FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Albany, NY – In recognition of a transformational gift – the largest in the college’s 65-year history – Maria College is naming its nursing school the Andrea Lewis Siek School of Nursing. The significant gift was made in honor of Andrea Lewis Siek, R.N., a 1966 graduate of Troy High School and 1969 graduate of St. Peter’s Hospital School of Nursing, the late wife of Richard E. Siek, her devoted husband and a Navy veteran. This historic gift is made on September 7 to celebrate what would have been Andrea’s 75th birthday.
Andrea lived a life of service as a charge nurse and mentor to countless nurses. Andrea was humble, kind, and dedicated herself to the highest professional standards. She was known as the “go to person” in the hospital when faced with challenging situations. Andrea’s exceptional leadership enabled those under her supervision to learn from her example and ensure patients received the best medical care complete with great compassion. When illness forced Andrea to retire early, she continued to be an advocate for the nursing profession and the importance of carefully trained, highly skilled nurses.
Andrea’s genuine care of others stretched beyond the hospital to volunteer work and playing “Santa” to families in need. She would anonymously pay for gifts families had on “layaway” and she would have gifts simply appear at the front door of people’s homes. Andrea was selfless and thoughtful in her care of others.
Andrea and Richard together lived a life of service. Richard, a retired Chief Petty Officer with an affiliation with the Navy Seabees for 36 years, serves as a Trustee on the Support Committee for the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery where he established the memorial bench program to honor loved ones. He is also a co-facilitator for the “HEAL” Grief Support Group. As a thoughtful philanthropist Richard supports both Maria College and St. Peter’s Health Partners in purposeful ways to honor Andrea’s life-long commitment of service to others.
Since Andrea’s death on March 16, 2017, Richard has established three nursing scholarships at the certificate, associate, and bachelor levels; refurbished a chapel in McAuley Hall which includes a statue of Our Lady of Grace commissioned in Rome, Italy; enhanced a state of the art nursing simulation lab to support students’ learning and preparation to serve as nurses; and commissioned a life sized bronze statue of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, as well as a campus Serenity Garden which he will unveil and dedicate on October 19, 2023. All of Richard’s philanthropic gifts are for the benefit of Maria College students and to further the legacy of his beloved wife, Andrea.
Richard E. Siek wholeheartedly believes, “The most noteworthy achievement in my entire life was being the husband of a Registered Nurse, Andrea Lewis Siek. None of this is about me. It’s all about what I can do to assist my dearly departed wife, Andrea, to continue to do what she loved best: to help people. Maria College has given me the platform and opportunities to continue Andrea’s wishes through some scholarships and donations. I thoroughly enjoy my affiliation with the Maria Community and thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Dr. Lynn Ortale, President, expressed her gratitude “for this historic and transformative gift for Maria College. The way Andrea chose to live her life serves as an exceptional example for our nursing students as they prepare to lead and serve. A true act of love by Richard to honor Andrea’s legacy in a meaningful and perpetual way. Richard’s decision to make this significant gift ensures Andrea’s legacy will live on in the hearts, minds, and service of Maria College’s faculty and nursing alumni.”
Dr. Colleen Carmody, R.N., said, “Maria College’s National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) pass rate for first-time test takers is 91%, which is among the best in the nation. The National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) pass rate is 87%. Both programs’ pass rates exceed national averages. This gift from Richard Siek ensures that Maria College’s Andrea Lewis Siek School of Nursing will continue that standard for years to come.” Maria College has graduated the most nurses in the Capital Region, including a graduating class of 186 nurses in 2023. The majority of Maria College’s 5,216 nursing alumni also serve in the Capital Region.
Dr. Anne Jung, Vice President for Academic Affairs, said, “We are extremely honored to be the recipient of this naming gift. Not only does it continue the generous legacy of Richard and Andrea Siek, but it also allows for Maria College to continue to build a diverse pipeline of both early career nurses and nursing leaders at a time when the nation is facing unprecedented nursing shortages in the healthcare workforce. Maria is proud to graduate the largest numbers of nursing professionals in the area at the LPN, RN and BS Completion level. This generous gift increases the college’s ability to maintain the highest standards of excellence in teaching and learning, to encourage innovative scholarship at all levels of our nursing programs, and to deliver nurses committed to the service of others.”
“Richard’s gift will forever have a positive influence on the future success of our nursing students,” said Maria College’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Vicki DiLorenzo. “I personally add my sincerest thanks to Richard for choosing Maria College for this significant gift.”
Andrea lived, learned, and worked side by side with the Sisters of Mercy who were instrumental in shaping Andrea’s leadership as a nurse. Board Chair Dr. Mary Jo LaPosta is grateful to Richard for “supporting the long tradition of the Sisters of Mercy’s commitment to educating nurses by naming Maria College’s nursing school in perpetuity after his loving and talented wife Andrea.”
A dedication ceremony is planned for Friday, December 8th, which is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This date was selected to reflect Andrea’s great devotion to the Blessed Mother.
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About Maria College: Founded in 1958, Maria College is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The private, co-educational, Catholic college in Albany serves approximately 800 students in a variety of bachelor degree, associate degree, a master’s degree, and certificate programs including liberal arts, healthcare management, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, and health and occupational sciences. mariacollege.edu.