Siena College was founded in 1937 in the town of Colonie (Loudonville community) by severn Franciscan friars and is an independent undergraduate liberal arts college. The college is composed of three schools of learning including the School of Liberal Arts, School of Science and School of Business. The Franciscan tradition plays out in the two crucial areas of college life.
The Catholic, Franciscan tradition is Siena’s founding tradition. Siena is considered to be a pluralistic community where the population includes not only Catholics, but other Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and secular humanists, among many others.
Siena’s first building, Siena Hall, began constructing in March of 1938 on the former site of an asparagus farm. Later that June, Siena received its provisional charter. in 1942, Siena changed its program to meet defense needs for World War II. The program was created to train Navy personnel as well as regular students.
In July 1950, the Friary was completed. In 1955, the Dawson Memorial Library was built. In 1959, Siena built Plassman Hall and Ryan Hall. In 1967, the Roger Bacon Science Center was created. Hennepin Hall was added in 1968 about the same time women were allowed to enroll at Siena as full-time students. In December 1974 the Almuni hall was built. Hines Hall was built in 1981 and the Marcelle Athletic Complex was completed in February of 1992.
The beautiful 166-acre Siena College campus is known throughout the community for its gold-domed building, Siena Hall which has been recently renovated.
Siena sponsors 18 Division I athletic programs, one of which is the Siena basketball team, the Siena Saints.
