The announcement that Siena Heights University will close at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year is a moment of deep sadness for Adrian — and a test of our resolve as a community.

For over 100 years, Siena Heights has been more than an academic institution. It has been a vital civic partner, shaping the lives of students, creating jobs, and anchoring our city through its enduring bond with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. To lose this institution is to lose a part of our identity.

But while this moment is painful, it must not become permanent defeat.

Around the country, communities have faced similar losses — and responded not with resignation, but with imagination. When Marygrove College closed in Detroit, its campus was reimagined into a cradle-to-career educational ecosystem, community resource hub, and anchor for neighborhood revitalization. That transformation didn’t erase the pain — but it gave the space new life, rooted in the same mission of service.

In Burlington, Vermont, the closure of Burlington College could have left a blighted hole on the city’s waterfront. Instead, parts of the property were transformed into affordable housing and green space, helping to meet urgent community needs while preserving the site’s value.

These examples show us what is possible. Siena Heights’ beautiful campus, historical legacy, and strategic location are assets that can still serve Adrian — if we have the courage and creativity to see them differently.

Now is the time for local, county, state, and federal leaders to step forward — not just to reflect on what is being lost, but to help us imagine what can be gained. What role could this space play in workforce development, healthcare access, housing, community recreation, and the arts? How can we ensure that the Dominican legacy of education and social justice continues to shape our future?

Adrian is no stranger to reinvention. We’ve faced challenges before — and risen stronger. The closure of Siena Heights is not the end to this story, but a new chapter.  It’s a call to action.

Let’s answer it with vision, investment, and resolve.

Bob Behnke is a retired school superintendent and current Adrian City Commissioner.