Every Student Has a Story: Catherine Sanders '26

Catherine Sanders '26 not only picked her college years ago, but also knew exactly where she wanted to live her senior year - in the townhouse with her family's name on it.

Catherine isn't a student athlete, but she's been playing competitively on Hickey Field since she was old enough to catch a football. Each year, when the entire Campbell clan is together for the holidays, aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings invade the turf field on campus for a family game of football.

"It's full on flag football. Two of the dads are the quarterbacks. There are 15 cousins. Everyone gets involved. We'll be playing this game for generations to come. The Campbell connection runs deep."

Robert Francis Campbell '66 graduated from Siena and then met his wife, Janet (Burns), a College of St. Rose graduate. The Campbells raised their five children in the shadow of Siena's sports complex, and Bob, after a successful career at First Albany Corporation, joined Siena's Board of Trustees. Campbell's passion for Siena is contagious, and it caught fire in his second oldest grandchild.

"After our games, we'd walk around campus and Papa would point out different buildings to us. There's a townhouse with the Campbell family name on it, and when I was younger, I always knew I wanted to live there."

None of Campbell's five children attended Siena, and Catherine's mom ultimately started her family two hours away in Glen Rock, New Jersey. Siena was only the college around the corner once a year, but when it was time for Catherine to make her college choice, there was no choice.

"It was always Siena. I knew I wanted to study elementary education, and Siena didn't have that program. But I decided I would major in social work and figure it out. When I officially toured campus as a junior, I fell in love all over again. The service aspect is really important to me, and it just felt like home away from home. I applied early decision."

When the Campbell's downsized, Bob didn't move far. He's still within walking distance to campus, and that's one of the most important perks for Catherine.

"I stayed at his house every night during Saints training. I do laundry at his house. We watched the U.S. Open together. It was always the dream to attend Siena and spend quality time with him, and now I'm actually able to do it. We even spent time together in Europe this spring when I was abroad for the semester."

The only catch to an otherwise perfect college experience had been her major. Catherine loves her social work courses, but her dream is to teach special education in elementary school, like her mom did. For Catherine, the final piece fell into place on one unforgettable day earlier this year when she checked her email.

"There was an email from President Seifert to the campus community. He was letting us know that Siena was taking over St. Rose's elementary education program. I read it and almost started crying. That's the same program my Nana graduated from. I emailed my advisor the next day and said, 'I'm good to switch, right?!' Now I'm at my Papa's school, and I'm in my nana's program. It's like a warm hug from both of them. My younger self is so happy that it all worked out."

"A Highlight of My Life"

Catherine was in Florida with her family enjoying dinner at a golf club in November of 2001. She took a quick glance at her phone, and saw an email from Siena had popped into her inbox. It was the message she had been waiting her whole life to receive...

"It was just so perfect. I was actually sitting next to my Papa as I read my acceptance letter. I couldn't believe it. We both started crying and our family was all jumping up and down. Honestly, that moment was one of the highlights of my life!"

Catherine committed the next day, and was one of the first students to confirm her place in the Class of 2026. Before graduation, what's the one thing left on her Siena bucket list? Catherine's still hoping to get placed next year in the townhouse that bears her Papa's name.

"I'm the first one in the Robert Campbell family since my Papa to attend Siena. I really want to live in the Campbell house next year. Being Robert Campbell's granddaughter is something I'm forever proud of, and I plan on making my own name at Siena, too."