlier.
Kevin, whose life as a friar has included work in New Jersey and Massachusetts, was called “an inspiration to all” in the event program. He “continues to hear and to heed the words of his saintly mentor, Francis of Assisi: ‘Brothers and sisters, let us begin again, for up to now we have done little or nothing.’”
The university described Siena’s 10th president as having “guided Siena’s successful efforts to create a new strategic plan, presided over its 75th anniversary, launched a $50 million comprehensive campaign, and oversaw major campus expansion and renovation.”
Throughout his career, Kevin has served as a teacher, pastor, guardian and director, often in administrative and leadership positions, according to the UAlbany website.
More than 400 people, many from Siena, attended the awards event, including several friars — F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, Siena’s interim president since August, Kenneth Paulli, OFM, Siena’s chief of staff, and Mark Reamer, OFM, guardian of the Siena friary. Two other leaders were honored that evening with Community Laureate Awards: Phoebe Powell Bende, a community volunteer, and Daniel Nolan, president and CEO of Hugh Johnson Advisors, LLC. Photos from the event appear on the website of the Times Union.
Kevin was elected Provincial Minister on June 4 at the Provincial Chapter.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.