Fairfield University Magazine - Summer 2024

Top of the World

Business and engineering students spent a week fully immersed in the epicenter of innovation: Silicon Valley.

A New Gilded Age

Dr. Emily Orlando’s study of American novelist Edith Wharton also illuminates our own era.

Bellarmine Comes Alive

In its first year, the University’s new associate’s degree program has taken root and is thriving in the Park City.

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

Funded as part of a $1.3 million grant, engineers are exploring the future in Fairfield’s new AI Lab.

Growing Season

Photo by Joe Adams

Lab assistant Ellie Dodd ’27 tends to the plants in the rooftop greenhouse of the Bannow Science Center on the North Benson Campus.

On the cover:

The bell tower of the St. Ambrose Hall classroom building on Fairfield’s Bellarmine Campus in Bridgeport has become a symbol of the University’s mission to make Jesuit higher education more accessible and affordable.

Fairfield University Magazine

Fairfield University

Summer 2024 | Volume 47| Number 1 a M d g

Editor, Alistair Highet

Assistant Editor, Tess (Brown) Long ’07, MFA’11

University News Editor, Susan Cipollaro

Copy Editor, Jeannine (Carolan) Graf ’87

Vice President for Marketing and Communications,

Jennifer Anderson ’97, MBA’02

Designer, Nancy (Gelston) Dobos ’91

Photography by:

Joe Adams: pages 4, 7, 26, 27

Giuliana D’Arcangelo: pages 18-21

Addan Feliciano: page 30

Andrew Henderson: pages 14, 15, 28-30

Kristie Kistner: page 8

Cassidy Kristiansen: page 7

Blake Masi: page 40

Patrick James Miller: pages 2, 23

Shutterstock: page 25

Stockton Photo: page 17

Syracuse University Press: page 24

Courtesy of ©Peter Anton: page 39

Contributed photos: pages 5, 6, 8-13, 33-39

Fairfield University Magazine is published four times during the year by Fairfield University. Editorial offices are located in:

Bellarmine Hall, Fairfield University Fairfield, CT 06824-5195

(203) 254-4000, ext. 2526 e-mail: ahighet@fairfield.edu

Printed at Allied Printing Services Manchester, Connecticut

Photo by Joe Adams

Contents

18

Top of the World

by gi U liana d’arcangelo

Business and engineering students spent a week fully immersed in the epicenter of innovation: Silicon Valley.

Over spring break, Christopher Huntley, PhD, associate professor of analytics and director of Fairfield StartUp, took 20 business and engineering students on a transformative educational journey to meet with alumni and other thought leaders at the heart of technical and financial industry innovation.

“We set out to build a culture of care and a community dedicated to our common mission to make Jesuit higher education more accessible.”

— Kevin o’brien, s.J., Phd, Executive Director

22

A New Gilded Age

by John adaM ian

Dr. Emily Orlando’s study of American novelist Edith Wharton also illuminates our own era.

Once seen as a refined literary companion to her more prominent peers, the works of Edith Wharton (1862-1937) now inspire conversations about the essence of contemporary life. Professor of English Emily Orlando, PhD, is a nationally recognized Wharton scholar, and calls the American Gilded Age writer, “the gift that keeps giving.”

Pictured above: Cian O’Donnell (in orange) gathers his fellow travelers for a selfie in front of the Chase Center in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood.

Pictured above: Dr. Emily Orlando is the E. Gerald Corrigan Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Fairfield University.

& Vice Provost of Fairfield Bellarmine

Fairfieldmagazine

Comes Alive by Jeannine (carolan) graF ’87

In its first year, the University’s new associate’s degree program has taken root and is thriving in the Park City.

Fairfield Bellarmine’s inaugural Class of 2025 embraced the academic and extracurricular opportunities of their first year at Bellarmine Campus. Now halfway through the program, they are helping administrators and faculty prepare to welcome the next cohort of students.

Rise of Artificial Intelligence

sara colabella ’08, Ma’11

Funded as part of a $1.3 million grant, engineers are exploring the future in Fairfield’s new AI Lab.

the Beginning

drew Kingsley ’07

After taking her team to the NCAAs, Women’s Basketball Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis is named Kay Yow National Coach of the Year.

& gi F ts

Joe Delaney ’03, MBA’04

To Grow the Alumni Global Network

Mariana Antaya ’23

StartUp Mentor & Competition Host

Pictured above: Francisco Martinez A’25 and classmates prepare for a biology exam in

Letter from the President

“We are thriving, growing, and evolving, as we must to meet the emerging needs of our society and to advance our mission as a Jesuit Catholic university into the 21st century.”

Send your letters to the editor of Fairfield University Magazine to Alistair Highet at ahighet@fairfield.edu.

Dear Friends, We enjoyed a pleasant spring on campus, with the flowering trees — cherries, apples, dogwoods, and azaleas — in exuberant bloom against the blue of Long Island Sound. Now, as the Class of 2024 has completed their studies and enjoyed a glorious Commencement, we can take a moment to appreciate all we have accomplished this year. Certainly, our reputation as a nationally prominent University continues to rise. Over the last seven years, we have witnessed a surge in applications — rising to 18,502 this year, up from 11,218 in 2017. These applicants represent 73 countries and 46 states. Average SAT and GPA scores of applicants have also risen, while our overall acceptance rate, at the time of writing, now stands at 33 percent: a dramatic drop from last year’s already low acceptance rate of 44.9 percent. As we have broadened our applicant pool nationally, we have also asked applicants to tell us why they applied, and the results are illuminating: Almost 60 percent said that our University’s academic reputation is the key driver of their interest. In particular, 42 percent noted “preparation for career and job opportunities” and 39 percent cited “internships and other applied and experiential learning” opportunities as key factors. In other words, our applicants think that Fairfield will prepare them for success and give them a sense of purpose.

This is testament to the efforts we have made to weave student research, internships, career mentoring, and personal development into the fabric of the Fairfield academic experience. As you will read inside, a group of our students traveled to Silicon Valley this spring to meet with leaders in finance and technology, making connections to enhance their future careers.

In April, our Student Research Symposium featured almost 500 students presenting their own and faculty-assisted research in fields such

as nursing, science, the arts, the humanities, engineering, and business. That same month, at our annual Fairfield StartUp Showcase, teams of students pitched entrepreneurial business ideas to a panel of investors.

Prospective students and families hear of Fairfield students engaging in exciting projects like these and they want to be part of a University that will teach them how to make things happen in the world.

May marked academic milestones for our inaugural cohorts at Fairfield Bellarmine and Fairfield Austin, two new strategic initiatives to reach broader audiences in ever more innovative ways. In Austin, the first class of second degree nursing students will graduate this August, and at Bellarmine Campus, our first class of associate’s degree-seeking students is now halfway through the program.

We are thriving, growing, and evolving, as we must to meet the emerging needs of our society and to advance our mission as a Jesuit Catholic university into the 21st century. Thankfully, we are not alone in these endeavors; Board of Trustees Chair Sheila (Kearny) Davidson ’83 and I were blessed to gather recently with presidents and chairs of fellow AJCU institutions and Jesuit provincials to discuss how we carry our mission forward.

At the gathering, Superior General Arturo Sosa, S.J., acknowledged the numerous challenges faced by American Jesuit Catholic higher education but also noted that our universities are “…not afraid of these challenges, and…have not lost hope.”

At Fairfield, we are brimming with hope. Inspired by the discernment of St. Ignatius himself, we are dedicated to changing the world for the better through education, by equipping young men and women with skills and determination, and awakening within them a love of truth that will drive them to build a better world. This work of formation and education animates everything we do, and we are grateful that ever more students are taking notice and placing their faith in us. With utmost gratitude and very best wishes to you all,

MarK r. ne M ec, Phd President

UniversitNEWS y

Baseball Field Named in Honor of Don ’63 and Chris ’88 Cook

On April 27, Fairfield Baseball hosted the official dedication of the Don ’63 and Chris ’88 Cook Field in honor of C. Donald Cook ’63, alumnus and former Fairfield University athletic director and head baseball coach.

Don Cook was a standout with the Fairfield baseball team, serving as co-captain in 1963. Named head coach in 1966, he directed the Stags for 19 seasons, transforming the program into a respected Division I entity.

In 1971, Cook was appointed director of athletics, a position he held until 1986. He was a co-founder and first president of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and was inducted into the Fairfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.

The field’s new name also honors the memory of Cook’s son, Christopher Lance Cook ’88, who died in 2014 after a long illness. A scholar-athlete, Christopher played baseball for Fairfield and ranked among the Stags’ batting leaders. l F

FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

The Fairfield University Art Museum has achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded to American museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public.

Alliance Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 50 years, the Alliance’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability.

Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, approximately 1,080 are currently accredited. Fairfield University Art Museum is one of only 21 museums accredited in Connecticut, and one of only 12 accredited art museums in

the state. Only 11 percent of museums in New England are accredited, only 16 percent of the academic art museums in the country are accredited, only 15 percent of museums with staffs the size of the Fairfield University Art Museum have achieved this honor, and only one other Jesuit University has an accredited museum.

Lisa Tremper Hanover, the accreditation commissioner who shared the news with Fairfield’s museum, said that the commission “concurred that in a relatively short amount of time, you [the museum] have met and exceeded standards and are a wonderful example of an academic museum that serves a vital town and gown purpose; your work with students and faculty is admirable.”

During the fall and spring semesters, the Fairfield University Art Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., with extended hours on Thursday evenings until 8 p.m. l F

Assistant Professor Michelle DiMarzo, PhD,’07 lectures at the museum’s Bellarmine Hall Galleries.

(l-r): Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann, Don Cook ’63, President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, and Head Baseball Coach Bill Currier at the Cook Field dedication.

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KRYSTIAN WITKOWSKI NAMED HEAD COACH OF MEN’S SOCCER

Fairfield University Vice President for Athletics

Paul Schlickmann recently announced that Krystian Witkowski will serve as the next head coach of the Fairfield University Men’s Soccer program. Witkowski brings extensive coaching experience to Stag Country, both at the Division I level and in professional ranks. Witkowski has spent the past three seasons as a member of the Northwestern University coaching staff, first as assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach. The Wildcats achieved a great deal of success during his tenure, highlighted by the team’s 10-4-3 overall record in 2023: the program’s best mark since its 2008 campaign. As a result of that success, Northwestern garnered its highest United Soccer Coaches Poll ranking

— number 12 — and was listed among the nation’s top 25 in six of 11 weeks.

Witkowski began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Marist College, from 2013 to 2016. During his final year, the Red Foxes hosted their first-ever home playoff game in program history — the 2016 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship — after posting 11 wins. l F

Antisemitism Symposium

Moderated

by Gavriel Rosenfeld, PhD

Professor of history and director of Fairfield’s undergraduate Judaic Studies program, Gavriel Rosenfeld, PhD, currently serves as president of the Center for Jewish History (CJH) in New York City. On Jan. 28, he moderated a panel of speakers at the CJH symposium, “Addressing Antisemitism: Contemporary Challenges.”

Dr. Rosenfeld moderated session one, “What is Antisemitism? Definitions and Debates,” featuring speakers Derek Penslar, PhD, of Harvard University; Kenneth Marcus, Esq., of the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law; and Miriam Elman, PhD, of the Academic Engagement Network. l F

STAGiving Day’s 10th Anniversary Sets New Donor Record

The 10th anniversary of STAGiving day set a new record with a total of 4,531 donors, making gifts to more than 120 funds, and showing support for scholarships, diversity, inclusion and belonging, the arts, and everything in between. Stag spirit unlocked $1.2 million in challenge funds and secured more than $3.5 million to support the needs of the Fairfield community.

The entire Fairfield community

is grateful for the Stag Spirit that students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends displayed on March 20, 2024. The day was an amazing success because of the support that was raised, but also the stories that were shared and the connections that were made among past, present, and future Stags whose lives have been changed and are being changed through this unique and special place. Go Stags! l F

FAIRFIELD STUDENTS IMPRESS AT LOCKHEED MARTIN ENGINEERING ETHICS COMPETITION

This spring, School of Engineering and Computing students Megan Rourke ’24 and John Chiodo ’24 competed in the seventh annual Lockheed Martin Ethics in Engineering Case Competition in Bethesda, Maryland. The team was led by the director of the Patrick J. Waide Center for Applied Ethics, David Schmidt, PhD, and professor of the practice in mechanical engineering Naser Haghbin, PhD.

The competition unfolded in a unique format, where teams from different companies collaborated on projects, tackling ethical dilemmas outlined in provided case studies. Working in separate rooms with advisors, each team had a brief window to present their ethical concerns and proposed solutions, followed by a debate and evaluation by judges. Out of 72 teams, Chiodo and Rourke clinched the 13th spot, advancing past the second round of the competition.

Krystian Witkowski

“ As I reflect on the challenges I’ve overcome, I’m reminded of the countless individuals who have supported me along the way.”

— a liyah seenaU th ’24

2024 Fairfield Awards Dinner Raises Over $1.4M for Student Scholarships

On April 3, more than 700 alumni, parents, students, and friends of Fairfield gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City and raised over $1.4 million to support student scholarships while honoring exceptional members of the Fairfield community, making this the most successful Fairfield Awards Dinner in the last ten years.

Since 1988, the Fairfield Awards Dinner has raised more than $22 million for the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund and other endowed scholarships, to help students realize their potentials through a Fairfield education, regardless of economic or social barriers.

NBA TV host Chris Miles ’03 opened this year’s program. Honorees included Nancy Clegg Altobello ’80, corporate board member and retired global vice chair of talent at Ernst & Young; Timothy E. Lane ’85, P’24,’16, president

and CEO emerti of Retirement Health; Janet A. Canepa ’82, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations at Fairfield University, Jason Beckwith, P’23, managing director, wealth management advisor with Merrill Lynch and Alexis Dunbar Beckwith, P’23, independent construction, renovation, and design consultant; and a special recognition to Varian Mackey Fry, co-founder of the World War II Emergency Rescue Committee and a former graduate student of the School of Education and Human Development.

“It’s a testament to the transformative power of education and the strength found in community,” said student speaker and scholarship recipient Aliyah Seenauth ’24. “As I reflect on the challenges I’ve overcome, I’m reminded of the countless individuals who have supported me along the way.” l F

Far left: (l-r): Jason Beckwith and Alexis Dunbar Beckwith, P’23; Nancy Clegg Altobello ’80; President Mark R. Nemec, PhD; Janet A. Canepa ’82; Timothy E. Lane ’85 P’24,’16; and Chris Miles ’03.

Top (l-r): James (Casey) Timmeny ’99, MBA’08 and Rev. Gerald Blaszczak, S.J.; FUSA President Aliyah Seenauth ’24 shared her experience of being a scholarship recipient.

Above: More than 700 community members gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City for the annual awards dinner.

Left: NBA TV Host Chris Miles ’03 hosted this year’s awards dinner.

UniversitNEWS y

Fairfield University Acceptance Rate Drops to 33 Percent

Fairfield University is excited to announce a record surge in the number of applicants for the Class of 2028, increasing the academic quality and geographic reach of the incoming class. With more than 18,500 applicants — nearly 20 percent more than last year and the most in the University’s history — the new class was selected with a strategic focus on expanding the institution’s national and global footprint. This heightened interest, along with academic selectivity, drives Fairfield’s acceptance rate down to 33 percent, a notable decrease from the previous year’s 44.9 percent. Raising the bar again, the average high school weighted

GPA of the Class of 2028 stands at 3.96, up from last year’s average of 3.85. The new applicant pool hails from 46 states in addition to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 73 different countries.

“We extend a warm welcome to the Class of 2028 as they join our supportive community,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management Corry Unis. “While we celebrate the academic credentials of this incoming class, we have also taken great care to assemble a student body focused on embracing the Jesuit mission, challenging themselves, and advancing into leadership roles.” l F

QUICK CENTER STAGE NAMED IN HONOR OF CAROLE ANN MAXWELL, DSM

Director of Choral Activities Carole Ann Maxwell, DSM, P’02 retired from Fairfield University at the end of the spring semester. In celebration of her illustrious 44-year career, current Glee Club members and 140 singing alumni performed together in a special tribute concert conducted by Dr. Maxwell at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 6.

At the performance, it was announced by Glee Club Chaplain Rev. Keith Maczkiewicz, S.J., ’04, on behalf of President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, that the performance stage of the Aloysius P. Kelley Theatre at the Quick Center will be named in Dr. Maxwell’s honor, as a tribute to her extraordinary legacy and enduring impact.

Effective July 1, 2024, Michael A. Ciavaglia ’04, DMA, will step into the roles of director of choral music and director of the Glee Club, and professor of the practice in music.

2024 Bellarmine Lecture Delivered by Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J.

Presented by the Center for Catholic Studies, the 2024 Bellarmine Lecture, titled “‘Eliciting Great Desires’: Jesuit Education as a Call to Freedom, Justice, and Reconciliation,” took place on January 31. In his remarks, Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., shared that in 1551, Ignatius Loyola wrote to his fellow Jesuits at their newly founded college in Ferrara, Italy, and instructed them to “endeavor to conceive great resolves and elicit equally great desires to be true and faithful servants of God.”

With the help of members of

Fairfield Bellarmine’s inaugural Class of 2025, Fr. O’Brien explored how Jesuit educators today continue to elicit bold and holy desires in students to realize their God-given potential and embrace with greater freedom their call to build a more just and gentle world.

Fr. O’Brien teaches in Fairfield University’s Department of Religious Studies and serves as founding vice provost and executive director of Fairfield Bellarmine, an initiative to expand access and affordability to Jesuit higher education. l F

The Class of 2028 hails from 46 states, in addition to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 73 different countries.

Fairfield Mourns Passing of Rev.

James M. Bowler,

Fairfield University and Fairfield College Preparatory School (Fairfield Prep) mourn the loss of Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J., who passed away on March 20 at the Campion Center in Weston, Mass. He was 84.

Fr. Bowler served the University and Fairfield Prep community for many years, most recently as the founder and former director of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality and the University’s facilitator for Catholic and Jesuit Mission.

“First arriving to campus as a scholastic in 1967, Fr. Bowler went on to make extraordinary contributions to the vitality and spiritual uplift of Fairfield. He was first and foremost always a friend to so many of us—as a spiritual director and advisor to students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD. “He will be deeply missed, but his spirit and contribution lives on in the ongoing work of the Murphy Center, and in the hearts

S.J.

and lives of so many of us.”

It was through Fr. Bowler’s vision and under his leadership that the Center for Ignatian Spirituality was founded on our campus in 2014, with a mission to train spiritual directors in the Ignatian tradition, and to provide spiritual direction to members of the campus community and the Diocese of Bridgeport. The Murphy Center, as it is known today, remains an integral part of our work as a University.

A memorial Mass was celebrated on Saturday, April 13 at Fairfield University’s Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola. l F

“ADVENTURES OF A VATICAN ASTRONOMER” WITH BROTHER GUY J. CONSOLMAGNO, S.J.

Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, S.J., presented a conversation titled “Adventures of a Vatican Astronomer” on April 10 at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The event was hosted by Fairfield University’s Office of Mission & Ministry.

Known widely as “the Pope’s astronomer,” Br. Consolmagno is both a Jesuit brother and a planetary scientist at the Vatican Observatory, splitting his time between the meteorite collection in Rome and the Vatican telescope in Arizona. His work has sent him around the world — several times — to dozens of countries and every continent, including a meteorite hunting expedition to Antarctica.

U.S. News Ranks Fairfield Among Best in U.S. for Graduate Programs

Graduate programs in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies have once again risen in this year’s 2024 U.S. News Best Graduate School rankings. Fairfield Dolan’s Accounting program rose 10 spots to #16 (T), once again in the Top 20 in the U.S. Fairfield Dolan’s Marketing program was also ranked in the Top 20 at #17 (T). Business Analytics (T) and Finance programs were both ranked #25 in the nation. Continuing the upward trend, Fairfield Dolan’s Part-Time MBA program rose 23 spots to #53 (T).

2024-2025 Best Graduate Business Specialty Programs:

• Accounting #16, nationally, tied with Arizona State (W.P. Carey) and Seattle (Albers)

• Marketing #17, nationally, tied with Dartmouth (Tuck), Indiana (Kelley) and St. Joseph (Haub)

• Business Analytics #25, nationally, tied with Northwestern (Kellogg), University of Texas at Dallas (Jindal), Scranton (Kania),

and Rockhurst University (Helzberg)

• Finance #25, nationally.

Among best nursing schools in the U.S. that offer master’s degrees, Fairfield Egan rose 15 spots to #58 (T) this year. The Egan School’s DNP program also rose 2 spots to #72.

2024-2025 Best Graduate Schools – Nursing:

• #58 (T) nationally, and #2 in Connecticut among schools with master’s programs, after Yale.

• #72 (T) nationally, and #3 in Connecticut among schools with DNP programs.

For the 2024-2025 edition, U.S. News also reported additional specialty programs rankings — new survey-based rankings for twelve disciplines that are based solely on peer assessment.

Fairfield Egan and the School of Education and Human Development received award-winning rankings in the following peer-reviewed disciplines:

• Nursing Anesthesia #29

• Nursing Midwifery #17

• Social Work #142 (T) l F

Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J.

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THE POLITICS OF SAFETY BY SHANNON KING, PhD: BOOK LAUNCH

On April 5, the Humanities Institute hosted a book launch and Q&A with Shannon King, PhD, associate professor of history. His groundbreaking new book, The Politics of Safety: The Black Struggle for Police Accountability in La Guardia’s New York (University of North Carolina Press) delves into the intricate dynamics of police accountability and the Black struggle for safety in one of America’s most iconic cities.

Dolan Among Top Five at World’s Largest Student Trading Competition

Fairfield University’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business achieved a top-five placement at the 20th Annual Rotman International Trading Competition (RITC), held from February 21 to 23 at the Toronto School of Management in Canada. RITC is a three-day event in which student teams compete in simulated markets – honing their skills through industry seminars, case studies, and networking opportunities.

The six-student Fairfield Dolan team participated alongside students from 50 universities across four continents, utilizing the industry-leading RIT Market Simulator platform to navigate real-world scenarios.

Junior finance major Lucy Fowler ’25 acted as Dolan team leader for the CAPM Algorithmic Trading section and was assigned

as a trader for Commodities and Electricity cases. “The Rotman International Trading Competition was the most fascinating academic experience of a lifetime,” she said. “The trading rooms were full of energy. People were on call with their team members, yelling out stock prices and watching their Profit

POSTHUMOUS SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR VARIAN MACKEY FRY AT FAIRFIELD AWARDS DINNER

Fairfield University honored Varian Mackey Fry, co-founder of the World War II Emergency Rescue Committee, and former Fairfield University graduate student, with posthumous special recognition during this year’s Fairfield Awards Dinner on April 3.

When Germany invaded France in 1940, Fry and a group of other American intellectuals formed the

Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC) to help anti-Nazi artists and writers, both Jews and non-Jews, escape danger. His heroic acts over the next year helped save the lives of 2,000 or more intellectuals and artists, including André Breton, Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, poet Walter Mehring, harpsichordist Wanda Landowska, and the physician and 1992 Nobel Prize winner Otto Meyerhof.

After the war, Fry continued as a writer, editor, and teacher. He attended graduate education courses at Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development from fall 1962 through spring of 1964, while living in Redding, Conn., and teaching English at Barlow High School l F

and Loss (P&L) move.”

Leading up to the competition, the Dolan undergraduates spent hundreds of hours preparing Excel spreadsheets and Python scripts. This effort paid off during the simulation, which involved buying and selling assets such as equities, futures, and options to maximize their profits. l F

A team of six students from the Dolan School placed fifth in this year’s Rotman International Trading Competition.

Varian Mackey Fry

$1M Tow Foundation Grant Funds Research Project on Gun Violence Prevention

Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact, the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP), and PT Partners received a three-year, $1 million grant from the Tow Foundation for a research project on gun violence prevention, titled “Amplifying Resident Voices.”

By building on what has worked in Bridgeport through the Youth Gun Violence Task Force, the “Amplifying Resident Voices” project expands on previous research and will assess,

design, and implement evidencebased solutions to persistent community violence. The goal is to eliminate gun violence by working alongside resident leadership at the three main public housing communities in Bridgeport: PT Barnum Apartments, the Charles F. Greene Homes, and Trumbull Gardens, to learn from and build the capacity of community members most directly impacted by gun violence to identify and implement solutions. l F

STEPHEN WILKES’ “EASTER MASS, VATICAN CITY, ROME, ITALY, DAY TO NIGHT” ON VIEW AT BARONE CAMPUS CENTER

A collaboration between the Office of the President and the Fairfield University Art Museum has brought photographer Stephen Wilkes’ large-scale work “Easter Mass, Vatican City, Rome, Italy, Day to Night,” to the Barone Campus Center. Since opening his studio in New York City in 1983, Wilkes, a National Geographic Explorer, has built an unprecedented body of work and established a reputation as one of America’s most iconic photographers. He is widely recognized for his fine art, editorial, and commercial photography.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKS FAIRFIELD DOLAN’S ONLINE PROGRAMS AMONG BEST IN NATION

Fairfield University’s graduate business programs have been ranked among the 2024 Best Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Charles F. Dolan School of Business specialty programs (excluding MBA) jumped 7 spots to #68 (T) in the Best Online Master’s in Business Programs category.

“It is not surprising that our online master’s programs have gone up in the rankings, since the same dedicated faculty members teach similarly small-sized classes in both our online and our on-campus programs,” said Anca Micu, senior associate dean and professor of marketing. “The ability we have to teach and career-coach our students — including those online — on a personal level, drives our great student outcomes.”

According to U.S. News, “This year’s edition evaluates more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs using metrics specific to online learning. The rankings only include degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.” l F

Fairfield Egan Announces Launch of Online Post-Master’s DNP Program

The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies announced that its esteemed post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is adding a fully collaborative online modality in addition to its hybrid option.

Appropriate for the advanced practice nurse, nurse educator, or nurse executive, the program offers the faculty/peer engagement for which Fairfield Egan is known.

Ranked by College Factual as

among the best nursing practice doctoral degree schools in the New England region, Fairfield Egan’s online post-master’s DNP degree program offers a comprehensive curriculum that can be completed within 18 to 24 months. With 25- to 50-percent synchronous classes held either weekly or biweekly during the evenings, the flexible online format allows students to balance full-time employment with academic pursuits. l F

Stephen Wilkes (American, b.1957), “Easter Mass, Vatican City, Rome, Italy, Day to Night,” 2016 Digital C-print, Edition: 2, 48 x 111.5.

DNP-Nurse Anesthesia Program Accredited in Austin, Texas UniversitNEWS y

Fairfield University’s nationally ranked Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies has earned approval to offer its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Nurse

Anesthesia program in Austin, Texas. The full-time 36-month program, leading to a doctor of nursing practice, is the only accredited nurse anesthesia concentration in Central Texas.

Joining three cohorts of second-degree nursing students on the Austin campus, the first cohort of nurse anesthesia students began classes in May.

Though Fairfield is new to the Austin market, having only opened its doors last summer, its Nurse Anesthesia program has already proved popular and competitive: more than 120 applications were received for only 15 available spots at the Texas campus.

The Austin program is a geographical expansion of the school’s program in Fairfield, Conn., which is fully accredited until 2031. The curriculum includes a mixture of didactic, simulation, and clinical learning. l F

FAIRFIELD PROF’S RESEARCH AMONG TOP 13 HUMAN EVOLUTION DISCOVERIES IN 2023

Frances L. Forrest, PhD, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, co-authored research that was described as “some of the year’s most fascinating findings about human origins” in a Smithsonian Magazine article titled “Thirteen Discoveries Made About Human Evolution in 2023.”

A specialist in biological anthropology, Dr. Forrest was part of an international team that uncovered a trove of threemillion-year-old stone tools, fossils, and animal and hominin teeth at Nyayanga — an archaeological site in Kenya — which turned out to be the earliest evidence of a species using stone chopping, scraping, and cutting implements (known collectively as the Oldowan tool kit), nearly a million years earlier than previously documented.

The research, led by Thomas Plummer, PhD, of Queens College in New York, was officially published this fall.

FAIRFIELD BELLARMINE PARTNERS WITH WILLIAMS COLLEGE TO EXTEND EDUCATIONAL ACCESS

Fairfield University and Williams College have partnered to expand educational pathways for students enrolled in the University’s Fairfield Bellarmine program, which offers two-year associate’s degrees to students from the Greater Bridgeport region, as a foundation for their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree or as a pathway to enter the workforce.

Through this new partnership, Williams College will recognize a Fairfield Bellarmine applicant’s enrollment experience at Bellarmine to be evidence of enhanced rigor in academic preparation for transfer, and will offer scholarship opportunities to

meet full demonstrated need for students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Williams.

Williams joins Albertus Magnus College and Fairfield University as partners in Bellarmine transfer admission. Seamless transfer and scholarship opportunities are available for Bellarmine students who wish to continue their studies at Albertus, and Fairfield has committed to reserving 35 fully funded undergraduate positions annually for qualified Bellarmine students who wish to extend their studies two more years toward completion of a bachelor’s degree. l F

Located at 7951 Shoal Creek Blvd., the Austin, Texas campus is now home to a DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program and an Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing (SDNU) program.

SEHD Programs Top Forbes and College Factual Rankings

Programs in Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) have been recognized by Forbes and College Factual online rankings.

The global platform Forbes Advisor recently published an in-depth guide of online doctoral programs in educational leadership and ranked the top 10 U.S. schools offering this degree. Fairfield’s School of Education and Human Development was listed among the Best Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs of 2024.

In its 2024 rankings, College Factual deemed the School of Education and Human Development the No. 1 master’s degree program in Connecticut in the Best Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor category.

Fairfield University’s TESOL program has been awarded “national recognition” by the

TESOL International Association, signifying that it has systematically assessed candidates’ learning and has met rigorous standards developed by the specialty professional association (SPA) in that discipline.

Additionally, College Factual ranked Fairfield University No.1 in the 2024 Best Mental & Social Health Services Schools in the New England Region category, for its programs housed within the SEHD.

Fairfield University and the School of Education and Human Development also topped College Factual’s list of 2024 Best Clinical/ Medical Social Work Master’s Degree Schools in the New England Region, landing in the No. 1 spot.

According to College Factual, clinical/medical social work is one of the most sought-after master’s degree programs in the nation. l F

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, Lectures on “Immigration: The American Story”

The Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz, the Sixth Bishop of El Paso, Texas, and chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, delivered a lecture titled “Immigration: The American Story” on Monday, March 18 at Fairfield University’s Dolan School of Business Event Hall.

In light of the challenging circumstances faced by numerous vulnerable individuals at the U.S.-Mexico border, Bishop Seitz emphasized the Church’s place as witness and guarantor of the obligation to uphold human dignity. He underscored the role that

MICHAEL POLLAN EXPLORES INTERSECTION BETWEEN HUMAN AND NATURAL WORLDS

An onstage conversation with Michael Pollan — best-selling author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and How to Change Your Mind — was part of the Quick Center’s Open VISIONS Forum series led by Fairfield University Professor Philip Eliasoph, PhD, on March 21. Pollan explored the intersection between the human and natural worlds — on our plates, in our farms and gardens, and in our minds.

Michael Pollan has been named one of the top 10 “New Thought Leaders” by Newsweek magazine, was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and has been awarded the LennonOno Grant for Peace.

Christian hospitality must play in revitalizing America’s identity as a nation built primarily by those who have immigrated. This lecture marked the beginning of a collaboration between America Media and Fairfield University’s College of Arts and Sciences. l F

Pollan is a prolific American author — including six New York Times bestsellers, a journalist, activist, and a professor of journalism at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is also the director of the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism. His most recent book, This is Your Mind on Plants, offers a radical challenge to how we think about drugs, and an exploration into the powerful human attraction to psychoactive plants — and the equally powerful taboos. l F

SEHD’s nationally recognized programs rank among the best in Connecticut.

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

Funded as part of a $1.3 million grant, engineers are exploring the future in Fairfield’s new AI Lab.

by sara colabella ’08, Ma’11

It ’ s a q U iet M orning on ca MPU s , but at the Bannow Science Center, the new Artificial Intelligence Lab that opened this spring is abuzz with activity.

Bright red colors are being projected onto the wall as a group of graduate students — alongside professor and chair of computer science Xiaoli Yang, PhD, and assistant professor of computer science Sidike Paheding, PhD — study the patterns before them.

What they are a looking at is, in fact, themselves — an AI-enhanced computer is tracking their movements in relation to things in the room. The goal of their object detection exercise is to improve the accuracy, speed, and reliability of AI systems. Computer vision tasks such as this produce data that enables researchers to program robots to better navigate their environments and interpret human actions.

Dr. Paheding’s research in the new $125,000 AI Lab focuses on computer learning and is part of the School of Engineering and Computing’s ongoing artificial intelligence studies. His analysis of how computers can learn on their own, similarly to humans but using data rather than emotions, is “all about teaching computers to recognize patterns and make decisions based on what they ‘see,’ whether it’s identifying patterns in health data or detecting a cyber threat,” he said.

“I think that everyone should learn at least the fundamental concepts of AI. Not just theoretically but also practically, through specific hands-on activities.”

Mirco sP eretta, Phd , Director of Cybersecurity and Data Science

million multi-institutional project grant, in partnership with the University of Maine and Southern Methodist University. Project goals are to help high school students develop skills and knowledge of the semiconductor field, through an innovative game-based learning platform, hands-on activities, and industry field trips.

The field of AI has grown exponentially over the last few years. When thinking about artificial intelligence, the image of artificial cyborg-like beings that think and look like we do — and take all our jobs — may come to mind. But Dr. Paheding dismisses this idea.

“In reality, these systems operate through complex algorithms underpinned by advanced mathematics. The systems lack self-awareness and emotion,” he explained. “It’s true that while AI can automate certain tasks currently performed by humans, this does not equate to an immediate replacement of human workers. In fact, the integration of AI into various sectors can potentially create new job opportunities.”

Fairfield’s AI Lab was launched with the mission to accelerate AI research and education on campus, and is outfitted with high-performance computers affixed to the walls, cameras and imaging technology for real-time computer vision tasks, robotics for autonomous systems, 3D printers and prototyping tools, and other state-of-the art technology.

The dedicated lab offers space to conduct research and capstone projects, and gives students access to high-performance computers to gain knowledge of AI concepts such as

machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision.

“These hands-on activities help students to comprehend how AI techniques can be used and in what areas they can be applied,” said director of cybersecurity and data science Mirco Speretta, PhD. “In the AI Lab, students are able to process big amounts of data and evaluate models.”

d r . y ang , recent reci P ient o F a $469,995 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, is developing the first game-based semiconductor incorporating AI and ChatGPT, to guide high-school students. Her research is part of a larger $1.3

While it may be true that AI won’t completely replace us, it is nevertheless also true that AI has become an industry disruptor. Offering speed and efficiency through technology, generative AI tools have been shown to increase work productivity across a variety of domains including healthcare, transportation, cybersecurity, surveillance, e-commerce, and more.

“This phenomenon mirrors the internet boom of the 1990s,” Dr. Paheding said. “Although the internet did replace some jobs, it also generated numerous new opportunities for employment.”

As AI continues to grow, so will its impact on our lives — in everyday tasks such as adjusting the brightness of a cell phone screen, and in lifesaving situations such as detecting early cancer from a series of images.

“For this reason,” said Dr. Speretta, “I think that everyone should learn at least the fundamental concepts of AI. Not just theoretically but also practically, through specific hands-on activities. Students should be able to understand which techniques should be used in which context. They should be able to judge whether an AI system does not include potential bias.” l F

Left: The research team uses an AI-enhanced computer to track their movements in relation to stationary objects in the School of Engineering and Computing’s new AI Lab.

Above: Fairfield’s new AI Lab will accelerate AI research and education.

Only the Beginning

After taking her team to the NCAAs, Women’s Basketball Head Coach c arly t hibaU lt - d U d onis is named Kay Yow National Coach of the Year.

by drew Kingsley

’07

The F air F ield wo M en ’ s basketball team had 31 victories this year. They were MAAC Tournament and regular season champions, made an NCAA postseason appearance, and enjoyed their first national ranking in program history.

This 2023-24 season wasn’t a dream or a miracle or an underdog run. For the Stags and for Head Coach Carly ThibaultDuDonis, it was just the beginning.

“We’ve shown that we belong,” said Thibault-DuDonis. “Our goal is to be in the Top 25 and to be able to compete with the best in the country every year. We know we have work to do, but we’ve demonstrated that it can be done and that Fairfield is the place to do it.”

Already a storied MAAC program, this year marks the Stags’ entry into the national conversation. Among Fairfield’s programrecord 31 wins was a perfect 20-0 mark in the MAAC regular season and a 29-game winning streak that spanned from mid-November all the way into the NCAA Tournament.

Along the way, the Stags, picked up their fifth MAAC Championship in program history and their first-ever national ranking at #25 in the Associated Press Poll, while also receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. The Stags finished the season ranked fourth in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll.

Statistically, Fairfield was among the nation’s best on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. The squad finished in the top ten in scoring defense, allowing just over 55 points per game. Offensively, they tallied the second-highest

point total in program history, at 2,391. The Stags also finished in the top 25 in the country in assists per game and field goal percentage. Fairfield’s high-powered offense was highlighted by a program-record 292 made three-pointers, the second-most in MAAC history.

Among the top contributors to those

“In just two short years, Coach Carly and her staff have done an exceptional job of elevating our program to one of national prominence. She is an elite coach, an inspirational leader, and a passionate mentor of young women.”

PaU l schlic KMann , Vice President for Athletics

numbers were three All-MAAC performers: Player of the Year Janelle Brown ’24, Rookie of the Year Meghan Andersen ’27, and Emina Selimovic ’25 — all three of whom are on the list of nine Stags returning to the roster next season.

“Fairfield has meant everything to me,” said Brown, who was also selected as the MAAC Championship MVP. “To be here for four years and to see this environment grow into nothing but love and support and encouragement — it’s beautiful to be a part of.”

“ c oach c arly ,” as she is a FF ectionately called, garnered her own collection of hardware throughout the historic run. ThibaultDuDonis was unanimously chosen MAAC Coach of the Year by her peers. She is quick to interject at any opportunity that it “should be Coaching Staff of the Year,” referring to her assistant coaches and support team.

Outside of the conference, ThibaultDuDonis was recognized regionally as the ECAC and All-Metropolitan Coach of the Year, and burst onto the national scene as the Kay Yow National Coach of the Year, an award presented not only for coaching excellence, but for character and a winning spirit on and off the court. She was also a finalist for the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year award.

As the Stags continued to pile up the wins, Leo D. Mahoney Arena became a destination for students, basketball fans, and the community. Fairfield women’s basketball averaged more than 1,000 fans per home game; they filled the bleachers as the squad went on to post a perfect 13-0 home record.

The annual “Kids’ Day Out” game – a Thursday morning field trip for local youths from Fairfield, Bridgeport, and beyond –attracted a season-best crowd of 1,891 fans, and the regular season finale that saw the Stags cut down the nets after capping a 20-0 MAAC regular season attracted a buzzing crowd of over 1,500.

“I think that what we’re doing now is beautiful, and it’s worth seeing because we’re actually making an impact and making a difference in the community and the people around us,” Brown said.

Following the Stags’ MAAC Championship

victory — a come-from-behind, overtime thriller against Niagara — the University made the announcement that elicited both a collective cheer and exhale from North Benson Road and beyond: Coach Carly had signed an extension to remain as head coach of the Stags.

“In just two short years, Coach Carly and her staff have done an exceptional job of elevating our program to one of national prominence. She is an elite coach, an inspirational leader, and a passionate mentor of young women,” noted Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann. “We share the vision and values necessary to build a model Division I Women’s Basketball program and I look forward to the journey ahead with Carly and her team.”

“This place is incredibly special, starting with the passionate, caring, and driven people that come together to strive for excellence,” said Thibault-DuDonis. “This can be and is becoming one of the elite women’s basketball

schools in the country. This season was exciting and record-breaking in so many ways, and we are thrilled about what lies ahead for Fairfield women’s basketball. This is only the beginning.” l F

Above: Dayna Tirado ’24 celebrates with Coach Carly during her ESPNU interview after the Stags’ victory at the MAAC Championship.

Right: Team captains Lauren Beach ’25, Janelle Brown ’24 and Izabela Nicoletti Leite ’24 collect the MAAC Championship trophy from Commissioner Travis Tellitocci.

TOP OF THE WORLD

BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING STUDENTS

SPENT A WEEK FULLY IMMERSED IN THE EPICENTER OF INNOVATION: SILICON VALLEY.

by gi U liana d’arcangelo

For a second consecutive year, a group of 20 undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni from Fairfield’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business and School of Engineering and Computing embarked on a transformative educational journey to the heart of technical and financial industry innovation – Silicon Valley.

Over Spring Break, the group toured the Palo Alto, Cupertino, and San Francisco area and visited Google and Salesforce headquarters, the Chase Center, and other offices to meet with industry leaders — gaining insight into the evolving American and international economy, and reflecting on where they might excel as they prepare for their careers.

“The goal is to let students experience the whole Silicon Valley innovation engine up close and in person — seeing, hearing, and even touching things that are just not reproducible on campus,” said trip leader Christopher Huntley, PhD, associate professor of analytics and director of Fairfield StartUp. “For the right student, this is a life-changing opportunity. It’s as close to boot camp as I can make it. These students are ready to do battle, just in time for graduation.”

Spearheaded by Dr. Huntley and alumni

Joe Bronson ’70, chief executive officer and principal of The Bronson Group, LLC, Stephen Pilch ’83, managing director at Stockbridge Capital Group, and Padraic “Packy” Kelly ’90, a partner with KPMG, the trip was crafted to offer a packed week of networking opportunities for students with top companies, and the chance to present business models to potential investors.

Along with visits to Google, Salesforce,

top: View of downtown San Francisco from the Salesforce Tower; Celine King ’23 and Conlisk Scholar Cian O’Donnell chat, while (background l-r) Logan McAloon ’25, Christian O’Rourke ’24, and Nicholas Sordi ’23, MS’24 take in the view.

bottom : Alumnus Padraic “Packy” Kelly ’90 (on right) welcomes Stags to the Google Headquarters; Students practice business pitches with alumni Stephen Pilch ’83 at Stockbridge; Engineering graduate students Alvin Thomson ’23, MS’24 and Daniel Reisman ’23, MS’24 in front of the Intel headquarters.

above : Mike Kitts, chief commerical officers of the Golden State Warriors, with Caroline Taylor ’25 on the Chase Center court.

facing page : The group took a cameron charter around San Francisco Bay on their final day in the city; (l-r) Charles (Chad) Langdon ’24, Christian O’Rourke ’24, and Emily Yale ’18, MBA’21, meet with Olivia Hedding, investor at World Innovation Lab (WiL); Ainsley Corriveau ’25 and Emily Carra ’23, MBA’24 pose in bunny suits at the Intel Museum.

and the Chase Center, the itinerary brimmed with encounters with alumni and others working at industry giants such as KPMG, Stockbridge, Inchfab, Uber, World Innovation Lab (WiL), Nvidia, Intel, and the Golden State Warriors. During these engagements, members of the Fairfield StartUp program pitched their own entrepreneurial visions, and received invaluable feedback and guidance.

Fairfield alumnus Packy Kelly, who accompanied the students and arranged some of the meetings, remarked, “I am a firm believer in the power of combining technical academic training with practical business experience. I was amazed by the preparation, poise, determination, and shared commitment of the students to make this the very best week. In doing so, they

represented the University very well and advanced both personal and school brands with all the accomplished executives and investors they met.”

Beyond the boardroom, participants gleaned insights aimed at propelling their professional journeys. For instance, at KPMG, Kelly talked to the group during the opening meeting about résumé building, and touched on key points about always being themselves during their career and the pivotal role transparency plays in building trust within the workplace.

This theme of authenticity surfaced over and over again in the students’ meetings with top firms. Employees at each key company reiterated the importance of staying true to oneself during interviews and throughout one’s career trajectory.

“ THE GOAL IS TO LET STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THE WHOLE SILICON VALLEY INNOVATION ENGINE UP CLOSE AND IN PERSON — SEEING, HEARING, AND EVEN TOUCHING THINGS THAT ARE JUST NOT REPRODUCIBLE ON CAMPUS.”

There was also time to take in the vibrant atmosphere of the Bay Area – with its architecture, wineries, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. On their last day in California, the group took a catamaran charter around Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge. To close out the trip, they met with BottleRock Napa Valley and were hosted by Kelly at his house in the beautiful hills of Napa Valley.

Reflecting on events of the week, Cian O’Donnell, a graduate student in the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, said, “Visiting the global headquarters of tech giants, sailing around San Francisco Bay on a chartered catamaran, and watching Steph Curry play in a Warriors game from a corporate box were just a few of the unforgettable moments.”

“During the closing reception in Napa Valley, we reflected on our shared experiences, and I expressed gratitude for the opportunities afforded to us,” continued O’Donnell. “This trip reinforced the importance of seizing opportunities graciously and, if they are not readily available, creating them ourselves.”

Caroline Taylor ’25, led a conversation with Mike Kitts, chief commercial officer of the Golden State Warriors, during which she asked about how the company as a whole sustains sponsorships and fosters brand expansion, while upholding a formidable basketball team.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been an active participant in leading the discussion with CCO Mike Kitts at the Golden State Warriors,” said Taylor. “Our conversation about sports marketing, analytics, and sports business strategies was a discussion that I will

continuously reflect on.”

These testimonials underscore the profound impact of the trip on the participants, highlighting the significance of experiential learning and real-world engagement in shaping their professional trajectories.

“During our time in Silicon Valley, we interacted with numerous companies, collectively valued at more than $7 trillion in market cap!” noted Alvin Thomson ’23, MS’24. “Hearing from various founders and industry thought leaders, I got to see firsthand the remarkable engine that makes up Silicon Valley. The hub for the largest tech companies in the world, Silicon Valley is the intersection of engineering and the business world. It was the perfect environment for us — as engineering and business majors — to learn from each other.” l F

— c hristoP her hU ntley, P h d, Associate Professor of Analytics and Director of Fairfield StartUp

A NEW GILDED AGE

DR. EMILY ORLANDO’S STUDY OF AMERICAN NOVELIST EDITH WHARTON ALSO ILLUMINATES OUR OWN ERA.

by John adaM ian

Once viewed by some in the 20th century as a sort of well-heeled literary sidekick to more bold-faced contemporaries, how is it that perspectives on the American Gilded Age writer Edith Wharton (1862-1937), author of novels such as The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence, have shifted to the point that her work now launches discussions about the character of our lives today?

That’s the focus of the scholarship of Emily Orlando, PhD, the E. Gerald Corrigan Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Fairfield University and a professor in the English Department, as she affirmed in an interview with Fairfield University Magazine.

One hundred years ago, Wharton predicted that “the future belonged to the showy and the promiscuous,” which appears to have been prophetic. In addition to that type of mordant observation, of which Wharton’s work is filled, her writing offers a vantage point from which to view many relevant 21st century tensions.

Wharton’s literary contributions serve as a link between periods and regions. Born in New York City during the Civil War, she lived through World War One. Bridging the gap between European and American culture, she made her home in France for decades, steeped in the transatlantic literary scene. A friend and contemporary of Henry James, she wrote poetry, memoirs, plays, murder mysteries, ghost stories, and much more.

right: Emily Orlando, PhD, is the E. Gerald Corrigan Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences, and a professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“ THE ENGLISH MAJOR DEMOGRAPHIC HAS SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED SINCE I WAS AN UNDERGRADUATE. TODAY MY STUDENTS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY WOMEN. AND THESE WOMEN — THEY LOVE WHARTON. THEY LOVE HER BECAUSE SHE UNDERSTANDS POWER, GENDER, MONEY, SEX, AND FASHION... AND SHE UNDERSTANDS MEAN-GIRL BEHAVIOR.”

Most famous for novels that chronicle life in late 19th century New York, Wharton is a useful lens for looking at the complexities of our own era, because her writing explored how affluent lives were nonetheless constrained by tradition, family, marriage, social expectations, and – for women in particular – limited access to financial independence.

“The English major demographic has significantly changed since I was an undergraduate. Today my students are overwhelmingly women,” said Dr. Orlando of her students. “And these women — they love Wharton. They love her because she understands power, gender, money, sex, and fashion. Wharton famously suggested that ‘genius is of small use to a woman who does not know how to do her hair.’ She gets that women are often assessed by their looks. And she understands mean-girl behavior.”

Another part of her appeal to students today is that Wharton chronicled what it meant to be a woman in New York, and what it took to survive. Some of Wharton’s iconic female characters — like Undine Spragg in The Custom of the Country (1913), or May Welland in The Age of Innocence (1920) — are depicted as coldly calculating, grasping and manipulative.

Spragg is shown as a ruthless seeker of money and status, without any real sense of history or meaningful style. She’s a neglectful mother and a petulant spouse. Welland is quietly deceitful in her efforts to secure her marriage. But their machinations are presented as the manifestations of a culture that requires much be unspoken or concealed.

Wharton views group behavior with a clinical eye, often deploying anthropological concepts to cast the rituals, taboos, and customs of Gilded Age aristocracy as something remote, possibly primitive, and governed by its own set of codes that are inscrutable to outsiders. “She’s looking at Old

left: The first annotated edition of The Decoration of Houses is due out from Syracuse University Press in October 2024.

above right: Edith Wharton’s writing desk at The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts, which was the writer’s home in the early 1900s.

— e M ily o rlando, P h d, English Professor

New York as a tribe, and at the tribal warfare those groups engaged in,” Dr. Orlando said.

In the words of the narrator of The Age of Innocence, “In reality they all lived in a kind of hieroglyphic world, where the real thing was never said or done or even thought, but only represented by a set of arbitrary signs.”

Wharton also wrote about visual culture, interior design, fashion, and gardening. Her first big book was The Decoration of Houses in 1897, a work that championed a more decluttered and stripped-down approach. “It’s all about streamlining,” said Dr. Orlando, who edited the first annotated edition of The Decoration of Houses, due out in October of this year from Syracuse University Press. “It’s very opposed to Victorian decor.”

“[H]er writings across the genres provide the tools to critically examine the vicissitudes of our complicated, fractured world as we advance into the third decade of the new century,” wrote Dr. Orlando in the introduction to The Bloomsbury Handbook to Edith Wharton, a 2023 anthology of recent Wharton scholarship that she edited.

Dr. Orlando is the author of Edith Wharton and the Visual Arts, published in 2007 by University of Alabama Press, a book that investigates Wharton’s treatment of the ways that women are represented in art through the lens of male-centric ideas and fantasies.

Wharton’s interest in the ways that women are seen might be one of the reasons her work is being embraced by TV and film directors. Her 1905 novel The House of Mirth was turned into a film in 2000. Writers on shows like Sex & the City and Gossip Girl have tipped their hats to Wharton. Her unfinished novel The Buccaneers, published posthumously in 1938, was turned into a TV series in 2023. Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed 1993 film adaptation of The Age of Innocence, and the film version of Wharton’s 1911 book Ethan Frome released the same year, spurred moviegoers to discover Wharton’s books.

Literary fame — like every other kind of fame — can be fickle. Herman Melville was largely disregarded for 30 years or so after his death. Emily Dickinson was essentially unknown during her lifetime. But the case of Edith Wharton follows a different course.

She was famous during her lifetime, the first woman to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize (in 1921 for The Age of Innocence). She was independently wealthy, but she made more money from her writing than she did from her inheritance.

Wharton’s reputation continues to climb because she seems “to have foreseen the excesses, obsessions, and spectacles of our current climate,” Dr. Orlando wrote in her introduction to the Bloomsbury Handbook.

The ways that the preening narcissism of our New Gilded Age echo and rhyme with Wharton’s depictions of hers explain why Wharton’s work is back in style. In a book like The Custom of the Country from 1913, the sketchy real-estate deals, crude art-market speculation, and the bombastic swagger of the powerful all seem very much of our 21st century moment.

“I’ve been writing on her since the ’90s, and she’s never been hotter,” said Dr. Orlando of Wharton’s ever-growing grip on modern readers. “Students want to read her.”

Wharton, toward the end of her life, was aware that the literary Modernism in the 1920s and ’30s made her already backwardglancing novels appear out of date to some, but she suspected rightly that those who discounted her insights into human nature might have been misled by period details or surface distractions.

Another possible factor that has made Wharton a difficult sell for some readers over time has been the grimness of vision, particularly the way she ties her novels together with unhappy endings. “Not everybody has the palate for Wharton’s endings, because they’re brutal,” said Dr. Orlando.

Sympathetic characters are cast aside or driven to suicide, like Undine’s son Paul, and his father Ralph Marvel, respectively, in The Custom of the Country. Or, as in Ethan Frome, where the quest for forbidden love of the two main characters results in misery and disfigurement. These are no feel-good stories, but perhaps 21st century readers have developed more of a taste for things with bitter and sour notes.

“I will never tire of her, and that’s the key. She’s the gift that keeps giving,” Dr. Orlando averred.

Indeed, because of Wharton’s unique life, her adjacencies and her still under-explored body of work, Wharton’s writing can be instructive in a variety of academic contexts, such as classes in the American novel, women writers, Edwardian and Victorian fiction, the Pre-Raphaelite Movement, the Harlem Renaissance (in relationship to Nella Larson’s novels in particular), literature and design, travel writing, and more.

“I try to sneak her into every single class I teach,” said Dr. Orlando, “and I succeed.” l F

Bellarmine Comes Alive

IN ITS FIRST YEAR, THE UNIVERSITY’S NEW ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE PROGRAM HAS TAKEN ROOT AND IS THRIVING IN THE PARK CITY.

by Jeannine (carolan) graF ’87

Apioneering cohort of 46 students from the Greater Bridgeport region took a leap of faith last year and enrolled in Fairfield University’s new two-year associate’s degree program, Fairfield Bellarmine.

In September, the Class of 2025 arrived at Bellarmine Campus, located on the hilltop site of the former St. Ambrose parish in Bridgeport’s East End neighborhood, and began coursework toward majors in business, computer science, liberal studies, and health studies. Eighteen of them made the Dean’s List in their first semester.

Now halfway through the two-year program, the retention rate for the Class of 2025 stands at 98 percent. Students plan to either continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree — at Fairfield or elsewhere — or embark on a professional career path after Fairfield Bellarmine’s first-ever Commencement Exercises, scheduled for May 18, 2025.

Interest in the program’s innovative curriculum and personalized support services is taking off. Applications for the incoming Class of 2026 are up 60 percent from a year ago, according to Nakia Létang, director of admission.

“Last year, we were fortunate to get these students to trust our vision for what did not yet exist,” said Létang. “Now, prospective students, families, school counselors, and community partners are able to come to Bellarmine Campus — to see and feel what we know is incredibly special about this place — and the news is spreading.”

Létang expects enrollment in the new cohort to surpass that of the inaugural class, while remaining within the maximum cohort size of 100 students. As currently envisioned, Bellarmine Campus will support a maximum of 200 students in total.

At the end of the spring semester, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Pamela Tolbert-Bynum Rivers, EdD, confirmed that the “tremendous growth and development of our first cohort of [now 44] students in just one short year” is a sign that the holistic education being offered at Fairfield Bellarmine “is working exceedingly well.”

“These are first-generation students,” Dr. Rivers said. “What has been most meaningful for me this year is that they’ve learned to trust us, to reach out when they are struggling. Seeing their God-given potential and reminding them, ‘You are worthy. You are capable,’ has given our students the confidence to meet challenges. What we’ve provided here will undergird them for the future.”

St. Ambrose Hall — the decommissioned church that now serves as a classroom building — is at the heart of teaching and learning on Bellarmine Campus.

One sunny day this past spring, as clusters of students sat outside at picnic tables, enjoying lunch and talking, a busload of prospective students from Danbury, Conn., filed into St. Ambrose’s study lounge for an information session with an admission counselor and several current undergraduates.

As the session ended, computer science major Francisco Martinez A’25 paused in the hallway to chat.

Asked about his first-year experience, Martinez said, “This year definitely surpassed my expectations. I anticipated the rigorous coursework, but I never expected to find the community that has formed among my peers, the faculty, and the staff. Everybody is so connected — it’s like a big family.”

Martinez said his biggest challenge was learning to prioritize class assignments. Maintaining a workload calendar paid off — his first semester GPA was high enough for him to dream of becoming class Valedictorian next year.

After completing his associate’s degree, Martinez hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree on the University’s North Benson campus. Fairfield has allocated 35 scholarships for Bellarmine students who aspire to continue

left: On a hilltop that is said to be the highest elevation in Bridgeport, Conn., the bell tower of the St. Ambrose Hall classroom building on Bellarmine Campus is an East End neighborhood landmark.

above right: (l-r): Ayesha Khanam and student council president Marissa Shanley are members of Fairfield Bellarmine’s inaugural Class of 2025.

above: Asghar Shah A’25 and Misael Jurado A’25 play a game of chess while Matthew Robles A’25 and Santiago Tarazona A’25 enjoy lunch in the student lounge.

right: (l-r) Francisco Martinez A’25 and Carl Delva A’25 review an assignment.

opposite page from top: Esthefani Rojas Arias A’25 and classmates attend biology class in Fairfield Bellarmine’s Science Center.

their studies. Williams College and Albertus Magnus Collage have also partnered with Fairfield to offer similar transfer admission and scholarship opportunities.

“Right now, my biggest aspiration is to someday study abroad,” said Martinez. “I’ve been learning the Japanese language for two and a half years, and I would really love to study in Japan.”

Classmate Marissa Shanley A’25 graduated from Bridgeport’s Bullard Haven High School with Martinez, and also hopes to continue to the North Benson campus. In fact, she aspires to become a “triple Stag” by earning her master’s degree in cybersecurity after completing her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in the School of Engineering and Computing.

Shanley is president of Fairfield Bellarmine’s newly formed student council. “The amazing

Bellarmine faculty and staff made me feel so at home here, which gave me the confidence to take on this role,” she said.

One of the first initiatives Shanley is planning as council president is a new “Big Brother/Big Sister-style” mentoring program to welcome Bellarmine’s incoming Class of 2026. It will be “a way to make the new students’ adjustment to college life even better than ours was,” she said.

PeJay Lucky, assistant dean for student success, recently reflected on how the Fairfield Bellarmine program has evolved since the campus opened in September. “You can have all these plans going in, but you have to be open and present, even if you think you know who your students are,” he said. “The key for us was to constantly listen to what works

“ These are first-generation students. What has been most meaningful for me this year is that they’ve learned to trust us, to reach out when they are struggling. Seeing their God-given potential and reminding them, ‘You are worthy. You are capable,’ has given our students the confidence to meet challenges. What we’ve provided here will undergird them for the future.”

—

and what doesn’t. We just had to be open.”

The establishment of a Bellarmine student council was one result of that listening, as was the creation of the Divine Threads weekly Bible study group and the formation of the Sister Circle and the Brothers of Bellarmine — student mentoring groups that foster selfempowerment, connection, and support.

“We are busy talking about what our program will be like next year with two cohorts,” said Lucky. “The benefit of having a Bellarmine student council is that this time around, student voices are part of the planning process. Talking together, we learn from them and they learn from us — that’s the biggest thing.”

Guided by a support network of career and wellness counselors, faculty, and staff members, the students have made Bellarmine Campus their own. They’ve decorated the student lounge with flags of the nations they

represent. They’ve found their favorite quiet places to study, and communal spaces to gather for meetings, conversations, and meals.

An afternoon shuttle transports students to the North Benson campus for opportunities to work out at the RecPlex, visit the DiMennaNyselius Library, cheer for the Stags at home games, and take part in clubs and activities. This past year, Bellarmine students joined the Fairfield University Student Association and Theatre Fairfield, and played club rugby and intramural volleyball, basketball, and tennis.

Together, the students of Fairfield Bellarmine have established themselves as key contributors to the University community.

“The first year has been all about welcoming people into this new learning environment,” said Kevin O’Brien, S.J., executive director and vice provost of Fairfield Bellarmine. “We set out to build a culture of care and a community dedicated to our common mission to make Jesuit higher education more accessible. At these things, we have succeeded.” l F

BUSINESS PARTNERS PROMOTE CAREER READINESS FOR BELLARMINE

Academics is at the core of Bellarmine’s mission, but one-on-one mentoring and career development are also driving the program’s success.

During the spring semester, employees of corporate sponsor Bank of America and other local businesses visited campus to conduct mock interviews and participate in a career and internship fair, while Connecticut’s Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program offered students interested in health careers paid training and placement into part-time internship positions.

A “career closet” was established with donations of more than 300 articles of clothing — suits, blazers, ties, shirts, pants, dresses, and skirts — for Fairfield Bellarmine students to browse and select from as they prepared for interviews, career sessions, and corporate office visits.

Outfitted with a like-new suit, Alejandro Garcia-Baraja A’25 said, “Wearing the business attire helped me to feel comfortable and up to par with the people I was meeting.”

In mid-February, representatives from Bank of America, Gault Family Companies, Travelers Insurance, Colony Grill, RiskBridge Advisors, BDO, and Fairfield University conducted mock interview sessions with 33 members of the Class of 2025, allowing students to refine their interviewing skills.

Garcia-Baraja, who met with reps from Bank of America and Gault, found that the experience boosted his confidence. “I learned that effective communication skills, especially maintaining good eye contact, are essential,” he said. “Moreover, answering unpredicted or challenging questions thoroughly and thoughtfully is a highly valued trait.”

In March, Garcia-Baraja also joined a group of his classmates for a visit to the Connecticut corporate offices of Bank of America and its wealth management division, Merrill Lynch.

The personal stories shared by Merrill presenters stood out to him. “Their passion for their jobs was palpable,” he said, “and highlighted the various routes one can take in finance, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and continuous learning. Our visit encouraged me to remain open to diverse paths.”

“The students were well-prepared and came with great questions and perspective,” commented Bill Tommins, president of Bank of America, Southern Connecticut, on a Fairfield Bellarmine LinkedIn post after meeting with students. Tommins sat in on several interviews conducted by his Bank of America colleague Daniel Lopez ’17, vice president of Middle Market Banking, and a Fairfield alumnus. l F

above from top: (l-r) Ceanna Ferguson A’25 and Ranaldo Fong A’25 listen to a classroom presentation. Earl Latchman, Bellarmine’s maintenance manager, greets Santiago Tarazona A’25 in the kitchen of the Campus Center.

Employers from the City of Bridgeport, Apple, Bank of America, Travelers, Gault, Colony Grill, BDO, Avengrid, and Fairfield University met with students at a spring Career and Internship Fair at Bellarmine Campus.

Grants&Gifts

A Selection of Grants and Gifts Received From Private and Public Foundations, and Corporations

School of Education and Human Development

Bryan Ripley Crandall, PhD, director of the Connecticut Writing Project and associate professor of educational studies and teacher preparation in the School of Education and Human Development, has been awarded funding from three grants. The first is an award of $47,625 from the Connecticut State Department of Education, which will go toward the Connecticut Writing Project’s Young Adult Literacy Labs and Summer Leadership Institute for Teaching Writing. Geared toward youth in grades 3 – 12, these one- and two-week writing workshops boast a team of professional teachers and writers who are passionate about nurturing young talent. With a focus on empowering students to find their unique voice, embrace literacy, and engage with a vibrant writing community, the workshops offer a rich and immersive experience in various writing processes.

An additional $79,500 grant from the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) with federal ARPA funding will provide continuing support to the student summer literacy camps and teacher leadership institute.

A gift of $25,000 from a private foundation will go toward the Writing Our Connecticut Lives Collective Program, which seeks to extend the success of the Cultivated Women’s Collective by providing afterschool writing support to eight classroom teachers and more than 98 middle and secondary school students. This initiative aims to foster a safe and supportive community for young writers of diverse backgrounds to share their stories and celebrate their lives within a crossdistrict, literary society

Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies

The Charles and Mabel Jost Foundation has graciously provided a $100,000 award to the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies to help address a national nursing shortage. This grant provides scholarship support to nursing students with strong academic credentials and financial need

College of Arts & Sciences

A $34,800 grant, awarded by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) has provided funding to Zhanar Berikkyzy, PhD, associate professor of mathematics. This Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) grant will provide funding for four students to participate in an eight-week in-person summer camp to conduct faculty-mentored research in mathematical subjects such as exploring the anti-Ramsey properties of graphs and solutions to various equations within the realm of graph theory, an emerging research area with connections to Ramsey theory. Students will receive comprehensive instruction in graph theory fundamentals, number theory, and combinatorics, facilitated through lectures and worksheets utilizing resources like Introduction to Graph Theory by D. West. Additionally, students will write a manuscript and submit it to a journal for publication before presenting their research results at local and national conferences.

A $1,000 grant from the Weller Foundation will provide a scholarship for

one incoming College of Arts and Sciences first-year student from Monroe, Newtown, Easton, Shelton, or Trumbull, Connecticut.

The H.W. Wilson Foundation has graciously provided the University with $30,000 in scholarship support for our veterans in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs within the College of Arts & Sciences.

The College had two professors and three students awarded NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC) funding in the most recent cycle. NASA CT Space Grant Consortium awards for the College of Arts and Sciences are as follows:

n Karl Schmidt, PhD, assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences was awarded $10,000 for his proposal, “Behavioral and Neurobiological Impacts of Confinement,” which seeks to examine the impacts of confinement stress on the behavioral and neurobiological effects of cocaine-using rats and the potential for modulation with noradrenergic treatment. This project provides a paid summer research experience for undergraduates.

n John Miecznikowski, PhD, chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, was awarded $10,000 for his proposal, “Synthesis and Characterization of ONO Cobalt(II) and Nickel(II) and Copper(I) Pincer Complexes,” which seeks to prepare and characterize cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(I) pincer complexes. These elements are potential catalysts for the reduction of aldehydes, the conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, and the reduction of protons to hydrogen gas. Dr. Miecznikowski’s project will provide a paid, faculty-mentored research experience over the summer.

n Madeleine Biardi ’27, a physics major, was awarded $6,000 for her project “Grant Proposal for 8-Week Internal Wave-Driven Mixing in Canyons Research.”

n Ethan Chow ’27, a physics major, was awarded $6,000 for his project “Projected

Changes in Future Extreme Snowfall in the White Mountains in the CMIP6 Ensemble.”

n Brody Matijevic ’25, a physics student, was awarded $6,000 for his project “Projecting Change in Extreme Snow Over Northeast U.S.”

Robert Nazarian, PhD, associate professor of physics, will serve as the faculty advisor for all three physics students’ CTSGC awards.

School of Engineering and Computing

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through their Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program, awarded a grant of $469,995 to Xiaoli (Lucy) Yang, PhD, chair and professor of computer science and software engineering. With the funding from this grant, Dr. Yang, in collaboration with the University of Maine and Southern Methodist University, aims to create a groundbreaking semiconductor curriculum using game-based learning, AI, and ChatGPT, fostering student engagement and learning. Through workshops and camps at the University of Maine and Southern Methodist University, undergraduate students will facilitate hands-on experiences and industry field trips, connecting game-based learning with real-world applications. By partnering with Stemuli, an EdTech company, the project aims to provide equitable access to innovative technologies and educational resources, prioritizing STEM education equity and empowering students from diverse backgrounds to pursue STEM careers.

The Gilbane Building Company has made an award to the School of Engineering and Computing to assist in underwriting the attendance of 14 members of the Fairfield University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers at the national conference held in Atlanta, Georgia. Attending students

Fairfield Bellarmine’s Catherine Erol A’25 has been awarded $5,000 from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation to continue her ReSoap program, which she started in high school.

will interview for internships and postgraduate positions with regional and national companies.

The SEC had two professors and a student receive funding from the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium in the most recent cycle. NASA CT Space Grant Consortium awards for the SEC are as follows:

n Xiaoli (Lucy) Yang, PhD, chair and professor of computer science and software engineering, was awarded $10,000 for her proposal “Cognitive Workload Analysis via Deep Learning with Emotion Regulation and Virtual Reality for Aeronautics Safety Application.” In collaboration with Sidike Paheding, PhD, assistant professor of computer science, Dr. Yang aims to incorporate elements such as emotion regulation, virtual reality, and deep learning, to enhance the accuracy of cognitive workload assessments during activities like aircraft piloting and cyber-monitoring. This project will generate an opportunity for two paid undergraduate researchers during the summer and fall.

n Djedjiga (Gigi) Belfadel, PhD, associate professor of electrical and biomedical engineering, was awarded $5,000 for her proposal “Building Programmable, Affordable Drones for GPS-Denied Swarm Navigation Research and Education.” This project, which will involve undergraduate students, aims to advance drone technology research and education by building customizable, cost-efficient drones optimized for accurate swarm navigation in environments lacking GPS.

n John Chiodo ’24, an engineering student, was awarded $1,500 for his project “The Electro-Pneumatic Air Shock Optimization System.” This project aims to develop enhanced suspension performance in off-road vehicles that utilize air shocks by: 1) allowing for driver input and external monitoring, eliminating the need for manual adjustments; 2) integrating an onboard computer, pneumatics, and a user interface; and 3) employing

shock pressure values to optimize suspension performance. Chiodo’s faculty advisor is Sriharsha Sundarram, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering.

Fairfield Arts & Minds

The William H. Pitt Foundation is supporting cultural programming and important conversations with renowned speakers at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, through a $10,000 board-designated discretionary grant toward the Open VISIONS Forum (OVF) lecture series.

The Lawrence I. & Blanche H. Rhodes Memorial Fund awarded a generous $30,000 in support of Fairfield Arts & Minds and programs that engage our students with the exceptional artistic and cultural programming presented on our campus.

The Malcolm H. Wiener Foundation approved a $10,000 gift towards the Katherine A. Schwab Historic Plaster Cast Collection Endowment Fund to ensure the maintenance and care of the collection and to support student programming that enhances and maximizes curricular engagement and research

Other Student Awards

Catherine Erol A’25, a student in Fairfield Bellarmine’s inaugural class, has been awarded $5,000 from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation to continue her ReSoap program, which she started in high school. The goal of ReSoap is to make a positive impact on the planet and the lives of those in need by transforming hotel soap into new bars, thereby addressing multiple pressing global challenges while ensuring access to essential hygiene products. l F

AlumniNOTES

1960

’66 | Richard Wildermann published Wildlife on a Warming Earth in May 2023 (Austin Macauley Publishers). Narrated by a Carolina chickadee, this engaging story is a brief but fact-filled overview of the harm global warming inflicts on wildlife. The book is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the publisher’s website.

1970

’74 | Kevin Barry recently published a book, Counterclockwise: A USA Road Trip, a travelogue memoir about a 10-week, 11,000-mile camping road trip around the USA in 2013, during which he stopped in Fairfield and visited about a dozen classmates, among many other things. Available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

James E. Carroll recently published his first novel, a legal thriller titled Reasonably Foreseeable, in which a Big Law partner named Jamie Carson battles a Connecticut city and its morally corrupt police department for his most vulnerable client. Available on Amazon.com.

’77 | Julio J. Rameriz, PhD, received a lifetime achievement award on mentoring from the Association for Psychological Science (membership 25,000) in May 2023. Dr. Ramirez is the R. Stuart Dickson Professor and director of the Neuroscience Program in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Davidson College in North Carolina. He is scheduled

Health Committee.

StagMates nicole (MU rP hy ’17) and albert innarelli ’17 tied the knot on July 8, 2023, with many fellow Stags in attendance.

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to speak at Fairfield University in Sept. 2024.

1980

’84 | Michael Langford is the chief financial officer for LexisNexis Reed Tech, a company that helps top pharmaceutical labelers and medical device manufacturers better understand regulatory requirements, promptly meet compliance deadlines, and assist with product data management strategies. As CFO, Langford is responsible for leading the accounting, finance planning and analysis, contract administration, and site of office services organization.

’89 | Mike McLaughlin has written a novel called The War You’ve Always Wanted (May 2024, Koehler Books). Written as a tribute to

Mike’s father and his uncle, both Army veterans and correspondents, the work of historical fiction addresses the gradual loss of idealism and humanity near the end of the conflict in Vietnam. On a humorous note, Mike wishes to thank all his English professors who were patient enough to wait the 35 years required for writing the book! Available on Amazon.com.

1990

’94 | Pablo D. Colón III is the first Latino chairman of the Norwalk Hospital Board of Directors since the hospital began operating in 1893. Colón initially joined the board in 2020 and serves on the professional affairs and nominating committees, the Community Voice Work Group, and is a co-chair of the Community

’99 | Bradley Tarr was named campus operations and scheduling coordinator at Maryvale Preparatory School (Lutherville, Md.) in Aug. 2023. Maryvale opened in 1945 and is a Catholic school for girls in grades six through 12.

2000

’00 | Derek DiFronzo recently published his first novel, titled The Stevenson Theory Part 1: Venom Effect, with Dual Shadows Media. The book is the first in a young adult thriller series. In its first weekend, it landed on Amazon’s bestsellers list (#1 in Coming of Age Fiction and #3 in Young Adult Thrillers & Suspense among New Releases). Visit DiFronzo’s official website at www. derekdifronzoauthor.com.

’03 | Sarah Courtney is the chief communications officer of the League of Women Voters of the United States, where she leads a team of skilled communicators and marketing experts working to advance progress in democracy and elections. Since 2016, she has overseen the Communications Department at the League and is responsible for the organization’s digital presence, brand identity, media relations, and member communications.

’08 | Tom Hathaway has been promoted to president of Holy Cross Medical Group, a multi-specialty physician employed group of more than 130 physicians who provide services throughout Broward County, Fla. He was previously VP of operations.

AlumniNOTES

(l-r): Sarah Hoefner ’19, James Hoefner ’79, P’19, and Christine Newhall ’79, P’19.

“Our mutual experiences at Fairfield have carried forward for more than 45 years. The relationships we established in the late ’70s on the shores of Long Island remain our closest and dearest friends today. We were lucky enough to have our daughter Sarah later in life; she was surrounded by Fairfield propaganda and friends, and we proudly watched her become an alumna and member of the Class of 2019! Seeing the same relationships build — and love for Fairfield grow — through our daughter’s eyes is one of a kind!”

JaM es hoe F ner ’79, P’19, and christine newhall ’79, P’19

The University is proud of our legacy tradition. Our legacy families consist of students and alumni whose family members — including parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and/or siblings — attended or currently attend Fairfield. Visit fairfield.edu/FLA to learn more.

2010

’11 | Award-winning writer Eric A. Clayton recently authored My Life with the Jedi: The Spirituality of Star Wars (Feb. 2024, Loyola Press). In this book, Clayton brings the stories of Star Wars into dialogue with Ignatian spirituality, inviting readers to reflect on their own struggles, decisions, vocations, and ultimately, the constant call to discover new hope.

’12 | Halimat Somotan, PhD, is an assistant professor of African studies in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She is a historian of 20th-century Africa with research interests in the history of decolonization, postcolonial rule, urban history, and women’s history. Her first book manuscript, The Decolonizing City: Popular Politics and the Making of Postcolonial Lagos, 1941-76, is a peoplecentered history of Lagos, one of the most populous cities in the world, during and after Nigeria’s transition from colonial rule to independence.

’13 | Melissa Hannequin is the founding executive director of the Danbury Collective, a citywide collective impact initiative designed to address the challenges facing Danbury, Conn.’s children and youth by aligning resources and working collaboratively at a systems level to improve outcomes for all. Most recently, she served New York City Public Schools for more than six years in their citywide universal preschool initiative, “3-K and Pre-K for All.”

Kara (Reis) MacIntosh has been promoted to corporate director of content and social media marketing at Noble House Hotels and Resorts.

A Division 1 volleyball player at Fairfield, MacIntosh’s hospitality journey began five years ago at Noble House Hotels & Resorts, where she started as a Marketing Coordinator at L’Auberge Del Mar. ’17 | Róisín Wiley was named the International Rose of Tralee. The Rose of Tralee is an annual international festival held in Ireland, and is a celebration of the aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility, and Irish heritage of modern young women. Thirty-two young women are selected from around the world – Wiley was named the New York Rose and will serve as an ambassador for Ireland while living in New York. ’18 | Kelly Bommer MBA’19, earned her PhD in organizational leadership and learning from Gannon University in Erie, Pa., in August 2023. On the very same day that she defended her dissertation, Bommer also rejoined the Fairfield University campus community as the associate director of athletics for studentathlete services and administration.

’23 | Celine King, a former StartUp Showcase participant and Bellarmine Scholar awardee, is the founder of GreenIRR, Inc., a carbon accounting platform for trucking carriers to measure fleet emissions and generate regulation-compliant reports. GreenIRR provides fleet managers with emissions data on operations, allowing them to measure emissions in real time, track progress toward reduction targets, and build a global carbon rating system.

J oe d elaney ’03, M ba’04

Ready To Grow the Alumni Global Network

by robby Piazzaroli

As K J oe d elaney ’03, MBA’04 about his time at Fairfield University and a smile immediately illuminates his face. Having earned both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at Fairfield, he is a perfect fit for his new role as president of the Alumni Association.

Delaney was inspired to get involved as an alumnus through a mentor of his — Deloitte colleague and fellow Stag Maureen (Errity) Bujno ’90. Bujno’s passion and commitment to community service reenergized Delaney’s desire to give back to the University; he’s now spent more than a decade serving the Fairfield County Alumni Chapter, the Alumni Board of Directors, and the University as a whole.

“This is part of a lifelong commitment to service. My parents grounded me in the importance and understanding of helping others and giving back,” said Delaney.

“My parents grounded me in the importance and understanding of helping others and giving back. Fairfield built upon that foundation and elevated my passion for this work.”

“Fairfield built upon that foundation and elevated my passion for this work.”

An accounting major, Delaney started his career at Deloitte and then continued on to Gen Re, inspired by their commitment to community. Serving in leadership positions in global employee resource groups and designing mentorship opportunities for students are among the ways he has expressed his desire to serve in his

professional life.

Delaney attributes his memorable experience in college and since graduation to the support from his family, genuine care from his mentors, and his admiration for his lifelong friends, including those from his youth and his Fairfield University roommates.

Double-Stag Joe Delaney ’03, MBA’04 has been named president of the Fairfield University Alumni Association.

“Over the years, getting an opportunity to meet so many unique and genuine people has been fantastic,” he said. “Fairfield always felt like ‘home’ to me because of the positive good that everyone sought to do together. Being able to spend time with my roommates, to learn and grow together, are memories that I will always reflect upon that make me smile and laugh.”

the University’s Fair F ield bellar M ine associate’s degree program in Bridgeport will welcome its second class in the fall of 2024. Delaney is excited by what Fairfield Bellarmine graduates will bring to the alumni community. He also looks forward to expanding Fairfield’s global alumni network to the new Austin, Texas campus of the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, the Dolan School of Business programs in Shanghai, China and Bengaluru, India, and other new regional alumni communities.

“We will be working on how we can help grow, preserve, and cultivate the experiences of our Fairfield University students on the North Benson campus, as well as welcome our latest future alumni through these expanding satellite programs,” he said. “In addition, supporting the maturation process of the Alumni of Color Network, and the expanding reach of Fairfield’s geographical and academic programs, Fairfield Alumni Association has a great future ahead of itself.”

Delaney has been impressed by the changes and improvements made to Fairfield’s North Benson campus. New

spaces and renovations have enhanced the student experience, something he predicts will be directly reflected in the Stag pride shared by current and future alumni.

“Every time I return to campus I am amazed by the look and feel,” he said. “The beauty of the campus catches everyone’s eye, but the sense of community and togetherness that you get from walking on campus is unique to the Fairfield experience.”

He looks forward to continuing the Alumni Association tradition of inspiring the next generation of graduates to get involved. In this era of social media, he said it can be a challenge to build that sense of community, but that is just what he plans to do – by listening to and engaging with alumni from all walks of life, and all experiences.

“When speaking to students on campus, I tell everyone to continue to challenge themselves to learn and explore new opportunities,” Delaney said. “The world of opportunities is out there for all of us to explore. Find what you are passionate about, surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you, and strive to be the best version of good you can be.”

Born and raised in Staten Island, N.Y., Delaney decided to put down roots in Connecticut following his time at Fairfield and his internship in Stamford. Along with his wife and children, he now calls Fairfield County his home. l F

AlumniNOTES

Marriages

Kristina DiNardo and Jonathan Worrall ’07 — March 1, 2024.

Caitlin O’Sullivan ’12 and Amanda Urena ’12 — Oct. 8, 2023.

Molly Knox ’14 and Rob Garrone ’14, MS’15 — July 20, 2019.

Hannah (Bowie ’15) and James Simpson ’15, MBA’22 — Sept. 30, 2023.

Nina Giacchi ’16 and Ethan Kohnle — June 3, 2023.

Nicole (Murphy ’17) and Albert Innarelli ’17 — July 8, 2023

Katelynn Arnold ’18 and Jed O’Connell — Sept. 30, 2023.

Bridget Stackpole ’18, MBA’19 and Sean Bernard ’18, MS’20 — Sept. 9, 2023.

Juliana Raffa and Nicholas Drennan ’18 — Aug. 5, 2023.

Erin O’Gallagher ’19 and Sean White — Jan. 13, 2024.

Births

Kaitlin (Farrell ’12) and Christopher Mullen — son, John Christopher, Aug. 15, 2023.

Chelsea (Geremia ’14, MA’18) and Andrew Prince — son, Jackson Anthony, June 14, 2024.

Nicole (Scuderi ’16) and Adam Kenney ’15 — daughter, Avery Carol, Dec. 27, 2023.

Monica (Sciacca ’16) and Kerri McPhail ’16 — daughter, Jordan Amelia, Jan. 22, 2024.

In Memoriam

Leo E. Karl Jr. ’51 — Jan. 13, 2024

Robert R. Petrucelli ’54 — Feb. 15, 2024

Nicholas G. Macol ’55, CT’70 (GSEAP) — Jan. 18, 2024

Remo Scarpulla ’57 — Dec. 31, 2023

Thomas J. Rosati ’58 — Jan. 13, 2024

James A. Sedensky ’58 — Jan. 19, 2024

James W. Betts Sr. ’59 — Aug. 18, 2023

Richard A. Guagnini ’59 — Feb. 5, 2024

Edward D. Martino ’59 — Jan. 5, 2024

Robert C. O’Brien ’59, MA’79 (GSC&PC) — Feb. 24, 2024

James J. Bandura ’60 — Jan. 20, 2024

Henry G. Dubyoski ’60 — Feb. 12, 2024

Francis J. Rio Jr. ’63 — Jan. 19, 2024

John J. Rose ’63 — Jan. 19, 2024

Robert J. Kelly ’64 — Jan. 18, 2024

Edward J. Denes Jr. ’65 — Feb. 24, 2024

Kenneth A. Wagner ’65 — Feb. 8, 2024

Terence P. Toal ’66 — Jan. 27, 2024

Robert G. Kennedy ’67 — Jan. 6, 2024

Herbert W. Casey III ’69 — Jan. 30, 2024

Brian R. Macauley ’70 — Jan. 24, 2024

Ethan Kohnle and nina giacchi ’16 were married in New York City on June 3, 2023. Nina is the daughter of StagMates Mary (galante ’87) and nino giacchi ’87.

StagMates Monica (sciacca ’16) & K erri M c P hail ’16 welcomed daughter Jordan Amelia on Jan. 22, 2024.

Share your news! Simply log on to the FREE Alumni Online Community and post your Class Note. Not a member? Registration is easy at fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity. Sign up and log on today.

’23

2024 StartUp Mentor & Competition Host

by t ess ( b rown ) l ong ’07, MFa’11

As a yo U ng girl, Mariana Antaya ’23 dreamed of starting her own company and puttered away at business ideas. When it came to choosing a college, Antaya was in search of a smaller school with “an uplifting and supportive community.” She uprooted herself from her home in San Francisco’s Bay Area to find that at Fairfield, along with the opportunity to play collegiate golf.

A mathematics and computer science double major, Antaya fondly remembers being mentored by associate professor of analytics Chris Huntley, PhD, in the Dolan School’s Fairfield StartUp program.

“Last year at Startup, I was heading onstage at the Quick Center, not to pitch, but just to give an update on my journey, and Dr. Jie Tao and Dr. Huntley were both backstage with me. We were remembering just how scared I’d been when I was standing in that position, about to pitch, a year earlier.”

That was the year of the 2022 StartUp Showcase, when Antaya led team Quantify to victory. Her group of five Class of 2023 students won $12,500 in seed funding to develop its crypto currency trading app.

“Quantify aims to provide the building blocks to allow individuals to build and scale their crypto portfolios with less volatility, at their own pace, and with their own investing styles and strategies in mind,” explained Antaya. “Most competitors offer trading with high transaction fees or very limited algorithms. Our goal is to bridge the gap between premade algorithms and high-tech solutions that hedge funds are using, to make crypto trading accessible to all.”

The Quantify app offers users three primary features. The first is an educational component that provides information for individuals who want to learn more about crypto trading. The second allows users the ability to link all cryptocurrencies together to save time and avoid having to trade between different crypto wallets and platforms. The

last feature assists users in developing their own crypto trading strategy, to align with their personal financial goals.

Through the integration of artificial intelligence, the app is highly intuitive and scalable, to meet the needs of each user. Now called quantifAI, Antaya said she continues to develop the company and idea on her own, as a “bootstrapped startup.” Bootstrapping is the process of launching and growing a business without relying on outside capital.

“Being a solopreneur is challenging and exciting, but it also means there is a lot of responsibility and late nights alone,” Antaya said. “However, the fact that my idea started while I was in college — and is growing, little by little — brings me joy. The journey to build something that helps other people is the most rewarding part, and being able to do it alongside other talented industry leaders and mentors is awesome.”

while still an U ndergrad Uate stU dent at Fairfield, Antaya interned at Microsoft and was offered a full-time position at the company following her graduation. Now a product manager at Microsoft Teams, she said she really enjoys Seattle, where innovation intermingles with big tech, startups, and the aerospace scene.

“I’ve gotten exposure to different fields that I wouldn’t have looked into on my own,” she said. “From my perspective, there is a wealth of knowledge every turn I take, from ex-Microsoft or ex-Amazon people. Their stories and lessons from building a product from infancy — including their failures — makes building a product not so daunting. There is also a big AI culture; I attend monthly AI talks and get to meet other AI startup founders.”

Antaya shared that her days at Microsoft usually consist of back-to-back meetings in the morning, talking with customers, engineers, or other product managers. Once lunchtime hits, and after her second or third cup of coffee for the day, she likes to get some “focus work” done — doing

Mariana Antaya ’23

“Being a solopreneur is challenging and exciting, but it also means there is a lot of responsibility and late nights alone. However, the fact that my idea started while I was in college — and is growing, little by little — brings me joy.”

market research, creating pitch decks, writing product requirement documents, and occasionally brainstorming on the future vision of the product. She also actively mentors on product management, big tech, and startups, on Tik Tok and in her online community Product House.

This past spring, Antaya returned to the Quick Center stage as host of the 2024 Fairfield StartUp Showcase competition. “I was most excited to see the new talent,” she said. “I think that’s what makes it so special: the perspective and talent is different from what other schools or communities offer. At the end of the day, it’s the little notes and extra effort that makes participating in this [StartUp] community and competition incomparable.”

AlumniNOTES

SHARE YOUR NEWS

Robin and gary roscillo ’73 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2023. Their favorite wedding day photo was taken in front of Bellarmine Hall, and they recreated it 50 years later. Note the license plates: AUG 11 — the date of their wedding.

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.

In Memoriam

continued

William C. Lalli ’71 — Feb. 8, 2024

Joseph E. DiCorpo ’73 — Feb. 24, 2024

Kevin P. McFadden ’76 — Dec. 28, 2023

Louis J. Mirabello Jr. ’76 — Jan. 21, 2024

John J. Zinser Jr. ’77 — Dec. 24, 2023

Robert J. Corso ’78 — Feb. 12, 2024

Anna (DiMarco) Pettinicchi ’79 — Feb. 24, 2024

Frances M. (Landon) Darwick ’84 — March 14, 2024

Carole M. (Hornyak) Bogdany ’86 — Jan. 14, 2024

Colleen D. Fries ’86 — Dec. 23, 2023

Christopher Joyce ’87 — Date Unknown

Mary A. (Johansson)

Nelson ’92 — Jan. 25, 2024

Lisa A. Hansen ’93 — March 3, 2024

Brian T. Sullivan ’94 — Jan. 11, 2024

Aaron S. Thomas ’94 — Dec. 21, 2023

Gary D. Eckrich ’95 — Feb. 12, 2024

Lisa A. Hebert ’96 — Feb. 20, 2024

Paul E. Gorra ’03 — Feb. 23, 2024

Bryan C. Burgess ’06 — Jan. 11, 2024

GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Tabitha Scott MBA’04 has joined Gilbane Building Company’s team of multi-disciplinary building professionals as executive sustainability officer, where she champions efforts to reach carbon neutrality. In this role, Scott will lead global sustainability practices across the enterprise in support of client projects and Gilbane’s progressive building strategies. Gilbane is a leading global, family-owned construction management firm.

Kelly Bommer ’18, MBA’19 earned her PhD in organizational leadership and learning from Gannon University in Erie, Pa., in August 2023. On the very same day that she defended her dissertation, Bommer also rejoined the Fairfield University campus community as the associate director of athletics for student-athlete services and administration.

Marriages

Molly Knox ’14 and Rob Garrone ’14, MS’15 — July 20, 2019.

Hannah (Bowie ’15) and James Simpson ’15, MBA’22 — Sept. 30, 2023.

Bridget Stackpole ’18, MBA’19 and Sean Bernard ’18, MS’20 — Sept. 9, 2023.

Births

Chelsea (Geremia ’14, MA’18) and Andrew Prince — son, Jackson Anthony, June 14, 2024.

Andrea (Cladis MFA’19) and Matthew Hodge — daughter, Pearl Noelle, Jan. 1, 2024.

In Memoriam

Rose M. Panaccione MA’59 (GSEAP) — Feb. 29, 2024

Maureen A. Grom MA’61, CT’64 (GSEAP) — Jan. 4, 2024

C.R. Chope MA’63, CT’71 (GSEAP) — Feb. 7, 2024

Rosalea V. (Sciortino) Donahue MA’64, CT’85 (GSEAP) — Feb. 20, 2024

John P. Blessington MA’65 (GSEAP) — Feb. 27, 2024

Dermot F. McBrinn MA’69 (GSEAP) — Feb. 22, 2023

Roland J. Latimer Jr. CT’70 (GSEAP) — Jan. 13, 2024

Nicholas G. Macol ’55, CT’70 (GSEAP) — Jan. 18, 2024

Sr. Dominic J. Valla, A.S.C.J., MA’70 (GSEAP) — Feb. 4, 2024

Mary E. (Pyburn) Lawler MA’71 (GSEAP) — Jan. 16, 2024

Michael A. Grosso MA’72 (GSEAP) — Feb. 12, 2024

Sr. Irene Comeau, S.S.J., MA’73 (GSEAP) — Feb. 13, 2024

Lynne Salop Hawes MA’73 (GSEAP) — Jan. 24, 2022

Gus J. Procopion MA’74, CT’76 (GSEAP) — Jan. 11, 2024

Thomas F. Reale Jr. MA’76 (GSEAP) — Dec. 8, 2023

Anne L. (Vogelsang) Howell MA’77 (GSEAP) — Feb. 24, 2024

Sr. Harriet Cutting, S.N.D., MA’78 (GSEAP) — Feb. 16, 2024

Robert C. O’Brien ’59, MA’79 (GSC&PC) — Feb. 24, 2024

Sr. Kristin M. Donworth, R.D.C., MA’80 (GSEAP) — Jan. 23, 2024

Eleanor Lindman MA’81 (GSEAP) — Jan. 4, 2024

Ann E. (Sullivan) Kantra MA’82 (GSEAP) — Jan. 15, 2024

Helen I. (Solomon) Rusanowsky CT’88 — Dec. 23, 2023

John L. Epifanio MA’90 (GSC&PC) — Jan. 12, 2024

Vanna C. (Samnang) Sun MS’02 (SOE) — Jan. 30, 2024

Melissa J. (Rockett) Silverstone MSN’05 (Egan) — Feb. 12, 2024

Alumni

SUMMER 2024

Fairfield University Alumni Association

fairfield.edu/alumni | 203-254-4280

Email us at alumni@fairfield.edu

Golden Stags Reunion

SUN., SEPT. 29

Quick Center for the

Arts

quickcenter.com | 203-254-4010

Follow us! @FairfieldQuick

Missoula Children’s Theatre

Camp Sessions:

Pinocchio

JULY 8 – 12

Robin Hood

JULY 15 – 19

Jack and the Beanstalk

JULY 22 – 26

Gulliver’s Travels

JULY 29 – AUG. 2

The Wizard of Oz

AUG. 5 – 9

The Pied Piper

AUG. 12 – 16

Summer Intensives

Camp Sessions:

Hip Hop

JULY 8 – 11 | All Ages

Digital Collaging

JULY 8 – 11 | All Ages

Wizard Academy

JULY 15 – 18 | Grades 3-5

Singing for the Stage

JULY 22 – 25 | Ages 8-11

JULY 29 – AUG. 1 | Ages 11 & up

Acting and Audition Prep

AUG. 5 – 8 | All Ages

Step Right Up!

(Intro to Circus Skills)

AUG. 12 – 15 | Ages 8 and up

Fairfield University

Art Museum

fairfield.edu/museum | 203-254-4046

Email us at museum@fairfield.edu

Suzanne Chamlin: Studies in Color

APRIL 5 – JULY 27

Bellarmine Hall Galleries

The Landscape in Focus: Recent Acquisitions in Photography

APRIL 5 – JULY 27

Bellarmine Hall Galleries

Peter Anton: Just Desserts

MAY 10 – JULY 27

Walsh Galleries

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 SELECTION OF UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

Peter Anton: Just Desserts

SHARE YOUR NEWS

andrea (cladis MFa’19) & Matthew Hodge welcomed daughter Pearl Noelle on Jan. 1. One of the first babies born in 2024, she is pictured here with older sisters Esther (3) & Sophia (21 months).

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.

Donor PROFILE

Ensuring a Legacy K atherine a . s chwab , P h d

For more than three decades, Katherine A. Schwab, PhD, has been a guiding light at Fairfield University, in the College of Arts and Science’s Art History Department, the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, and beyond. Now, as she concludes her 36-year tenure as a professor, she’s exploring new avenues to foster ongoing support for future generations, while sustaining the Fairfield legacy she helped create.

Dr. Schwab’s contributions to Greek art and culture have earned her international acclaim. She has been the recipient of many distinguished awards, including three separate fellowships from the Museum of Metropolitan Art, the Hellene of the Year Award, the Paideia Award for the state of Connecticut, and the Robert E. Wall Award at Fairfield.

In 2003, Dr. Schwab received permission from Greece’s Ministry of Culture to study the Parthenon’s east and north metopes. She was later asked to provide grayscale scans of her metope drawings for the Parthenon Gallery’s permanent installation in Athens’ new Acropolis Museum, where the scans are permanently displayed. She is the only American whose drawings appear in this installation.

One of Dr. Schwab’s most notable accomplishments is the Historic Plaster Cast Collection, in the Fairfield University Art Museum. As one of the largest cast collections of Parthenon sculpture casts in the tri-state area, it is

In honor of Dr. Schwab and her contributions to Fairfield University, the hallway of the museum housing the casts will be named the “Katherine A. Schwab Historic Plaster Cast Hall.”

widely studied by students across disciplines. She began this collection in 1991 and it now includes 100 rare and historic casts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Yale University Art Gallery, as well as gifts from the Acropolis Museum, Slater Museum, and other individuals. The collection’s range and depth of casts representing Parthenon sculpture is unique, and many have been loaned to other exhibits over the years.

“Courses I teach focus on people and their cultural achievements from a long time ago, usually 2,500 years ago,” said Dr. Schwab. “How to make that relevant to students in my class is an exciting challenge, and one that offers shared questions over time and space.”

Dr. Schwab and her students actively link the past to the present as they research ways to restore the casts to their former glory. As Dr. Schwab explained, “The casts became something of a passion for me as I know how important they are. I want others to understand this isn’t something that should be

dismissed but, in fact, should be seen as an incredibly important educational resource.”

The Katherine A. Schwab Historic Plaster Cast Collection Endowment Fund was established in 2023 with a $100,000 gift from Dr. Schwab to ensure the collection’s preservation and care, while providing opportunities for students to work with the cast collection through research, travel, and internships.

As Dr. Schwab and her husband Ronald Davidson, PhD, professor of religious studies, prepare to retire, their legacy of promoting intellectual curiosity and cultural appreciation continues.

Dr. Schwab hopes to encourage others to establish endowments and notes that donating does not necessarily mean, “writing a check for the full amount today. There is a way to do this if you carefully plan it out with colleagues in Advancement and stretch it over multiple years. People don’t realize you can stretch as much as you

can while still giving on an annual basis.” Dr. Schwab feels her donations can be a meaningful way to honor not only her own work, but also the legacy of students and colleagues who paved the way with their work on the casts.

In honor of Dr. Schwab and her contributions to Fairfield University, the hallway of the museum housing the casts will be named the “Katherine A. Schwab Historic Plaster Cast Hall.”

Fairfield has committed to raising an additional $200,000 towards the fund to maximize Dr. Schwab’s gift and guarantee its enduring impact on Fairfield students and the institution. For more information about the Historic Plaster Cast Collection, including how to support the Katherine A. Schwab Historic Plaster Cast Collection Endowment Fund, please contact Marie-Laure Kugel, Director of Development for Fairfield Arts & Minds, at mkugel@fairfield.edu or 203-254-4000 ext. 3267.

When you contribute to or establish an endowment fund at Fairfield University, your gift typically generates support every year thereafter, ensuring future Fairfield students have an education that is just as exceptional and life-changing as yours! You can help students to achieve their dreams for decades and centuries into the future.

How to Contribute

Many types of gift made to Fairfield University can be designated for endowment. Create a long-lasting legacy with a named endowment fund; minimums apply

⊲ You can make a gift during your life through outright gifts of cash, appreciated securities or other assets, or by specifying that the remainder from a charitable gift annuity or charitable trust be used for endowment.

⊲ Or you can leave an endowment gift through a bequest in your will, a provision in your living trust, or by designating Fairfield University as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or an investment account.

Your gift to Fairfield’s endowment will impact lives for many generations. If you would like to learn more about endowment funds or other planned gifts to Fairfield, or if you’ve already named Fairfield in your estate plan and haven’t yet informed Fairfield, please contact the Advancement representative below.