New to the Friary: a Physicist and a President

Siena welcomed a new Franciscan friar to campus this summer, and welcomed back a returning friar president who will take on a new leadership position.

Br. Jimmy Kernan, O.F.M., (above, middle) will assume multiple roles as a lecturer in physics, assistant director of the Laudato Sí Center for Integral Ecology, and friar in residence in Hines Hall. Fr. Kevin Mullen '75, O.F.M., Siena's 10th president, will serve as guardian of the friary. He succeeds Fr. Mark Reamer '83, O.F.M., D. Min., who served 10 years as guardian and will remain vice president for mission.

Br. Jimmy earned his master's degree in molecular engineering from the University of Chicago in May, with a track in the computational modeling of materials. This field uses powerful computers to simulate how tiny building blocks, like atoms and molecules, come together to form materials. He explained that by improving the quality of materials used in areas like construction, electronics, and energy storage, scientists can help address energy inequity.

"Think batteries that can store energy produced by the sun and wind, or a more efficient way to produce cement - a major source of greenhouse gas emissions," he said. "Look at some of the big issues with energy equity, like climate change. Food scarcity is a result of energy inequity. They affect marginalized people most, by a landslide, when you look at migrant movements in the world right now."

He will teach two classes in physics, and will also help address the climate crisis by working alongside Br. Michael Perry, O.F.M., and Br. Jacek Orzechowski, O.F.M. at the Laudato Sí Center.

When he graduated from high school, Br. Jimmy wanted to become a priest. His experience as an undergrad at St. Bonaventure University led him to consider the friars. After novitiate, Br. Jimmy became one of the first friars to go through the Brothers Walking Together program, an immersive 10-month experience that takes student friars out of their comfort zones and puts them at the service of the marginalized. He worked at St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco, serving the poor in the Tenderloin district.

"Franciscans are meant to be in the world," he said. "We are to be with and among people where they are. It's something we do as friars, and hopefully we'll do more of."

Fr. Kevin, who served as president of Siena from 2007 to 2014, will return to his role as guardian
of the St. Bernardine of Siena Fraternity. Before being named president of the College, Fr. Kevin served as guardian from 2005 to 2007, a role he has fulfilled many times among the friars. He will also serve as a Franciscan Scholar on campus and represent the current Minister Provincial of the Our Lady of Guadalupe province on the College's Board of Trustees.

Fr. Kevin reflected that since leaving the Siena campus in 2014, he had always hoped to return to the Friary and the College when his term as Provincial Minister had finished.

"This plan was in the works when a surprise element was added, and I was asked to serve as the guardian of the friar community. I am happy to accept this responsibility," he said. "The job will be much easier now because I am following the lead of Fr. Mark Reamer, who did an excellent job as the fraternal leader of the community. I look forward to living again at Siena with my brothers and having the opportunity to serve the students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, and friends of the College."

You might see Fr. Kevin around campus in his #10 golf cart labeled "Peace and Good," not to be confused with President Chuck Seifert's #13 golf cart named "Pax et Bonum."

According to the friars' rule of life, the guardian is charged with fostering "the welfare of the fraternity and of the friars, to exercise watchful care over the religious life and discipline, to direct activities, to promote an active and responsible obedience among the friars in a spirit of true fraternity. Building up the fraternity where God is sought and loved above all things is the service the Guardian is called to."