ARTS & SCIENCES UPDATE
Message from the Dean
Acold snap arriving with our students’ return to campus gave a wonderful energy to the opening days of the spring 2025 semester. In my eighth year as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, that energy is both fresh and familiar. Fairfeld has been on the rise during my years here, now marking new gains in stature, national recognition, and student enrollment. The College has matched these, introducing majors like sports media, minors in felds from actuarial science to public administration, and graduate programs with national reach such as our Master of Arts in Interior Design. Launching our Magis Core Curriculum, we have placed our commitment to the Jesuit and Catholic mission of our school directly in service of the University’s academic program, elevating every student at Fairfeld by grounding them in the liberal arts tradition that is the centerpiece of a Jesuit education.
These have been an exciting eight years. But we are not done. The College is poised to make great leaps in the next few years as we aim to become a national model for a valuesbased and outcomes-focused arts and sciences education in the 21st century. We know that what we teach has never been more needed, now integrated with the tools of technology “The College is and the reach of a globalized world. poised to make We value outcomes and we deliver them with a focus on three themes: faculty scholars delivering an arts and sciences education for the modern age, hands-on educational great leaps in the experiences that lead to student success, and a Jesuit mission that shapes our vision of our next few years as task in a dynamic, ever-changing world.
These three areas defne our efforts. We focus on extraordinary quality of education, ensuring we aim to become a that we have the deep disciplinary routes that provide an understanding to all majors. We know that one discipline is never enough to solve the world’s social urgencies, so our strength in national model for interdisciplinary collaboration is a crucial part of what we do to help our students see the world a values-based and through multiple lenses. And, throughout, we focus on outcomes, accelerated by the opportunities advanced by the CAS Career Offce: 98.6 percent of all of our graduates fnd themselves outcomes-focused employed or admitted into prestigious graduate/medical/law schools upon graduation. arts and sciences As our returning students now food the hallways and dive into a new semester of coursework, internships, and student life, we are grateful for this work as never before. education in the 21 st century.”
With Gratitude,
R ICHARD A. G REENWALD, P H D Dean and Professor of History, College of Arts and Sciences
Richard Greenwald, PhD
& Professor of History
Olivia Harriot, PhD Associate Dean & Associate Professor of Biology
Jason Smith, PhD
Associate Dean & Assistant Professor of the Practice, Philosophy
Dawn DeBiase, MSW
Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs
Colby Lemieux, MA’11
Senior Assistant Dean
Edlira Curis
Director of Development
Sara Colabella ’08, MA’11
Senior Integrated Marketing Manager
Jeannine (Carolan) Graf ’87, MFA’25 University Editorial Director
Nancy (Gelston) Dobos ’91 Designer
Best Colleges in CT for Communications
Niche
A SAMPLING OF COMPANIES THAT HIRE FAIRFIELD CAS GRADUATES
Alison Brod Marketing
Americorps
Amplify Marketing
Bank of America
Beau Monde Media
Biohaven
Boys and Girls Village
CBS Sports
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Department of Defense
Fox News
Henkel
Hospital for Special Surgery
Memorial Sloane Kettering
NBC Universal
Razorfsh
Placement Rate
Six Months After Graduation
Stamford Hospital
Teach for America
Unilever
THE HIDDEN CONSEQUENCES OF SOCIAL ISOLATION A
s the world emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, social isolation has been a muchdiscussed topic. And while it comes as no surprise that periods of social isolation can have detrimental effects on mood — increasing the risk of developing anxiety, depression, and even PTSD — long-term isolation can also have a profound impact on the brain itself. A multi-year study by Shannon Harding, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Aaron Van Dyke, PhD, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, uncovers differences in the way male and female rats respond to social isolation. Their study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Behavioral Neuroscience in 2024.
Dr. Harding and her students have been looking at the effects of social isolation through various lenses, such as gender differences and behaviors. They began by isolating a group of Long Evans rat pups in isolation for fve weeks. The researchers then observed and tested these rats to measure changes in behavior, anxiety, and cognitive function, giving them tests to measure their performance against a group that was socialized normally.
“What we found is that males may be more sensitive to social isolation, especially when it comes to anxiety and cognition,” said Dr. Harding. “The female rats showed defcits in anxiety, but not in spatial memory.”
An essential part of any study is a literature review to fnd out what experiments have already been done, what the conclusions were, and what a new study could add. Research revealed studies showing that the semi-essential amino acid taurine –found in eggs, meat, fsh, and some energy drinks—supports the healthy functioning of the heart, brain, and nervous system.
“It’s abundant in the body when you’re younger, and
then dissipates with age,” said Jenna LaRochelle ’25, a neuroscience major who has worked with Dr. Harding for two years. “We hypothesized that supplementing the rats with taurine could be a potential treatment.” Their fndings? In general, the male rats responded well to taurine: A one-percent taurine solution in drinking water for fve weeks resulted in the restoration of their spatial memory. Since female rats did not show a marked decrease in spatial memory, taurine treatment didn’t apply to them. The results of the study, which demonstrate that social contact is vital for behavior and normal brain development even in lower-level organisms, are signifcant given the increased incidence of anxiety disorders in adolescents. While this study involved rats, it sheds light on how isolation during the formative years affects mental health. It also suggests a possible remedy. “The changes in behavior that occur with adolescent social isolation may be mediated by changes in GABA-ergic systems — neurotransmitters that play a key role in mood and cognition. Follow-up studies in our lab suggest taurine’s potential as a therapeutic aid.”
This semester, the students are using brain tissue samples to determine if different proteins and enzymes are associated with depression. They are also examining the role of isolation in addictive behaviors.
“We now have 78 students in the behavioral neuroscience program, and those who successfully complete organic chemistry and biology are incredibly strong,” said Dr. Harding. This research helps set them up for medical or dental school, which is the goal for many of her students, including LaRochelle and her colleague Grace Lombardi ’25, who has also been working in the lab alongside Dr. Harding.
“Working with animals teaches you to be adaptive, because you can’t predict what may happen in the lab,” said Lombardi. “That’s one reason it’s so helpful to be able to take what we’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to actual lab work.” l F
LEFT: Elani Gordon ’24 and Grace Lombardi ’25 aided Dr. Harding in her research as part of their senior research project.
Biomedical Exploration
Cuting-edge biomedical research and discovery is happening on Fairfeld’s campus, fueled by professors deeply commited to involving students in meaningful research. Someday, one of those students just may make a discovery that could impact your life.
Unlike larger universities, where graduate students often dominate the research opportunities, “We have only undergraduates working with us in our research labs, and we are committed to mentoring them and giving them the necessary research training that they can’t get from taking a course,” said Shelley Phelan, PhD, professor of biology.
Dr. Phelan’s research centers on the regulation and function of genes in cancer cell biology. Currently, her work revolves around the use of natural plant compounds as anti-cancer agents, with a focus on breast cancer.
In her lab, students begin by reading the current literature, coming up with research questions, and developing hypotheses.
That’s in addition to learning the technical skills needed to culture human cells, including learning how to maintain a sterile environment. And while that training can take eight to 10 hours a week,
“it gives our students a real opportunity to stand out in their postgraduation pursuits. After all, the vast majority of them go on to medical school, other pre-health programs, or graduate programs in the sciences. They often land where they land because of the hours of training and mentorship they’ve had in our labs.”
Femi Gbayisomore ’22 can attest to that; he worked for a year and a half in Dr. Phelan’s lab, which led to a poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research conference with his lab partner and the co-authorship of a paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
“My decision to do research with Dr. Phelan was one of the better investments I’ve made in myself,” he said, crediting that experience with his acceptance to medical school.
As in Dr. Phelan’s lab, students working with assistant professor of biology Paul Riccio, PhD, also need to master aseptic mammalian cell culture to keep cells free of contamination, but that’s where his research diverges from Dr. Phelan’s.
“I’m interested in how organs recover from tissue loss and regenerate new cells. To understand this, we must explore how the regulation of the cell cycle is inherently different across organs,” said Dr. Riccio. “In diabetes our immune
system destroys insulin-producing beta cells. So how do we get a robust number of these to last through life?”
Answering that question could lead to new cell therapies for Type 1 diabetes.
Last semester’s lab work was preliminary, explained Henry Villa ’24. “We’re growing the cells and will then test them in a high glucose environment to see if they react as they would in a human body. Then we’ll be looking at transcription factors to see the types of proteins produced in response to certain environments.”
Villa, who graduated in December, credits his hands-on experience with helping him prepare for medical school.
“In course-based undergraduate research experience, or CURE, rather than teaching students traditional lab exercises from a manual, we immerse them in the research we’re working on,” said Olivia Harriott, PhD, associate professor of biology. Evidence shows that a research-based experience can fulfll several learning outcomes while improving retention in STEM.
A few years ago, Dr. Harriott started participating in the Tiny Earth Student Crowdsourcing Antibiotic Discovery Initiative, which encourages instructors to develop student research experiences to address the antibiotic resistance crisis. Her students
collected soil samples from diverse environments, isolated and characterized the bacteria in them, then screened them for antibiotic activity. Three of her students submitted their fndings to the Tiny Earth database, thus making research contributions while developing critical thinking, collaborative, and practical skills.
Serena Koshy ’25 was intrigued by the study of genetics in the class she took with Anita Fernandez, PhD, associate professor, whose focus is on heredity gene expression and the applications of genetic technology. For almost two years, she’s been working with the nematode worm C. elegans, which shares many of the same genes as humans. Specifcally, she has been using a temperaturesensitive mutation to disrupt dynactin function in live animals and characterizing how this disruption affects sperm function.
The hours in the lab “defnitely help you work through the
scientifc process of asking questions, developing experiments and drawing conclusions to develop out-of-the-box thinking,” she said. “Fairfeld professors put a lot of time into us, and that says a lot about the faculty here.”
The lab of associate professor Scott Weatherbee, PhD, is set to launch next fall and will investigate the formation and function of cilia, the microscopic hair-like structures found on most cells in the body. Approximately one in 1,000 live births have a cilia defect, which can result in anything from mild respiratory issues to fertility problems or even death.
His students will use a hydra model to disrupt and study genes in this small, freshwater invertebrate.
“The best researchers have strong collaborative skills, are curious about science, and have a strong work ethic,” said Dr. Harriott. “Science is about creating new knowledge and students can and should be part of that process.” l F
ABOVE: Undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in faculty research gaining hands-on experience.
Photo by Shelley Phelan
FROM FAIRFIELD
TO SENEGAL
In the bustling city of Dakar, Senegal, Amelia Bowles ’24
Peter Baron ’23 – Pursuing
Through Curiosity and Compassion
For Peter Baron ’23, education is more than acquiring knowledge — it’s a journey of exploration and purpose. Just a year after graduating, he is
pursuing a dual-degree program at Georgetown University, combining
a juris doctor with a master’s in philosophy. His studies align with his is living a dream that began in Fairfeld classrooms. overarching question: Are socioeconomic inequities inevitable?
Recipient of a prestigious Fulbright award, she is conducting
At Fairfeld, Baron designed his own major through the Individually Designed Major program, with mentorship from faculty like David Crawford, PhD, and a research project that amplifes the voices of Senegalese
Scott Lacy, PhD. Giving credit to Fairfeld’s supportive professors and Jesuit farmers while embracing the vibrant culture of West Africa.
Avalues for fostering his intellectual curiosity and guiding his path, he said, “Fairfeld helped me sharpen my curiosity. Professors were always willing to
t Fairfeld, Bowles double-majored in engage deeply with questions I had.” international studies and politics while
integration, reinforcing her desire to work abroad. Fairfeld’s Jesuit values of global engagement and radical hospitality also inspired her to foster empathy and make a meaningful impact.
His academic journey took shape alongside his writing. While a junior, Baron pursuing minors in humanitarian action, published his frst book, If Only We Knew: How Ignorance Creates and Amplifes the French, and business law and ethics — a Greatest Risks Facing Society. Now he’s writing a second book, tentatively titled From combination that prepared her for a project Competition to Cooperation, which envisions a societal shift from domination to collaboration. of this scale. A pivotal moment came during her sophomore
Baron’s commitment to social change infuenced his extracurricular activities: he led the Social Justice Book year when she took a grant-writing course with professor Club, hosted events at the Quick Center, and organized interdisciplinary panels on systemic inequities. These of sociology and anthropology David Crawford, PhD. experiences allowed him to apply his philosophical inquiry to real-world issues. “Looking back, that class changed the trajectory of my
Georgetown’s Jesuit ethos complements his Fairfeld foundation, reinforcing values like cura personalis (care for the academic and professional pursuits,” she said. whole person) and being a “person for others.” These principles guide Baron’s goal of creating a more equitable Bowles’s undergraduate studies often focused on Senegal, world. “I want to help communities envision a social order where collective fourishing enables individual growth,” from a capstone project on sustainable agriculture to papers he said. on gender dynamics and international aid. These experiences
Now a Fulbright scholar in Dakar, Bowles spends her days blending research, cultural exchange, and personal growth. She collaborates with professors and policy leaders, participates in English clubs at Université Cheikh Anta Diop, and takes Wolof lessons to connect more deeply with the community. Her feldwork gathers insights from rural farmers about the impact of sustainable agriculture programs on their livelihoods. “I’m not here to impose opinions,” she said. “I’m here to listen, observe, and amplify their perspectives.”
Beyond his studies and writing, Baron has explored personal growth through poetry, art, and even skateboarding. prepared her to examine Senegalese agricultural initiatives “I strive for the magis—always growing and learning in new ways,” he shared. through the lens of local farmers, whose perspectives are
Recounting a story from her frst day in Dakar, Bowles recalled how a group of graduate students at the university canceled their plans in order to show her around. “By the end of the day, I felt like I had found a community,” she said. “Every moment, from meeting farmers to volunteer-
Though unsure if he’ll pursue a traditional legal career, Baron’s vision for the future is clear. In fve to ten years, often overlooked. “So much of the existing literature focuses he sees himself as a writer and community visionary, connecting with those most affected by inequities. He aims to on program design from an organizational perspective,” amplify their voices and collaborate on transformative solutions. she noted. “What’s missing is the voice of the people these Baron highlights his meditation practice, which he’s maintained for more than three years, among his proudest programs are meant to serve.” ing with English clubs, reminds me of the value of global “So much of the existing literature accomplishments. “Meditation has taught me compassion and self-awareness, helping me engage deeply with Choosing Senegal for her Fulbright project was both engagement.” l F others and my work,” he said. He’s also proud of the launch of his new think tank for social visionaries, creatives, academic and personal. Bowles attended a French immersion focuses on program design from an and polemics; “The Cooperative World” can be found at thecooperativeworld.com program from kindergarten through high school, developing organizational perspective. What’s Baron remains connected to Fairfeld through friendships and mentorships and hopes to return to campus in fuency in French and a deep appreciation for francophone LEFT: Bowles is a Fulbright scholar studying sustainable agriculture programs in Senegal. missing is the voice of the people the future. His advice for current students? “Find what you’re curious about, ask good questions, and pursue your cultures. Studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence during her interests with joy.” l F junior year, she interned at a nonproft that supports refugee Photo by Contributed Photo these programs are meant to serve.”
A YEAR AT BLACKFRIARS HALL
For many students, studying abroad is a chance to immerse in a new culture. For philosophy major Aidan Pickett ’26, that dream became a reality with his fellowship at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University.
Pickett’s path to Oxford began almost serendipitously, during a casual conversation with a professor at the close of his freshman year. The professor mentioned a Visiting Student program at Blackfriars Hall, one of Oxford’s many semi-independent colleges, and Pickett was intrigued. He later did some research and soon his curiosity grew into a goal he couldn’t ignore.
“I’ve always loved Fairfeld and have benefted greatly from its remarkable faculty,” said Pickett. “When I thought about studying abroad, I wanted the same caliber of academic rigor and intellectual depth. Oxford seemed like the perfect place for that.”
Pickett is especially excited about the academic environment at Blackfriars, where a small, tight-knit community of students and faculty fosters deep connections.
“You come to know everyone quite well,” he said. What sets Blackfriars apart from many of Oxford’s colleges is its intimate size and the intellectual freedom it offers its students. Though it only admits graduate students, visiting undergraduates like Pickett have full access to all Oxford resources — hundreds of libraries, seminars, lectures, and academic societies. For the philosophy major, Oxford’s rich tradition in the discipline offers an invaluable opportunity.
“I’m really excited about Oxford’s Philosophy
Department,” Pickett said. “The faculty here is worldrenowned, and there are so many niche areas within the feld to explore — areas that might be harder to dive into at a smaller school. For example, the Institute for Ethics in AI was launched just a few years ago, and that’s something I’m really passionate about.”
While his primary academic focus is philosophy, Pickett considers himself to be an interdisciplinary thinker. “The beneft of the Visiting Student program is that there are no exams — just weekly papers. That means I can really dive into topics that interest me without the pressure of a fnal exam,” he said. “It feels like there’s a lot of freedom in what I can explore; I can take philosophy courses while also attending talks and lectures in other disciplines.”
Picket’s goals for his year abroad extend beyond academics. “It’s also about meeting people, learning from their experiences, and building relationships that will last beyond your time in a foreign country,” he said. “Oxford gives you the chance to do that in a way that few other places do.”
With plans to attend graduate school after completing his studies at Fairfeld, Pickett’s experience at Oxford will shape his future path. “Oxford has this remarkable cultural and intellectual diversity,” he explained. “It’s the kind of environment that will push you to think critically and
confdently. No matter where life takes me, I’m confdent that the skills I’m developing here will help me succeed.”
For Fairfeld students who might be considering a similar path, Pickett has a few words of advice. “Oxford students are incredibly passionate about their subjects, and that passion extends into every part of university life,” he said. “It’s a place where people love what they study, and that enthusiasm is contagious. If you’re applying, you need to be able to articulate why you study what you study. Show them your commitment to your feld. It’s not just about meeting the GPA requirement—it’s about demonstrating genuine intellectual curiosity.” l F
LEFT: Aidan Pickett is participating as an undergraduate in the Visiting Scholars program at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University.
ABOVE: (l-r) Very Rev. John O’Connor, OP, regent of studies of the English Province and regent of Blackfriars, with Pickett.
RIGHT: Exterior of Blackfriars Hall, one of Oxford University’s many semi-independent colleges.
Photos by Aiden Pickett
STUDYING THE Statue of Hippolytus
Assistant professor of religious studies Thomas Schmidt, PhD, shared his extraordinary academic experience at the Vatican Apostolic Library this past summer, where he participated in a conference on the ancient “Statue of Hippolytus.” This statue, dating back to 222 A.D., is considered the oldest precisely datable Christian artifact in the world. Dr. Schmidt, a specialist in early Christian texts and their historical context, was invited to contribute his expertise on the statue’s mysterious inscriptions, which have puzzled scholars for centuries.
The experience was both exhilarating and humbling for Dr. Schmidt, who is co-editing a book on the conference proceedings alongside András Németh, Curator of Greek Manuscripts at the Vatican Library.
“This statue of Hippolytus is so precious,” Dr. Schmidt said. “It stands at the entryway to the Vatican Apostolic Library and is one of their chief objects because it’s so early and because its inscriptions are very extensive. Hippolytus of Rome was an early bishop. He was actually traditionally thought of as an antipope. He opposed the bishop of Rome, but then was reunited with the Church.”
The statue had been largely inaccessible to scholars until recently. For centuries, it stood in the high entryway of the Vatican Library, making it diffcult for scholars to closely examine its details. However, recent renovations to the library have moved the statue to a more accessible location, allowing researchers to study it up close for the frst time.
Dr. Schmidt’s primary focus at the conference was to decipher the inscriptions on the statue, much of which had been damaged over the centuries. The seated fgure had been broken off when the statue was discovered in the 1500s, and later repairs were made. Despite these alterations the inscriptions remain intact, offering valuable clues about the statue’s origin and purpose.
“The inscriptions are all original and authentic, and they’re fairly extensive. For me, that’s what makes it so interesting these beautiful inscriptions,” said Schmidt. “They’re in Greek. The educated elite in Rome often wrote in Greek, so even though the statue is Roman, it is written in Greek instead of Latin.”
Among the multiple components of the inscriptions are two large calendars. One is a lunar calendar used to calculate the dates of Passover, which was important to early Christians who observed Easter around the time of the Jewish Passover.
The second calendar relates to Easter itself, a fact that Dr. Schmidt said was crucial in pinpointing the exact date of the statue’s creation: 222 A.D. “[It] let us date the statue because one of the calendars says in its heading that it comes from the frst year of Emperor Alexander Severus, and that’s 222 A.D.,” he noted.
In addition to the calendars, Dr. Schmidt also focused on deciphering a list of Christian book titles inscribed on the statue’s chair. Though the inscriptions do not explicitly state that the fgure depicted is Hippolytus, Schmidt’s research suggests that the titles could offer clues to the statue’s identity. “There is no inscription that says this was written by the person sitting on the chair, and unfortunately the inscription is partially broken off,” he said. “So what my research was trying to understand is who wrote the titles that are listed, to perhaps help us fgure out who’s depicted sitting on the chair.”
Dr. Schmidt’s work is also shedding new light on the possibility of multiple authors: “The inscriber made mistakes and kept confusing letters, [which] seems to suggest there’s ‘more than one cook in the kitchen’ here.”
The conference featured cutting-edge technology, including 3D scans of the statue, which allowed Dr. Schmidt and fellow scholars to examine the statue in unprecedented detail. Agnes Bencze, a Hungarian scholar, created a 3D model of the statue using laser scanning, allowing researchers to investigate the statue more closely than ever before.
Dr. Schmidt is the author of Hippolytus of Rome: Commentary on Daniel and ‘Cronicon’, which contains an introduction and frst-ever English translation of the oldest Christian commentary on Scripture. His involvement in the conference is part of his long-standing interest in Hippolytus.
The conference attendees’ work at the Vatican Library is expected to infuence the broader feld of early Christian studies, as it brings new perspectives on both the fgure of Hippolytus and the culture of early Christianity. As he and his colleagues work to compile the proceedings of the conference, Dr. Schmidt hopes that the research will continue to inspire scholars to revisit key moments in the history of the Church.
As for the statue itself, Dr. Schmidt remains fascinated by its history and the questions it continues to raise. He said,
“Hippolytus was a remarkable writer who wrote works of history, theology, and philosophy. His work was mostly lost and forgotten, and scholars have long since been trying to fgure out what he said. I think he is one of the most underappreciated early Christian writers.” l F
“This statue of Hippolytus is so precious. It stands at the entryway to the Vatican Apostolic Library and is one of their chief objects because it’s so early and its inscriptions are very extensive.”
Thomas Schmidt, PhD Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
LEFT: The “Statue of Hippolytus” dates back to 222 A.D. and is considered the oldest precisely daatable Christian artifact in the world.
ABOVE: Dr. Schmidt, an expert in early Christian texts, was invited to analyze the statue’s mysterious inscriptions, which have puzzled scholars for centuries.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES YEAR IN REVIEW
President Nemec and Dean Greenwald Co-Teach Honors Course
This semester, honors program students have the unique opportunity to learn directly from President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Richard Greenwald, PhD, as they explore the fundamental purpose and societal demands of higher education.
Fairfeld Students Share Day of Storytelling
Modern languages students hosted bilingual kindergarten students from Cesar A. Batalla School in Bridgeport, Conn., for a Read Aloud Day, during which students co-authored and read children’s books in a communityengaged learning experience.
Wild Discoveries
At Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, students in the RIZE program, led by Ashley Byun, PhD, conduct groundbreaking research on endangered species like spider monkeys and Amur leopards, earning top honors at the AZA Conference and showcasing the transformative power of hands-on conservation science.
Alumnus and Presidential Award Recipient
Dr. Julio Ramirez ’77
Visits Fairfeld
Renowned expert Julio Ramirez ’77, PhD presented a lecture entitled “Broken Brains and Breaking Barriers: Lessons from the Hippocampal Formation and Life.”
Georgetown Collaboration
Fairfeld’s partnership with Georgetown University allowed chemistry and biochemistry professor Aaron Van Dyke, PhD, and students to gain hands-on experience in advanced RNA imaging research, bridging the gap between smaller institutions and research universities.
STEM Summer Research
Each summer, the College of Arts and Sciences ofers select undergraduate students the opportunity to engage in faculty mentorship, hands-on learning, and the discovery of new knowledge while being challenged in innovative ways.
Lafayette National Symposium
Fairfeld University and the American Friends of Lafayette hosted the Lafayette National Symposium. The daylong event commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s historic farewell tour of America in 1824, highlighting his profound impact on human rights and democratic ideals.
College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Series Podcast
Dean Richard Greenwald, PhD, launched a new podcast in which he interviews industry leaders on the future of work.
CANISIUS FACULTY FELLOWS
In a world that is ever-evolving and marked by rapid change, the Canisius Faculty Fellows program addresses the urgent need to prepare students for meaningful lives and to be global citizens. By integrating Catholic Social Thought, Ignatian pedagogy, and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, the program ofers transformative pathways for education.
Faculty selected as Canisius fellows receive stipends and travel funds to develop expertise in a proposed topic. This year’s fellows and oneyear research topics include:
Gayle Alberda, PhD
“Examining How Catholic Social Teaching Fosters
Civic Virtue to Rebuild Trust in Electoral Systems”
Mary Ann McDonald Carolan, PhD
“Linking Dante’s Divine Comedy to Modern Faith and Culture”
David Crawford, PhD
“Redefning Education and Leadership Through Catholic Social Teaching”
Dennis Keenan, PhD
“Critiquing Neoliberal Economics to Promote Human Flourishing”
Jeanne Peloso, PhD
“Integrating Liberation Psychology With Ignatian Spirituality to Support Underserved Communities.”
Glenn Sauer, PhD
“Exploring Science and Spirituality Through Teilhard de Chardin’s Insights”
Aaron Van Dyke, PhD
“Using Storytelling to Connect Scientifc Concepts and CIT Principles”
Sara A. Williams, PhD
“Investigating the Ethics of Religious Travel Through Solidarity and Encounter”
ADVISORY BOARD
CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
David Wakefeld ’98
MEMBERS
Renee Appelle ’03
Kevin Cassidy ’90
Jorge A. Chiluisa ’89, MBA’06, P’21, ’19
Ismael Colon ’72, PhD
Joellin Comerford ’74
Nancy Dallavalle, PhD
Robert Feigenson
Steve Flanagan ’84
Thomas A. Franko ’69
Scott Frederickson ’82
Paul V. Grecko ’86
Anne Harris
Kristine A. Holland ’88
Robin Kanarek ’96, RN, BSN
Patrick Kelley ’76, P’12
John Mancini ’86
Carol Chamberlain McCabe ’81
Patrick McCabe ’80
Erin Moran ’05
Matthew O’Connor ’92
Patty O’Connor ‘89
Cindy Stack ’80
Edmund J. Sybertz ’72, PhD
Cheryl Wiesenfeld
RIGHT: Students in the Film, Television, and Media Arts programs learn flmmaking by creating short movies and screening them at Fairfeld’s annual Cinefest flm festival. BACK COVER: Fairfeld University’s Magis Core Curriculum grounds students in the liberal arts tradition that is the centerpiece of a Jesuit education.
Photos by Media Center
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