The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality is celebrating ten years of spreading Ignatian charism.
Skin in the Game
A competitive Fairfield Dolan student investment club manages actual University endowment funds.
Innovation Through Collaboration
Biomedical engineering undergrads design and produce medical training simulators for the DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program.
The Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies heralds a new era of faculty-student research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement.
Photo by Owen Bonaventura
Lucas the Stag joined New Student Leaders in welcoming just over 1,450 members of the Class of 2028 to campus for Orientation programs in June.
On the cover:
Student researchers traveled with faculty to the Thimble Islands, an archipelago of 25 small wooded islands off the coast of Branford, Connecticut, to conduct environmental studies for Fairfield’s new Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies.
Photo by Joe Adams
Fairfield University
Fall 2024 | Volume 47 | Number 2 a.m.d.g.
Editors, Jeannine (Carolan) Graf ’87, Tess (Brown) Long ’07, MFA’11
University News Editor, Susan Cipollaro
Vice President for Marketing and Communications,
Jennifer Anderson ’97, MBA’02
Designer, Nancy (Gelston) Dobos ’91
Photography by:
Joe Adams: pages 2, 4, 16-29
Adrian Rodriguez-Bilbao: page 33
Owen Bonaventura: pages 5, 7, 10, 38-39
GradImages, Abdo Sharhan: pages 10-11
Andrew Henderson: pages 14-15
Kristie Kistner: pages 38-39
Patrick Sikes: pages 38-39
Casey Timmeny: page 9
Contributed photos: 6-7,8-9, 31-37, 40-41
Media Center: page 2
Fairfield University Magazine is published four times (November, March, June, September) during the year by Fairfield University. Editorial offices are located at: Fairfield University
1720 Post Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 254-4000
email: magazine@fairfield.edu
Printed at Allied Printing Services Manchester, Connecticut
COVER STORY
by s U san C ipollaro
The Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies heralds a new era of faculty-student research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement.
The new center offers an integrated approach to climate studies and is a testament to the University’s dedication to scholarly excellence grounded in the Jesuit values of social responsibility, justice, and care for our common home.
“In the spirit and words of St. Ignatius, the Murphy Center really is about ‘the care of souls.’”
— r ev d enis d onogh U e , s .J. Director of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality
by s ara C olabella ’08, M a’11
Biomedical engineering undergrads design and produce medical training simulators for doctoral students in the DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program.
Doctoral students in the Egan School’s DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program are honing their skills using low-cost, high quality silicone training models designed and produced by undergraduate students in the School of Engineering and Computing.
by J eannine (C arolan ) g ra F ’87
The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality is celebrating ten years of spreading Ignatian charism.
Over the past decade, guiding students, campus community members, and Diocese of Bridgeport neighbors through the process of discernment and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola has been the central focus of Jesuit and layperson collaborators at Fairfield’s Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality.
A
of
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is preparing the next generation of leaders, scientists, and scholars.
siness
by t ess ( b rown ) l ong ’07, MFa’11
A competitive Fairfield Dolan student investment club manages actual University endowment funds.
& gi F ts
al UM ni notes p ro F iles :
Soraya Bilbao ’94, M’03, M’14 From Teaching in Tonga to TESOL 35 Chris Chiodo ’89, MD Finding Beauty in the Medical Arts
“[W]e are filled with hope and excitement for what lies ahead. Our collective efforts and unwavering dedication continue to advance academic excellence…”
Dear Friends,
The summer months were bustling at Fairfield as we continued our mission to educate and form men and women of promise in service of the greater good.
In late July, I and a number of Fairfield colleagues gathered in Chicago with presidents, administrators, faculty, and staff members from peer institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) to discuss ways to advance the Society’s work of faith, justice, and reconciliation.
Returning to Chicago, I found myself reflecting on the past seven years since I joined Fairfield from the University of Chicago. The late Robert Zimmer, president during my deanship there, often stressed the need for higher education institutions to think strategically in sevenyear arcs. For student-centric Fairfield, this is particularly true. Typically, our first-year students look to the senior class for guidance and our seniors take special care to support the first-years — making the length and breadth of a typical student’s touchpoints seven years.
Send your letters to the editors of Fairfield University Magazine to Jeannine (Carolan) Graf ’87 and Tess (Brown) Long ’07, MFA’11 at magazine@fairfield.edu.
Your news could be featured in an upcoming issue of Fairfield University Magazine! Submit your updates through Class Notes within the Online Community and don’t forget to include a photo! Go to fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity.
Looking forward to our next seven years and beyond, we will continue to focus on quality and scale, dedicated to forming young persons of integrity to go into the world and change it for the better.
Drawn by this purpose, the Class of 2028 is our largest ever with just over 1,450 students. With an acceptance rate of 33 percent, it is also our most competitive class, aligning us with a new group of national peers and ranking us among the six most selective Catholic universities nationwide. The average high school weighted GPA of the new class stands at an impressive 3.96, up from last year’s 3.85.
Our incoming students hail from ever broader geographies, including 26 new Company Scholars — a program offering four-year, fulltuition grants to students from Cristo Rey and
Jesuit high schools — who represent ten states and the countries of Micronesia and Tanzania.
Further demonstrating our commitment to the Jesuit, Catholic mission of reaching ever broader audiences in ever more innovative ways, our second Fairfield Bellarmine associate’s degree cohort of 77 students began classes this summer. The first cohort’s retention rate of more than 90 percent is well above the national average.
We opened a new student residence, Avery Dulles Hall, a useful complement to Faber Hall on the southeast corner of campus. Sister Thea Bowman Hall, which opened last year in the Quad, was recently granted LEED Certification at the Gold Level.
Additionally, the University has taken occupancy of office space at 1720 Post Road in downtown Fairfield, a short walk from our bookstore. Fairfield Post is home to our Center for Social Impact, the new Center for Arts & Minds, and a number of administrative colleagues.
In this issue of Fairfield University Magazine, you will read about the exciting launch of our Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies – our first cross-disciplinary academic center and a reflection of our continuing commitment to the Vatican’s Laudato si’ Action Platform, which calls us to “care for our common home.”
You will also read about the 10-year anniversary of our Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality and the ongoing success of its unique programs for students, our on-campus community, and our Diocese of Bridgeport neighbors.
Embarking on our next seven-year strategic arc, we are filled with hope and excitement for what lies ahead. Our collective efforts and unwavering dedication continue to advance academic excellence; further achievement in arts, culture, and athletics; and broaden access through scholarships, pathways, and outreach — as always, ad majorem Dei gloriam: for the greater glory of God.
With my deepest gratitude and best wishes,
Mark r ne M e C, phd President
The Charles F. Dolan School of Business Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Strategy (MSMAS) program has been ranked second in AnalyticsDegrees.org’s guide to the nation’s Best Online Master’s in Marketing Analytics programs of 2024.
The MSMAS Program at Fairfield Dolan ranks #2 on the list, which also includes Michigan State University, St. Joseph University, Penn State University, and American University, among others.
According to AnalyticsDegrees.org, the best data and business analytics degrees in each state (and online programs in the U.S.) are ranked based on key factors including accreditation, outcomes, and salary after graduation.
The Fairfield Dolan Master’s in Marketing Analytics and Strategy program has a 100 percent employment rate within three months of graduation, with options to complete the degree in a hybrid format or in person. The AACSB and NECHE accredited program is taught by expert faculty who bring decades of industry experience to the classroom, and offers extensive experiential learning opportunities through industry partners, particularly through the MSMAS capstone project. l F
Former assistant to the President and alumni chaplain Rev. Gerald Blaszczak, S.J., played a vital role in the planning and launch of Fairfield Bellarmine, the associate’s degree program serving lower income students from the Greater Bridgeport area. Although he has departed the University for a new assignment, Fr. Blaszczak’s vision for the Bellarmine program will continue through the establishment of a cura personalis fund in his name.
University Trustee Bob Murphy ’71 created the unrestricted Gerald Blaszczak, S.J., Cura Personalis Fund to provide resources for unexpected personal or familyrelated expenses students may face outside of the classroom.
“The fund is core to our Jesuit mission and the call to minister
to the whole person,” Murphy said, “and Fr. Gerry is a living example of the power of that mission and ministry.”
Long before Bellarmine Campus opened in fall 2023, Fr. Blaszczak envisioned a program instilled with “a spirit of familiaritas — where students would feel accepted and cared for, like part of a family.” This spirit, he noted, was foundational to the first Jesuit schools of the 16th century and remains the tradition by which modern Jesuit universities such as Fairfield distinguish themselves.
“Bob Murphy shared that vision and was an advocate of ‘wrap-around services’ for Fairfield Bellarmine students,” said Fr. Blaszczak, who has joined Fairfield’s Board of Trustees. “I am humbled that he would associate my name with this fund.” l F
Two teams of Fairfield Dolan business analytics students participated in the Business Analytics Competition at Manhattan College (BAC@ MC), which was open to all undergraduate colleges in the U.S. The undergraduate team of Joshua Orndorff ’24, Christian O’Rourke ’24, and Spencer Chidley ’24 secured second place at the competition, which took place from May 20 to May 22. A second student team consisting of Fairfield Dolan students Laura Melin ’24, Liz Uyar ’24, Justin Harper ’24, and Duncan Hathaway ’24 also participated in the competition. Twenty-one teams from around the country spent a semester preparing posters to present in phase one of the competition; each team’s presentation was evaluated by seven faculty members from different colleges. In phase two of the competition, BAC@MC challenged the student teams
with a new research question: to compare the financial performance of nursing homes in New York versus Florida. The teams were required to recommend which state presented a better investment opportunity and identify factors influencing performance in both states.
They had less than 12 hours to complete their analysis, finalize their presentation, and submit their slides.
The Dolan students maximized their data analysis skillset using MySQL for their master dataset, available on GitHub, and leveraging XGBoost and SciKit-Learn in Python to model data from case studies on nursing homes. This was done through research on private equity debt and related-party transactions in nursing home holding companies.
Both Fairfield Dolan teams advanced to the final round, two of six remaining teams to make final presentations to a panel of nine industry judges. l F
Fairfield University and the American Friends of Lafayette presented The Lafayette National Symposium, “Lafayette and the Enduring Struggle for Human Rights and Democratic Governments,” on September 7.
This daylong symposium commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s historic farewell tour of America in 1824, highlighting his profound impact on human rights and democratic ideals.
Among the Fairfield University symposium’s distinguished lineup of experts were New York Times bestselling author and podcaster Mike Duncan, recognized for his influential history podcast “Revolutions.” Duncan joined Lafayette scholars to examine the Frenchman’s impact across Europe and the Americas. Historian and reenactor Mark Schneider performed a live improvisation along with student cast members from the University’s Theatre Fairfield program.
Fairfield University ranks among Money magazine’s Best Colleges in America 2024, achieving an outstanding 4.5star rating. Money, a trusted authority in personal finance news and advice for more than 50 years, recently introduced a new rating system emphasizing education quality (30% weighted ranking), affordability (40%), and outcomes (30%), analyzing more than 700 four-year colleges nationwide.
Fairfield University’s exceptional performance in Money’s rankings distinguishes it prominently among Connecticut universities, with only Yale and Wesleyan receiving 5 stars.
“Fairfield University’s ascent in recent years underscores its position as a premier value
proposition in American higher education and a distinguished leader among Jesuit Catholic institutions nationwide,” said Vice President of Marketing & Communications Jennifer Anderson. “Our graduates are leaders in all professions and walks of life.”
Money highlighted Fairfield University’s strong student outcomes, with 98 percent of graduates securing concrete plans within six months of graduation, and alumni earning salaries above the national average. The publication’s ratings encompass critical factors such as graduation rates and affordability, offering prospective students and families valuable insights into the return on investment of a Fairfield University education. l F
For the first time since 2011-12, Fairfield University Athletics has won the MAAC Richard J. Ensor, Esq. Commissioner’s Cup. The Stags also earned the MAAC Women’s Commissioner’s Cup for the third straight season and placed second in the Men’s Commissioner’s Cup standings.
The Commissioner’s Cup is awarded annually as a symbol of overall excellence in athletics. Scores from men’s & women’s basketball, plus the top six men’s and top six women’s scores are used to determine an institution’s total points.
Fairfield scored a total of 161.50 points in the Commissioner’s Cup standings to mark the most in program history and the
second highest total in conference history. The Stags won MAAC Championships in volleyball, women’s basketball and women’s tennis, also earning the regular season crown in all three of those sports in addition to men’s tennis, women’s lacrosse, and baseball.
Fairfield also racked up points with runner-up postseason finishes in women’s soccer, women’s swimming & diving, men’s basketball, men’s tennis, men’s & women’s golf (including MAAC individual champion Maria Beltran), women’s lacrosse and baseball. In total, 11 of Fairfield’s 17 MAAC sports finished first or second in the conference postseason. l F
The first print copies of a new book about the history of Fairfield University have arrived on campus and at the downtown Fairfield Bookstore. Written by University Archivist Elise Bochinksi and Professors Emeriti Paul Lakeland, PhD, and Kurt Schlicting, PhD, Success on the Sound: A History of Fairfield University chronicles the University’s colorful history and remarkable rise to national prominence. Published by St. Joseph’s University Press, copies are available for purchase at fairfield.edu.
In addition to success within the MAAC, Fairfield teams participated in the NCAA postseason in volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s tennis, and women’s lacrosse – with the latter earning the first NCAA at-large bid in Fairfield and MAAC women’s lacrosse history. Maria Beltran became the first student-athlete to represent the Fairfield Women’s Golf program at an NCAA Regional and posted the best-ever performance at a regional by a MAAC women’s golfer. Women’s basketball and women’s lacrosse both earned national rankings during their respective campaigns.
Fairfield also won a Northeast Conference Regular Season Championship in field hockey, and men’s lacrosse posted a third-place finish in the Coastal Athletic Association and qualified for the CAA postseason for the first time since 2016.
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of New York’s 57th annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala was held on April 13 at the New York Hilton Midtown to honor member firms for design achievements of superior skill and ingenuity.
Fairfield’s Leo D. Mahoney Arena was awarded a Diamond Award in the Structural Engineering category. Led by Vice President of Facilities, Campus and Auxillary Services David Frassinelli M’92, the team that designed and constructed Mahoney Arena included Centerbrook Architects, Gilbane Building Company, and Gilsanz Murray Steficek, LLP.
Diamond Awards were presented to the 26 most exceptional projects, both within New York State and worldwide.
ACEC New York is a proactive coalition representing nearly 300 member firms who engage in every discipline of engineering related to the built environment including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental, and geotechnical — and affiliated companies. l F
Ten Fairfield University athletics programs scored a perfect 1,000 in the NCAA’s annual Academic Progress Rate (APR) report. The Stags led all Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) schools with nine teams that compete in the conference gaining the 1,000 threshold, three more than runner-up Marist College’s six teams.
Men’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s golf, softball,
women’s soccer, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and women’s tennis garnered the top percentage in the APR based on the academic years of 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23.
The Academic Performance Program provides measurable goals to ensure schools are fulfilling their commitment of equipping student-athletes with the tools and resources necessary to achieve academic success. l F
In May, the College of Arts and Sciences’ Shannon Harding, PhD, professor of psychology and brain sciences, and Madeline Kitlas ’24 presented their facultymentored research project at the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences Conference in Bergen, Norway.
Dr. Harding, an expert in behavioral neuroscience, conducted research with Kitlas that investigated sex differences, social isolation, and behavior, using a rodent model. They examined the impact of social isolation during adolescence on anxiety-like behaviors and spatial memory, as well as the potential benefits of treating these
deficits with taurine, a dietary supplement and semi-essential amino acid that affects the neurotransmitter GABA. Their study was based on more than a year of data collection. l F
Funded by an $82,000 grant from the Switzerland-based Benina Foundation, Melissa Quan, EdD, director of the Center for Social Impact led four faculty members and Fairfield alumnus Luckario Alcide ’21 on a trip to Loyola High School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in early summer. This was a reciprocal visit, as a group of 12 staff members and students from the Jesuit secondary school on the coast of East Africa visited Fairfield’s North Benson campus in 2023.
Alfred Babo, PhD, associate professor of international studies and sociology and anthropology, worked with students in Loyola’s Geography Club.
Professor Janet Striuli, PhD, and Kimberly Barba ’10, PhD, assistant professor of mathematics, exchanged ideas about math pedagogy with Loyola teachers.
Stephaney Morrison, PhD, associate professor and director of the School Counseling program, worked in the role of a school psychologist. l F
Fairfield University’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business MBA programs have once again been included among The Princeton Review’s 2024 Best Business Schools Rankings.
The Princeton Review’s best on-campus MBA list and Best Online MBA Programs list features Fairfield Dolan among business schools selected based on various factors, including institutional data such as career outcomes, admissions selectivity,
and academic rigor, among others. Data is collected through surveys of school administrators and current students, who provide insights into their experiences. For the 2024 rankings, data was gathered from 409 business school administrators and 32,200 MBA students.
Fairfield Dolan boasts a 99 percent job placement rate, with graduates going on to work for organizations like Synchrony, Northwest Mutual, Medtronic, and many more. l F
Fairfield University’s nationally ranked Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies filled its summer cohorts for two nursing programs in Austin, Texas. The popularity of Egan School programs in the Lone Star State signals Fairfield’s growing reputation within the state and local community.
In May, the Austin campus welcomed its third cohort of Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (ASDNU) students. The full-time 15-month program leading to a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree has been in existence for more than 20 years at Fairfield; in Austin, it provides the quickest means of widening the pipeline of BSN-prepared nurses in Texas, a state whose deficit of registered nurses is
expected to top 57,000 within the next eight years.
The Egan School also welcomed its first cohort of nurse anesthesia doctoral students to the Austin campus in May. The DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program expansion was approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) in January and is the first and only nurse anesthesia concentration in Central Texas.
Admission to the Austin-based program was competitive: more than 120 applications were received for only 15 available spots.
The Egan School is ranked #58 among graduate nursing schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Its DNP in Nurse Anesthesia program is ranked #29. l F
As part of its global expansion initiatives, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business has announced two new partnerships with Jesuit universities in Spain and Uruguay.
The 4+1 degree agreement will enable undergraduate students from Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid (Comillas ICADE) and Uruguay Catholic University (UCU) to pursue graduate degrees at Fairfield
MUSEUM EXHIBITION BREAKS SINGLE-DAY VISITOR RECORD
A record-breaking 837 visitors of all ages visited the Fairfield University Art Museum on July 25 to enjoy the Peter Anton: Just Desserts solo exhibition and a special community ice cream social, marking the highest single-day attendance in the museum’s history.
Anton’s incredibly realistic, oversized pop sculptures of desserts — including a melting chocolate-covered ice cream pop, a candy apple, a gigantic box of donuts — was on view from May 10 through July 27 in the Walsh Gallery.
Dolan, upon completion of undergraduate studies at their home institution. This agreement will further students’ education and expand their global opportunities.
The 1+1 UCU program stipulates that the students in UCU’s master’s degree in management program will study the first year in Uruguay and spend their second year at Fairfield Dolan, earning two graduate degrees, one from each institution. l F
Responding to the nation’s critical need for highly trained educators, the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) has launched an undergraduate major in curriculum and instruction. Simultaneously, SEHD has reformatted Fairfield’s four-year pathway for secondary education which will allow for those pursuing teaching in middle and high school to become certified in four years.
The curriculum and instruction major offers students the opportunity to pursue one of two distinct tracks: elementary education or special education. As of the fall 2024 semester, prospective students will be able to complete their certification for teaching in Connecticut in four years, which according to interim dean Evelyn Bilias Lolis, PhD, “allows SEHD to place students into a workforce that direly needs qualified professionals teaching our K-12 youth.” l F
Fairfield University honored the academic excellence of the graduating Class of 2024 at its 74th Commencement ceremonies May 19 and 20. Degrees were conferred upon approximately 1,660 students: 1,061 bachelor’s degrees; 529 master’s degrees; 55 doctoral degrees; and 15 sixthyear certificates.
On Bellarmine Lawn on Sunday, May 19, undergraduate Commencement speaker,
The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, addressed the graduates, telling them, “Saint Ignatius speaks of setting the world on fire, but that fire begins deep within you and me. It’s a passion, a burning desire for each of us to seek greater excellence, more authentic integrity, to challenge the accepted beliefs of modern society.”
Bishop Caggiano was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to building faith communities of solidarity and inclusion. The undergraduate ceremony also celebrated the achievements of honorary degree recipient Patrick J. Waide Jr. ’59, former University Trustee and a distinguished leader in international professional services. Waide has had a transformative
impact on the Fairfield community, most notably through his generous support of the Center for Applied Ethics at the Dolan School of Business, renamed The Patrick J. Waide Center for Applied Ethics. Student Commencement
Speaker Steven Cullen Burns ’24 spoke about how he learned to incorporate Jesuit values such as cura personalis — care of the whole self: mind, body, and spirit — while examining his purpose, or his “why.” “Magis encourages us to strive for excellence in all that we do, including the ways we take care of ourselves, and how we can be a source of light in the lives of those close to us and beyond. The Jesuit values guide us to find purpose and fulfillment in all that we do.”
For the First tiMe in University history, international graduates from the Dolan School of Business Shanghai MBA program received their diplomas in person at the graduate ceremony, which took place at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Saturday, May 18. The MBA program has been available to professionals in Shanghai since 2019, in partnership with Golden Education, one of the largest management training companies in China.
Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León, former President of Mexico, delivered the Commencement address at the graduate ceremony.
degree
Commencement
“Magis encourages us to strive for excellence in all that we do, including the ways we take care of ourselves, and how we can be a source of light to those close to us and beyond.”
steven CU llen bU rns ’24
Zedillo, honored with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, is renowned for his visionary leadership in economic reform, social justice, and international cooperation. His address inspired graduates to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future with courage and a commitment to positive global impact. “Graduates, this is your moment. This is your world now. You are stepping onto a stage teaming with both unparalleled promise and great peril...Raise your voices.”
Fairfield alumna Carolyn M. Vermont ’82, MA’84, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, was also presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree and recognized for her tireless efforts to provide affordable housing solutions, empower communities, and promote diversity and inclusion. A former University Trustee, Vermont’s volunteer leadership positions span local, statewide, and national organizations.
In his closing remarks President Nemec encouraged graduates to effect positive change in the world, quoting Chris Lowney, a former Jesuit seminarian and JP Morgan managing director, and a 2019 honorary degree recipient. “Everyone is a leader, and everyone is leading all the time. The measure of a leader’s personal greatness is less what they found at journey’s end and more the depth of human character that carried them along the way.”
Each year, Fairfield University recognizes a select number of seniors and graduate students with awards for both academic and service-related accomplishments. These awards highlight the students’ contributions to excellence, engagement, and volunteer service in the Ignatian tradition. The following awards were presented at the annual Student Achievement Awards ceremony in April:
IGNATIUS LOYOLA MEDAL
Nicholas Calabrese (Undergraduate)
Kate McGrady (Graduate)
WILLIAM J. KRAMER
CLASS OF 1960
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Lilly Lashar
GRADUATE SERVICE AWARD
Stephen Hayes
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Charlotte Delmonico Commitment to Excellence in Healthcare
Habibul Huq Contribution to Building Community on Campus
Paul LoGrippo
Creation of the Sports Analytics Club
Caroline Sweeny Advancement of Best Buddies
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is preparing the next generation of leaders, scientists, and scholars.
by M argaret M C n a M ara M C C l U re , p h d
Drawn to the st U dy of mind and behavior, Christina Maher ’20 chose to major in psychology at Fairfield University, but was unsure of where her degree could take her.
Maher was far from alone in her choice of academic path — psychology is traditionally the largest undergraduate major in the College of Arts and Sciences. Currently, the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is home to 455 students majoring in psychology, behavioral neuroscience, or psych with a concentration in behavioral neuroscience. Additionally, drawing students from across the University’s four undergraduate schools, there are 84 minors in psychology or behavioral neuroscience.
Behavioral neuroscience is a relatively new minor/major — introduced in 2018, the program has exceeded all expectations for growth, almost doubling the projected number of students from five years ago.
Fairfield’s flourishing psychology and brain sciences programs host a state-of-theart neuroscience EEG lab, an animal facility, and labs in clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology. As an undergraduate with access to all of these offerings, Maher said she was “inspired to explore new topics, which laid the foundation for my interests as a neuroscientist.”
In her senior year, Maher participated in faculty-mentored undergraduate research that examined social cognition deficits in individuals with borderline personality disorder and with experiences of childhood trauma.
Maher and her fellow researchers presented their work at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association in the spring of 2020 — an experience, she said, “that prepared me immensely for graduate school and beyond.”
Around 25 psychology and behavioral neuroscience majors participate in this type of faculty-mentored undergraduate research or independent theses annually. “There are ample opportunities for students to get hands on research experience, working side by side with a faculty mentor,” said professor and former department chair, Linda Henkel, PhD. “They can take courses in supervised research, and then develop their own research that they run, analyze, write, and report in independent research. We take our responsibilities in serving as research mentors to students very
“ Cura personalis profoundly influenced my research ideas and ethos as a neuroscientist. It emphasized not only academic excellence but also ethical responsibility, compassion, and a commitment to serving others through research.”
Christina Maher ’20
seriously — and we excel at it.”
Case in point: professor and current department chair Shannon Harding, PhD, was recently recognized with the Mary S. Erksine Award from the Northeast Under/graduate Research Organization for Neuroscience, for her scholarship and substantial contributions to the mentorship of students.
This culture of mentorship reflects well on student outcomes, with many program graduates, including Maher, being accepted to top doctoral programs, medical schools, law schools, and graduate programs.
Upon graduating from Fairfield, Maher moved to England to complete her master’s degree in cognitive neuroscience at University College London, before returning stateside to begin the highly selective neuroscience PhD program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. She credits the personalized instruction and one-onone attention she received from Fairfield’s psychological and brain sciences faculty members for her discernment of a career in neuroscience. “These interactions not only fueled my curiosity but also honed my critical thinking and analytical skills,” she said, “which are indispensable in graduate school, scientific research, and beyond.”
i n addition to researC h opport U nities , the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences boasts a robust internship program, including long-standing placements with community organizations such as Hall
Neighborhood House, which provides comprehensive services that educate, enrich, and empower residents of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Maher found that the internship opportunities, whether in lab placements or community-based initiatives, “equipped me with practical, transferable skills that complemented my academic learning.”
Dedicated study abroad opportunities also abound. Every other summer, Dr. Harding accompanies students to Galway, Ireland, for a faculty-led study abroad experience. Maher, in her junior year, participated in the department’s unique partnership with Global Fairfield, allowing her to complete a clinical internship while studying abroad in London.
Outside the classroom, extracurricular activities with a social conscience are also popular with psych majors. The department’s student-run Psychology Club was recently bestowed the Culture of Hope Award from the American Society for Suicide Prevention, for its success in raising more than $100,000 over the last five years for suicide prevention efforts. Maher sees her transformative experience in Fairfield’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences as a reflection of the University’s commitment to cura personalis, or care for the whole person. “Cura personalis profoundly influenced my research ideas and ethos as a neuroscientist,” she said. “It emphasized not only academic excellence but also ethical responsibility, compassion, and a commitment to serving others through research. This holistic approach inspired me to pursue research questions that address societal challenges and contribute positively to the scientific community.”
Assistant Professor Amanda Haber, PhD, who joined the department last fall, agrees. “As a new faculty member, I have been so impressed with the time and attention provided to each student as they grow and progress along their academic path. Our faculty has such a diverse range of research interests, but what really sets our department apart is the passion faculty members share for mentoring students in the classroom and in their research labs,” she noted. “I know that the work we are doing here is preparing the next generation of leaders, scientists, and scholars who will make a long-lasting impact on the world.” l F
For more information about the psychology and behavioral neuroscience programs at Fairfield, visit fairfield.edu/psychology.
by t ess ( b rown ) l ong ’07, MFa’11
On a s U nday M orning in the haze and heat of July, a group of students in impeccably pressed suits gathered in the lobby of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business. Many had driven hours to campus to meet with Fairfield University Magazine. They were all ten minutes early. They had firm handshakes. They were prepared to field questions about macroeconomic outlooks, risk analytics, and long-term investment growth strategies.
Fairfield Dolan prides itself on the top-drawer preparedness of its students. But this group is a particular marker of the Dolan School’s quality of experience: they are members of the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), a competitive extracurricular club open to any undergraduate or graduate student willing to brave the rigorous application process.
Headquartered in Fairfield Dolan, the SMIF club is advised by Nazli Sila Alan, PhD, associate professor of finance, Nomalia Manna, PhD, assistant professor of finance, and Noah Wollowick, visiting instructor of analytics. Members meet every Tuesday evening during the academic year to venture into actual securities analysis and portfolio management.
The SMIF currently manages about $400,000, a portion of the University’s endowment allocated by Fairfield’s Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer Michael Trafecante MBA’01, P’26,’22,’21,’19. Trafecante acts as signatory on the brokerage account for the group and liaises to the University’s Board of Trustees, which ultimately approves all allotted funds.
Trafecante said that one of the many
Left: SMIF advisor Nomalia Manna, PhD, confers with (center) the club’s Vice President Colby Zelano ’24, and (right) President Andrew Martin ’25.
rewards of working with SMIF is “getting to know these truly impressive, high-quality students” who will one day, he suspects, become very successful.
The SMIF has grown remarkably since its inception in 2007, when a handful of students gathered to form an investment team. Today, there are 50 student members across class years and a core longterm leadership group that consists of a president, co-vice presidents, seven portfolio managers, and a fleet of analysts. The SMIF also has students in the roles of chief economist, chief risk officer, and chief marketing officer. Grouped by industry segment, teams of members present ideas to the full club each week; these initiatives are then voted on by the officers.
“This organization is a group of driven, passionate, team-oriented students that share a fascination both in the markets and in a future career in finance.”
a ndrew M artin ’25
Student-run investment funds and clubs exist at other universities, and they, too, often invest actual money, but one particular distinction makes Fairfield Dolan’s SMIF unique.
“A big difference at Fairfield is the autonomy we give to the students,” said Dr. Alan, who has advised the group since 2019. In talking with a number of faculty from other schools, she’s learned that when it comes to decisionmaking, faculty members often have the biggest input. And even more often than that, student recommendations have to go “up the chain” in a weeklong or two-week approval process. “By then, the market has changed,” said Dr. Alan. “In our case, students have to show up every week; there is no ‘free riding.’ Sales and acquisitions are decided upon…and everything executes the next morning.”
A large part of the students’ work in the SMIF centers around researching and pitching potential investment opportunities. Currently, the portfolio is made up of
diverse equities — stocks, ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), mutual funds, and bonds — from consumer staples, energy, healthcare technology, and industrials. Recently the club has made some global investments in India; some ETF options in China and Korea are currently being contemplated.
“The students do an amazing job,” said Dr. Manna, about the extensive research that goes into creating an informed pitch for a SMIF meeting. “They learn about the politics of the country, how the political scenario impacts the stock markets...it’s a very intentional process, with a focus on ethics.”
Current SMIF President Andrew Martin ’25 said that the investment club was one of the key reasons he chose to attend Fairfield. A New Jersey native, he originally learned about the SMIF from his older brother, John Martin ’23, MBA’24 who currently serves as the club’s alumni liaison.
“This organization is a group of driven,
passionate, team-oriented students that share a fascination both in the markets and in a future career in finance,” Andrew Martin noted. “My current role casts a wide net to ensure that everyone is heard, creativity and curiosity is utilized, and that our place at Fairfield and in the community is maintained and augmented.”
Martin’s predecessor, outgoing SMIF President Dean Tobin ’24 attended the prestigious Alternative Investment Conference at the London School of Economics last February, making history as the first Fairfield University student to do so. He recently accepted a full-time position as a retirement plan associate at Franklin Templeton. In fact, most students who participate in the SMIF benefit from résumés with hands-on investment experience and alumni connections within the group, earning internships and jobs at top firms like Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, UBS, Deutsche Bank, TD Securities, Wells Fargo, and Morgan Stanley.
SMIF members are also focused on community outreach. They’ve organized clean-ups on Jennings Beach, introduced new Fairfield Bellarmine associate’s degree students to the club, and created a Women’s Insights Program to mentor women interested in finance careers.
“We feel that as ‘men and women for others,’ it’s our responsibility to give back to those around us,” Martin said, “and to leave a lasting impact greater than ourselves on the community we are grateful to be a part of.”
Oh, and, how’s the fund doing this year? Its 2024 year-to-date performance is currently up approximately 12.8 percent, significantly outperforming market benchmarks on a nominal and risk-adjusted basis. l F
THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE, COASTAL, AND MARINE STUDIES HERALDS A NEW ERA OF FACULTY-STUDENT RESEARCH, INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
by s U san C ipollaro
Situated on the coast of Long Island Sound with direct access to its varied ecosystems, Fairfield University is ideally positioned for the newly unveiled Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies. In a distinctive, immersive setting for faculty and student researchers, the new center embodies the University’s commitments to advancing interdisciplinary knowledge and addressing urgent environmental challenges facing our world today.
The creation of the new hub for environmental research began with a vision to establish a center that fosters collaboration and integrates faculty expertise across disciplines, said associate professor of physics Robert Nazarian, PhD. “Since arriving at Fairfield, I’ve learned of many faculty members conducting inter- and transdisciplinary work in the area of climate, coastal, and marine
Summer research led by associate physics professor Robert Nazarian, PhD, and biology professor Shannon Gerry, PhD, took place in July on Outer Island—the southernmost of the Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford, Conn. in the Long Island Sound.
“BY ORGANIZING THESE EFFORTS WITHIN A CENTER, WE’RE ELEVATING THE INITIATIVE, ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO WORK ON PROJECTS WITH MULTIPLE FACULTY MEMBERS IN DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES, AND STRENGTHENING SUPPORT FOR STUDENT RESEARCH IN THIS FIELD.”
— r obert n azarian , p h d , Associate Professor of Physics
studies,” he said. “Their research, often with students, has been presented in some of the top venues of their respective fields. Given Fairfield’s strong faculty expertise in this area, I wanted to explore how we could support and amplify this scholarship.”
Dr. Nazarian is special assistant to the associate vice provost for research and scholarship, and will serve a three-year term as the center’s inaugural director. “By organizing efforts within a center, we’re elevating the initiative, encouraging students to work on projects with multiple faculty members in different disciplines, and strengthening support for student research in this field,” he noted.
Across the United States, interest in climate studies is on the rise. According to a 2023 study conducted by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse, 81 percent of college students are concerned about climate change, and 74 percent have an expressed desire to participate in initiatives focused on sustainable practices.
Over the past several years at Fairfield, 117 undergraduate and graduate students have conducted research projects led by faculty in the areas of climate, coastal, and marine studies. Faculty and student-faculty research have resulted in more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, 55 conference presentations, and a book. Of these, Fairfield students were co-authors on 26 peer-reviewed publications and 26 conference presentations. Collaborations in environmental studies with faculty have led to remarkable student outcomes. Brody Matijevic ’25, Carissa Agostino ’23, and James Vizzard ’23 coauthored studies led by Dr. Nazarian on projections of extreme precipitation over the Northeast and Northern Mexico. Named a 2022 Goldwater Fellow, Vizzard is now a PhD student at the University of Chicago. “Doing research with Dr. Nazarian gave me the opportunity to find a passion for making new discoveries,” said Vizzard. “Because of
this passion, I am now pursuing graduate studies and applying my experience in using mathematical models to biological systems.”
In the English Department of the College of Arts and Sciences, Humanities Fellow Amber Aslaigh ’22 worked with Professor Elizabeth Petrino, PhD, on her project “The American Oceanic Sublime,” which studied how Lydia Sigourney and Emily Dickinson portray the experience of the sublime through an environmental lens. “My research project, in conjunction with my Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies capstone, encouraged me to consider different literary ideas through a more interdisciplinary approach,” said Aslaigh, whose work earned her a full scholarship for PhD studies at the University of Indiana. “The insights in critical thinking and analysis that I gained as an undergraduate continue to help me consider works of literature through various lenses at the graduate level.”
Dr. Petrino predicts that The Center for
Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies will offer even greater opportunities for students and faculty to explore unique approaches to literature and culture. “Fairfield University has demonstrated its commitment to understanding the human experience through the launch of this interdisciplinary center,” she said. “Students and faculty will be able to address major social and scientific concerns through a variety of lenses in exciting new ways.”
Headquartered in Donnarumma Hall on the North Benson campus, a primary goal of the Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies is to promote interand trans-disciplinary research that bridges the gaps between various fields of study. “I wear the hat of climate scientist and physical oceanographer at Fairfield,” said Dr. Nazarian, “but there are also faculty in anthropology looking at how climate
change impacts migration. We have faculty in the School of Education and Human Development looking at climate anxiety and climate literacy. There are faculty looking at sea-level rise economics. It’s a cross section of the whole university.”
The center will support the research of close to 30 full-time faculty members from diverse disciplines across all of Fairfield’s professional schools and the College of Arts & Sciences, according to a key collaborator on the initiative, Margaret McNamara McClure, PhD, associate vice provost for research and scholarship, and professor of psychological and brain sciences. “This interdisciplinary approach ensures that our research is comprehensive and impactful,” she said.
Alongside Fairfield students conducting summer research this year, Dr. Nazarian and Charles F. Dolan School of Business economics professor William Fernando
quality
above left: Outer Island, owned by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, features granite formations, boulder and cobble beaches, and undeveloped coastal habitats
above : Biology Professor Shannon Gerry, PhD uses a plankton tow to collect small invertebrates from the waters
“BY FOCUSING ON RESEARCH AND INTEGRATING JESUIT VALUES, WE ARE SETTING FAIRFIELD APART AS A LEADER IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP AND IMPACT.”
— r obert n azarian , p h d
Vasquez Mazariegos, PhD, collaborated with alumna Jennifer Trudeau ’09, PhD, on a climate science and economics project to analyze Connecticut beach-goers’ willingness to pay for adaptation and mitigation efforts to address rising sea levels at coastal state parks.
“Real-life problems are complex and their solutions don’t lie in a single discipline,” said Dr. Vasquez Mazariegos. “They require a good understanding of climate sciences, engineering, politics, and economics, among other aspects.”
From an economic standpoint, Dr. Vasquez Mazariegos noted that their project is important to coastal tourism and the recreational services provided to visitors and Connecticut residents. “Our research may yield support for protecting policies that provide low-cost access to beaches.”
Many of the new center’s initial research themes will concentrate on both the local and global implications of the effects of climate change on the Long Island Sound region — an
area critical to environmental and community health. “By concentrating on the Long Island Sound,” said Dr. McClure, “we are not only helping to protect a vital ecosystem, but also providing valuable insights that can inform broader climate policies and practices.”
The Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies plans to foster a vibrant research culture on campus through a monthly seminar series featuring a diverse mix of speakers. Undergraduate stipends for summer research will be offered, some specifically designated for Fairfield Bellarmine students. Additionally, faculty summer stipends will be awarded to bolster independent projects and student-engaged research. Mini grants and individual grants will also be available. Down the road, the center plans to gradually increase the availability of stipends and grants, and create a teaching postdoctoral scholar position, which will
rotate among senior faculty every two years. As the center grows, there are aspirations to establish an endowed Chair in Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies position and initiate a sabbatical research opportunity at a partner institution.
Community partnerships will help expand the center’s impact beyond the academic sphere. “Our collaborations with local organizations will enhance our research and provide practical benefits to the community,” said Dr. McClure. “By working together, we can address local environmental challenges and share our findings with a broader audience.”
This collaborative approach reflects Fairfield’s commitment to environmental stewardship, and the Vatican’s encyclical Laudato Si’: Care for Our Common Home, in which Pope Francis urges a reevaluation of our responsibilities to protect creation and address environmental harm caused by modernization, consumerism, and inequality, while upholding human rights.
“Jesuit universities have adopted Laudato Si’ as a pillar, essentially expressing how we care for our common home,” said Dr. Nazarian. “By focusing on research and integrating Jesuit values, we are setting Fairfield apart as a leader in environmental scholarship and impact.” l F
opposite page : Underwater flora beneath the surface of Long Island Sound.
(l-r) Mattia Speretta, Dr. Robert Nazarian, and Madeleine Birardi ’27, take a closer look after trawling for plankton.
above : Cormorants and a seagull bask in the sunlight on a rocky perch.
left: Dr. Shannon Gerry analyzes microscope projections of collected plankton samples with Ethan ChowWhite ’27 and Brody Matijevic ’25.
by sara Colabella ’08, Ma’11
Biomedical engineering undergrads design and produce medical training simulators for doctoral students in the Nurse Anesthesia program.
On the second floor of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, nurse anesthesia residents are clustered around a procedure table set up with ultrasound equipment and five lifelike silicone neck and shoulder models. With steady hands, they practice inserting needles into the model necks and guiding ultrasound wands across the skinlike surfaces, their eyes focused on screens as live images of the needles, nerves, and structures within the necks come into view.
This is not just any training exercise; it is an ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia simulation for a peripheral nerve block. The silicone neck models, complete with 3D-printed collarbones and plastic tubing that mimics nerve threads, offer students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia program hands-on practice in administering a peripheral block near nerve regions — a necessary technique they will someday use on real patients in healthcare settings.
The models used during the simulation are the result of an innovative collaboration between Fairfield Egan and the School of Engineering and Computing, driven by
a surge in enrollment in the DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program, which has recently expanded to Fairfield’s Austin, Texas campus.
The influx of new nurse anesthesia students highlighted a critical need for additional simulation training resources. Tasked with the design of low-cost, high quality training tools for the DNP students, undergraduates in Fairfield’s Biomedical Engineering program rose to the challenge.
“This collaboration is important because it bridges the gap between engineering and healthcare, fostering interdisciplinary learning and innovation,” said Susan Freudzon, PhD, professor of the practice of biomedical engineering.
“This collaboration is important because it bridges the gap between engineering and healthcare, fostering interdisciplinary learning and innovation.”
s U san F re U dzon , p h d , Professor of the Practice of Biomedical Engineering
t wo engineering design pro J e C ts — the custom silicone neck and shoulder models described above, and a previous trachea model (see sidebar) — were the results of multiple collaborative meetings, test runs, and refinements over the course of a year. Working together on these models enhanced the nurse anesthesia residents’ understanding of the technical aspects of the medical devices they use, and also improved their practical skills. For the biomedical engineering students, engaging with clinical applications and facing real-world healthcare challenges ensured their designs were both practical and effective.
“From a faculty perspective, it was rewarding to see the students’ learning evolve as they went through the design process,” said Dr. Freudzon.
Custom-built in the School of Engineering and Computing’s Innovation Annex, the silicone necks were designed as a senior capstone project by Emma Crowley ’24, Julia Kilroy ’24, Ryan Baker ’24, and Wilson
Kaznoski ’24. They are known as ultrasound phantom models and take roughly 12 hours each to make. Ultrasound phantoms are essential tools for simulation, providing a “stand-in” for real human tissue that can be scanned or imaged. The bioengineering team’s reusable, low-cost phantom devices have proven to be indispensable models for nurse anesthesia students to practice their skills on.
“The silicone neck aids us in performing upper extremity regional blocks and allows us to practice our ultrasound skills while also attempting to provide us with realistic human anatomy,” said Steven Santiago, a nurse anesthesia student in the DNP program. “The collaboration between our two programs not only helps hone our clinical skills, but also allows us to help the engineering students by providing feedback on their project.”
A big challenge for the biomedical engineering students came when choosing the right type of silicone to best imitate
human skin. If the silicone is too stiff, the nurse anesthesia residents are not able to maneuver the needle. If the silicone is too soft, the material will crack from repeated use, resulting in puncture pathways that inhibit the residents’ ability to locate nerves independently. Additionally, the type of silicone used impacts how the needle and neck structures appear on the ultrasound.
Through a trial-and-error design process, the biomedical engineers overcame obstacles such as the silicone not curing properly and the 3D-printed nerve network and collarbone appearing fuzzy on the ultrasound.
“I’m a biomedical engineering major, but I’m also a pre-physician’s assistant,” noted Emma Crowley, “so being able to meet with the nursing students and professors to learn how the procedure is done and to get feedback was helpful.”
Reflecting on the many tweaks and improvements made during the design phase, she noted, “My anatomy class also helped me understand how to improve the design of the mold and what it needed to look like on the ultrasound.”
The seniors presented their capstone project, titled “Ultrasound Phantom for Regional Anesthesia,” and won first place in the student poster session of the 2024 ASEE (American Society of Electrical Engineers) Northeast Conference, which drew a recordbreaking attendance and was hosted by Fairfield University in April.
Simulation coordinator and assistant professor of the practice Christine Aloi, DNP, CRNA, APRN, noted that the partnership with the Biomedical Engineering program “has greatly benefited the Nurse Anesthesia program. Our cohort has grown, and the engineering team has supplied us with several silicone neck models for use in a single lab setting. This enables multiple nurse anesthesia residents to practice this skill simultaneously, providing them more time and experience in the simulated placement of this particular peripheral nerve block of the upper extremity under ultrasound guidance.”
The two schools plan to continue their collaboration next year. Based on feedback received this summer, Dr. Freudzon’s biomedical engineering students will further modify designs to create a series of models with varying skin thicknesses that better simulate the range found among patients. There is also a plan to supply models to the newly launched DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program in Austin, Texas.
“This collaboration is the beginning of a wonderful partnership between biomedical engineering students and nurse anesthesia students,” said Dr. Freudzon. “We have already discussed future projects and plan to innovate and work together to continue to produce educational training tools that can be used to enhance clinical training and improve patient care.” l F
below : Dr. Susan Freudzon and Ryan Jaworski ’25 review a newly 3D-printed trachea prototype.
The first collaboration between Fairfield’s biomedical engineering students and nurse anesthesia residents resulted in the design and 3D-printing of a low-cost, anatomically correct trachea model, which allows the DNP students to practice airway management skills and cricothyrotomy — an emergency surgical intervention for creating an airway when traditional intubation is not possible. In response to feedback from the Fairfield Egan students, biomedical engineering undergrads Emma Crowley ’24, Ryan Jaworski ’25, Matthew Manduca ’25, and Maeve O’Connell ’25 developed a unique trachea model that features a 3D-printed neck-shaped base to stabilize the trachea, and artificial skin using “tattoo skin” — which has lifelike texture and response, and is used for practice by tattoo artists. The trachea model takes about two and a half hours to print on the 3D printers in the School of Engineering and Computing’s Innovation Annex. l F
“We look to engage people where they are, guide them toward a fuller understanding of their faith, and help them to take the next step in their walk of life.”
r ev . d enis d onogh U e , s .J., Director of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality
by Jeannine (Carolan) graF ’87
When s t i gnati U s o F l oyola F or M ed the s o C iety of Jesus almost 500 years ago, central to his mission was a commitment to “the care of souls.” Believing that every human soul is precious, Ignatius encouraged his six fellow founding Jesuits to focus their pastoral ministry on guiding individuals toward spiritual growth and a deeper, more personal relationship with God.
Guiding people through the process of discernment and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius remains a primary directive of the modern-day Society of Jesus; it is one of the four Apostolic Preferences of the global Jesuit order. For the past ten years, it has also been the central focus of Jesuit and layperson collaborators at Fairfield University’s Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality.
Since the center first opened at Fairfield University in 2014, the number of Jesuit priests and brothers in the United States has decreased significantly, consistent with trends among other religious orders. As a result, the Murphy Center’s mission “to keep the Ignatian charism alive” at Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep — and to offer Ignatian spirituality beyond campus to the broader Diocese of Bridgeport community — increasingly relies on lay companions.
“We try to cooperate with God’s grace and move where the spirit is leading,” said Marcy Haley, associate director of the Murphy Center. “There are fewer and fewer Jesuit priests, but a great desire for our programs. How do you carry on the charism? Partly through training laypeople in the Ignatian tradition, individually and communally.”
The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality is celebrating ten years of spreading Ignatian charism.
left: Director of the Murphy Center Rev. Denis Donoghue, S.J., oversees Ignatian spirituality programs that serve hundreds of students and community members each year.
In the spirit and words o F St. Ignatius, the Murphy Center really is about ‘the care of souls,’” said Rev. Denis Donoghue, S.J., director of the Murphy Center. “We look to engage people where they are, guide them toward a fuller understanding of their faith, and help them to take the next step in their walk of life.”
Fr. Donoghue and his Murphy Center staff of five oversee spiritual direction programs, teach undergraduate courses in Ignatian spirituality, lead retreats, support campus ministry at Fairfield Prep, offer Ignatian pilgrimages to Diocese of Bridgeport parishes, host an “Aging With Grace” online program, and partner with Fairfield Athletics to minister to more than 500 student-athletes each year.
What has been most notable about the center’s evolution over the past decade, said Haley, “is how demand for our programs has grown — we have seen an ever-increasing desire for community connection and for a deeper sense of intimacy with God.”
The Murphy Center’s Spiritual Director Formation program, a two-year certification course, has twice as many applicants as can currently be accommodated. Seventy-three spiritual directors have been certified since 2014, and 13 candidates are now in formation.
More than 60 spiritual directors — mostly laypeople of diverse backgrounds and faiths — are actively spreading Ignatian charism
through the Murphy Center at this time, providing one-on-one spiritual direction to approximately 360 people from campus and the broader community each month, as well as to 140 Fairfield undergraduates who participate annually in a ten-week “Encountering the Living God” Ignatian spirituality program.
DU ring his sopho M ore year, student-athlete Jack Cartnick ’25, was admittedly skeptical about embarking on the semester-long “Encountering the Living God” experience. “Before entering spiritual direction,” he said, “Ignatian spirituality was simply a concept mentioned in class that had little tangible meaning to me.”
After his first one-on-one session, Cartnick’s attitude “completely flipped.” Inspired by his spiritual director’s openness and free-flowing style of guidance, he realized “that amid the hustle of classes and assignments, rowing practices and social events, taking time each day to talk to God can have a profound impact on my life.”
Weekly spiritual direction provoked a deeper connection with his faith than Cartnick had ever felt before, motivating him to share his experiences with his grandmother, Sharyn Cartnick — a woman with a well-worn set of rosary beads who is active in her church. “I began to see spirituality and faith as a common ground for us to grow closer,” he said.
“If you allow God to enter your life, he will appear in unexpected ways,” Cartnick noted, describing how a phone conversation with his grandmother about the Examen prayer and Ignatian spirituality offered him new insights into their relationship. “I now feel closer to her than ever, and I have spiritual direction to thank for this.”
Sharyn Cartnick is also grateful for that conversation with her grandson, which inspired her to begin praying the Examen. “It amazes me how God never gives up on us!” she said of her new daily prayer habit. l F
about the
Th e Murphy Cent er fo r
of F airfield Univ e rsit y
The spark of an idea to open a center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield was first ignited in a conversation between The Rev. James Bowler, S.J., who at the time served as Fairfield University’s director of Ignatian spirituality, and Deacon Patrick A. Toole Jr.
“We both had ideas about creating a center to train spiritual directors,” said Deacon Toole, who currently serves as chancellor and secretary of the Curia for the Diocese of Bridgeport, “so we met for about a year with a group of founding collaborators, and the rest is history.”
On Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, the community is invited to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at the 11 a.m. Mass at Egan Chapel.
At a special luncheon immediately after Mass, the following founders of the Murphy Center will be honored with the James M. Bowler, S.J., Award, in recognition of their lives of service exemplifying the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
Donna M. Andrade, EdD, M’82
Patricia P. Brennan ’73 (posthumously)
Francis J. Connolly Jr.
Michael G. Considine
George E. Diffley, P’97, ’96
Traugott F. Keller
Robert Kretzman
Joan L. Lee
Stephen M. Ryan Jr. Deacon Patrick A. Toole Jr.
Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.
Please visit fairfield.edu/mcis-10 to purchase individual tickets or table sponsorships to attend the luncheon.
A $242,456 grant has been awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to Mark Demers, PhD, professor of mathematics and director of the graduate program in mathematics. This Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) grant will provide funding for research aimed at establishing important connections between analytical challenges and fundamental models from statistical mechanics, such as mathematical billiards. Dr. Demers will actively recruit undergraduate students, to participate in summer research programs. Students will showcase their findings through poster sessions at regional and national meetings as well as potential publication in academic journals.
Michele Parker, PhD, associate professor and director of the Marriage and Family Therapy program, has been awarded a $60,316 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant. Her project, titled “Autism Complexity and Parental Well-Being: The Role of Care Coordination in Promoting Health Equity,” explores how support services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affect the health and stress levels of their parents. The research aims to understand how these services benefit parents depending on various factors, such as their location and background, including race, ethnicity, and whether they live in urban or rural areas.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a grant of $157,158 to Sidike Paheding, PhD, assistant professor of computer science, for his role in the “Integrating Remote Sensing and Deep Learning for Predictive Surveillance of Mine Tailings Impoundments” project. This funding comes as part of a sub-award from the University of Mississippi; the total grant amount between collaborators is $399,475. As part of his role in this project, Dr. Paheding will be advising a graduate student to develop novel deep learning methods with effective multimodal data fusion approaches toward the objectives in this project.
Four professors (three projects) and one student received funding from the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium in the Summer 2024: n Djedjiga (Gigi) Belfadel, PhD, associate
professor of electrical and biomedical engineering, was awarded $10,000 for her proposal “Multi-Sensor Fusion for Robust Drone Swarm Navigation without GPS.” This project aims to build upon Dr. Belfadel’s prior research in advancing drone technology research and education by using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to fuse the observation from the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), an optical flow and a ranging sensor.
n David Shekhtman, PhD, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received $2,700 for his proposal “Spectroscopy of (2+1)- and (3+1)- Multiphoton Acetone Tracer Excitation for Nonintrusive Laser Diagnostics of High-Speed Flow.” The project aims to continue the exploration of how acetone, a common chemical, reacts when exposed to light.
n Sriharsha Sundarram, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering, in collaboration with Shahrokh Etemad, PhD, professor and chair of mechanical engineering, was awarded $9,873 for the project “Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) Metal Foam — Phase Change
Material (PCM) based Passive Thermal Energy Storage Units.” This project aims to use lightweight metal foams with intricate, repeating patterns to improve heat storage in materials that change phases (like melting and freezing).
n Reem Kharbouch ’27 was awarded $6,000 for her proposal “Investigating Acoustic-Based Object Detection to Enhance Swarm Drone Navigation in GPS-Denied Environments.” The project focuses on advancing drone navigation capabilities in GPS-denied environments by employing an innovative, cost-effective solution.
Carey Weber, Fairfield University Art Museum (FUAM) Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director, has received support for the upcoming Tonalism exhibition from John and Barbara Hazeltine as well as the Traditional Fine Arts Organization, in the amounts of $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. An art movement that emerged during the 1870s, Tonalism was characterized by atmospheric landscapes and muted color palettes. The exhibition, titled Dawn to Dusk. Tonalism: American Landscape Painting in Connecticut, will explore Tonalism in the United States from the 1880s to the early 20th century, primarily through artists from the Northeast who painted in Connecticut. The Robert Lehman Foundation provided support in the amount of $7,500 for the Edwin L. Weisl Jr. Lectureships in Art History at FUAM. The lectures will provide many constituencies (including Fairfield students, faculty and staff, life-long learners, K-12 educators, and the greater community) with access to free, high-quality educational
The PwC Charitable Foundation contributed a $25,000 Reimagine Grant aimed at enhancing the educational and career development of Fairfield Bellarmine students.
experiences. Presentations will complement material represented in the permanent collection and highlighted in special exhibitions, and will provide opportunities for curricular engagement across multiple disciplines and departments within the University.
The University’s Fairfield Bellarmine program recently received three grants from corporate foundations. The PwC Charitable Foundation contributed a $25,000 Reimagine Grant aimed at enhancing the educational and career development of Fairfield Bellarmine students. The grant will fund workforce development programs designed to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their careers. These programs run from March 2024 to January 2025, covering both academic and internship periods. The IMA Foundation generously provided $10,000 towards student scholarships, and further support came from the RBC Foundation –USA in the form of $2,500 for critical general support.
The Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation has provided a $40,000 grant to the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies. Under the guidance of Glenn Dynner, PhD, professor of religious studies and Carl & Dorothy Bennett Chair, this support will be used for Bennett Center programming and a program manager.
The Paul L. Jones Trust Fund has provided an award of $40,000 to the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, to provide scholarship support to nursing students at Fairfield University. The Southwestern CT Agency on Aging and Independent Living (SWCAA) has approved continued support in the amount of $9,816 for the Matter of Balance fall prevention program (Older Americans Act, Title IIID), overseen by associate professor of nursing Jessica Planas, PhD.
The Maguire Foundation awarded a $50,000 to support the future endeavors of eight Maguire Scholars.
Through a $35,000 donation, the Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation continues its critical scholarship funding in support of the next cohort of Ernest and Joan Trefz Community Partner Scholars.
The Pio Costa Foundation has given $5,000 to support the St. Anthony Scholarship fund for students on campus l F
’71 | John Skoyles had two poems published in Commonweal: “Token Entry” (May 2024 issue), and “Poem for the Morning” ( July 2024 issue). He also wrote book reviews for Late Montale and Butterfly of Dinard, both by Nobel Prize-winning poet Eugenio Montale; these are posted on the On the Seawall website.
’82 | Paul Miller has founded Paul Miller Mediation Services LLC, specializing in the mediation of civil and family/divorce matters in New Jersey.
’84 | Cesare (Frank) Figliuzzi National Security Contributor for NBC News and MSNBC, has published his second book, Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers, the true-crime account of the FBI’s Highway Serial Killings initiative. His first book, The FBI Way, was a national bestseller.
Francis “Pat” Tobin selfpublished his first book, The Greatest Debut Albums, containing a detailed listing of the greatest (in his opinion) debut records in the entire history of pop/rock music, alongside some very interesting stories. Available at Amazon.com.
’85 | Cathy (Leombruno) Lounsbury, EdD, LCPC, was recently promoted to the position of dean of counselor education at Antioch University. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Lounsbury served as a full professor of clinical mental health counseling and was instrumental in the program’s growth
leslie (estelle ’05) and Keith Alberstadt welcomed son, Joseph Leonard, Sept. 9, 2024. He is pictured here between his two big sisters Eleanor (4) and Eileen (2).
Share your news! Simply log on to the Alumni Online Community and post your Class Note. Not a member? Registration is easy — www.fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity. Sign up and log on today.
as an international low-residency program with a focus on diversity, social justice, and clinical practice. Dr. Lounsbury’s research portfolio centers on trauma-informed care, counselor wellness, and social justice advocacy in counselor education.
’87 | Carolyn (Hunt) Mueller CT’94 has taken on the part-time role of human resources manager at Malta House in Norwalk, Conn. Malta House provides transitional housing for pregnant women and their children who are unhoused, along with skillbuilding supportive programming to assist the new mothers in achieving independence and the ability to support and parent their children.
’88 | Michelle Lipko earned a 2024 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Excellence. Principal of the corrections school SCI Waymart in Wayne County,
Lipko was honored at a June 17 ceremony for bringing innovative educational opportunities to her incarcerated students. Her efforts have led directly to new programs, opportunities to earn transferable college credits, writing workshops, and a guest lecture series, helping her students see beyond the facility walls to a successful future.
’90 | Paul Carey has been appointed as co-managing partner at Mirick O’Connell in Worcester, Mass. An integral part of the firm since 1995, Carey is a member of the management committee and has led the recruiting committee as a hiring partner. A partner in the firm’s creditors’ rights,
bankruptcy, and reorganization group, he represents borrowers, lenders, and creditors, navigating through troubled commercial relationships.
Carey has earned the esteemed AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and he has been named on multiple occasions to the Pro Bono Honor Roll of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts.
’92 | Frank J. Chesky has recently been promoted to executive vice president and chief legal officer at Hard Rock International.
’96 | Jessica (Murray) Lastarza recently launched, We Mediate, LLC. We Mediate is a divorce and family law mediation service driven by a mission to simplify the divorce process, offering individuals and families the opportunity to peacefully navigate their own path towards a brighter future. For more information, visit wemediatect.com.
’97 | Wendy (Popeck) Hinton was named vice president for institutional advancement at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. DeSales is a Catholic Salesian university that inspires transformative learning through the liberal arts and professional studies, energizing students “to be who they are and be that well.”
’02 | John “Jeb” Brady has been named a Leaders Club qualifier by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Leaders Club is one of the highest honors annually awarded by Guardian to financial professionals who demonstrate outstanding service and dedication to their clients. Brady is currently associate general agent of The Bulfinch Group in Needham, Mass.
’04 | Rev. Keith Maczkiewicz, S.J. was named associate vice president for mission and ministry at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. He began serving in this new role in June of 2024.
’05 | Melissa (Nowicki) Skidd MBA’11 was recently promoted to director of health systems marketing (cardio, renal, metabolic) at Boehringer-Ingelheim.
Stefan Piccione recently selfpublished his first children’s book, The Surfing Mouse. It’s the story of a brave young mouse who overcomes his fear of surfing big waves. The book is wonderfully illustrated by Em Croteau and has an important moral: always believe in yourself. It’s available online at Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com.
’13 | Chris Sandvik MS’14 recently joined Blue Ocean Partners as their vice president of finance. Sandvik was previously with Glencore for eight years; he began his career as an auditor at KPMG.
’16 | Claudia Baggiano has been celebrated and honored as one of Huntington Chamber of Commerce’s Long Island 30 Under 30 Young Professionals, receiving an award for outstanding impact in the community.
Jenna (DiBernardo ’10) and Benjamin R. Brick — Oct. 27, 2023.
Jackie Vincent and Patrick Meehan ’12 — June 1, 2024.
Torey (Camporini ’15) and Roland Eckstein ’10 — May 4, 2024.
Carley Rey and Myles Golymbieski ’16 — Oct. 21, 2023.
Ashley Gietl ’16 and Ryan Martin ’16 — May 13, 2023.
Ari Kilgore ’16 and Demetra Marathas ’16 — June 22, 2024.
Ellie Masters ’16 and Trent Lauer ’16 — June 22, 2024.
Lauren Scully ’16, MA’19 and Michael Gabrielli ’15 — May 31, 2024.
Felicia Staropoli ’16 and Atdhe (Theo) Trepca ’15 — June 24, 2023.
Classes of 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020
Save the Date: June 6-8, 2025!
Visit the following sites for more information: 5th – 45th Reunion: fairfield.edu/reunion 50th Reunion: fairfield.edu/classof1975
Stagmates a lexandra n i CC oli ’17, M a’19 and b rendan C arroll ’17 tied the knot on Aug. 6, 2023 in Cape Cod with many fellow Stags in attendance.
Share your news! Simply log on to the Alumni Online Community and post your Class Note. Not a member? Registration is easy — www.fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity. Sign up and log on today.
Megan Gallagher ’17, MS’18 and Ryan Roche ’17 — June 24, 2024.
Jasmine Raghunandan ’17 and Christopher Gutierrez ’17 — April 21, 2024.
Alexandra Niccoli ’17, MA’19 and Brendan Carroll ’17 — Aug. 6, 2023.
Sara Fiedler ’18, MS’19 and Grant Amrine ’18, MS’19 — May 18, 2024.
Olivia Headen ’18 and John Rock — May 18, 2024.
Sarah Niro ’18, MA’22 and Sam Carroll ’18 — June 22, 2024.
Juliet Bonsangue ’20, MS’21 and Justin Wooley ’20 — May 25, 2024.
Mary and Peter Macaluso ’03 — son, Luke Finnegan, Sept. 29, 2023.
Leslie (Estelle ’05) and Keith Alberstadt — son, Joseph Leonard, Sept. 9, 2024.
Dana and Kurt Heinold ’05 — son, Austin Kurt, Feb. 17, 2024.
Tess (Brown ’07, MFA’11) and Damian Long MFA’22 — son, Amos William, April 2, 2024.
Shannon and George P. Cornell ’11 — daughter, Marin Joan, Sept. 26, 2023.
Kristen (Bowen ’12) and Patrick Curtin ’12 — daughter, Maeve Bridget, Aug. 12, 2023.
Taylor and Frank Aquino ’13 — son, Holden Francis, April 17, 2024.
Liz Sauvigne ’14 and Steve Liguori ’09 — daughter, Ruth Elizabeth, March 15, 2024.
Felicia Staropoli ’16 and Atdhe (Theo) Trepca ’15 — son, Gjergj, March 24, 2024.
Raymond E. Longden II ’51 — June 8, 2024
Robert R. Walsh ’52 — April 4, 2024
John F. Keogh ’53 — April 12, 2024
David M. Phelan ALND’53 — June 4, 2024
John A. Callahan Jr. ’56 — May 16, 2024
by a lan b isbort
Soraya b ilbao ’94, M’03, M’14 appends her email messages with a quote from American philosopher and psychologist William James: “Let everything you do be done as if it makes a difference.”
This fundamental tenet — that even our seemingly smallest actions can have a tremendous impact on the world around us — has guided her through her educational pursuits and career. “What I value most about my Fairfield education has always been the emphasis on service to others,” she said. “It rang true to my own beliefs and nurtured that part of me.”
A “triple Stag,” Bilbao holds three degrees from Fairfield University: a bachelor’s degree in marketing, a master’s degree in industrial and operational psychology, and a second master’s in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
In 2005, the Peace Corps assigned her to teach English in the Kingdom of Tonga, a nation of 100,000 people and 171 islands.
After completing her undergraduate studies in 1994, the marketing major with a minor in communications was offered a job at the first AmeriCorps office in Connecticut. The nonprofit organization, created as the result of the 1993 National and Community Service Trust Act, helps communities around the country address poverty and improve education in underserved areas.
“That began my years of working in the Bridgeport area in youth development and training,” she said.
While at AmeriCorps, Bilbao pursued
her first master’s degree, focusing on the psychology of business management and acquiring valuable skills, such as how to establish a training program and “learning how everything was connected.”
After her second Commencement ceremony in Stag Country, Bilbao fulfilled a dream she’d harbored since her undergraduate days. “I thought, I better try for the Peace Corps now; I will regret it later if I don’t,” she said. “So, I signed up, quit my job, and sold my car.”
In 2005, the Peace Corps assigned her to teach English in the Kingdom of Tonga, a nation of 100,000 people and 171 islands – 40 of them inhabited – scattered across 270,000 square miles of the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
“I told them that they could send me wherever they wished, but when they mentioned that I could be teaching young people in Tonga, I knew that was the Peace Corps experience I wanted,” Bilbao noted. “I wanted to challenge myself, but I also wanted to help others.”
Once she was sufficiently tutored in the basics of the official Tongan language, Bilbao was sent to one of Tonga’s outer islands, a half-hour fishing boat ride from the main island of Tongatapu, on which the capital city of Nuku‘alofa is located.
“There were about 100 people on the island, which had no cars, no roads, just dirt paths and a couple of bicycles,” she recalled. But even with a limited ability to communicate in the Tongan language, “a family on the island took me in and treated me like one of their daughters.”
Despite the remote location and occasional bouts of homesickness for her own family in Stamford, Connecticut, Bilbao thrived in her two-year role as a teacher of English to young Tongans. In fact, she opted to extend her term
for a third year, during which she trained new Peace Corps arrivals and taught English at the high school on the main island of Tongatapu. Her Peace Corps experience inspired her career trajectory once she returned to the States, and eventually nudged her back to Stag Country to earn a second master’s degree – this one preparing her to become a full-time teacher of English to speakers of other languages in Connecticut. Mentored by Anne Campbell, PhD, associate professor and director of Fairfield’s TESOL, World Languages and Bilingual programs, she received her second master’s degree in 2014.
Named Danbury Public School’s Teacher of the Year in 2020-21, Bilbao is now entering her 11th year leading the ESL (English as a Second Language) program at Danbury High School. She credits her success in the classroom not only to her Peace Corps experience and her varied roles with AmeriCorps, but also her own international background — she was born in the U.S. but moved to her parents’ native country of Ecuador when she was two. Her family returned and settled in Stamford when she was eight years old, and that’s when she learned English — an experience that informs her approach to teaching today.
“Prior to the Peace Corps, I had never considered becoming a teacher,” Bilbao said in a 2013 promotional video for Fairfield’s TESOL program. “I just really wanted to work with students who are coming from other cultures and provide them with the knowledge, as much as I can, and the support to integrate and get to know the new culture they’re in.” l F
Robert J. Schreck ’56, MA’58, CT’60 — Nov. 11, 2022
Albert M. Sullivan ’56 — April 14, 2024
John F. Begg Jr. ’58 — March 12, 2024
Frederick T. Cahill III ’60 — April 1, 2024
Michael G. Nespole ’60 — Nov. 15, 2022
James E. Churchill Jr. ’61 — April 14, 2024
James V. Coffey ’61, MA’66 — March 19, 2024
John E. Glennon ’61 — May 11, 2024
Rodney M. Jaros ’61 — June 28, 2024
Edward F. Bader Jr. ’63 — June 29, 2024
Robert E. Keogh ’63 — Jan. 24, 2024
Andrew N. Smith ’63, MA’67 — July 4, 2024
Rev. Richard J. Stanley, S.J. ’63 — June 8, 2024
Brian J. Finneran ’65, MA’71 — April 3, 2024
Michael P. Fix ’65 — March 24, 2024
Joseph J. Tampellini ’67 — April 11, 2024
James V. DeFronzo ’68 — April 25, 2024
Albert J. Abed ’69 — Feb. 6, 2023
Richard J. Dwyer ’69 — Dec. 2, 2022
Philip S. Howe ’69 — April 11, 2024
Peter A. Olson ’69 — March 29, 2024
Roger R. Rogalin ’71 — June 14, 2024
Gifts to the Fairfield Fund inspire innovation for the benefit of our students by advancing academics, financial aid, mental health resources, counseling, career services, and student activities. These contributions make a Fairfield experience meaningful, inclusive, and robust. The Fairfield Fund curates a lasting impact that is felt in every corner of the University. See what your support can make happen this year. Visit fairfield.edu/give.
On October 21, 2023, Carley Rey and M yles g oly M bieski ’16 sealed things with a kiss at their wedding reception.
Share your news! Simply log on to the Alumni Online Community and post your Class Note. Not a member? Registration is easy — www.fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity. Sign up and log on today.
Nicholas A. Doria ’72 — March 21, 2024
Thomas J. Kwasniak ’72 — June 13, 2024
George J. Langley III ’72 — June 22, 2024
James F. Coakley ’74 — May 19, 2024
Anthony F. Guglielmo ’75 (BEI) — April 20, 2024
Charles F. Hills ’75 — Sept. 15, 2023
Theresa A. Jancar ’75 — April 6, 2024
Barbara M. (Langdon) Ruotolo ’77 — March 19, 2024
Kathleen (Cunningham) Ascensao ’78 — June 23, 2024
Ann (Madden) Pike ’80 — April 4, 2024
Diane M. (King) Santos ’81 — May 10, 2024
Jill K. (Kantor) Wellner ’82 — March 14, 2024
Gerard L. Belanger ’83 (BEI) — April 3, 2024
Mark R. B. Stewart ’83 — Nov. 24, 2023
John A. Magaldi ’84 — March 13, 2024
Lisa (Johnson) Ogrinc ’85 — March 14, 2024
Susan A. (Brennan) Parnoff ’85 — March 25, 2024
Catherine A. Girard ’88 — May 29, 2024
Sheryl L. Brown ’94 — June 15, 2024
Megan (McGarry) Gnidula ’95 — June 23, 2024
Michael J. Higgins ’97 — Oct. 10, 2023
Zultan A. Bermudez ’04 — May 31, 2024
by t ess ( b rown ) l ong ’07, MFa’11
Chris C hiodo ’89, M d , met with Fairfield University Magazine over Zoom this past spring from his home office outside Boston. Dr. Chiodo — chiodo means “nail” or “nail maker” in Italian — is a Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience treating patients with foot and ankle problems.
The intersection of science and the ability to help people called the Class of ’89 alumnus to the medical field. “It’s kind of canned, but I just wanted to use knowledge to help others,” Dr. Chiodo said with an easy smile. “That’s really what it was.”
“At the end of the day, you realize what a privilege it is to be able to open the human body, to make it better, and to be trusted
“To me the interworking and biomechanics of the human body and skeleton system are a beautiful thing.”
with that – I don’t take that for granted,” he added. “To me the interworking and biomechanics of the human body and skeleton system are a beautiful thing.”
Originally from New York, Dr. Chiodo, a hobby pianist with an interest in science, had a “wonderful experience” at Fairfield, calling his years on campus “the four best of my life.” He fondly remembers the influences of the College of Arts and Sciences’ R. James Long, PhD, professor emeritus of philosophy, and the late Donald J. Ross, PhD, professor emeritus of biology.
“I really enjoyed sitting in Dr. Ross’s office and chatting about life. His door was always open, he was always there, and we’d talk about everything from piano to biology to
philosophy. It was great,” Dr. Chiodo recalled. “Dr. Long created an intimate sense of community and offered a real cultural immersion within the honors program.”
Among many accolades during his career, Dr. Chiodo has been named among the best doctors of Boston by Boston Magazine, one of the top 26 foot and ankle surgeons in North America by Orthopedics Weekly, and has received an achievement award from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
about including Fairfield scholars as research partners and collaborators in publications of their findings.
A leader in the field of orthopedics, he serves as the delegate for the Foot and Ankle Society to the American Medical Association (AMA), recently working around the scheduling of their Chicago conference in order to attend his 35th Fairfield Reunion this past June.
Currently the foot and ankle division chief at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass., Dr. Chiodo splits his time between surgery, academics, leadership roles, and mentorship. For about the past decade, he has created a pipeline of internship opportunities for scores of undergraduate Stags. Working with Geoff Church, PhD, professor of the practice in the Biology Department and director of the Health Professions program, Dr. Chiodo identifies one pre-medical student each spring to join him for a lengthy summer internship.
“Chris has been an exemplary Stag,” said Dr. Church. “The summer interns have been involved in clinical research with the Chiodo team. They’ve been present for surgical procedures and have also worked on publishing their findings for a number of different research projects over the years. So far, every ‘Chiodo scholar,’ as I like to refer to them, has either published or is currently working on a publication with Dr. Chiodo, and every one of them has gone on to medical school.”
Publishing in clinical journals is an important part of competing for residencies and Dr. Chiodo has been very intentional
Dr. Chiodo described his past Fairfield interns as “thoughtful, engaging, and hardworking.” One of them, Jennifer Jacobs ’19, recently matched into a residency program in dermatology at Duke University. The others are working their way through medical school as first- and third-year students.
Things came full circle last year when Dr. Chiodo returned to the North Benson campus as a guest lecturer in the annual speaker series named in honor of his beloved professor, Dr. Donald J. Ross.
“Dr. Chiodo remembered Dr. Ross fondly and acknowledged his influence on his early career,” Dr. Church said. “I really appreciated the way Chris connected with the students in the audience that day and very clearly showed them the impact of a Jesuit university experience and the power of a robust core curriculum. He was even quoting philosophers during his foot and ankle surgical talk!”
Dr. Chiodo and his wife Lynne are proud parents to three grown children. The youngest of them, John Chiodo ’24, just graduated from the School of Engineering and Computing with a major in mechanical engineering. He plans to continue his studies in the MBA program of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business this fall.
To fellow alumni and future Stags, Dr. Chiodo offered, “There are many ways that you can give back – including your time, experience, and your mentorship.” l F
Melissa (Nowicki) Skidd ’05, MBA’11 was recently promoted to director of health systems marketing (cardio, renal, metabolic) at Boehringer-Ingelheim.
Chris Sandvik ’13, MS’14 recently joined Blue Ocean Partners as their vice president of finance. Sandvik was previously with Glencore for eight years; he began his career as an auditor at KPMG.
Lauren Scully ’16, MA’19 and Michael Gabrielli ’15 — May 31, 2024.
Megan Gallagher ’17, MS’18 and Ryan Roche ’17 — June 24, 2024.
Sara Fiedler ’18, MS’19 and Grant Amrine ’18, MS’19 — May 18, 2024.
Sarah Niro ’18, MA’22 and Sam Carroll ’18 — June 22, 2024.
Juliet Bonsangue ’20, MS’21 and Justin Wooley ’20 — May 25, 2024.
Tess (Brown ’07, MFA’11) and Damian Long MFA’22 — son, Amos William, April 2, 2024.
Robert J. Schreck ’56, MA’58, CT’60 — Nov. 11, 2022
James V. Coffey ’61, MA’66 –March 19, 2024
Douglas D. Salmon MA’67, CT’71 — July 9, 2024
Andrew N. Smith ’63, MA’67 — July 4, 2024
Noreen I. (Lindner) Barney MA’68 — March 15, 2024
Sandra J. Hegyi MA’69 — March 27, 2024
Elizabeth A. (Murphy) Zoeller MA’69 — Feb. 20, 2024
Brian J. Finneran ’65, MA’71 — April 3, 2024
John F. Lunny Jr. MA’71 — March 19, 2024
Charles A. Lanosa CT’72 — April 27, 2024
Dolores (Kubicza) D’Amico MA’73 — May 30, 2024
Sr. June Morrissey MA’74 — May 2, 2024
Dianne E. (O’Connell) Nolte MA’74 — March 3, 2024
Antoinette (Vorisek)
Richardson MA’74 — June 26, 2024
Margarete (Cames) Disbrow MA’75 — June 9, 2022
Sybil J. (Schless) Steinberg MA’75 — March 17, 2024
Judith (Skibo) Hanks MA’78 — April 25, 2024
Esther (Lubchansky) Korin MA’78 — June 3, 2024
Sr. Patricia A. Dora, C.S.J., CT’79 — March 16, 2024
Roy W. Rich Jr. MA’79 — June 15, 2024
Linda M. (Downing) Knopf MA’80 — July 5, 2024
Frances A. Molinari CT’80 — October 10, 2023
Karen V. (Seelgen) Fowler CT’84 — April 10, 2024
Marie H. (Obschatko) Inglese MA’84 — June 16, 2024
Carla J. (Anderson) Hulse MA’88 — May 23, 2024
Mary P. Barber MA’89 — June 28, 2024
Carol (Cziepel) Morrison CT’93 — June 26, 2024
John R. Cholakian MA’03 — April 13, 2024
Joannes Dioses MBA’14 — April 24, 2024
David A. Boaz MA’23 — March 9, 2024
FALL 2024
fairfield.edu/alumni | 203-254-4280 Email us at alumni@fairfield.edu
Alumni & Family Weekend FRI., OCT. 18 – SUN. OCT. 20 For more information, visit fairfield.edu/AFW
quickcenter.com | 203-254-4010 Follow us! @FairfieldQuick
Cirque Kikasse: SANTE! FRI., SEPT. 27 | 12 P.M. & 1 P.M. SAT., SEPT. 28 | 10 A.M. & 11 A.M.
Japan National Bunraku Theater TUES., OCT. 1 | 7:30 P.M.
Mariza SUN., OCT. 6 | 7 P.M.
Machine de Cirque Ghost Light: Between Fall and Flight THURS., OCT. 24 | 7:30 P.M.
The Howard and Katherine Aibel Memorial Concert: Owls SUN., NOV. 3 | 3 P.M.
Baye & Asa 4|2|3 WED., NOV. 13 | 7:30 P.M.
Open VISIONS Forum Nita Farahany “The Battle for Your Brain: Ethical, Legal, Social Implications of New Technologies” THURS., OCT. 17 | 7:30 P.M.
Alyssa Farah Griffin and Molly Jong-Fast “Info, Insights, Inquiring Questions: The Presidential Election 2024”
TUES., OCT. 22 | 7:30 P.M.
Sandro Galea, MD, MPH, DrPH “Our Shared Health: Aspiring Toward Better Health for All in the Coming Decades”
THURS., NOV. 7 | 5 P.M.
Open VISIONS Forum: Espresso
Claire Kilroy
TUES., SEPT. 17 | 7:30 P.M.
FALL ’24 ANNUAL STUDENT FORUM:
John Della Volpe
“How Will Gen Z Vote? Taking the Pulse of Today’s Youth”
THURS. SEPT. 19 | 7:30 P.M.
The Met: Live in HD
Jacques Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann
SAT., OCT. 5 | 1 P.M. (LIVE)
12 P.M. PRE-SCREENING TALK
Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded
SAT., OCT. 26 | 1 P.M. (ENCORE)
12 P.M. PRE-SCREENING TALK
Inspired Writers Series presented by the MFA Program
Angie Cruz
“How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water”
WED., NOV. 20 | 7:30 P.M.
Theatre Fairfield
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] WED., NOV. 6 — SUN., NOV. 10
fairfield.edu/cs
24th Annual Anne Drummey O’Callaghan Lecture on Women in the Church: Susan Bigelow Reynolds, PhD
WED., OCT. 2 | 5 P.M.
The 31st Annual Christopher F. Mooney, S.J., Lecture in Theology, Religion & Society: Hosffman Ospino, PhD WED., NOV. 13 | 6 P.M.
Don’t Stop Now
Consider making your gift to Fairfield a monthly or annual affair! Recurring giving provides immediate impact for students and the Fairfield community. Set it and forget it at Fairfield.edu/give.
fairfield.edu/bennett
The Joan and Henry Katz Lecture in Judaic Studies: Aomar Boun, PhD
THURS., SEPT. 26 | 5 P.M.
Special Pre-Election Event: “Hasidic Politics in America”
THURS., OCT. 10 | 5 P.M.
A Community Forum: Bari Weiss
MON., OCT. 28 | 7:30 P.M.
The 27th Annual JacobyLunin Humanitarian Lecture: Mark Ludwig THURS., NOV. 14 | 7:30 P.M.
fairfield.edu/museum | 203-254-4046 Email us at museum@fairfield.edu
Ink and Time: European Prints From the Wetmore Collection
SEPT. 12 – DEC. 21
Bellarmine Hall Galleries
Sacred Spaces: A Brandywine Workshop and Archive Print Exhibition
SEPT. 12 – DEC. 21
Walsh Galleries
A Model of the Antikythera Mechanism
SEPT. 12 - JUNE 20, 2025
Bellarmine Hall Galleries
Over the weekend of June 7-9, more than 1,700 alumni and guests attended Reunion Weekend, marking the second largest Reunion in Fairfield’s history. In particular, the classes of 1984 and 1989 came back in noteworthy numbers, with the biggest turnouts ever for a 40th and 35th Reunion.
The Class of 1974, celebrating their 50th Reunion, saw more than 100 classmates in attendance, breaking another milestone record. Notable in Fairfield’s history for being the first class to have women fully matriculated for all four years of college, and for being only the third class with alumnae to celebrate a 50th Reunion, more than 30 women from the Class of 1974 returned to help mark this important occasion.
On Friday night, the 50th Reunion class began the weekend with a welcome dinner in The Diffley at Mahoney Arena, complete with a photo slideshow on the jumbotron. The Class of 2019 also had a kick-off celebration on campus for their first Reunion Weekend, while the 25th Reunion Class of 1999 began their festivities with a special event at the Seagrape. Their party featured the return of the Fat Cows, a beloved alumni band from the late ’90s. All other classes were invited to a concert at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company, where alumni were treated to a nostalgic musical trip down memory lane, courtesy of alumni bands The Adults and Johnny & The Favorites.
On Saturday, the sun was shining for the day’s full slate of events. Some
of the highlights included the Taste of Fairfield, where guests enjoyed a variety of offerings from food trucks and other local vendors, and alumni band St. Hubbins entertained the crowd. Down in the Dolan School of Business, the Class of 1974 was inducted into the Golden Stags by University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, and Joseph Delaney ’03, MBA’04, who assumed his role as Alumni Association President on July 1. Committee members Edmond Harrison ’74 and University Trustee Rosellen (Walsh) Schnurr ’74 addressed their classmates at the luncheon in celebration of this significant milestone.
Following a Reunion Mass, where members of all ten classes gathered to mark the occasion and remember those classmates who have gone before them, the Class of 1999 assembled at Bellarmine Hall for a class photo and special toast. The toast was led by Jamie Dunbar ’99, who reflected on the Fairfield experience of 25 years ago and on the growth of the University since that time. The weekend concluded with the Bellarmine Lawn Dinner Dance, at which guests from all classes posed for photos, enjoyed a gourmet buffet dinner, and danced to songs from across the decades. Reunion 2024 was one for the record books! l F
To view all of the photos from the weekend, visit fairfield.edu/reunionphotos.
For Josh and Michelle Brady, P’26, visits to Fairfield are nostalgic. While they now reside in Chevy Chase, Maryland, they fondly recall their time living in Norwalk, Connecticut, where they often visited Fairfield University for Sunday Mass, followed by lunch at the Firehouse Deli. Although their proximity to Fairfield has changed, they still have a strong motivation to visit because their son Colin (Class of ’26), currently attends the University.
Colin, in his junior year, finds himself at a pivotal stage in his college journey as he transitions from underclassman to upperclassman. His parents enjoyed visiting him in the earlier years and eagerly look forward to embracing the opportunities that still await them in Stag Country.
“During Colin’s first year, I came up about three weeks in, to visit him. I got to meet some of his Fairfield Rugby teammates and coaches, and the student I saw there was not the same kid I had dropped off just a month before,” Josh recounted. Since then, the Bradys have enjoyed watching Colin continue to flourish and make the most of his time at Fairfield. “You want your child to find a place where they’re happy and comfortable while they’re a student. And it’s just great to see that he’s also planning his future at the same time,” Michelle said. As parents, the Bradys have wholeheartedly embraced every opportunity to deepen their connection with the University.
“We are involved in showing support, not just for Colin, but for the school he chose. The whole family is part of this experience. I think when he looks back on his experience, our participation will be just another part of what makes him remember his time at Fairfield so fondly and feel proud.”
They serve as active members of the Parents Leadership Council, a network of parents committed to supporting and enhancing the Stag community and University mission. They’ve attended a variety of events including the Fairfield Awards Dinner, the Rugby Hall of Honor Reception, and a regional President’s Reception in D.C. Additionally, they support the University by donating to the Parents Fund, the Multicultural Scholarship Fund, and the Fairfield Men’s Rugby Program. In 2023, they proudly sponsored the Parents & Family Challenge, which encouraged fellow parents to become engaged and demonstrate a commitment to Fairfield’s success.
When asked about their deep involvement, the Bradys expressed being moved by Fairfield’s commitment to embodying Jesuit values, its genuine care for students and alumni, and its concern for the University’s broader impact. “You can see that the University really
wants to remain a valuable part of the larger community,” said Josh.
Josh and Michelle have deep connections to Jesuit education, stemming from their time at Gonzaga College High School and Georgetown University. When they first met Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, at Alumni Family Weekend in 2022, they bonded over their shared interest in rugby. More significantly, they were impressed by his vision for the University, admired his dedication to the Jesuit mission, and were energized by his enthusiasm for the launch of Fairfield Bellarmine. The Bradys are further encouraged by the visible impact of their contributions. “You see the University growing and advancing constantly, every day,” Josh observed.
Through their experience with Fairfield, they hope to motivate other Stag parents and
families to seize opportunities to get involved and contribute to the University in any way they can. The Bradys themselves were greatly influenced by John and Monica Thompson, P’23, who were former co-chairs of the Parents Leadership Council. “They had an impact on us. If we could inspire another couple, we would love to do that,” said Michelle.
Josh and Michelle are proud to give back as actively engaged parents within this community they feel closely tied to. “We are involved in showing support, not just for Colin, but for the school he chose. The whole family is part of this experience. I think when he looks back on his experience, our participation will be just another part of what makes him remember his time at Fairfield so fondly and feel proud.”
Parent participation – through the Parents Fund, the Parents Leadership Council, and The President’s Circle –plays a critical role in elevating Fairfield experiences for all students.
Learn how you can join parents like Melanie and Michael Tinto, P’27 in making a difference at fairfield.edu/parents.
Be on the lookout for more details about the Parents & Family Challenge, coming this October!
The Parents Fund allows parents to contribute a gift of any size to urgent priorities, to ensure students’ access to holistic academic programming, student life, financial aid, and health and wellness services, all rooted in Jesuit values.
The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) is a network of parents who give $5,000 or more annually and are committed to enhancing the University through millions of dollars in support to The Parents Fund, scholarships, athletics, and more. Members enjoy benefits like signature events with senior leadership and mission-driven programs.
The President’s Circle invites parents to make a gift of $1,000 or more each fiscal year to help shape all aspects of our University.
The Honor Your Graduate Program is a Fairfield tradition that recognizes your student’s achievements and honors their experiences with a gift of any size or a Capstone Scholarship gift of $10,000 or more.
For more information, contact: Office of Parent Engagement & Philanthropy (203) 254-4000 ext. 3276 parents@fairfield.edu
Address Service Requested
Alumni and parents have an opportunity to play a significant role in Stags’ futures. Shadowing provides students with an opportunity to observe alumni in their work setting — or to connect virtually — during winter break.
Visit fairfield.edu/jobshadow for more information and look for registration emails in the fall. Don’t miss this chance to build your brand, recruit Fairfield talent, and give back to current students.