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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. l F
FAIRFIELD RANKED AMONG NATION’S BEST BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
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
each ranking factor. l F
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, fifthyear, or graduate program. l F
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 benefit the University. l F
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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 Catholic Center in summer 2022. l F
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 in-
person audience as well as streamed virtually. l F
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 student life. l F
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.
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 Hospitality. l F
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 President Barack Obama. l F
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
society. l F
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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 the State of Connecticut. l F
Mark R. Nemec, PhD, University President
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 nursing profession can bestow. l F
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,
which represents 10 percent. l F
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 Kennedy School. l F
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.
The Toole Family
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
software, and more. l F
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 PursueCare. l F
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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
Fairfield University. l F
Humanitarian action provides emergency support to people affected by climate-related disasters such as floods.
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 range of issues related to nurse workforce, nurse supply, education, and
practice improvement. l F
Meredith Wallace Kazer
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 others. l F
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 childhood trauma, and more. l F
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 their peers. l F
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
bestseller upon its 2019 release. l F
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 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 Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03). l F
