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Fairfield University Arena Coming Fall 2022
Construction of a new arena is clipping along and underway according to plan, in the same footprint that Alumni Hall once stood, and will revolutionize the Stags home game and campus event experience. The projected timeline for completion is this coming fall. The building will be approximately 85,000-square feet, featuring 3,500 seats, multi-use space for basketball games, volleyball games, University events, and concerts.
The venue will boast a state-of-the-art broadcast and media center, a Stags Club lounge and premium seating area, as well as ample chair-back seating for season ticket holders and fans. A large, LED video board will be displayed from the ceiling of the arena and LED video boards will line the front of the second level of seating to enhance the game day experience for Stags fans.
Throughout the venue, fans will have satellite concession stands and ample restrooms; a beer garden will line the east wall of the arena. A Stags Team Shop for fans to purchase game day apparel will be located on the concourse as well.
For student-athletes, varsity locker rooms will reside on the first floor with a modern circular layout next to a training room for sports medicine staff. Additionally, a team room for pregame meals and a theatre-style film room are located on the first floor. l F
FAIRFIELD RANKED AMONG TOP 1% FOR LONG-TERM ROI
Using new data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, a recently published Georgetown study titled “Ranking 4,500 Colleges by ROI (2022)” determined that Fairfield University is a national leader once again for return on investment (ROI) 40 years after graduation. According to this year’s report, Fairfield University moved up to #54 (from #62 in 2019) among all institutions, placing in the top one percent for ROI. The University also ranked high up for its average alumni earning potential ten years after graduation ($141,000).
In addition to ROI metrics that include students’ income potential after graduation, graduation rate, and average debt, Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce analyzed a new metric that “measures the share of students at an institution whose earnings 10 years after enrollment are higher than those of workers with a high school diploma as their highest level of education.”
Statewide, Fairfield placed second in Connecticut after Yale University (#37), and surpassed schools such as Wesleyan, Trinity, Connecticut College, University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac, and Sacred Heart University in the 40-year value ranking.
Among Jesuit colleges nationwide, Fairfield was fourth, in the company of Georgetown, Santa Clara University, and Boston College.
Notably, the most recent update of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, released in December 2021, elevated Fairfield University to the doctoral classification, as one of 73 new doctoral/ professional institutions to be added to this category. Fairfield was formerly classified among master’s
degree-granting institutions. l F
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education now lists Fairfield nationally in the doctoral classification.
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ISABEL WILKERSON ON “WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP”
On April 28, the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts’ Open VISIONS Forum welcomed New York Times best-selling author Isabel Wilkerson who presented “Caste: Examining Race, Culture, and Consequences.” This virtual lecture was part of the “Women and Leadership” series sponsored by Bank of America.
Embodying what it means to be an empowered woman and leader, Wilkerson is the author of the critically acclaimed book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Her lecture invited us to discover the inner workings of an American hierarchy that goes far beyond the confines of
race, class, or gender. l F
Isabel Wilkerson
Fairfield Dolan Welcomed More Than 40 Alumni for Stags on Wall Street Event
Fairfield Dolan hosted Stags on Wall Street at the Dolan Event Hall on April 19. The event was a way for alumni from the Wall Street community to have informal conversations with students. Each visiting firm had its own table, and alumni from each firm spoke with students about opportunities at their companies.
Fairfield Dolan was pleased to welcome more than 40 alumni from the following companies at the event: Bank of America, BlackRock, Blackstone, BNP/ Paribas, BNY Mellon, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Franklin Templeton, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Nexseer Capital, SMBC-NIKKO, TD Securities, Wells Fargo, and UBS.
“Fairfield has an amazing network of alumni who are successful across various sectors of the financial services industry,” said Institutional FX sales analyst at J.P. Morgan Alexandra Cordero ’19. “Stags on Wall Street is an exciting event that will help prepare students for a career on Wall Street by giving them the opportunity to engage with, ask questions to, and network with alumni. It is great to see the work that John Hottinger and others on campus are doing to engage and prepare the next set of industry leaders coming out of Fairfield!” l F
STAGIVING DAY: 3,300 GIFTS AND $3.8 MILLION RAISED
Fairfield University students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends were more motivated than ever to support the programs and initiatives that mean the most to them during the 8th annual STAGiving Day, which took place this year on April 6 and set a remarkable new record.
In one day — over 24 hours — Stags were asked to help the University achieve 2,400 gifts to unlock $1.5 million to support the most urgent needs of Fairfield students, faculty, and staff. This year, Stags made an overwhelming 3,390 gifts to raise $3,830,846, setting a new STAGiving Day record in the number of donors who participated, the number of gifts received, and the total dollars raised. Over $1.3 million of that total was raised by more than 1,000 enthusiastic and generous Friends of Fairfield Athletics to support operational needs, capital projects, and endowment for the University’s almost 500 student-athletes.
In addition to raising an unprecedented amount of funds for our students, our Fairfield community participated in many other ways to make this the most successful STAGiving Day yet. The Athletics community also passionately displayed their love for Fairfield by far surpassing their previous STAGiving Day
record for the fourth year in a row. l F
FRÉDÉRICK GRAVEL IN DANCE PERFORMANCE AT QUICK CENTER
Dancer and choreographer Frédérick Gravel’s U.S. premiere of This Duet That We’ve Already Done (so many times) took center stage at the Quick on April 7, 8, and 9. Gravel is artistic director at Daniel Léveillé Danse (DLD), a performing arts company in Québec dedicated to the evolution and innovation of the arts. At DLD, Gravel strives to help artists develop their full potential. Not only a choreographer and dancer, but also a guitarist, musician, and lighting designer, Gravel is an inspiring figure in the performing arts world, with a clear and strong desire to create.
— Maureen Errity Bujno ’90, Alumni Service Award Recipient
2022 Fairfield Awards Dinner Raises
More Than $1.25 Million for Scholarships Clockwise from top left: Elizabeth Koch Neugebauer ’91, Stephen Neugebauer ’15, Peter Neugebauer ’81, Phil Neugebauer ’91 (hidden in photo), and Mamadou Diakhate ’08; Michael Errity ’86, Maureen Rush, and Brenda Rush, P’25; Sebastian Michel ’23, Pejay Lucky, Director of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Kaadiana Barnes Padilla ’17, and Deja-Lee Tam ’22; Alumni Chaplain and Special Assistant to the President Rev. Gerald Blaszczak, S.J., Distinguished/Faculty Administrator Award Recipient; Kassandra Almanzar ’23, scholarship recipient and Awards Dinner speaker.
On April 20 the Fairfield Awards Dinner, the University’s flagship fundraising event for scholarship, took place at the renowned Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, in-person for the first time since 2019. More than 600 Fairfield alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends gathered to recognize honorees for their professional achievements, outstanding leadership, and volunteer commitment to Fairfield, as well as to raise funds for student scholarships. This generous community, along with some who were unable to attend, raised more than $1.25 million — making it the most successful fundraising dinner in the last seven years. Since its inception in 1988, supporters of the annual Awards Dinner have contributed more than $20 million toward scholarships.
The Awards Dinner also annually recognizes members of the University community who exemplify Jesuit values in their communities, careers, and commitment to Fairfield.
This year’s honorees were: Michael G. Archbold ‘82, former CEO and current board member of The Council for Inclusive Capitalism with The Vatican, and former CEO of GNC; Maureen Errity Bujno ‘90, audit & assurance managing director and governance leader of the Center for Board Effectiveness at Deloitte & Touche LLP; Rev. Gerry R. Blaszczak, S.J., special assistant to the President and alumni chaplain; and John and Lori Berisford, P’21,’20, president of S&P Global Ratings and president and board chair of Sphere of CT, respectively. During the event, special recognition was given to the late George F. Keane ’51, founder and former president of Commonfund and former director of the United Negro College Fund. l F
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Alumni and Friends Pledge $2.6 Million to Fairfield Men’s Basketball
A 10-person group of supporters and friends of Fairfield University Men’s Basketball have pledged a total of $2.6 million to the Men’s Basketball program over the next five years. Funds will be allocated to enhance multiple aspects of the program and the student-athlete experience.
“Fairfield University and Fairfield Men’s Basketball are on an upward trajectory, and our continued rise to national prominence requires an incredible level of commitment from everybody involved in the program,” said Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann. “This group of Stags has heard that message and has answered the call with an outstanding showing of generosity. Their gift will be transformational for our student-athletes and our Men’s Basketball program.”
A portion of the $2.6 million gift has funded upgrades to the Rafferty Gymnasium practice facility inside the Walsh Athletic Center as well as additional capital projects. The gift will also increase the general operating and recruiting budgets of the Men’s Basketball program.
The group has also issued a challenge to the Fairfield Men’s Basketball community and will match up to $300,000 in gifts to the program made by June 30, 2022.
Head Coach Jay Young said, “Alumni and friend support is the lifeblood of our program, and the support of this group will help ensure that Fairfield Basketball can compete — in the MAAC and on the national level — on the court, in the classroom, and on the recruiting trail for years to come.” l F
To donate, contact Mike Jarvis, associate director of Athletics Development and associate director of Athletics, at mjarvis@fairfield.edu or 203-254-4000 ext. 2403.
Student-athletes in the Men’s Basketball program will benefit from a transformational gift made by a group of alumni and friends. The May 1 Blessing Ceremony started at the Examen statue on the plaza of Egan Chapel.
THE WALKING EXAMEN: BLESSING CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION
The beauty of Fairfield University’s scenic 200-acre campus has gained a one-of-a-kind spiritual element with a new mile-long prayer and meditation trail, the Walking Examen, which was introduced in a blessing ceremony and celebratory reception on Sunday, May 1.
In recognition of the Ignatian Year, which runs from May 20, 2021 to July 21, 2022, Fairfield’s Office of Mission and Ministry partnered with the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality to create the new outdoor Walking Examen path, designed to cultivate prayerful discernment and an awareness of God’s presence around us.
The Walking Examen path features five “steps,” each marked by a large boulder and plaque, representing the five movements of the Examen prayer: Thanksgiving, Illumination, Examination, Contrition, and Hope. The project was generously funded by James D. Fitzpatrick ’70, MA’72, P’08, his wife Phyllis P’08, a former director of Residence Life and Management Information for 33 years, and their family.
Prof. John E. Thiel, PhD, President-Elect of American Theological Society
Professor John E. Thiel, PhD, of the Religious Studies Department in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been elected vice president and president-elect of the American Theological Society (ATS). Established in 1912, the ATS is the oldest theological society in North America.
Past presidents of the ATS include Paul Tillich, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. Dr. Thiel will serve as president in 2023-24.
Dr. Thiel has taught at Fairfield University for 46 years. He was a visiting professor of religious studies at Yale University in spring 2019 and spring 2020. Twice a recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Dr. Thiel served in 2011-12 as president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, the largest professional society of theologians in the world.
Dr. Thiel’s 2013 book, Icons of Hope: The “Last Things” in Catholic Imagination (University of Notre Dame Press), received the 2014 Alpha Sigma Nu Book Award for the best book on theology published by faculty members in Jesuit colleges and universities in the past three years. His most recent book, Now and Forever: A Theological Aesthetics of Time, will be published by the University of Notre Dame Press later this year. l F
Students Recognized for Achievement, Service, and Leadership
A select group of seniors are recognized annually with Student Achievement Awards for their academic and service-related accomplishments. This year’s ceremony was held on April 11.
Nwachukwu Ibekwe ’22
received the prestigious undergraduate St. Ignatius Loyola Medal for his commitment to the Jesuit ideals of maintaining high academic standards and substantial involvement in community service and extracurricular activities.
The William J. Kramer ’60 Humanitarian Award was awarded to nursing major Jasmine Nguy ’22 for her “commitment to volunteerism and service to an external community activity that best exemplifies the Ignatian tradition of being men and women for and with others.”
Four students received Student Achievement Awards for exceptional dedication to, enhancement of, and/or creation of a specific Fairfield University program, activity, organization, or project, which has had a significant and positive impact on the campus community:
Tobenna Ugwu ’22, a biomedical engineering major and mathematics minor was recognized for his contributions as FUSA vice president, and to The Fairfield Mirror and Fairfield at Night. Gabriel Rodrigues ’22, a biology major and biochemistry and health studies minor was recognized for his contributions to the Biology Department and as a senior resident assistant and Ignatian Leadership Residential College mentor. Mahfouz Soumare ’22, an international studies and economics major, and a French, humanitarian action, and finance triple minor, was recognized for his commitment to humanitarian efforts, and leadership on and off the soccer field. Lou Lopez Senechal ’22, a marketing major, was recognized for excellence in athletics as a Division I Women’s Basketball athlete, and for academic accomplishments including MAAC All-Academic Team. l F
(Pictured left to right): Jasmine Nguy ’22, Mahfouz Soumare ’22, Tobenna Ugwu ’22, and Nwachukwu Ibekwe ’22
From international service and advocacy, to mentoring and program development, the achievements of Class of 2022 students from across all schools were recognized at the annual Student Achievement Awards ceremony.
FAIRFIELD EGAN PARTNERS WITH YALE TO COMBAT NURSING SHORTAGE
Fairfield University, Gateway Community College, Quinnipiac University, and Southern Connecticut State University have joined Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS), for an innovative new partnership. The initiative addresses the nationwide healthcare worker shortage by recruiting more qualified nursing student candidates and helping them with employment.
This partnership promises to graduate at least 557 additional nurses over the course of the next four years, and provide clinical experiences and scholarships to students enrolled in the accelerated second degree nursing
program. l F
ANNUAL MAGIS LECTURE WITH DR. CARLOTA OCAMPO
Carlota Ocampo, PhD, associate professor of psychology and provost at Trinity University in Washington, D.C., presented “Hidden in Plain Sight: Acknowledging and Addressing the Impacts of Racist Incident-Based Trauma,” on Wednesday, March 30, at Fairfield University’s Alumni House. This College of Arts and Sciences’ Magis Core Lecture and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies’ keynote capstone event was free and
open to the public. l F
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GOVERNOR LAMONT ADDRESSES CONNECTICUT’S CYBER PREPAREDNESS
Governor Ned Lamont was welcomed by Fairfield’s School of Engineering Dean Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD, and the program director of Cybersecurity and professor of the practice in computer science and engineering Mirco Speretta, PhD, for a press conference on March 9 to discuss cybersecurity efforts in the wake of potential international threats. State of Connecticut Chief Information Officer Mark Raymond, and State of Connecticut Chief Information Security Officer Jeff Brown, joined Governor Lamont at the podium.
Dean Carrano and Dr. Speretta highlighted Fairfield’s School of Engineering and the school’s MS in Cybersecurity program as a pipeline for cybersecurity efforts in the state. Notably, the work Fairfield Engineering is undertaking with non-profits in Connecticut is unique, and exemplifies the University’s commitment to service and social responsibility.
Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick kicked off the press conference and welcomed the Governor and his team to Fairfield. State and local leaders Senator Tony Hwang (R-28), State Representative Jennifer Leeper (D-132), and State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-133) also participated
and offered remarks. l F
U.S. News & World Report Ranks Grad Programs Among Nation’s Best
Graduate programs within the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies have once again been ranked among the top in the country by U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Graduate School rankings.
Fairfield Dolan’s Accounting, Finance, Marketing, and Business Analytics programs were among the Top 25 in the U.S.
Finance, Marketing, and Business Analytics maintained or increased their specialty rankings in the 2023 report. Fairfield Dolan’s Part-Time MBA Program jumped 35 spots this year to #92, in a tie with University of Tennessee and Florida Atlantic University.
2023 Best Graduate Business Specialty Programs:
• Accounting #19 (between #18 MIT and #20 Columbia
University), was the only school in Connecticut ranked in the
Top 20. • Finance #19, also ranked in the Top 20 and was #2 in
Connecticut following #17 Yale. • Marketing #18, was the only school in Connecticut ranked in the Top 20. • Business Analytics #21, was the only school in Connecticut ranked in the Top 25. • Part-Time MBA #92, was #2 in
Connecticut.
Among the Best Nursing Schools that offer Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees, Fairfield was ranked #3 in the state, and nationally tied at #76 with Samford University, Seattle University, and University of Wisconsin. Fairfield Egan also tied at #80 among Best Nursing Schools that offer master’s programs nationwide, and tied at #3 statewide with Quinnipiac University.
2023 Best Graduate Schools Rankings – Nursing Schools:
• Fairfield Egan ranked #76 (tie) nationally, and was #3 in
Connecticut, among schools with DNP programs. • Fairfield Egan placed #80 (tie) nationally, and was #3 (tie) in
Connecticut, among schools with master’s programs. Ranking indicators for the 2023 Best Business Schools Rankings included quality assessment (peer assessment score and recruiter assessment score), placement success — which considers employment rates and earnings, and student selectivity. Specialty Rankings are “based solely on ratings by business school deans and directors of AACSBaccredited MBA programs from the list of schools surveyed,” according to U.S. News & World Report.
Ranking indicators for the 2023 Best Nursing Schools Rankings included quality assessment (peer assessment score, and health care professionals assessment score), research activity, faculty resources, master’s and DNP program student selectivity, and program size. l F
President Mark R. Nemec, PhD Honored by Brooklyn Jesuit Prep
Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD was honored at the 2022 Brooklyn Jesuit Prep Gala and Celebration on May 11. Dr. Nemec received the Thea Bowman Award for Education, which is conferred upon an individual who demonstrates Sister Thea Bowman’s belief in the transformative power of education to bring about a more compassionate, multi-cultural community of justice and faith.
The granddaughter of a slave, Sister Bowman was a lifelong educator and founder of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University and the National Black Sisters Conference. Her mission centered around intercultural awareness and building up the Black Catholic community, sharing its rich cultural and spiritual heritage through prayer, music, writing, teaching and preaching.
During President Nemec’s tenure at Fairfield University, he has led efforts to serve broader student populations in innovative ways. Inspired by its long-standing relationship with Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, the University has expanded its Academic Immersion Program, created the Company Scholars program for high-achieving first generation students from Jesuit high schools, and is launching Bellarmine College in partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport. This new academic unit of the University will offer a two-year associate’s degree program and world-class education to students from the Bridgeport community.
The proceeds raised at the gala will benefit Brooklyn Jesuit Prep’s Summer Leadership Academy. The four-week program hosted at Fairfield University in July builds upon students’ academic work and offers enrichment, outdoor sports and activities, leadership skill development, community building across grade levels, and the opportunity to experience life on a college campus. l F
Rabbi Burton Visotzky, PhD, and Pope Francis meet.
16TH ANNUAL LECTURE IN JEWISH/CHRISTIAN ENGAGEMENT
On April 7, Rabbi Burton Visotzky, PhD, discussed Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers) encyclical and shared his thoughts on the pope’s extension of Vatican II’s famous Nostra Aetate declaration regarding the Church and non-Christian religions in his lecture: “Fratelli Tutti: the Good Samaritan and the Rabbi.”
Director of the Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), Rabbi Visotzky also serves at JTS as Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, and as the Louis Stein Director of the Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies.
With an EdM from Harvard and a PhD from JTS’s Rabbinical School, Rabbi Visotzky met Pope Benedict in 2007 while serving as master visiting professor of Jewish Studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He met Pope Francis in 2014 while serving as distinguished visiting professor at Rome’s Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. He has been an adjunct faculty member at Union Theological Seminary
since 1980. l F
Fairfield University Faculty Retirements
A number of long-time faculty members are retiring this summer: professor of finance Thomas Conine, PhD, Charles F. Dolan School of Business (42 years); associate professor of economics Philip Lane, PhD, Dolan School of Business (41 years); professor of business law Sharlene McEvoy, JD, PhD, Dolan School of Business (36 years); professor of mathematics Irene Mulvey, College of Arts & Sciences (37 years); associate professor of English Sally O’Driscoll, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences (31 years); assistant professor of nursing Carole Pomarico, MSN, MA, RN, Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies (49 years); professor of psychology Judith Primavera, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences (32 years); professor of the practice (chemistry),Eileen Reilly-Wiedow, College of Arts & Sciences (11 years); professor of counselor education Tracey Robert, PhD, LPC, NCCC, School of Education and Human Development (21 years); and professor of Judaic studies Ellen Umansky, PhD, College of Arts & Sciences, Bennet Center for Judaic Studies (28 years). Fairfield University is grateful for their many years of service and dedication. l F
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FAIRFIELD FIELD HOCKEY POSTS TOP GPA IN DIVISION I
Fairfield University Field Hockey earned the top grade point average (GPA) for the fall semester among all NCAA Division I field hockey programs, as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) in February. The Stags aggregated a 3.79 GPA in the fall 2021 semester.
The Stags top a ledger that also includes Stanford University, Dartmouth College, the University of Louisville, and Brown University in the top five. The announcement highlighted the unveiling of the NFHCA Division I National Academic Team awards, which recognizes programs that merited a team GPA of 3.0 or higher during the fall semester.
It was previously announced that the Stags placed 24 student-athletes on the NFHCA National Academic Squad. To receive that distinction, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better. The Stags’ 24 honorees ranked one off the national pace set by Columbia University.
On the pitch, the Stags finished the 2021 fall season with a 14-8 overall record and captured the 2021 NEC regular season and tournament championships for the second time in three seasons. Fairfield went on to challenge Delaware in the NCAA Championship first round, where they were clipped by a 4-3 score in overtime against the CAA
Champion Blue Hens. l F
Fairfield’s field hockey team captured the 2021 NEC regular season and tournament championship titles. Fairfield University School of Engineering delegates at the 48th Annual NSBE Convention in Anaheim, Calif..
STUDENTS REPRESENT FAIRFIELD AT NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS CONVENTION
This March, students from Fairfield University’s School of Engineering attended the 48th Annual National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Convention. During the three-day convention, engineering students Kafo Bagagnan ’23, Kameron Reynolds ‘24, Kareem Fridaus ‘23, Kobi Okpoti ’23, Prince Addo ‘22, Morwan Abbe ‘23, Aniyah Pettway ‘24, Aaron Banson ‘24, biology major Mario Williams ‘23, and public health major Philomena Appiah ‘24 met representatives from other engineering schools, attended empowering speeches delivered by prominent industry professionals, and participated in a variety of career networking opportunities.
Said Okpoti ’23, a junior in the School of Engineering, “I appreciate getting the opportunity to network with different companies as well as connect with other NSBE chapters. Being here, I got the chance to interview with a few companies that I hope to work for in the future.”
Fairfield to Offer New MS in Biomedical Engineering
The future is bright for students interested in biomedical engineering. Fairfield University’s School of Engineering is launching a new Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree program.
“We are thrilled to launch the new master’s program, with courses that cover medical device design, orthopedic biomechanics, molecular modeling, biomaterials, and more,” said Susan Freudzon, PhD, program director and professor of the practice. “These experiential and project-based courses prepare our students to be innovators in a rapidly changing field. Students in the MS program will be encouraged to pursue hands-on research with faculty, using state-of-the-art equipment from electrospinning nanofibers in the material science lab, to three-dimensional motion tracking in the brand new orthopedic biomechanics research lab.”
Launching in fall 2022, the MS in Biomedical Engineering program will focus on the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine or biology for healthcare. In this program, students will gain theoretical knowledge with hands-on experiential learning and practical application from industry, thus preparing graduates to become leaders in the field. The program will also be offered as a 4+1 bachelor-to-master’s program, which will allow students to pursue a biomedical engineering master’s degree in an accelerated format. l F
Center for Social Impact Honors 2022 Awardees for Excellence
Judy Primavera, PhD Diana Muteba ’22 Vincent Rotondo ’23
On April 21, Fairfield Center for Social Impact (CSI) celebrated a showcase of accomplishments for the 2021-22 academic year. CSI Director Melissa Quan, EdD, highlighted many achievements of students working in CSI programs, and the efforts of student fellows who lead the Humanitarian Action Club — Magdalena Dutkowska ’22, Julia Neal ’23, and Evan Keiser ’24. The group raised money to support local refugee resettlement agencies and helped set up homes for newly arrived refugee families. The Humanitarian Action Club was recently bestowed the Philanthropy Award by the Fairfield University Association of Clubs and Student Organizations for their efforts.
Following Dr. Quan’s yearend review, recipients of four annual awards were honored. Congratulations to the following awardees:
Judy Primavera, PhD, received the 2022 Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., Faculty Award for Excellence in Community Engagement, in recognition of her exceptional commitment to community-engaged teaching, research, and scholarship. Caroline House received the 2022 Outstanding Community Partner Award, which recognizes a community partner for their contributions to community engagement with Fairfield University. Caroline House, whose mission is to enable women and children to reach the fullness of their potential through education in English language and life skills, has partnered with Fairfield University for more than 20 years. Diana Muteba ’22 received the 2022 Humanitarian Action Student Award, which recognizes the outstanding academic performance of a humanitarian action minor in the program’s courses as well as evidence of commitment to humanitarian work. Vincent Rotondo ’23 was recognized as the recently announced recipient of a 2022-23 Newman Civic Fellowship. Newman fellowships are awarded nationally to students who are change makers and public problem solvers. l F
RAFFERTY STADIUM SELECTED TO HOST PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE, JULY 23-24
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), powered by Ticketmaster, recently announced that the league will travel to Connecticut for the first time ever. Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium, on the campus of Fairfield University, will host four games on July 23 and 24.
“There’s a rich history of lacrosse in the state of Connecticut — home to nearly a dozen of our pros,” said cofounder and CEO Michael Rabil. “We’re thrilled to host games at Fairfield’s Rafferty Stadium. Connecticut needs more professional sports teams, so we wanted to give the lacrosseloving community a chance to see the PLL stars up close.”
Saturday, July 23 will feature a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a Sunday, July 24 twin bill beginning at 2 p.m.
Eight Premier Lacrosse League players hail from the state of Connecticut, including Stags standout midfielder Brent Adams ’12 of Norwalk. In addition, former Fairfield head coach Andy Copelan is the leader of the league’s Waterdogs LC, with former Stag Matt Bocklet on his coaching staff.
Weekend passes that include tickets to all four games are now available at www. premierlacrosseleague.com/
schedule. l F
Fairfield and Connecticut Public Announce Media Partnership
Fairfield University and Connecticut Public, home to Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) and Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR), announced a new partnership designed to provide opportunities for Fairfield students to learn from and work alongside talented television, radio, and digital journalists — many of whom will be based on campus.
With the University’s new Arts & Sciences Guarantee, a distinctive fellowship that provides up to $2500 in support to each student who secures an approved unpaid internship, this new partnership offers practical, real-world experiences to Fairfield students, and fulfills Connecticut Public’s mission to train the next generation of media professionals.
Connecticut Public now has an on-campus presence in Fairfield University’s new state-of-the-art Media Center, providing organized and ad hoc opportunities to connect with working media professionals.
The new partnership includes a content distribution agreement for WVOF 88.5, which will broadcast weekly top of the hour newscasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in addition to Morning Edition and All Things Considered “drive time” news programs, and Connecticut Public’s daily and weekday talk shows. l F
