Siena Heights University’s Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Mark Schersten has announced he will be retiring after the winter 2016 semester.

Schersten is in his 32^nd year at SHU. During his stay at SHU he has held many different jobs such as Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy and his current position.

Schersten, a highly educated individual, has a Ph.D. in Philosophy that he received from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. Schersten started his career in teaching at Marquette, where he worked as a teaching fellow and then an Instructor of Philosophy.

During his time at Siena, Schersten has received awards such as Outstanding Teacher Award and McNair Mentor of the Year. Schersten said, “The award that means the most to me was the Outstanding Teaching Award. This award came to me at the end of my sixth year teaching and was very meaningful to me.”

Schersten reflected on when he first made the decision to come to Siena.

“When I first came here, I did not know if this was going to be something I wanted to do,” he said. “I was a little Protestant boy and had only heard stories of nuns. I found out very quickly that the Adrian Dominican Sisters were nothing like what I was told. One of the greatest things I have experienced here was working with the Dominican Sisters. They are incredible women, and getting to know them had a profound influence on me.”

Schersten spent most of his career as Professor of Philosophy and said he never thought he would get into administration.

“My greatest memories come from when I connect with students from the past that still remember things that they learned in the class is the ultimate high,” he said. “It makes me feel like I haven’t wasted my time. My students have made a profound influence on my life. The way in which I was able to touch a few students and make them think more reflectively along the way is something that I treasure deeply.”

Not entirely sure when he will be done, Schersten said he “will be here until a new person is hired into the position.”

Schersten has many things he plans to do with his free time after he retires.

“I plan to spend more time with my grandchildren, gardening, traveling and more volunteer work such as meals on wheels. I will also have more time to get involved with the Lenawee community,” he said.

Schersten said he still plans to be around Siena.

“I just don’t have a enough gas in the tank for this job anymore. It is a 60-70 hour per week job that is for someone who is younger.”

Schersten has accomplished a lot in his time at Siena and will be greatly missed by the staff, faculty and students of SHU.