Fairfield University Magazine - Winter 2021

Opening the Doors

Protecting Coral Reefs

God’s Work

Fairfield’s VP for Strategic Enrollment Management Corry Unis on the Big Data Approach to Admission.

Dr. Chelsie Counsell, assistant professor of biology, and her students studied Hawaii’s coral reefs in Kane´ohe Bay.

Rev. Charles H. Allen, S.J., honored for his more than 40 years of service to Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep.

Fairfieldmagazine UNIVERSITY

Open Space New meeting places, learning areas, and lounges have transformed the Fairfield student-life experience.

WINTER 2021

Early Risers Photo by David Patterson

Many institutions discourage studying nursing and being a Division I student-athlete, but Fairfield makes it possible. Kathryn Bergstom ’24 (third from left) is a varsity rower and proud Egan School undergrad.

On the cover: In every corner of Stag Country, indoor and outdoor spaces have been innovatively designed to encourage collaboration, study, social connection, and relaxation.

Photo by Joe Adams

Fairfield University Magazine Fairfield University Winter 2021 | Volume 44 | Number 3 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 12, 26-30 Trent Campbell: pages 22-25 Chelsie Counsell, PhD: pages 18 Carla Ten Eyck Photography: page 39 Andrew Henderson: pages 16, 20, 26-29 Cassidy Kristiansen: page 11 Brett Matthews Photography: back cover Steve McLaughlin: page 21 Peter McLean: page 9 University & Contributed photos: pages 2-8, 10-11, 13-15, 21, 31-38, 41 Fairfield University Magazine is published four times (November, March, June, September) 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 The Lane Press Burlington, Vermont

Fa i r f i e l d Un i v e r s i t y Mag a z i n e | win ter 2021 1

Contents

“ We have received a lot of positive feedback from both students and faculty on the collaborative spaces we have created.”

18

22

by Tess (Brown) Long ’07, MFA’11

by Jeannine (Carolan) Graf ’87

Dr. Chelsie Counsell, assistant professor of biology, and her students studied Hawaii’s vulnerable coral reefs in Kane´ohe Bay.

The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality honored Rev. Charles H. Allen, S.J., for his more than 40 years of service to Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep.

Protecting Coral Reefs

Their summer research focused on the impact of human activity on sensitive coral reef environments, and ways to restore damaged ecosystems. The experience also gave Rebecca Buonopane ’22 and Jillian Ryan ’22 a valuable glimpse into the field of marine biology.

Pictured above: Dr. Chelsie Counsell in full scuba gear looking at a colony of Porites lobata (one of the common mounding corals in Hawaii) and searching for small cryptic reef fish living near the coral.

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— David Frassinelli MS’92, Vice President for Facilities Management

God’s Work

This fall, more than 500 friends and family members gathered to celebrate as Fr. Charles Allen returned to campus, for the first time since his May 2020 retirement, to accept the Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J., Award for his lifetime of service in the Ignatian tradition.

Pictured above: Fr. Allen is the third recipient of the Bowler Award, following Fr. James M. Bowler (2018) and Bishop Frank J. Caggiano (2019).

Fairfieldmagazine UN IVE RSIT Y

WINTER 2021

COV E R STO RY

4 6 8 16

let ter from the presiden t 2020-21 financial report universit y news admission

Opening the Doors

by Audra Bouffard

Fairfield’s VP for Strategic Enrollment Management Corry Unis on the Big Data Approach to Admission

20

26

Open Space

by Sara Colabella ’08, MA’11 and Robby Piazzaroli

New meeting places, learning areas, and lounges have transformed the Fairfield student-life experience.

Across campus, innovative spaces have been created to foster academic collaboration and social connection. Room has also been carved out for quiet areas conducive to study, relaxation, and personal growth.

athletics

Nursing Ambition

by Jack Jones

Some schools discourage nurses from Division 1 athletics competition. At Fairfield, it’s all part of the learning experience.

31 32 34

gr an ts & gif ts reunion 2020 & 2021

alumni notes Profiles: 35 Mary Alice Limperopulos ’13 Homegrown Talent 37 Alfred Foglio ’92 London Calling

40

donor profile John and Kara (Azzariti) Gally ’00

Pictured above: Areas designed to inspire creativity and connection are the hallmark of the Dolan School of Business, completed in 2018.

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Letter from the President

Dear Friends, The campus was bustling during Alumni Family Weekend this October, with thousands of alumni, parents, and students enjoying a beautiful couple of days, celebrating our University together — in person, and sharing the bonds that are so integral to the character of our community.

We are blessed; this semester has had a slightly celebratory air across all dimensions of campus life as we have returned to the busy flow of activity, punctuated by joyous celebrations ranging from the President’s Ball on Bellarmine Lawn, to a Mass and luncheon in honor of our longtime alumni chaplain Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., a marvelous celebration of which you will read more inside.

So while we are still navigating some of the uncertainty that the pandemic has fostered, we have stayed on course throughout, and our fundamental mission of forming men and women of purpose, prepared for lives of productive citizenship and societal stewardship has not wavered.

Indeed, these past few months have been marked by a University-wide spirit of renewal and rededication to our mission, in keeping with our obligation as a Jesuit and Catholic University to be in step with the Society of Jesus in this Ignatian Year. We have all been asked, during this special year, to embrace once again the bold, missionary spirit that characterized the early Jesuits — their fearless optimism in engaging with the world as they found it, transforming it for the better. This is what we remain determined to do.

The timing is auspicious, because Fairfield is in the midst of one of the most

significant transitions in our history. Thanks to our commitment to lifelong learning, the increase in the number and range of degree offerings, and the introduction of doctoral programs in nursing and education, we are preparing for our eventual recategorization

by The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, from a regional Master’s to a national Doctoral University. As we endeavor to make this shift, we find ourselves decisively on the road toward becoming a university of national prominence and reputation.

T

his path to national prominence will inform all of our strategic decision-making in the immediate future, and it is an exciting prospect.

While there is still much to be determined, we have at this point identified five key pillars that will support and guide us in this work.

First, we will continue our efforts to evolve and innovate our academic programs. In recent years we have introduced scores of new programs, online degrees, and new learning modalities. This will continue, as we leverage our investment in big data and engineering, advance in the digital media space, develop more industry partnerships, and reach broader audiences in evermore innovative ways through online learning and geographic expansion in particularized areas.

Second, we will continue in our efforts to serve as a beacon in the Jesuit Catholic ecosystem. We have recently announced an expanded partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport to provide pathways to post-secondary education for those in our

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community who may not otherwise have the means to further their education. In particular, we have made a commitment to found a new academic unit — still to be named as of this writing — that will offer a two-year associate degree for firstgeneration, Pell-eligible students, and students of color. This will be a major initiative and a vital expression of our mission to extend a Fairfield education to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. I look forward to sharing the details of this with you in the coming months.

Third, we will continue to position Fairfield as a destination for arts and cultural programming in our region, coordinating the programs offered through the Fairfield University Art Museum and the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, as well as our many lectures and programs developed in our academic divisions, and inviting more of our neighbors to enjoy what we have to offer. We also expect our Division 1 Athletics programs to continue their rise in stature and competitive prominence, and look forward to fall of 2022 when we will open our new Arena and Convocation Center — a facility whose promise as a forum for civic engagement we are just beginning to imagine.

Fourth, we will continue to elevate our student experience. With our location on Long Island Sound between Boston and New York, we are increasingly a destination campus, and to continue to deepen our “care for the whole person” as we work with our students calls for a greater emphasis on living and learning environments, collaborative workspaces, and focus on

“ We have all been asked, during this special year, to embrace once again the bold, missionary spirit that characterized the early Jesuits — their fearless optimism in engaging with the world as they found it, transforming it for the better. This is what we remain determined to do.” overall health and wellbeing for those to whom we hold an obligation.

And finally, we will continue to advance access and affordability for prospective students. Fairfield was founded to provide opportunities for those who might not otherwise have access, and so we must deepen our commitment in this area. We have recently enhanced our commitment to provide full scholarships to a select group of Jesuit high school and Cristo Rey graduates, while we continue to increase our financial aid offerings — last year to almost $100 million — and our outreach to those who can benefit from the transformative power of a Fairfield education.

Naturally, as we advance along this road, we do so dedicated, as our motto states: Per Fidem ad Plenam Veritatem: Through Faith to the Fullness of Truth. We do so with an unceasing spirit of inquiry, and the embrace

of faith and reason; we do so with an authentic humility, and the recognition that no one of us, no one scholarly approach, has a singular hold on the truth; and we do so with a generosity of spirit, a recognition of the dignity of every individual, and an assumption of goodwill in others.

So as we celebrate this important turning point in our history and look forward to the future, we do so ever grateful for the vocations that have brought each and every one of us into this family, and as we proceed as a community, working Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam: All for the Greater Glory of God. With my best wishes for you all,

Mark R. Nemec, PhD President

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Fairfield

FINANCIAL & STATISTIC AL HIGHLIGHTS

UNIVERSITY OPERATING REVENUES 2020-21

$242.7M

76% Gross Tuition & Fees

13%

Housing & Dining

5%

Investment Return

5%

Current Use Gifts & Grants

1%

Other

UNIVERSITY OPERATING EXPENSES 2020-21

$228.4M 25% Instruction & Research

22% Academic & Institutional Support

30% Student Financial Aid

11%

Student Services & Athletics

<1%

Public Service

12%

Auxiliary Services

UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL TRENDS 2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

3,879

3,957

4,052

4,208

4,272

4,525

680

677

680

645

774

786

4,559

4,634

4,732

4,853

5,046

5,311

1,056

994

1,091

1,176

1,118

1,256

Combined SAT Average

1186

1245

1266

1279

1264

1307

High School GPA Average

3.48

3.49

3.65

3.64

3.64

3.67

FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT ENROLLMENT (FALL) Undergraduate Graduate University Total ENTERING FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS (FALL) Headcount

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TOTAL NET ASSETS THROUGH FY 2020-21 $ in millions $700 $600 $500 $400 $300 $200 Fiscal Year:

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

17

18

19

20

21

TOTAL ENDOWMENT THROUGH FY 2020-21 $ in millions $450 $400 $350 $300 $250 Fiscal Year:

11

12

13

14

15

16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES (FALL) Faculty

271

270

283

295

315

323

Staff

548

555

542

542

538

546

University Total

819

825

825

837

853

869

Baccalaureates

930

991

947

1,015

952

Masters

393

383

389

404

391

28

15

27

33

22

DEGREES CONFERRED

Post-Master Certificates Doctorates University Total

36

39

31

47

38

1,387

1,428

1,394

1,499

1,403

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Universit y NEWS FAIRFIELD RANKED AMONG NATION’S BEST BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

Matt Turner ’17 pictured with Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann, returned to Stag Country and Lessing Field this fall.

Matt Turner Honored at Lessing Field

Fairfield University Men’s Soccer alumnus and U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) goalkeeper Matt Turner ’17 returned to Lessing Field on Oct. 2, when the Stags hosted and defeated Niagara by a score of 2-1 in MAAC action.

Turner was recognized at halftime and signed postgame autographs for youth fans on a free Fairfield Soccer poster.

Turner recently won the Concacaf Gold Cup with the USMNT and was lauded with the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper Award after ceding just one goal (via penalty kick) compared to 26 saves in six matches. He recently rejoined the USMNT for the final round of World Cup Qualifiers, leading the team to second place in the eight-team standings after six matches.

Also the starting goalkeeper for Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, Turner was last season’s AllStar Game MVP after making three saves in a penalty kick shootout to secure victory for the MLS over Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars. lF 8 wi n ter 2021 | Fairfi e l d Un i ve rs it y M aga z in e

Fairfield University has once again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” rankings. The University topped the 2022 annual lists with both regional and national distinctions.

Placing high on the “Best Regional Universities in the North” list at #3, Fairfield was also ranked at #3 among the “Most Innovative Schools” in the northern region, and #3 on the “Best Undergraduate Teaching — Regional Universities” list. The University jumped two spots to #19 for “Best Value Schools — Regional Universities North.”

Nationally, Fairfield University’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business programs were recognized in the top 32 percent, at #166 on the “Best Undergraduate Business Programs” list — up 14 spots from the previous year. For “Best Undergraduate Business Programs – Accounting,” Fairfield Dolan was ranked near the top at #21, jumping 23 spots from 2021.

Additionally, Fairfield Dolan rose to #16 for “Best

Undergraduate Business Programs — Finance,” and to #23 on the list of “Best Undergraduate Business Programs — Marketing.”

In “Best Undergraduate Business Programs — Business Analytics,” the school ranked #13.

New this year, U.S. News & World Report included Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs in their rankings.

Fairfield’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies was ranked in the top 11 percent nationally, at #76 (tied) out of almost 700 schools.

At #109, Fairfield’s School of Engineering landed in the top half of schools ranked for “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs – No Doctorate.” The University also ranked #5 out of 13 on the list of “Colleges That Give Merit Aid to the Most Students.”

Academic data from U.S. News & World Report’s surveys and reliable third-party sources were used to calculate F each ranking factor. l

Pilot Program Gives Students With Disabilities a Unique Campus Learning Experience Co-directors of Fairfield’s Special Education Program Alyson Martin, EdD, and Emily Shamash, EdD, have launched the Fairfield University/Westport Public Schools Transition Program, a partnership with Westport Public Schools to offer transition-age students (18 to 22) with disabilities a unique on-campus learning experience this fall. Three students are participating in the pilot program which includes individualized and small group instruction led by transition coordinator Kelsey LaPrad from Westport Public Schools. Through the program, students are members

of the campus community and have opportunities for inclusive experiences with their same-age peers.

Westport students attend the program Monday through Friday and receive instruction and related services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, and social skills instruction on campus.

They also eat lunch in the Tully Dining Commons or Stag Snack Bar, often with Fairfield University students enrolled in the special education minor, fifthF year, or graduate program. l

NEW ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB NAMED IN HONOR OF PROFESSOR EMERITUS O’CONNELL Thanks to an anonymous alumni donor, on September 28, the Organic Chemistry Laboratory located in the Bannow Science Center was named in honor of Edmond J. O’Connell, PhD, professor emeritus, to recognize his 50-plus years of extraordinary teaching that inspired generations of students. Pictured left to right are Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD; Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Richard Greenwald, PhD; Chemistry Professor Emeritus Edmond J. O’Connell, PhD; and Chair and Chemistry and Biology Professor John R. Miecznikowski, PhD.

JOE FRAGER TO RETIRE AT CONCLUSION OF 2021-22 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON Fairfield University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Joe Frager has announced that he will retire as head coach of the women’s basketball program following the completion of the 2021-22 season. Frager, who is entering his 15th season on the sidelines for the Stags, has led the team to 240 wins to date; his .566 winning percentage is the highest in program history. He has achieved a total of 429 victories in his 23-year collegiate coaching career.

In his 14 prior seasons as the head coach of the Stags, Frager has led the program to become a model of consistency, averaging 18 wins per season before the Covid-19 shortened season. He has helped lead the Stags to an outstanding 160-96 record in the conference, with 13 winning seasons in the MAAC.

Board of Trustees Announces President’s Contract Extension Fairfield University’s Board of Trustees recently announced that the University has extended the contract of President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, through the summer of 2027.

In a letter to the University community, Fairfield University Board of Trustees Chairman Frank J. Carroll III ’89 wrote: ”An extraordinary leader and a remarkable steward of Fairfield’s Jesuit and Catholic traditions, President Nemec has maintained the University’s commitment to a broad, liberal arts education of the highest quality while also overseeing dramatic innovations in teaching modalities, growth of academic programs, extensive additions and improvements to the campus environment, and a renewed commitment to the University’s mission to be of service to our neighbors and our world.

“During his tenure, prospective student interest in our institution has grown remarkably with undergraduate applications at the highest levels in our history, and we were pleased this year to welcome our largest undergraduate first-year class.

Simultaneously, our graduate programs continue to grow and thrive. To have achieved this in the midst of the extraordinary disruption to our day-to-day operations brought on by the pandemic is a testament to his leadership, to the work of his team, and to the commitment of all of those at the University who have shown him their support.”

President Nemec also led the largest capital campaign in University history, exceeding an original goal of $160 million to raise a total of $218 million to F benefit the University. l

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Universit y NEWS President Nemec Announces Proposal to Increase Educational Access Fairfield University is exploring plans for a new academic unit that would offer an associate degree to students from low-income families and under-represented communities, primarily in the surrounding Bridgeport region.

President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, recently announced that the proposed initiative, to be undertaken in partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport, represents a major step toward increased educational access at a critical moment in our society.

The proposed initiative is part of “Pathways to Higher Learning,” a strategic partnership between the University and the Diocese of Bridgeport, designed to serve as a platform for access to the University’s resources for the people of the Diocese and the greater Bridgeport community. Launched on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31) it consists of ongoing projects and joint initiatives to empower students through learning, mentoring, and service opportunities.

Current initiatives include The Bridgeport Tuition Grant program, which provides full-tuition scholarships for eligible students whose family income is less than $50,000 a year; the Community Scholars Program, which offers full-tuition scholarships for topperforming students, including those from diocesan schools; and the Aquinas Fellowship Program, which provides tuition support for diocesan teachers to attend graduate programs at Fairfield University.

Since 2008, through the University’s Center for Social Impact, hundreds of University students have worked with diocesan partners such as Caroline House, Catholic schools, and the Thomas Merton Center, to support program delivery through community-engaged learning courses and research projects.

The University is in the process of developing programs to serve students from Bridgeport through writing camps, science camps, and engineering camps at the Diocese’s F Catholic Center in summer 2022. l

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THEATRE FAIRFIELD PRESENTS THE THANKSGIVING PLAY Theatre Fairfield, Fairfield University’s resident production company, opened its 2021-22 season, with The Thanksgiving Play written by Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse. It is a one-act satirical comedy about four white people trying to devise a politically correct First Thanksgiving play to perform in elementary schools during Native American Heritage Month.

The production was performed live October 20-24 for an inF person audience as well as streamed virtually. l

Fairfield Launches New Interactive 3D Campus Map and Virtual Tour Fairfield University has partnered with immersive technology company Concept3D to develop a brand-new interactive campus map and virtual tour experience that gives prospective students the opportunity to explore Fairfield’s 200-acre campus with the click of a button.

Ideal for students and families visiting campus for the first time, the University’s fully interactive digital map integrates 3D modeling with 360-degree photography and GPS navigation to effortlessly guide guests from point A to B as they explore campus by car or on foot. In addition to highlighting the University’s main academic and administrative buildings, and directing visitors where

best to park, the map also features panoramic photos and descriptions of athletic fields, facilities, residence halls, and off-the-beaten-path points of interests such as Bellarmine Pond, The Levee restaurant, and the University’s hidden Zen Garden.

In addition to the interactive 3D map, the University has also teamed up with Concept 3D to launch a new, fully immersive virtual tour experience. Designed to simulate a traditional campus visit, the platform offers users 360-degree views of the University’s modern facilities and scenic grounds while providing useful information about Fairfield academics and F student life. l

Alumni and Families Return to Campus for Alumni & Family Weekend 2021 This year’s Alumni & Family Weekend (AFW) offered an engaging assortment of academic sessions focused on Fairfield’s Jesuit mission, and opportunities for guests to experience the athletic, artistic, and fun sides of Fairfield. Events included panel discussions, StagFest, RugbyFest and other athletic competitions, a Glee Club Concert, the annual White Coat Ceremony, and the Stags Pep Rally, which served to officially kick off the 2021-22 athletic season.

At RugbyFest, ruggers and their fans enjoyed lively rugby games and field presentations.

New England fall weather graced the Lt. Hans Grauert Memorial Field for the afternoon match between Fairfield Men’s Rugby and the University of Rhode Island. The Fairfield Stags were victorious, 53-17.

“INFORMATION ANARCHY: A DISCUSSION OF MEDIA CONSUMPTION AND MISINFORMATION”

This year’s StagFest, hosted on Bellarmine Lawn, featured food and entertainment for alumni, students, and families. From live music performed by Fairfield alumni band, The Adults, to an outdoor petting zoo in the Lil’ Stags Zone, there were activities for all ages. Food truck vendors were a massive success with attendees. Vendors from local

favorites included: Fire Engine Pizza, Super Duper Weenie, Alene’s Ice Cream, Crispy Melt, The Cinnabomb Mini Donut Factory, Fiesta Taco Truck, Garden Catering, Micalizzi’s, Old Post Tavern, PopCentric, Flacos Tacos, Uncle G’s Comfort Food, Wind It On!, and Stags F Hospitality. l

LECTURE ON HEALTHCARE BY FORMER U.S. SURGEON GENERAL REGINA BENJAMIN, MD On November 4, Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts presented “Combating Health Disparities: Narrowing the Gap,” led by Regina Benjamin, MD, a leader in national healthcare.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Americans have experienced dramatic inequalities in the world of healthcare; Dr. Benjamin has been a driving force in the effort to promote equity and access.

In 1998, Dr. Benjamin received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights.

In 2002, as president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, she became the first African American woman president of a state medical society in the United States. In 2009, she was appointed the 18th U.S. Surgeon General by F President Barack Obama. l

The DiMenna-Nyselius Library presented “Information Anarchy: A Discussion of Media Consumption and Misinformation,” on October 28. The virtual event examined the importance of media literacy and coincided with Media Literacy Week. Molly Lamendola ’22, editor-in-chief of The Mirror, moderated the event and was joined by panel members Gayle Alberda, PhD, assistant professor politics; Michael Andreychik, PhD, professor of psychology; Adam Rugg, PhD, associate professor of communication; Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch, PhD, APRN, FNP, assistant professor of public health; Matthew Schirano, MLIS, senior research librarian and instruction coordinator; and Matthew Tullis, MFA, assistant professor of English.

The event brought faculty from various disciplines and backgrounds together with librarians to discuss the ways media literacy is relevant to their respective disciplines.

Dialogue explored the importance of media literacy and its widespread impact on F society. l

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Universit y NEWS College of Arts & Sciences Announces New Guarantee Fellowships As part of Fairfield’s Jesuit mission, the University is committed to providing students with experiential learning opportunities, hands-on research experiences, and career-launching internships for a competitive edge in today’s job market.

To prove this commitment, the College of Arts and Sciences recently announced the “Arts & Sciences Guarantee,” a distinctive fellowship that provides up to $2,500 in support to any College of Arts and Science student, beginning with the Class of 2026, who secures an approved unpaid internship, research opportunity, or fieldwork experience while studying at Fairfield.

“The College of Arts and

Sciences is committed to empowering, encouraging, and providing students with experiential learning opportunities,” said President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, in a recent video message to prospective students.

In his speech, Dr. Nemec referenced a recent study by Georgetown University. Using a 40-year period as a comprehensive benchmark, researchers considered students’ income after graduation, average debt, and graduation rates. In the study, Fairfield earned high marks — placing it in the top one percent of institutions for Return on Investment (ROI), and second only to Yale University in F the State of Connecticut. l

“The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to empowering, encouraging, and providing students with experiential learning opportunities.”

Mark R. Nemec, PhD, University President

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Fairfield Egan’s Kanarek Center Selected for 2021 Josephine A. Dolan Award On October 19, the Kanarek Center for Palliative Care Nursing Education — part of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies — was presented with the 2021 Josephine A. Dolan Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Education, at the Connecticut Nurses Award Celebration.

“As leaders in this field, our educational outreach has raised public awareness concerning

the need for, and benefits of, high-quality palliative care,” said Professor Eileen O’Shea, DNP, APRN, PCNS-BC, CHPPN, director of the Kanarek Center.

The Josephine A. Dolan Award is one of several prestigious Diamond Jubilee Awards, named for distinguished leaders in Connecticut nursing history. It is the highest honor the Connecticut F nursing profession can bestow. l

FAIRFIELD RISES IN WALL STREET JOURNAL RANKINGS Fairfield was ranked among the top 25 percent of colleges and universities in the nation, and among the top 15 percent for Engagement according to the Wall Street Journal/ Times Higher Education (THE) 2022 College Ranking. Among schools in the Northeast region, Fairfield was ranked #76.

Within the “Engagement” category, Fairfield was ranked in the top 100 at #96. The annual ranking includes the results of the THE-U.S. Student Survey, which examines a range of key issues including student engagement with their studies, student/teacher interaction, and satisfaction with their experience, and uses a balanced scorecard approach, with 15 individual performance

indicators combining to create an overall score that reflects the broad strength of the institution. Data come from a variety of sources: the U.S. government Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the College Scorecard, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the THE-U.S. Student Survey, the THE-Academic Survey, and the Elsevier bibliometric dataset.

The overall methodology explores four key areas: Resources, which represents 30 percent of the overall ranking; Engagement, which represents 20 percent of the overall ranking; Outcomes, which represents 40 percent of the overall ranking; and Environment, F which represents 10 percent. l

LaTosha Brown Presents 24th Annual Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lecture On Nov. 9 Fairfield University’s Open VISIONS Forum welcomed the co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter (BVM), LaTosha Brown, to present the 24th Annual JacobyLunin Humanitarian Lecture.

As the co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter (BVM), Brown fights to end voter suppression and to educate and empower black

communities in our country.

Recently, she helped create BVM’s 2021 Covid-19 Mutual Aid and Emergency Relief Self Determination Fund, aimed at providing emergency relief to populations such as Black immigrant communities. She is currently a fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard F Kennedy School. l

The Toole Family

THE DR. PATRICK AND MARY ANN TOOLE COMPUTER LAB OPENS Fairfield University faculty, staff, senior leadership, and the Toole family gathered in the atrium of Bannow Science Center on July 12 for a special dedication ceremony celebrating the opening of the School of Engineering’s new Dr. Patrick and Mary Ann Toole Computer Laboratory. Established through the generosity of Deacon Patrick and Lindy Toole, the new state-of-the-art facility will provide engineering students and faculty opportunities for research, collaboration, and instruction. It will also be used for senior capstone projects and high school STEM camps.

The lab is equipped with 25 high-performance computers with cutting-edge engineering software capable of performing advanced electrical and mechanical modeling, computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer modeling, electrical and system simulation, advanced product design and manufacturing, System Dynamics and Control Systems, 3-D solid modeling, statistical F software, and more. l

Fairfield’s School of Engineering Launches StagHack Competition

WHATSAPP COO MATT IDEMA HEADLINES FAIRFIELD DOLAN DEAN’S EXECUTIVE FORUM Dolan School Dean Zhan Li, DBA, and assistant professor of marketing Nazuk Sharma, PhD, co-hosted the first Dean’s Executive Forum of the academic year. Distinguished guest Matt Idema, chief operating officer at WhatsApp, spoke to students from his home in California about the most popular messaging app in the world.

Facebook acquired WhatsApp about 12 years ago. The product is used in more than 180 countries and has two billion users, making it the primary means of internet communication in much of the world. It’s particularly popular in areas where SMS messaging is expensive, such as Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

The Dean’s Executive Forum connects thought leaders and executives with campus, for informal discussions on issues that impact business and/or society.

High school seniors and current first-year and sophomore engineering students at Fairfield had the opportunity to compete in Fairfield University School of Engineering’s inaugural hackathon competition, StagHack. The competition was offered in a virtual format on October 24.

A hackathon is an event for students interested in problemsolving, working on a team, and collaborating with others to solve a problem and present their solutions. At the hackathon, teams collaborated with mentors to solve real issues in the biomedical and healthcare industry.

With $70,000 on the line, participants competed for cash prizes and scholarship funding toward Fairfield’s School of Engineering, while interacting with industry leaders.

The competition was open to any high school senior interested in the STEM field.

No prior knowledge of coding was necessary, just an interest in solving problems. The competition was also open to first-year and sophomore students at the School of Engineering.

This year’s sponsors included Goodroot, Maestro Health, and F PursueCare. l

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Universit y NEWS The 7th Biennial JUHAN Student Leadership Conference:

HUMANITARIAN ACTION & CLIMATE CHANGE Students, faculty, and staff from Jesuit colleges and universities across the country convened, both in person and virtually, for the 7th Biennial JUHAN (Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network) Student Leadership Conference, “Humanitarian Action & Climate Change,” hosted by Fairfield University, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

The conference agenda featured student skill-building modules, action planning sessions, and guest speakers, facilitated by Foundations for Environmental Stewardship (FES), a youth-serving sustainable development organization founded by 28-year-old climate change activist and policy advocate to the United Nations, Steve Lee. Lee, along with Christiana Zenner, PhD, associate professor of theology, science, and ethics at Fordham University, opened the

conference and familiarized participants with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.”

The keynote address, “Laudato Si’ Action Platform: Preparing the Future Together,” was presented by Rev. Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam SDB, coordinator in the Sector of Ecology and Creation of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

JUHAN was launched in 2006 by Fairfield, Fordham, and Georgetown Universities to raise awareness and jointly address the needs of those who are suffering in the face of humanitarian crises. Since its founding, JUHAN has found an administrative home at F Fairfield University. l

Humanitarian action provides emergency support to people affected by climate-related disasters such as floods.

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DEAN MEREDITH WALLACE KAZER APPOINTED TO HRSA ADVISORY COUNCIL Fairfield Egan Dean Meredith Wallace Kazer, PhD, APRN, FAAN has been appointed to serve a four-year term on the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

As an advisory council member, Dr. Kazer and her fellow appointees will provide advice and recommendations on policy, program, and regulation development to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. They will focus on a

Meredith Wallace Kazer range of issues related to nurse workforce, nurse supply, education, and F practice improvement. l

Aaron Van Dyke, PhD, Awarded Alpha Sigma Nu Magis Medal Aaron Van Dyke, PhD, associate professor of chemistry and spiritual mentor of Fairfield’s Ignatian Residential College, is one of three recipients of the 2021 Magis Medal from the Jesuit honor society, Alpha Sigma Nu. Dr. Van Dyke focuses his teaching on connecting the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with his students’ journeys to self-awareness. He uses the Examen during class to guide students to study organic chemistry in the context of their

daily lives and to apply learning to better the world.

Dr. Van Dyke was presented with the Magis Medal at the Alpha Sigma Nu Induction Ceremony at the Quick Center on October 17.

Founded in 1915, Alpha Sigma Nu is the honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities that recognizes students for both their academic pursuits and their loyalty to the values of their Jesuit education and service to F others. l

Fairfield Receives $1.6 MM in BHWET Grant Funding Fairfield University is one of several Southwest Connecticut universities that has received grant funding from the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET).

The announcement was recently made by Congressman Jim Himes that this Health and Human Services program will work to increase access to quality mental health services by increasing the number of mental health professionals in Connecticut.

Fairfield’s School of Education and Human Development is committed to training behavioral health graduate students in cutting-edge models of care that serve those who are most vulnerable. The BHWET grant will deliver financial support, enhanced education, and

specialized internship training in integrated, team-based care to 103 competitively selected students in four of Fairfield’s behavioral health master’s programs over the course of four years: the Master of Social Work (MSW), the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), and the Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

Fairfield has partnered with local training sites to serve a range of underserved communities and clients in Fairfield and New Haven counties. Focus will be placed on assisting high-risk populations including those who experience substance use disorder, mental health disorders, individuals who have experienced F childhood trauma, and more. l

Fairfield Launches FullTuition Program for Jesuit, Cristo Rey Students Fairfield has launched The Company Scholars, a unique cohort-based scholarship program that offers up to 12 four-year, full tuition grants to low-income students attending Jesuit and Cristo Rey high schools.

In addition to meeting the full financial need of each student, including room and board, The Company Scholars’ unique cohort model allows the University to

connect participants with faculty mentors, academic and career advisors, and study abroad and research opportunities in the ‘company’ of a supportive peer group. Once enrolled, students are invited to engage in Fairfield’s Academic Immersion program, a summer bridge program that eases their transition into college life by promoting bonding with F their peers. l

QUICK LIVE HOSTS CNN’S JIM ACOSTA FOR VIRTUAL LECTURE On October 6, Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts hosted an Open VISIONS Forum virtual lecture titled “The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth,” led by Jim Acosta, CNN’s chief domestic correspondent and weekend programming anchor. At a time when politics has become increasingly polarized, Acosta spoke about his experience as CNN’s chief White House correspondent during the presidency of Donald J. Trump.

Before his work at the White House, Acosta was a part of CNN’s 2012 election coverage, primarily as the lead correspondent in Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. Acosta went on to cover the White House during the Obama and Trump administrations.

Acosta’s debut book, The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America, became a New York Times F bestseller upon its 2019 release. l

Magdalena Dutkowska ’22 Wins Community Service Scholarship Magdalena Dutkowska ’22 has been selected to receive a special $3,000 Community Service Scholarship, created this year in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Bridgeport Area Branch

Magdalena Dutkowska ’22

of the American Association of University Women (Bridgeport AAUW). This recognition comes in addition to Dutkowska being named one of the organization’s 2021-22 tuition scholarship awardees.

Currently residing in Stratford, Dutkowska has dual citizenship and is a first-generation college student. Active in Fairfield’s Humanitarian Action Club, her volunteer work includes advocating for human rights through the Africa Faith and Justice Network, and serving as a U.S. emergency response team member at Save the Children. She is an intern in the office of Congresswoman F Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03). l

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Opening the Doors

Fairfield’s VP for Strategic Enrollment Management Corry Unis on the Big Data Approach to Admission

by Audra Bouffard

“ We want Fairfield to reflect the world in which we live, and that should be an important goal for any enrollment office.”

— Corry Unis

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or many colleges and

universities, maintaining student enrollments has become a very real challenge.

And yet at a time when higher education is experiencing the largest college enrollment decline in a decade, Fairfield University has continued to defy the odds. Under the leadership of Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management Corry Unis, the University has experienced record-breaking enrollment growth over the past four years, welcoming its second largest undergraduate class during the peak of the pandemic, and its largest and academically strongest class this past fall.

Combining the art of relationship building with the science of data analytics, Unis and his team are setting an example of how the right people and the right science can make all the difference.

Fairfield University Magazine: Since starting your position at Fairfield in 2018, you and your team have been credited with revolutionizing the University’s enrollment process using “big data.” Can you explain how that works?

Corry Unis: There are tens of thousands of high schools in the country. So when we think about where we want to grow our student count and cultivate the next generation of Fairfield students, we have to identify pockets of 20 or 30 schools in a specific metro area or zone that we know have students who are willing to travel out of state, have an affinity towards Jesuit or Catholic higher education, and have the potential to be academically successful. So from a 30,000-foot view, we use predictive analytics to help determine what that list of schools should be.

We also use data to better understand our applicants. Because we are an outcomesfocused University, we model and assign modeling scores to students based on their predicted first-year GPA and graduation rate.

So when we admit, we’re admitting with the intent of retaining and graduating. Predictive analytics can also help us gauge a student’s interest in the University and how likely they are to enroll if admitted. That data can then help us determine how many classes to offer in a semester, as well as predict the size and scope of the incoming class.

The past four years have yielded the largest undergraduate enrollment numbers in University history. To what do you contribute this level of success?

As far as how we’ve achieved success in an era where head counts are shrinking and demographics are shifting, I think there are a few contributing factors. The first is that we have a very strong enrollment team that believes in aggregate that the world is a better place with more Fairfield graduates.

Second, I think the University’s trajectory is ripe for enrollment success. Whether it’s our new academic programs, our strong marketing and communications presence, or the infrastructure of the University as a whole, our trajectory has been a great boost in assisting with our enrollment goals.

Third, I believe that predictive modeling has really helped us refine our audience and identify prospective students that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to identify before.

It’s also helped us increase selectivity and our student profile. And while I’m proud of what our team has achieved in terms of class head count and our student profile, I’m even prouder that our students have been retaining at record numbers and that graduation rates continue to increase.

Another major area of focus for your enrollment team has been increasing the diversity of Fairfield’s student population.

What are the key components of a successful diversity recruitment strategy?

We want Fairfield to reflect the world in which we live, and that should be an important goal for any enrollment office. We have a team that’s very focused on outreach to traditionally underrepresented students and who understands the importance of radical hospitality as a tenet of recruitment and relationship building. We want to meet students where they are, and make sure they feel welcome, invited, and called to be here.

One of the newer initiatives we’ve launched is The Company Scholars program.

Developed in partnership with the Offices of Advancement and Student Life, this cohortstyle program will attract 10 to 15 traditionally underrepresented students to campus each year by removing the financial burden of a college education and offering four year, fulltuition scholarships to low-income students attending Jesuit and Cristo Rey high schools (a group of 38 Catholic preparatory schools

for low-income students). In addition to the academic component of the program, there is a leadership element and a mentorship piece, all of which is being offered in a cohort style that makes us very confident the students will retain well and graduate in four years. We’re very excited to see this initiative take shape.

University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, recently referred to the announcement of The Company Scholars and the University’s “Pathways to Higher Learning” partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport as “major steps toward increased educational access at a critical moment in our society.” How important are programs like these in today’s higher education landscape?

Pathway programs are incredibly important.

Not only do they help breakdown the barriers that underrepresented students face when pursing higher education, but they empower students by giving them the confidence, skills, and vision to achieve their aspirations.

Because of the foresight of our administration and the strength of the University’s footprint, I think Fairfield is very poised to take on a leadership role within our community. Our expanded partnership with the diocese will help underserved populations achieve an education that might otherwise be unattainable.

What does the future of Fairfield’s enrollment look like in the next 3-5 years?

Even though we welcomed the University’s largest class this fall, we still feel that there’s a little bit of an opportunity to grow at the undergraduate level, and we are definitely planning for significant growth at the graduate level.

As far as some of the challenges we’re going to face, there is the issue of affordability, as well as the impeding demographic cliff in 2026, when the number of high school graduates flatlines and then falls into decline. But like any year, our main challenges will be finding the right group of students who we know can be successful at Fairfield, diversifying that population, and then diversifying it in terms of geography. Fairfield has done a nice job in recent years of growing our number of students from the Boston metro area, Pennsylvania, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. We would like to continue seeing some steady growth from those areas, as well as areas in Chicago, California, and Florida, where we have several zones of influence and know we can bring in F great and capable students. l

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“ There’s really just so much beauty in the world, and we have to remember these [wild] places even when we’re not close to them.”

— Rebecca Buonopane ’22

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Protecting Coral Reefs Dr. Chelsie Counsell, assistant professor of biology, and her students studied Hawaii’s vulnerable coral reefs in Kane´ohe Bay.

C

by Tess (Brown) Long ’07, MFA’11

or al reefs, which are made up of hundreds to thousands of individual living polyps, are extremely valuable marine ecosystems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an estimated 25 percent of all marine life — including more than 4,000 species of fish — is dependent on coral reefs at some point in their life cycle.

Chelsie Counsell, PhD, assistant professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been researching coral reefs and marine communities for over a decade. She explained that because reefs are so vulnerable to the effects of “human activities,” scientific study of at-risk environments has never been more vital.

“It can be really overwhelming, the variety of ways in which humanity is stressing out the ecosystems around us,” Dr. Counsell said recently over Zoom, a cut from a Queen Conch shell hanging from a string around her neck.

“CO2 pollution, climate change, microplastics, oil pollution, over-fishing… I don’t think people should stop living their lives. But, I think the balance is: how do we have quality of life and not damage the ecosystems around us?”

Having taught at Fairfield for just over a year — a new hire amid the pandemic — Dr. Counsell brought two Fairfield student researchers with her this past summer when she returned to fieldwork on an 18-foot Boston Whaler in and around Kane’ohe Bay, off the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Clockwise from top left: Jillian Ryan ’22 helps Dr. Counsell estimate the size of model reef fish; Rebecca Buonopane ’22 takes a closer look at coral in Kane’ohe Bay; a ”Counsell Lab” selfie; an adult green sea turtle resting in the coral reef; Dr. Counsell photographs the reef to document the quality of the habitat; a yellowspotted guard crab (Trapezia flavopunctata) tucked into a Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora meandrina).

As an undergraduate at Elon University, Dr. Counsell had thought she wanted to go into medicine until a mentor asked her to go on a fieldwork research trip to study coral reefs. She was hooked, and “never looked back.” She received a PhD in marine biology from the University of Hawaii in 2018.

Dr. Counsell’s research asks questions about how marine ecosystems vary through space and over time. Much of her work has focused on human inputs on reef ecosystem health.

The further questions posed by Dr. Counsell’s work, she explained, are, “How can we minimize our impact? Or, how can we restore a system that we’ve already damaged?”

Officially, Dr. Counsell’s two major research projects are titled “Adjacent Habitat Quality” and “Reef Fish Recruitment.”

For “Adjacent Habitat Quality” she studied the Cauliflower Coral, a common coral with a relatively small (basketball-sized) branching structure. Dr. Counsell studied the community of small fishes and invertebrates (including shrimps and crabs) that live between the branches of this coral colony. These areas are also known as “cryptic reef communities” because one could easily snorkel near these corals and completely miss them; they are blended into the coral in such a way that a flashlight is necessary to see them. She also looked at how the numbers of these species increase or decrease based on their proximity to human activity.

In “Reef Fish Recruitment,” Dr. Counsell observed and tracked the lifecycle of baby fish or “recruits” and used plankton samples to catch and study reef fish larvae. Fish recruitwise, she focused on three particularly telling families of reef fish: surgeonfish (family Acanthuridae), parrotfish (family Scaridae), and butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae). This helped Dr. Counsell “to better understand how

these larvae exist and how they move through space and time.” But the larvae can be elusive, so she also conducted in-depth surveys of the reef habitat, specifically searching for small reef fish, or the recruits to the reef.

“The more we can understand about those little baby fish,” Dr. Counsell noted, “the more we can know about marine management and better understand how we can help keep reef communities healthy and diverse.”

For these projects, Dr. Counsell enlisted two undergraduate student research assistants: Rebecca Buonopane ’22 and Jillian Ryan ’22.

Both seniors applied for University-funded grants to support their trip to Hawaii, during which they stayed in dormitories on Coconut Island — a private research lab only accessible by boat — for a month this past summer.

“It was so stunningly beautiful,” said Buonopane, a marine biology major who hopes for a career in the field. “There’s really just so much beauty in the world, and we have to remember these [wild] places even when we’re not close to them.”

“It’s rigorous and admirable,” Ryan said of the research that Dr. Counsell and her colleagues embarked on in the field, in the lab, and “behind the scenes.” An environmental studies major, Ryan hopes to build a career in marine biology as well.

A typical day for the pair during their month in Hawaii started around six or seven in the morning. They ate a light breakfast — to avoid sea sickness — and hopped onto the boat to begin the day out on the water and in the labs.

The students geared-up in weighted, full-body wetsuits for snorkeling, and slathered on thick, white, reef-safe zinc oxide sunscreen.

On working alongside her students, Dr. Counsell said, “It’s fun to feel their energy in the lab, and to have a sense of that work F growing because of them.” l

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Nursing Ambition

Some schools discourage nurses from Division 1 athletics competition. At Fairfield, it’s all part of the learning experience.

by Jack Jones

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ophomore K at h r y n Bergstrom ’24 sat across from coaches during her college recruitment days and listened as her aspirations to row on a varsity team and study to become a nurse slowly slipped away.

It was a similar experience for senior Tahlia Brown ’22 when she went through the recruiting process as a softball player.

Kelly Buckley ’21 had stopped looking altogether, because she could not find a school that would offer her the chance to play field hockey as well as work her way toward a nursing degree.

But as anyone with a dream will do, Bergstrom, Brown, and Buckley did not relent. Rather, they continued their search until they came upon Fairfield University’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, the one place where their aspirations were not only welcomed but also encouraged.

“I probably looked at five schools that had both rowing and nursing,” Bergstrom said. “Other schools told me that I had to pick either nursing or rowing. Clinicals start in the second year so I was told that I could be on the team for the first two years, but then I would have to quit the team or pick another major.”

Brown was so sure she would never realize her dream of playing softball and studying nursing, that she dropped the major from her profile.

“On my recruiting profile, I just put “education,” because a lot of schools in the West discouraged softball and nursing, since softball is year-round,” Brown said. “They were concerned because of clinicals… they didn’t say I couldn’t do it, but just really discouraged me, by telling me about a player who had tried it and had missed a lot of practices.”

Buckley’s nursing goals were not solidified until she made her decision to attend Fairfield University.

I wasn’t 100 percent sure about nursing before I found Fairfield, because I had never seen a program that was on board with athletics.” Buckley said. “There weren’t many opportunities for field hockey and nursing.”

Left: Student-athlete nurses pose in front of the Egan School. (l-r): Tahlia Brown’22 and Kathryn Bergstrom ’24.

“I appreciate all of the support from my coaches and professors because they all really want you to do well and want what’s best for you.”

Kathryn Bergstrom ’24

Kelly Buckley ’21 in action during a field hockey game.

Buckley, a two-time Northeast Conference defensive player of the year, graduated from the nursing program last spring and now works as a clinical nurse on a medical surgical floor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. She hopes to use this experience to move into the emergency room.

“I think it’s the fast-paced energy of the emergency room that draws me there,” said Buckley. “It kind of relates to field hockey because it’s pure adrenalin that drives your next instinct. Emergency room work is completely run on teamwork and communicating with one another, like sports.”

Lik e all nursing studen ts, Brown started the clinical experience in her sophomore year, gaining exposure to areas of nursing such as geriatrics, medical surgery, maternity, and pediatrics.

“I really want to work in a pediatrics ICU or neonatal ICU,” Brown said. “Down the road, I am thinking of being a nurse practitioner. I

would become an RN first, work a few years, and then pursue a master’s to become an APRN for pediatrics.”

Bergstrom is in her sophomore year, so she will not experience her first clinical until the spring semester. She looks forward to finding her field of interest.

While clinicals provide the opportunity to apply academic subjects such as anatomy and chemistry while gaining practical experience, the time required can put added strain on an already full schedule for a student-athlete. On some clinical days, student-athletes need to miss practice and conditioning sessions in order to meet the hourly requirements of their academics.

“When playing a sport, you don’t always have enough hours in the day,” Brown said. “Even though I may not want to study or do homework at a particular time, I need to take advantage of the time I have, so that I don’t get behind in my work.” She noted that softball head coach Julie Brzezinski “always gives us time when we are traveling to do our schoolwork, so that’s helpful as well.”

But, along with the stress of trying to find “enough hours in a day” comes that sense of accomplishment and relief when everything comes together.

“In the fall of my junior year, I was taking 18 credits,” Buckley said. “There was one day when I had an exam in my 8 a.m. class, an exam in my 12:30 p.m. class, plus I had to make up a lab, followed by another exam that night.

And, I went to practice that afternoon. At the end of the day, I thought ‘Wow, I just did that!’”

When those time crunches materialize, all three student-athletes are grateful for the guidance they receive from their coaches as well as their professors.

“I appreciate all of the support from my coaches and professors because they all really want you to do well and want what’s best for you,” Bergstrom said. “If you are struggling in a class, the coaches are always there to help you. Having support from the staff was really important to me, in choosing a school.”

With proper support, and spurred by their own determination, Bergstrom, Brown, and Buckley have gained a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride — in the classroom, in competition, and in their chosen profession — all F of which are important when fulfilling a dream. l

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GOD’S WORK

The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality honored Rev. Charles H. Allen, S.J., for his more than 40 years of service to Fairfield University and Fairfield Prep.

by Jeannine Carolan Graf ’87

Top: Fr. Allen offers remarks after receiving the Bowler Award.

Below, clockwise from top left: Fr. Gerry Blaszczak, Fr. John Mulreany, Dean Tom Curran, and Bishop Frank J. Caggiano on the altar at the outdoor Mass; attendees enter the main door of Bellarmine Hall; Marianne and Robert H. Laska ’69 enjoy Fr. Blaszczak’s sermon; and Mike and Cece Donoghue join the impromptu applause following the homily.

With characteristic grace and humor, the Rev. Charles H. Allen, S.J., returned to campus on Sunday, Sept. 19 to receive the Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J., Award from the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality of Fairfield University.

His spirit of generosity filled the enormous tent on Bellarmine Lawn as more than 500 friends and family members gathered in celebration for the outdoor Mass and luncheon.

The Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, presided at the Mass, assisted by a dozen resident and visiting Jesuits.

Homilist Rev. Gerry Blaszczak, S.J., alumni chaplain and special assistant to the Fairfield University President, paid homage to Fr. Allen’s famous “three-point talks” and thanked God for “the gift of Charlie Allen.”

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“D uring this Ignatian

year, as declared by the Society of Jesus, we desire ever-more to be available to journey with people to help them, as Ignatius would say, ‘find God in all things.’”

Rev. Denis Donoghue, S.J., Director of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality

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“F r. Allen and St.

Ignatius remind us to trust the invitation from God to see all things new in Christ, by accepting and embracing who we are uniquely called to be.”

Rev. Denis Donoghue, S.J. Director of the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality

The Glee Club provided music for the Mass — a fitting touch, given Fr. Allen’s many years of service as chaplain of Fairfield University’s oldest club. Fr. Allen’s nephew, Luke Paulino ’13, lent his voice to the Glee Club as an alumnus guest for the occasion, and also sang an impromptu, a cappella Amazing Grace during the luncheon, at his Uncle Charlie’s request.

Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, gave a welcome address during which he commended Fr. Allen for always carrying himself with “grace, wit, and a generosity of spirit,” telling his former special assistant, “Thank you so much, Fr. Allen, for your leadership, your companionship, and above all, for your servant’s heart.”

The event was co-chaired by Fairfield College Preparatory School alumnus Peter Harding (FP Class of 1987) and his wife, Jennifer.

Introduced by Peter as “Charlie’s guardian angel,” Janet Canepa ’82, assistant vice president of Alumni Relations, joyfully proclaimed “This is the day the Lord has made!” before being joined by Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J., former Fairfield Prep headmaster and founder of the Above: More than 500 friends and family members gathered beneath the tent on Bellarmine Lawn to honor Fr. Allen.

Left: Fr. Denis addresses those gathered for the celebratory Mass.

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Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality, to present the award to Fr. Allen.

Fr. Allen’s three-point acceptance speech was punctuated by laughter from the crowd.

With great humor, he told the story of how he got his first teaching job at Fairfield Prep after one of their Jesuits left to get married: “My God, what a sacrifice that man made, just so I could have a job!”

With grace, he reflected on the gift of spirituality that he received from his parents, Helen and Charles Allen: “They taught me that finding God is not a solo sport…it’s a sport that requires a good deal of team effort.”

And with great humility he thanked the organizers of the day’s events, his fellow Jesuits, and “the many beautiful women who have enriched my life, especially my sisters Andrea, Lisa, and Lorraine.”

S

ince 2018, the Rev. James M. Bowler, S.J., Award has been bestowed upon a person whose lifetime of service exemplifies the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Allen is the third recipient of the honor, following Fr. James M. Bowler (2018) and Bishop Frank J. Caggiano (2019).

“St. Ignatius talks about the importance of meeting people where they are in their relationship with God and bringing them out the door of Christ. This was the essence of Fr. Allen’s ministry here at Fairfield,” said Rev. Denis

Donoghue, S.J., director of the Murphy Center.

This is also at the heart of the Murphy Center’s ministry of spiritual direction for students, faculty, staff, and members of the larger Bridgeport community who enroll in the 10-week “Encountering the Living God” program. During one-on-one meetings with a spiritual director, participants are guided along an adapted version of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, designed to deepen their relationship with God. The program, Fr. Donoghue said, “encourages seekers to grow in the light of faith.”

Since opening in 2015, the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality has welcomed more than 1,500 “seekers,” from all faith traditions, through its doors. This includes as many as 50 undergraduates each semester who sign up to take courses based on the “Encountering the Living God” program.

The Murphy Center also runs a two-year Spiritual Director Formation program, which trains participants as guides through the Ignatian exercises of discernment. A total of 26 spiritual directors were certified in 2017 and 2019; in December 2021, 13 more will receive their certificates, bringing the total number to 39.

The Center’s spiritual directors create a sacred space for their directees, allowing as much freedom for the expression of God’s grace in another’s experience as possible.

“We don’t lead or proselytize. We notice and affirm,” said Marcy Haley, assistant director of

the Murphy Center. “We have been formed and trained to recognize grace and to discover how that grace is being accepted, resisted, or responded to in prayer and action.

“We then offer that grace back to the directee without expectation, trusting God will lead the way.”

Spiritual direction remains the most popular initiative the Murphy Center offers. Other popular offerings currently include: the “Aging With Grace” Zoom webinar series run by Rev. John Murray, S.J.,’76; annual student-athlete retreats for every sports team on campus; an “Integrating Spirituality Into Nursing” course for nursing students; and a Virtual Retreat Series which draws attendees from as far away as Canada and the Philippines.

“During this Ignatian year, as declared by the Society of Jesus,” noted Fr. Denis, in every Murphy Center program, “we desire evermore to be available to journey with people to help them, as Ignatius would say, ‘find God in all things.’

“Fr. Allen and St. Ignatius remind us to trust the invitation from God to see all things new in Christ, by accepting and embracing who we are uniquely called to be. This is the gift of ‘finding God in all things.’ Fr. Allen’s ministry and the F work of the Murphy Center is God’s work.” l Please visit the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality’s website at fairfield.edu/mcis to learn more about its programs and to view highlights from the celebration for Fr. Allen.

Above from top: Fr. Charles Allen holds the Bowler Award, on stage with Fr. James Bowler and Peter Harding, FP’87. Janet Canepa ’82 offers remarks about her dear friend, Fr. Charlie; Rev. Paul Rourke and Fr. Allen are entertained by a young child at the luncheon.

Left: Fr. Allen, surrounded by his beloved sisters and brother-in-law, (l-r) Lorraine Paulino, P’13,’09; Lisa Allen; Stephen Paulino, P’13,’09; and Andrea Knutson.

Fa i r f i e l d Un i v e r s i t y Mag a z i n e | win ter 2021 25

OPEN SPACE New meeting places, learning areas, and lounges have transformed the Fairfield student-life experience.

by Sara Colabella ’08, MA’11 and Robby Piazzaroli

W

ith 220 acres and nearly 2 million square feet of building space, Fairfield’s campus can feel like its own little city; but through proper planning, the University has managed to create various intimate spaces across campus to better serve its students’ social and academic needs.

Drawing upon feedback from students on what they would like to see on campus, and informed by the University’s “Fairfield 2020: The Way Forward” strategic plan launched in 2014, Fairfield has added a number of spaces over recent years that foster collaborative and social experiences, while also carving out quieter spaces for studying and personal improvement.

“The residential quad renovations provide ample space for students to gather for social and curricular activities, serving as a bustling and scenic environment for them to grow as students and young adults,” said Karen Donahue ’03, vice president of Student Life.

“From meeting with faculty, to watching a movie with floormates, students are coming together to learn and grow. The well-lit lounges highlight the vibrant community created by our diverse body of students.”

Over the last five years, the University has completed a number of projects, which include collaborative spaces in the Academic Commons in DiMenna-Nyselius Library, communal first-year lounges in residence halls, the brainstorming hub known as the Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab, additional dining options to the Barone Campus Center, gathering spaces in the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies, and both graduate and undergraduate student lounges in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, the newest building on campus.

“We have received a lot of positive feedback from both students and faculty on the collaborative spaces we have created in just about every new facility we’ve built,” said David Frassinelli MS’92, vice president for Facilities Management. “At one point, it seemed as if we were creating too much space, but it’s great to see that they are being utilized at all hours of the day, every day of the week. More students are looking for academic support to enhance their successful academic experience, and these spaces we’ve created facilitate a flexible environment in which they can do so, one-onone or in groups of 3 to 10.”

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“I find it very motivational and inspiring to watch experienced nursing students working in their scrubs in the ‘sim lab.’ The study rooms provide us with the tools we need to be prepared. The spaces are really useful for small and large groups.”

— Caroline Katovitz ’24, Nursing Major

above from top:

Students in Egan study space; Spikeball on the Quad; and roommates in Langguth Hall.

left: Students converse on the steps of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library.

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1 TULLY DINING COMMONS Located on the fourth floor of the Barone Campus Center, “The Tully” offers students a modern dining experience with a taste of community.

The dining hall offers a fun and engaging experience featuring farm-to-table meals, hydroponic gardens used for fresh greens, a rotating global food station, chef demos, an allergy-free zone, and community tables and booths. This open space allows students to socialize with their friends and meet new people while also expanding their food palates. Nothing brings people together like great food.

2 MARION PECKHAM EGAN SCHOOL OF NURSING & HEALTH STUDIES With expansive simulation labs that make you think you’ve stepped into a real hospital, open spaces for socializing, enhanced clinical learning environments offering hands-on experience, and plenty of natural light, Fairfield Egan is a popular place for nursing students to meet for study groups and project collaborations.

3 CHARLES F. DOLAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Fairfield Dolan opened for business in the fall of 2018. The fully modernized Fairfield Dolan features innovative labs and centers, interactive learning spaces, an event hall, a graduate student lounge, a convenient Dunkin’ coffee bar, and more.

“I use the graduate student lounge every day. I get a lot of studying done and we can use the space for group projects. There’s a kitchen in the lounge if we need to grab something to drink or prepare a snack while getting ready for a big presentation.”

— Ryan Tyldesley, Graduate Student

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8 4 BARONE CAMPUS CENTER

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Nestled in the heart of campus, the Barone Campus Center is the hub for student activities. The Campus Center is home to The Stag Snack Bar, Stag Spirit Shop, student clubs and organizations such as the Fairfield Mirror student newspaper and radio station WVOF, a commuter lounge, collaborative spaces to meet or study, Dunkin’, and The Tully. The recently updated food courtstyle space, The Stag, now features a weekly rotating local restaurant and a build-your-own meal option called Sally the Salad-Making Robot, alongside the deli, grill, and sushi bars.

5 FAIRFIELD FUEL

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Located in the Walsh Athletic Center varsity weight room, Fairfield Fuel is a state-of-the-art fueling station designed to provide healthy post-workout snacks for Fairfield’s varsity student athletes. Grab-and-go snacks provided by Stop & Shop are perfect for varsity student athletes with busy schedules and help them achieve their nutritional needs for peak performance. Snacks include fruit, granola, protein shakes, nuts, yogurt, and more.

“I use the lounge during the day while studying. At night, the floor watches tv. It’s nice that it’s both academic and used for fun as well.”

— Claire DeMarco ’25

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ACADEMIC COMMONS

THE LEVEE

Located in the DiMennaNyselius Library, the Academic Commons is a technology-rich academic hub for support services.

Geared to ensure student success while at Fairfield, Academic Commons space includes Academic Support & Retention, the Center for Academic Excellence, the ITS Help Desk, the Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab, the Math Center, the Office of Accessibility, and the Writing Center.

Tucked away in the woods on the northeast side of campus, The Levee offers students a downtown restaurant feel, just a quick stroll from their residence halls. The recently renovated facility offers a menu filled with pizza, sandwiches, frozen or on-the-go meals, and grocery store items, in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. A refresh of the interior plays nicely off of the prime location, surrounded by Fairfield’s athletic fields, RecPlex, and Walsh Athletic Center.

7 FREDRICKSON FAMILY INNOVATION LAB Equipped with mobile workstations, seminar rooms, and HDTV screens, this state-of-the-art lab provides students with a physical and digital gathering space for interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and instruction. Established through the generosity of Fairfield alumni Scott and Susan Fredrickson ’82, the lab also hosts workshops and classes throughout the academic year.

8 42 LANGGUTH HALL Home of the Ignatian Leadership Residential College, 42 Langguth Hall opened in fall 2019.

Offering the comforts of home, this residential hall features a spacious and light-filled atrium facing The Quad, expansive meeting spaces, student lounges, and suite-style living arrangements for more than 200 sophomore students.

10 THE QUAD Home to Fairfield’s first-year student residence halls and the Sophomore Residential College program, the Quad is a popular spot for students to get together and engage in the Fairfield community.

From QuadFest, to New England Day, to Fairfield Arts Fest, the Quad is always buzzing with activities and live stage performances. This outdoor space features picnic tables and inviting circles of red and white Adirondack chairs.

11 CAMPION HALL AND JOGUES HALL LOUNGES Located on the Quad, first-year residence halls are a home away from home. In the last few years, Campion and Jogues debuted their newly renovated lounge spaces. With expansive windows, students can study or have a movie night while overlooking F the Quad. l

A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR FAIRFIELD Former Executive Vice President and COO Kevin P. Lawlor ’79, P’21,’19,’17 on the Success of the Strategic Plan

by Alistair Highet

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airfield’s campus has been dramatically modernized over the last few years, and that is the result of a campus master plan that was developed in tandem with the broader strategic plan, “Fairfield 2020: Building a More Sustainable Future,” launched in January of 2014.

For 17 months, more than 200 members of the University community — faculty, students, staff, administrators, and alumni — served on one of 11 task forces examining ways that the University could build a new business model, grow graduate programs, harness technology, lead in pedagogical innovation, and enhance the total student experience, among other goals. The overall management of the process was led by former Executive Vice President and COO Kevin P. Lawlor ’79, P’21,’19,’17, who joined Fairfield after more than 25 years in senior executive roles at United Technologies Corporation. He served the University from 2013 until the summer of 2021.

Changes were crucial, Lawlor said, because the University found itself at a historic inflection point.

“When I joined in 2013 we were still in the shadow of the financial crises of 2008, when

the economy sent a shock wave through higher education,” he said. “That shook everyone up.”

The University would have to be betterprepared for the future — a future that was going to be competitive and demand new academic programs, a more sophisticated financing structure that would enhance the University’s capacity to borrow economically, the introduction and development of new teaching models, a better harness of resources, and more.

“We probably could have written that strategic plan quicker than we did,” he continued. “But it was important to get input and support from the campus community. So we had task forces working on everything from the dining hall, to athletics, to academics. It required a very broad sweep of people working together for quite a long time to make it happen.

“Then on a parallel track, we knew that if we were going to get the growth in enrollment we needed, and the growth in our reputation, we needed to revitalize the campus. There was a tremendous amount of need. But our goal was to make a showplace. And I think we have come a long way with that.”

To be more sustainable, the University was going to have to get a little bigger: “We couldn’t

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continue as just an undergraduate school.

We needed to pay attention to our graduate offerings both online and in-person.” More emphasis was placed on the unique brands of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies.

“They needed to be promoted in their own right. We also knew we needed more scale. We needed to achieve about 4,000 undergraduate students to generate the revenue we would require. So we needed to get bigger and that meant new housing. And we needed some ‘wow’ factor,” he continued. “We needed to be a destination kind of school.”

And so the master plan was put into effect, resulting in new facilities for both the Egan and Dolan Schools, the remodeling of Donnaruma Hall, the construction of the new Barnyard Manor residence, the addition of the Langguth Hall residence, renovations to Jogues and Campion Halls, the complete overhaul of the Barone Campus Center, the refurbishment of laboratories, the creation of Rafferty Stadium, the expansion of the Aloysius P. Kelley Center, and the renovation of the RecPlex — which, Lawlor noted, “was opened the year I graduated in 1979 so, yes, it was time for some changes there” — as well as other new buildings and facilities.

“There was no piece of the University’s operations that we didn’t try to address,” he said.

The extensive planning process and the close relationships formed during the period had an additional benefit: the core working team that implemented the plan was, in large part, called back into action to work efficiently together again when the Covid-19 epidemic took hold. “We had to pivot quickly and successfully” to a University that worked virtually,” Lawlor said. “And we did it.”

Coming back to his alma mater as executive vice president and COO was kind of a dream job in itself, Lawlor said. “In some ways my career until then had prepared me to come and sit in that chair. So it is one of the highlights of my professional career. When I saw all of the talent at Fairfield that was brought to bear — it was one of the most rewarding periods of my life. I’m immensely proud of what we accomplished. I think Fairfield is on a trajectory now that you could only imagine in 2013. I think it was ‘mission accomplished’ in terms of the goal, which was to build a more sustainable F future for the University.” l above :

Students walk outside the Dolan School of Business.

Grants&Gifts

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

School of Engineering The Earl W. & Hildagunda A. Brinkman Private Charitable Foundation has

renewed its generous support with a $72,500 grant towards the School of Engineering’s Mechanical Engineering and Machine Labs.

This award will help enhance the cutting-edge research of faculty members, and enable our students to acquire outstanding mechanical skills as they participate in hands-on projects to solve real-world problems. A portion of the funds will be used for faculty-mentored student research in the Psychology Department (see College of Arts and Sciences section).

Charles F. Dolan School of Business The Smith Richardson Foundation has awarded $20,000 in support of Bloomberg Terminals in the B.E.S.T. (Business Education Simulation and Trading) Classroom, enabling students to stay current in the financial industry.

College of Arts & Sciences The John Templeton Foundation approved

a $234,224 grant to support Islamic Moral Theology in Conversation with the Future: Cultivating Self and Community, a research project that aims to facilitate discussions by leading Muslim scholars and thinkers on Islamic theology and virtue ethics as they relate to some of the most pressing ethical challenges facing the Muslim community globally, such as new developments in science, technology, and culture. Fairfield University’s Martin Nguyen, PhD, professor of religious studies and chair of the Religious Studies Department, will collaborate with Maria Dakake, PhD, associate professor of religious studies at George Mason University.

The Earl W. & Hildagunda A. Brinkman Private Charitable Foundation made a

Common Home (2020), oil on wood, by celebrated artist Cao Jun (b. 1966) was recently donated to the Fairfield University Art Museum by alumni Steven and Kimberly Rockefeller ’85.

$2,500 gift to the Psychology Department to fund faculty-student research. This gift will allow undergraduate students to explore their passions through hands-on research experience that helps to develop essential skills and to make connections between theory and practice.

provided a grant of $15,764 to continue work under the program, A Matter of Balance, which is a national structured group intervention that utilizes a variety of activities to address physical, social, and cognitive factors affecting fear of falling, and teaches fall prevention strategies.

Marion Peckham Egan Scholarships The Maguire Foundation gave an additional School of Nursing & $100,000 as part of their multi-year pledge Health Studies to the University, to enable students from The Helene Fuld Health Trust has

given $315,000 as part of a three-year pledge to support the Accelerated Baccalaureate Program (ABSN) of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies. This gift facilitates efforts to identify and support scholars in the ABSN Program to hone the values, social awareness, and critical thinking skills necessary to becoming nurse leaders ready to improve health outcomes globally.

The Older Americans Act Title III has

Pennsylvania who are academically qualified and demonstrate financial need to benefit from the transformative impact of a Fairfield education and become conscientious leaders.

The Lavelle Fund for the Blind has renewed its support of the Brother Kearney Scholarship Program with a $3,173 grant.

Gifts from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind provide financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students who are legally blind and F demonstrate financial need. l

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REUNION

2020 & 2021 Alumni reunions are a treasured tradition at Fairfield, so when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of not only Reunion 2020, but the June 2021 celebration as well, the University remained committed to welcoming back our alumni as soon as possible. On September 18, alumni who had been eagerly awaiting their reunion for 15 months were finally able to celebrate together, and those in the 2021 reunion classes followed suit two weeks later on October 2.

The celebrations were certainly worth the wait, as alumni came together for Reunion Mass in the Egan Chapel, special toasts in honor of the milestone 25th Reunion classes of 1995 and 1996, and, of course, the Dinner Dance under the big tent on Bellarmine Lawn. The joy that alumni felt at returning to campus and reuniting with friends after so long was contagious, and shared laughter and reminiscences ­— and some amazing dance moves — filled the tent.

“It was really important to us to be able to bring alumni back to campus, rather than moving to a virtual reunion format.

We’re all really glad we were finally able to make it happen and we had so much fun connecting with our alumni in person again,” said Jessica Colligan ’03, director of alumni engagement.

Bobby Bohny ’16, Maura Boyce ’16, Mairin Lane ’16, Nicole Fede ’16, and Anif McDonald ’16 pose for the camera.

To view additional photos, visit www.fairfield.edu/reunionphotos.

The Class of 1990 remains forever true to Fairfield U!

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“WE’RE ALL REALLY GLAD WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND WE HAD SO MUCH FUN CONNECTING WITH OUR ALUMNI IN PERSON AGAIN.” Jessica Colligan ’03, Director of Alumni Engagement

Chris Duignan ’97, Sal Carbonaro ’96, Randy Giraldo ’96, and Sean McConnell ’96 are all smiles at the Dinner Dance.

Alumnae showing their school spirit.

Class of 1975 alumni commemorate their 45th Reunion.

StagMates Christina (Rice) Nappi ’00 and Jeremy Nappi ’00.

Adriana (Perelli) Odice ’86, Barbara Valentine ’86, and Kris Snajder ’86 reconnecting at their 35th Reunion.

Alumnae from the Class of 1995 celebrate their 25th Reunion.

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Alumni NOTES 1960

S H A R E YO U R N E W S

’97 | David DiCerbo founded Destination Backcountry, which celebrated its 10th year in business this October. The largest wilderness adventure outfitter in N.Y., their guides lead hiking, backpacking, and canoeing adventures for groups, families, and organizations for instruction, fun, and/or teambuilding. DiCerbo and his wife Jessica, co-owner, welcomed their first child on June 15, 2021.

’66 | Michael Shea served in the USAF 1968-72, earned his CPA, and worked at the IRS for 24 years.

1970

’70 | John Tinker received a master’s degree in journalism from Penn State in 1972, and in 1982 received a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Tinker retired from Connecticut College in 2011 after 20 years as director of recruiting at the Career Office.

Previously, Tinker worked as an administrator/advisor in the Career Placement Offices at the University of Michigan (8 years) and Yale University (2 years). Prior to that he worked eight years in editing and public relations for two Fortune 500 corporations and a national trade association. Tinker currently spends time playing golf during the season in Connecticut, getting together with friends, and he and his wife babysit their two grandchildren in Boston, work around the house and yard, and spend lots of time corresponding on the internet. ’76 | Mario Carmo served 30 years on active duty in the Marines following graduation in 1976. After Carmo retired from active duty, he spent the following 12 years taking care of his elderly parents in Europe.

Carmo is finally back in “the good ole USA.” He’s looking forward to attending his very first class reunion after 45 years. Go Stags!

1990

2000 StagMates Alison (Farrell) ’09 and Geoff Brzuchalski ’09 are the proud parents of daughter, Emma Eileen, born on July 26, 2021.

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.

1980

’87 | Allison Knapp joined Union Savings Bank as vice president and senior commercial lender. In her role, Knapp will be responsible for developing and handling a variety of commercial real estate and business loan transactions throughout Connecticut and Westchester County. Knapp has over 25 years of experience in business, real estate, construction, and syndicated lending.

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Prior to joining USB, she served as senior vice president and producing team leader at Fairfield County Bank, Fairfield, Conn., as well as senior commercial lender and vice president at Hudson United Bank, Mahwah, N.J. ’88 | Carla (Supersano) Sullivan, P’19 has been appointed the managing director of the Center Stage Theatre in Shelton, Conn.

She will oversee and manage the organization, including strategic planning, fundraising, operations, fiscal management, marketing, and more.

’03 | Rick Briamonte MS’04, joined PowerPlan, Inc. based out of Atlanta, Ga., in April 2021 as a solutions architect, assisting clients, mostly in the regulated utilities industry, with implementation and support of their accounting and tax software systems.

Sarah Courtney has been promoted to chief communications officer at the League of Women Voters of the United States.

’05 | Zachary Freedman was appointed as the O.N. Allen Professor of Soil Microbiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in July 2021. His research explores how soil microbial communities and the ecosystem functions that they mediate (like decomposition) are affected by climate change and agricultural land management as well as interactions with other organisms.

Mary Alice Limperopulos ’13 Homegrown Talent

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by Meredith Guinness MA’16 ary Alice Limperopulos ’13 grew up off North Benson Road, and her grandparents lived off Barlow Road, so it’s no wonder she felt right at home on Fairfield University’s campus.

“I went to basketball camp at Alumni Hall and we used to take walks on campus when I was young,” said Limperopulos, whose mom, Jane (Rehanek) Limperopulos was a member of the Class of 1977. “I was born and raised here and I haven’t left.”

What she didn’t know when she was busy working on her marketing major with a management minor — not to mention her golf swing — was the kind of lasting mark she would make on her hometown.

“ Working at Town Hall, it’s like being a fan and then getting a behind-the-scenes tour; I can share what I love about Fairfield.”

As a longtime sports marketer for three regional universities, Limperopulos is now a marketing coordinator for the town, and one of Fairfield’s savviest cheerleaders.

Though a legacy, she first considered a Fairfield experience when she took up golf shortly before her high school years at Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall in Milford. Looking to hone her burgeoning skills through lessons, her family sought out an instructor who happened to be Len Roberto, the golf coach at Fairfield.

Her love of and success with the game made her take a serious look at four years at

Fairfield. Suddenly, having the opportunity to attend a nationally respected university and compete on a Division I team was within her reach.

While at Fairfield, Limperopulos lived on campus, played on the golf team, and — as a sports enthusiast who loved basketball — was looking for a way to get involved. She went to her first men’s basketball exhibition game in November 2009 as a fan. Soon the first-year student was working as a marketing intern for the Athletics Department.

“I went to that game and I was working at the next one: the men’s basketball regular season home opener,” she said laughing.

“It was a great way to get involved and promote the teams.”

It was a natural fit for Limperopulos.

After graduation, she stayed on, working in sports marketing and promotions before leaving to spend four seasons with Fordham University, as ticket manager and assistant director for marketing.

While still living in the town of Fairfield, Limperopulos enjoyed working on Fordham’s Rose Hill campus, and made frequent trips into Manhattan.

“It was nice to have that opportunity — going in and out of the city and working in the Atlantic 10 [for basketball] and the Patriot League [for football],” she said. “And, it was a likeminded school, still living those Jesuit values, being a man or woman for others.”

From there, Limperopulos served as the assistant director for marketing and fan engagement for Quinnipiac University, adding hockey to the growing list of sports she has promoted. The move brought her back to the same conference as Fairfield, meaning she saw a lot of familiar faces at games and matches.

During her last year at Quinnipiac, in addition to marketing athletic events during the Covid-19 pandemic’s 2020-21 season, Limperopulos also supported the university by working with the quarantine and isolation students through student health services. The

Lifelong resident Limperopulos puts the pro in promotions for the Town of Fairfield.

challenge of hosting athletic events during a pandemic with no spectators gave her an even broader perspective for the creativity and flexibility needed to succeed in marketing.

Looking for something new, she interviewed for a marketing coordinator position in the Community & Economic Development Department in the Town of Fairfield, and was hired. Limperopulos spent her first couple of months on the job gearing up for Fairfield Restaurant Week.

With owners and staff at 28 participating restaurants eager to get back to business after the pandemic, she said she enjoyed the energy and excitement surrounding the event.

“I’m really seeing how my skills from athletics equate with what I’m doing now,” she said. “Season ticketholders have become restaurant owners or local merchants. It’s like getting ready for game day!”

Limperopulos is also working behind the scenes for Experience Fairfield, the town’s website for tourism, and fun things to do and enjoy in Fairfield. Marketing Fairfield is second nature, said Limperopulos, who has a lifetime of experience dining in local restaurants, shopping downtown, and visiting the town’s attractions.

“Working at Town Hall, it’s like being a fan and then getting a behind-the-scenes tour; I can share what I love about Fairfield,” she said. “It’s neat to go to work and work with Fairfield U. in a different way, not only with a vested interest as an employee.”

Now being in town, she proudly cheers on her alma mater as often as she can.

F “And I always see a familiar face.” l

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Alumni NOTES

S H A R E YO U R N E W S

REUNION WEEKEND

Classes of 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017 Save the Date: June 10-12, 2022!

Visit fairfield.edu/reunion for more information.

50TH REUNION WEEKEND Class of 1972, save the date for the “reunion of a lifetime!”

May 20-22, 2022 Visit fairfield.edu/classof1972 for more information.

Make Your Impact All Year Gifts to Fairfield create real opportunities for our students every day.

Scholarships, academic excellence, and research – just to name a few.

Make your gift automatic — monthly or annual — by signing up today.

Visit fairfield.edu/give to learn more.

36 wi n te r 2 0 21 | Fairfie l d Un i ve rs it y M aga z in e

Kilee (Bayne) ’14 and Jay Kycia tied the knot on July 31, 2021.

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.

Marriages Sara Galik ’17, MS’18 and Philip Amarante ’18, MS’19 — July 3, 2021.

Gabrielle Ambrose ’16 and Jack Keneally ’16 — July 24, 2021.

Allison Kopp ’16 and Lev Macht-Greenberg ’16 — May 28, 2021.

Marissa Roballey ’16 and Sean Collins ’16, MS’17 — Sept. 5, 2021.

Shauna Mitchell ’15, MFA’17 and Salvatore Trifilio ’14 — Sept. 4, 2021.

Jeannine (Nocera) ’15 and John Perrotti ’15, MS’16 — June 6, 2020.

Kilee (Bayne) ’14 and Jay Kycia — July 31, 2021.

Carly (Beyar) ’14 and William Zolga Jr. ’15 — June 26, 2021.

Carina D’Amato ’14, MA’16 and Matthew Keenan ’14 — June 24, 2021.

Callan Danielson ’14, MS’15 and Joseph McConville ’14 — Aug. 28, 2021.

Jacqueline Leo ’14, MBA’18 and Michael Yerina MBA’18 — Sept. 11, 2021.

Megan (Montemarano) ’14 and Brandon Bubba ’14 — June 12, 2021.

Kaila (Anderson) ’13 and Doug Freeman ’12 — June 25, 2021.

Taylor DeBolt and Frank Aquino ’13 — Aug. 14, 2021.

Laura Ashley Nawalinski ’12 and Michael Ring ’13 — April 24, 2021.

Lauren (Smith) ’12 and Kevin Manning ’12 — June 12, 2021.

Josianne Llanos ’11 and Anthony Mingolello ’14 — July 1, 2021.

Kathryn Reilly ’11 and Kristopher McIntosh ’13 — Aug. 6, 2021.

Courtney (Taylor) ’10 and Kyle Morris ’10 — March 27, 2021.

Amanda Santaite and Kevin Karl ’00 — Oct. 24, 2020.

Erin (Kent) ’93 and John Fink ’93 — renewed their vows at a 25th anniversary celebration at Fairfield University on June 26, 2021.

Alfred Foglio ’92 London Calling

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by Meredith Guinness MA’16 lfred Foglio ’92 remembers well all of the career advice he received when he was finishing up his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Fairfield: “They said, you can become an actuary, you can go into teaching, you can go back to grad school…”

Like many liberal arts majors before and after him, Foglio proved the options are limitless for a math major armed with a Fairfield education, creativity, and the desire to make a difference.

Close to 30 years after he donned his cap and gown, Foglio, who was a founding partner of the private equity firm GI Partners in Europe and has recently created his own family office, Micota Capital,

Like many liberal arts majors before and after him, Foglio proved the options are limitless for a math major armed with a Fairfield education, creativity, and the desire to make a difference. has built a career of blending vision and business acumen. Most recently, he put together a group of likeminded investors to build and open Yarrow Heights School, a new facility serving up to 60 children with special educational needs, not far from his adoptive home of London, England.

Opened in September, the Southampton school offers an enhanced and extendedday curriculum incorporating technology and individualized therapies for innovative learning and engagement.

Foglio’s interest in children’s services originates from his childhood in Milford, Mass. One of his aunts was adopted, and fostered many children Foglio with two of his three children (l-r) Mila and Nicolo. herself over the years.

“I always grew up thinking it would be for a few years.” around her foster children.

A few years has turned into a few more They were like cousins,” Foglio said. “And than that. Foglio now lives permanently my mother was a nurse for 50 years and my in Notting Hill, London, with his wife sister is also a nurse. That care element was Anita and their three children: Nicolo, 12; in our blood.”

Mila, 9; and Carlo, 3. Anita is originally At Fairfield, Foglio, who had initially from Croatia meaning their children hold fallen in love with the picturesque campus tri-citizenship. “They truly are international and town, found that his interest in his children, hopefully blending the best from studies quickly grew. three cultures!” he joked.

“The teaching staff was fantastic,” said Over the years, Foglio has channeled Foglio, who minored in philosophy. “I fell in his passion into many worthwhile projects, love with Jesuit education — the structure, including building one of the UK’s largest the challenge and well-rounded approach.” behavioral health businesses, The Cambian After graduation, he worked in New York Group. He’s particularly proud of Cambian City at Arthur Andersen before joining because it proved private capital investment CSFB, investing in UK and European assetcan drive innovation and improved quality backed private equity. Next up he joined GI in children’s services.

Partners, where he was a managing partner “I was incredibly fortunate to work with from 2001 through 2019. There, he led the an unbelievable management team with European team and the Health & Social unparalleled dedication and a passion for Care sector focus. improving lives of the children and adults For three years, he also served on the in their care,” he said. “It was a transformainvestment board for the Children’s Services tional professional experience that captured Innovation Programme (CSIP) that was set what I love about being a private equity inup by the UK’s Department for Education vestor and what I believe as an individual.” to act as a catalyst for developing more effecWhile Foglio has made a home in London, tive ways of supporting vulnerable children. he said he enjoys visiting family in Boston, Now at Micota, he has been involved Philadelphia, and Indiana. He hopes his in all aspects of the creation, growth, children will consider colleges in the U.S. as restructuring, scaling and exiting of well as Europe when the time comes. business as an investor, chairman and public Asked what he misses on this side of the company non-executive director.

Atlantic, he mentioned the mindset of the Foglio made the move to Europe in the late American people.

1990s, when a job opportunity offered him “There’s a friendliness, an openness, and the chance for a challenge and a change. positivity in the American soul,” he said.

“I was young and ready for another per“Despite what you hear in the media, it’s sonal and professional challenge,” he said.

F still there.” l “The opportunity was presented at the right time for me and I decided to make a move, Fa i r f i e l d Un i v e r s i t y Mag a z i n e | win ter 2021 37

Alumni NOTES S H A R E YO U R N E W S

Births Michelle (Cote) ’12 and John Canavan ’12 — son, Rowan John, June 28, 2021.

Kristen (Rydberg) ’12 and Alfonso Costagliola ’11 — twin sons, Milo and Levi, Sept. 22, 2020.

Alison (Farrell) ’09 and Geoff Brzuchalski ’09 — daughter, Emma Eileen, July 26, 2021.

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.

IT’S SWEATSHIRT SEASON – GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH AND COZY UP LIKE A STAG! Shop from hundreds of choices of Stag wear and gear at fairfield.edu/store

38 wi n te r 2 0 21 | Fairfie l d Un i ve rs it y M aga z in e

In Memoriam Harold J. Savard Jr. ALND’51 – July 17, 2021 John S. Wooster ’56 – Sept. 3, 2021 George W. Zepko ’57 – Aug. 14, 2021 William J. Gilhuly ’59 – Sept. 20, 2021

Ashley and Timo Stavrou-Wilson ’09 — son, Leonidas, Nov. 16, 2020.

William D. Morrissey ’59 – Aug. 1, 2021

Elis Espinal ’06 and Roberto Martinez — son, Aaron Itzmin Martinez, Sept. 1, 2021.

Ronald J. Bianchi ’64, MA’65 (GSEAP) – July 24, 2021

Melissa and Michael Barber ’05 — son, Wesley John, Aug. 5, 2021.

StagMates Kristen (Rydberg) ’12 and Alfonso Costagliola ’11 welcomed twin sons, Milo and Levi, on Sept. 22, 2020.

Therese (Masiello) ’03 and Daniel London — daughter, Theresa Edith, May 24, 2021.

Lisa Thornell and Henry Andrew Gargiulo III ’05, MBA’09 — daughter, Alice Holly, March 27, 2021.

Jennifer (Stanley) ’04 and James Rustwick — daughter, Lorelai Elizabeth, Aug 6, 2021.

Mary and Peter Macaluso ’03 — daughter, Ella Marie, June 3, 2021.

SHOP

Richard D. Murphy ’66, MA’74 (GSEAP) – July 30, 2021 F. Gerald (Jerry) Fitzpatrick ’67 – Aug. 18, 2021 Kevin C. Kelleher ’77 – July 29, 2021 Edmund A. Grasso ’79 – Aug. 13, 2021 Michael S. Astone ’81 – Sept. 3, 2021 Mary Beth (O’Rourke) Nugent ’82 – Aug. 31, 2021 Willis M. Summers ’82 – Aug. 17, 2021 Judith (Karalis) Grady ’85 – May 29, 2021 John G. Mirabito ’86 – July 10, 2021 John C. Taylor ’88 (BEI) – Aug. 28, 2021 Deborah (Weber) Pine ’95 – Aug. 18, 2021 Daniel F. DiBenedetto ’97 – July 31, 2021 Brent L. Botti ’98 – July 24, 2021 Tara (Vitelli) Ludwig ’00 – July 15, 2021 Brian E. King ’01 – July 29, 2021 Clayton M. Wells ’11 – July 12, 2021 Nicole M. Vengalli-Ferrari ’16 – Sept. 18, 2021

ALUMNI CONNECTION

John and Erin (Kent) Fink ’93 Renewed their Vows at a 25th Anniversary Celebration.

This past June, StagMates Erin (Kent) ’93 and John Fink ’93 threw a Covid-safe 25th wedding anniversary vow renewal ceremony at the Egan Chapel, with an outdoor reception on Bellarmine Lawn.

They’re both in the healthcare profession and decided to “go big” in celebration of the people and good things in their lives. “It was a wonderful time and we have great Fairfield friends,” Erin said. Just as in 1996, their mass in Egan Chapel was celebrated by Rev. James Hayes, S.J., and Rev. Thomas Regan, S.J. They were joined by 150 guests, including the couple’s three children and 36 Stags.

G R A D U AT E S C H O O L S MS’04 | Rick Briamonte ’03 joined PowerPlan, Inc. based out of Atlanta, Ga., in April 2021 as a solutions architect, assisting clients, mostly in the regulated utilities industry, with implementation and support of their accounting and tax software systems.

Marriages Jennifer Morrissey MA’20 and Alexander DaPra MS’19 — July 10, 2021.

Sara Galik ’17, MS’18 and Philip Amarante ’18, MS’19 — July 3, 2021.

Bellarmine Lawn was the setting for the outdoor reception.

Marissa Roballey ’16 and Sean Collins ’16, MS’17 — Sept. 5, 2021.

Shauna Mitchell ’15, MFA’17 and Salvatore Trifilio ’14 — Sept. 4, 2021.

Jeannine (Nocera) ’15 and John Perrotti ’15, MS’16 — June 6, 2020.

Carina D’Amato ’14, MA’16 and Matthew Keenan ’14 — June 24, 2021.

In Memoriam Joseph A. Dinnan MA’60 CAS’67 (GSEAP) – Aug. 26, 2021 Ronald J. Bianchi ’64, MA’65 (GSEAP) – July 24, 2021 Mary J. Flynn MA’68, CAS’72 (GSEAP) – July 20, 2021 Peter K. Gallagher MA’68, CT’68 (GSEAP) – Aug. 19, 2021 Sandra J. Braychak-Metcalfe MA’73 (GSC&PC) – Aug. 2, 2021 Richard D. Murphy ’66, MA’74 (GSEAP) – July 30, 2021 Kathleen (Curry) Bonvouloir MA’76 (GSEAP) – June 12, 2021 John J. Mills MA’78 (GSEAP) – June 26, 2021 Ann (Collins) Mills CT’81 (GSEAP) – Sept. 13, 2021 Sharon A. (White) Davis MA’93 (GSEAP) – Sept. 7, 2021 Camsie (Siemon) Thickett MA’16 (GSEAP) – Aug. 1, 2021

Jacqueline Leo ’14, MBA’18 and Michael Yerina MBA’18 — Sept. 11, 2021.

Stag pride was abundant during the on-campus festivities.

Births Andrea (Cladis) MFA’19 and Matthew Hodge — daughter, Esther Jane, Dec. 31, 2020.

Lisa Thornell and Henry Andrew Gargiulo III ’05, MBA’09 — daughter, Alice Holly, March 27, 2021.

Just as in 1996, the 2021 Mass was celebrated in Egan Chapel.

The Finks called their 25th anniversary celebration a “Re-Wedding.”

Are you a Stagmate? Share your story at fairfield.edu/lovestories Fa i r f i e l d Un i v e r s i t y Mag a z i n e | win ter 2021 39

Donor PROFILE John and Kara (Azzariti) Gally ’00

I

t was practically love at first sight for StagMates John and Kara (Azzariti) Gally ’00. “Kara was one of the first people I met on campus,” John recalled fondly. “We started dating the first semester of our first year at Fairfield.” Now married with three middle school-aged boys and living in Westchester, N.Y., the Gallys affectionately look back on the many memories they made together during their four years at Fairfield.

Kara, an accounting major who worked at Ernst & Young after earning her degree, joined the Stag family because she witnessed the success of her sister Kimberly (Azzariti) Baumstark ’97.

“I knew Fairfield had a strong business program,” Kara shared, “and I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and work in the accounting industry.”

John, an economics major who is currently a managing director at Morgan Stanley, explained that it was the University’s Jesuit traditions that partly inspired him to enroll: “I came to Fairfield because it was a Catholic university, and I was also recruited to play football on our inaugural 1996 varsity team.”

Both Kara and John agree that their academic experiences at Fairfield helped sharpen their critical thinking and social skills.

“My economics class sophomore year with Professor Phil Lane, PhD, was my first exposure to

the topic, and finally school began to click,” John said. “I found direction and knew where I wanted to concentrate. Dr. Lane has been a huge inspiration to me. He made classes come to life and I admired his passion, even if it was directed at the rival Red Sox at times. I could tell he loved his career. I wanted to find that too.”

Outside of the classroom Kara and John also enjoyed many activities. “I loved to help new and prospective students on campus,” Kara said. “I enjoyed leading tours and making incoming students immediately feel welcomed. I was proud of our school and was intent on projecting that energy from the second anyone visited.”

But their time spent together is what really made the Gallys’ Fairfield experience special. “We enjoyed socializing with our friends down at the beach — especially during Clam Jam, and we

40 wi n ter 2021 | Fair fie l d Un i ve rs it y M aga z in e

“When you have such great experiences like we did, you happily want to make those experiences possible for others.” went to Mass together Monday evenings and shared long talks in Regis Hall,” Kara said.

John proposed to Kara at Jennings Beach, and they married at Egan Chapel in 2004.

John and Kara are still motivated by the lessons they learned and the people they met at Fairfield. “When you have such great experiences like we did, you happily want to make those experiences possible for others,” they agreed. This is at the root of why the Gallys remain involved and connected with the University today.

As members of The President’s Circle and contributors to the ARENA 100 campaign in support of the University’s new Arena & Convocation Center, the Gallys proudly support Fairfield.

“We have come back to campus for sporting events or to even grab a t-shirt at the bookstore,” John shared. “The growth and improvements we’ve witnessed first-hand motivate us to stay involved. What is happening on campus is really impressive.

We encourage alumni to come back and see for themselves.

While there are changes, it still feels like home to us. Yes, there are a few new buildings, but it’s the same Fairfield University, with an enhanced experience for the current student.”

Beyond making financial contributions to further Fairfield’s mission in developing men and women for others, John has also provided career development opportunities for Fairfield students. “Fairfield’s configuration allows students the opportunity to get to know each other, build a tight-knit community, and sharpen their social and communication skills,” John noted. “That’s why a Fairfield student is a well-rounded student.”

The Gallys encourage Stags of all classes to give back, if you can. “We appreciate the springboard foundation Fairfield gave us,” said Kara. “If you feel the same, let’s make sure Fairfield University provides that lift for all future Stags. Give a little bit, see how it feels. It’s fun to be a part of something!”

Your Gift Provides True Impact THE FAIRFIELD FUND

2021 is coming to an end, and what a year it has been. We are so thankful for our alumni, parents, and friends, who have supported Fairfield in countless ways as we all navigated new landscapes for our student, faculty, and staff community. Our gratitude is endless and we wanted to take a moment to say: thank you.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to start a research project with Professor Brian Walker, PhD. We were interested in studying whether microplastics could be found in penguins, an area in which Dr. Walker has over 25 years of experience. I am quite fortunate to have been included at the start of a major research project, an opportunity few students ever get the chance to do.”

Gabriel Francisco Rodrigues ’22 Biology major, studying microplastics in penguins

As we approach 2022, we hope you’ll continue that support by making your year-end tax-deductible gift to the Fairfield Fund. Rarely does generosity

have such an immediate impact on the lives of others than through annual gifts to the Fairfield Fund. Your support provides crucial flexibility through the immediate availability of resources to be directed where they are most urgently needed, and allows us to continue the creation of space for innovative, experiential learning while maintaining a focus on developing the whole person.

From career services to financial aid, support like yours has allowed programmatic experiences like Gabriel’s and so many others.

Make your gift to the Fairfield Fund or one of the other incredible areas at fairfield.edu/give.

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