Issuu

P R E S I D E NT’S R E P O RT

Fairfieldmagazine UNIVERSITY

WINTER 2025-26

Wreathed in Winter Photo by Joe Adams

Fairfield’s iconic Stag keeps watch as snow settles softly on a quiet winter campus. On the cover: An aerial view of Fairfield University’s Main Campus, looking north and east from above Bellarmine Hall. Photo by Joe Adams

Fairfield University Magazine Fairfield University Winter 2025-26 | Volume 48 | Number 3 a.m.d.g. Editor, Jeannine (Carolan) Graf ’87, MFA’25 Managing Editor, Jackie Bertolone Assistant Editor, Kiersten Bjork ’21 University News Editor, Susan Cipollaro Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Jennifer Anderson ’97, MBA’02 Designer, Nancy (Gelston) Dobos ’91 Magazine Photographer, Joe Adams Photography by: Joe Adams pages 3, 10, 20, 33, 35-6, 40, 41, 43, 48 Owen Bonaventura page 21 Joe Buglewicz pages 13, 16, 31, 34, 38, Amanda Carroll pages 2, 24-29 Contributed pages 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 23, 39, 44-6, Indi DelRocco pages 18-19 Dunham Photography page 32 Olivia Frzop page 5 GrayPeak Images pages 11, 15 Kristie Kistner pages 14, 41 Dru Martin page 42 Fairfield University Magazine is published four times (November, March, June, September) during the year by Fairfield University. Editorial offices are located at: Fairfield University 1720 Post Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 254-4000 email: magazine@fairfield.edu Printed at Allied Printing Services Manchester, Connecticut

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 1

Contents

“ To continue to fulfill our vision

and serve our community, we must think boldly, adapt faithfully, and lead courageously in a time of extraordinary change.” — M ark R. N e m ec , P h D, President

Innovations in Dining

Authentically Human

by S ara C olab e lla ’08, MA’11

by J ean n i n e (C arolan ) G raf ’87, M FA’25

Alumnus Jay DeGioia ’80 has spent the better part of a decade reimagining Fairfield University’s collegiate dining experience.

Across the University, a thoughtful dialogue is taking shape around AI and the ways it is transforming education, work, and what it means to be human.

From the Tully Dining Commons to campus coffee shops, food trucks, and grab-and-go snack bars, Stags Hospitality offers students a vibrant campus dining scene that has become a national model for how innovative, inclusive, and delicious food can build community.

At Fairfield, the rise of artificial intelligence is more than a technological shift—it’s a shared conversation about purpose and possibility. Students, faculty, and staff are discovering new ways for learning and leadership to flourish in our rapidly changing world.

Pictured above: The Tully Dining Commons is a culinary hub with a marketplace feel and diverse offerings. 2

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

Fairfieldmagazine UN IVE RSIT Y

4 6 10 20

WINTER 2025-26

l e t t e r f ro m t h e p r e s i d e n t

2024-25 f i na n c i a l r e p o rt a y e a r o f f i r st s

New & Noteworthy: 2024-25 st u d e n t l i f e

Chief Advocate for Student Life by K i e rste n B jork ’21

For two decades, Will Johnson, PhD, has served up student success at Fairfield.

aca d e m i c s

Once Upon a STEM

b y A lan B i s bort

36 Stags on a Mission: How Fairfield’s Commitment to Service Adds Up by J acki e B e rtolon e

When it comes to community outreach, the numbers tell an impressive story—but the most powerful impact can’t be measured.

Fairfield researchers are exploring how stories of struggle and success can help underrepresented children see themselves in STEM.

44 a l um n i n ot e s 45 a rt s & m i n d s ca l e n da r 46

d o n o r p ro f i l e

2025-26 t r u st e e s & a d m i n i st r at i o n

Joe ’72 and Gail Berardino

Each year, Fairfield students, faculty, and staff devote tens of thousands of hours to service—strengthening partnerships, uplifting neighbors, and living the Jesuit call to be people for and with others. Pictured above: An engineering student volunteers with kids at Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 3

Letter from the President

Dear Friends,

he strength of Fairfield University lies in both our enduring mission and our evolving endeavor. Each academic year offers a new chapter in a legacy that spans generations—one grounded in Ignatian discernment, animated by intellectual curiosity, and guided as always toward purpose and service. This fall, I reflected at my annual Fairfield First Friday address on how far we have come and, more importantly, where we are called to go. As I shared with the community, the Very Reverend Arturo Sosa, S.J., has noted that a Jesuit University must demonstrate “the ability to be ahead of its time, several steps ahead of the present moment.” That is our opportunity and our obligation. And we approach it from a position of remarkable strength. Fairfield continues to thrive as a valuesbased, student-centric, outcomes-focused institution. The most recent incoming Class of 2029 reflects extraordinary talent and a breadth of experiences, as our approach is resonating more powerfully than ever with students and families across the nation. It is an approach built upon a commitment to instantiating academic excellence, fostering comprehensive achievement, and advancing educational access. INSTANTIATING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | We remain steadfast in our commitment to the liberal arts and to an academic culture defined by curiosity, collaboration, and colleagueship. These values, embodied now in the newly named John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences and throughout our

University, remind us that true education is not confined to any single discipline or method. It is the integration of inquiry across fields, the willingness to wrestle with complexity, and the belief that wisdom is found not only in knowledge, but in community. FOSTERING HUMAN FLOURISHING AND ACHIEVEMENT | Education is also a celebration of the human spirit—through the arts, culture, civic engagement, and athletics. This fall, our campus has been enlivened by conversation and creativity with visits from His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, as well as from distinguished guests Eboo Patel, Thomas Chatterton Williams, Scott Jennings, and Stav Shaffir amongst others. In the months ahead, we welcome the return of documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, columnist David Brooks, and journalist Kaitlan Collins. These varied voices reflect our mission to be a place where dialogue deepens understanding. That same spirit of excellence shines on our athletic pursuits, where our studentathletes represent Fairfield at its very best. This fall, the women’s soccer and field hockey teams earned national Division I Top-25 rankings, following the men’s lacrosse team’s recognition last spring, marking seven national rankings across our programs in just the past five years. Beyond competition, our Stags set high standards in the classroom and in the community as evidenced by all teams posting a GPA of 3.00 or higher and a department-wide GPA of 3.57, while contributing more than 4,000 hours in community service. These students embody the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, striving for the magis in mind, body, and spirit.

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL ACCESS | We are called, as a Jesuit Catholic university, to reach broader populations in ever more innovative ways. Through initiatives such as Fairfield Bellarmine, our two-year associate’s degree program in Bridgeport, we are transforming lives and communities by opening new pathways to higher education. Our Bellarmine project continues apace, enhanced by the newly dedicated Curley Science Center and buoyed by the success of Bellarmine’s inaugural graduating class which had an exceptional graduation rate and now sees 31 students continuing their studies in Fairfield’s four-year program. This initiative stands as a powerful testament to our mission in action. Similarly, the success of our DNP in Nurse Anesthesia program in Austin, Texas, demonstrates how innovation can transcend geography. As we explore new offerings for our online programs as well as potential new geographic locations, we remain guided by a single purpose: to reach even more individuals with the gift of a Fairfield education. Our outreach to welcome more to our community is built upon a desire to help every student across our programs find their calling and pursue it with fulfillment and in service of the greater good. While measuring the long-term impact of an education is not easy, Fairfield ranks exceedingly well in this regard. Georgetown’s Center for Education and the Workforce consistently ranks us in the top 50 among traditional educational providers for ROI and just this past summer, LinkedIn’s first ever college rankings placed Fairfield 28th among all universities in the country for long-term career success. The LinkedIn ranking in

“ We remain steadfast in our commitment to the liberal arts and to an academic culture defined by curiosity, collaboration, and colleagueship.”

above : With trademark focus, President Nemec

cheers for the Stags at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena.

particular is a testament not just to our students and faculty but to the network of relationships, mentorship, and lifelong bonds that define the Fairfield experience. Ours is a community of connection, in which alumni remain not only devoted to their alma mater but to one another, and that is a distinction that has always set Fairfield apart. To continue to fulfill our vision and serve our community, we must think boldly, adapt faithfully, and lead courageously in a time of extraordinary change. The emergence of new technologies, especially artificial

intelligence, invites not fear but rather reflection and a call to ask what it means to be wise, to be virtuous, and to be human, as the pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness remains at the heart of all we do. This call to courage and faith reminds me of St. Ignatius on his pilgrimage to Montserrat. After his leg was shattered in battle, he climbed that mountain in pain, carrying his questions, to lay down his sword and begin anew. When he arrived, the monastery had already stood for 500 years. His journey reminds us that the work we do is not fleeting. It is part of a mission that endures, generation after generation, through the lives we shape and the values we sustain.

As we look toward the year ahead, let us do so with gratitude, confidence, and hope—grateful for what has been achieved, confident in the promise of what is to come, and hopeful for all that we will continue to build together. With very best wishes and utmost gratitude,

M ark R. N e m ec , P h D President

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 5

Fairfield

Financial & Statistical Highlights 2024-2025

OPERATING REVENUES

OPERATING EXPENSES

$518.4M

$467.2M PUBLIC SERVICES

OTHER

STUDENT SVS & ATHLETICS

11%

ENDOWMENT DISTRIBUTION

AUXILIARY SERVICES

12%

CURRENT USE GIFTS/GRANTS 10%

ACADEMIC & INST. SUPPORT

21%

HOUSING & DINING

14%

INSTRUCTION & RESEARCH

26%

GROSS TUITION & FEES

70%

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID

29%

TOTAL NET ASSETS

$ IN MILLIONS

955

$1000

$800

$600

$400 ’ 15

’ 16

’ 17

’ 18

’ 19

’20

’21

’22

’23

’ 25

’24

$ TOTAL ENDOWMENT

503

$ IN MILLIONS

$500

$450

$400

$350

$300 ’ 15

’ 16

’ 17

’ 18

’ 19

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

’20

’21

’22

’23

’24

’25

UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL TRENDS 2025 -26

2020 -21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

4, 272

4, 525

4,689

4,925

5, 348

5,671

774

786

825

857

992

1,490

5,046

5, 311

5, 514

5,782

6, 340

7,161

HEADCOUNT

1,118

1, 256

1, 328

1,436

1,461

1, 513

COMBINED SAT AVER AGE

1264

1307

1310

1313

1, 322

1, 365

HIGH SCHOOL GPA AVER AGE

3.64

3.67

3.75

3.76

3.90

FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT ENROLLMENT (FALL) UNDERGR ADUATE GR ADUATE UNIVERSIT Y TOTAL

ENTERING FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS (FALL)

ADMIT RATE

ADMIT RATE VS. FIRST-YEAR ENROLLMENT

FIRST-YEAR ENROLLMENT

65%

1600

60%

1400

55%

1200

50%

1000

45%

800

40%

600

35%

400

30%

200

25%

0 ’21

’22

’23

’25

’24

2020 -21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

2025 -26

FACULT Y

315

323

338

365

383

403

STAFF

538

546

573

615

666

706

UNIVERSIT Y TOTAL

853

869

909

980

1,049

1,109

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES (FALL)

DEGREES CONFERRED ASSOCIATE’S

BACCAL AUREATE

952

1,064

1,157

1,056

1, 207

MASTER ’S

391

491

511

529

562

POST-MASTER CERTIFICATES

DOCTOR ATE

1,403

1,616

1,736

1,655

1, 898

UNIVERSIT Y TOTAL

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 7

Fairfield momentum # 5,671 25% 28

FAST FACTS

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

1,490

GRADUATE STUDENTS

OUR STUDENT BODY REPRESENTS:

44 50 % 91

STATES (including D.C. and Puerto Rico)

COUNTRIES

CAREER SUCCESS

ACCEPTANCE RATE

BEST CAREER SERVICES Fairfield’s Career Center ranks in the Top 20 Nationally. Princeton Review’s Best 390 Colleges, 2026 Edition

TOP

IN THE NATION

STUDENT RETENTION RATE

Charles F. Dolan School of Business programs rank #14 (T) in Business Analytics, #14 in Finance, #15 in Marketing, # 17 (T) in Accounting, and #17 in Management.

From first to second year

2026 U.S. News & World Report

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

LinkedIn’s “Top Colleges 2025” list highlights institutions with the strongest career outcomes and long-term alumni success. Fairfield placed second only to Yale in Connecticut.

MOST SELECTIVE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN THE NATION

108

BEST SALARIES

2026 Wall Street Journal/ College Pulse

TOP

RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI) AND LONG-TERM VALUE Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce

BEST UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING IN AMERICA 2026 U.S. News & World Report

BEST UNDERGRADUATE NURSING 2026 U.S. News & World Report

Best

2026 BEST COLLEGES IN U.S.

IN THE NORTHEAST 2026 Best Colleges: Region by Region.

Up 35 spots from last year.

Princeton Review

The Wall Street Journal

TOP

PRIVATE NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES Fairfield is #68 among nationally ranked private institutions. 2026 U.S. News & World Report

Top

STUDENT EXPERIENCE Fairfield made a significant leap into the Top 10 list of the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. 2026 Wall Street Journal/ College Pulse

DREAM SCHOOL One of 75 colleges and universities featured in Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You by New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo.

139

NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES

2026 U.S. News & World Report

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 9

A YEAR OF FIRSTS: 2024-25

DOLAN MBA PROGRAM INTRODUCES AI CONCENTRATION In response to a growing need in the workplace for individuals to both understand and apply AI, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business has launched an AI concentration in its Master of Business Administration program. “An MBA in AI bridges the gap between technical AI knowledge and business acumen. It helps data analytics to support strategic decision-making,” said Mousumi Bose Godbole, PhD, associate professor of marketing and director of the MBA program. MBA candidate and Conlisk Scholar Evan Mansfield will be the first Fairfield Dolan graduate with an AI concentration. “I believe an understanding of AI is crucial for students entering the workplace over the next couple of years,” he said.

EdD GRADUATES UPHOLD JESUIT VALUES The first 14 students in the Doctorate in Educational Leadership (EdD) program successfully defended their dissertations and graduated in May 2025. The three-year, online, low-residency EdD program, offered by the School of Education and Human Development, is designed to educate leaders who uphold the Jesuit values of walking with the marginalized and service to humanity. Alyson Panaro, MA’05, EdD’25, a Redding, Conn., public school counselor, reflected on how the program reshaped her understanding of leadership in education: “The program taught me to examine educational systems through a wellness lens—recognizing that student success begins with the well-being of the adults who serve them. My EdD experience taught me to advocate for sustainable, structural supports rather than reactive fixes—to help students not only manage challenges and cope effectively, but also thrive within healthier, more responsive environments.” 10

Leading the Way NEW MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING PROGRAM

his year’s Fairfield University applicant pool will be the first to have the option of choosing to major in mechatronics, thanks to the School of Engineering and Computing’s new Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering program. Mechatronics engineering is an interdisciplinary field that bridges robotics, autonomous systems, internet of things, data science, and other disciplines to support smart manufacturing. The 2025 Connecticut State Manufacturing Strategic Plan identified a need for mechatronics engineering programs to support the automation and digital transformation of the manufacturing sector; Fairfield’s location in the tech-driven ecosystem between Stamford and New Haven makes it ideally positioned for students of the new program to explore opportunities to join the rapidly growing field of robotics and automation in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, and autonomous systems. above : Mechatronics majors will develop the skills needed to design intelligent technologies.

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

DR. HUSSAIN SELECTED FOR ENGAGED SCHOLARS INITIATIVE

SEHD FACULTY MEMBER AND STUDENT PRESENT RESEARCH IN MALTA

Bridget Hussain, PhD, RDN, CDCES, CDN, an assistant professor of public health in the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, was one of 18 scholars chosen this year for Campus Compact’s nationally competitive Engaged Scholars Initiative. The Engaged Scholars Initiative is a one-year leadership and professional development program that supports faculty and staff in strengthening their community-engaged scholarship. Each cohort consists of a diverse group of scholar-practitioners who are equipped to lead pathway-building change at their institutions and in their communities. Members of the 2025-26 cohort were chosen from more than 100 Campus Compact member institutions across 13 states. Each highly qualified scholar has a demonstrated history of effective civic and community-engagement work. Dr. Hussain was selected for the initiative based upon her commitment to transformative change in her community-engaged work. Her current research focuses on food insecurity among university students and integrating universal design into food access.

This summer, School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) graduate student Olivia Henderson and Jocelyn Novella, PhD, LPC, ACS, BC-TMH, an associate professor of counseling education, traveled to Malta to present their research at the International Association for Counseling (IAC) Conference, which brings together counselors, educators, and researchers from around the world to share their research and advance the profession. Henderson’s presentation examined how people emotionally respond to climate change, how they cope with these feelings, and how mental health providers can best support them. Dr. Novella’s presentation explored the challenges of developing an interdisciplinary eating disorder concentration/certificate. Co-authored with assistant professor of social work Julie Berrett-Abebe, PhD, and clinical mental health counseling alumna Michelle Pagnotta, MA’19, LPC, the project builds on work from the “Fairfield Collaborates for a Healthy Connecticut” HRSA grant.

below: Dr. Bridget Hussain, an assistant professor of

public health, will participate in the Engaged Scholars Initiative this year.

DrPH PROGRAM The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies’ Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) online degree program began classes in September 2025. The first of its kind in the state of Connecticut, Fairfield’s DrPH program focuses on advanced public health practice and leadership. The first cohort of students spent the fall semester completing asynchronous online coursework before meeting in Washington, D.C., for the first of three in-person residencies. The next two residencies will be held at Fairfield’s two campuses in Austin, Texas, and Fairfield, Conn.

above : Scarllet Lopez AA’25,’27 gave the student

address at Fairfield Bellarmine’s inaugural Commencement.

EDUCATION CONTINUES FOR FAIRFIELD BELLARMINE GRADUATES This fall, one Fairfield Bellarmine graduate is enrolled in pre-med studies at Stanford University and 31 graduates, including Scarllet Lopez AA’25,’27, have matriculated into bachelor’s degree programs at Fairfield University as members of the Class of 2027. At the inaugural Fairfield Bellarmine Commencement Exercises on May 15, 2025, associate’s degrees were conferred upon 35 members of the Class of 2025. Student Commencement speaker Lopez told her classmates, “We set the standard. And I know deep in my heart that the path we walked will open doors for others—students who once doubted if college was for them, who just needed one more chance to believe they belonged.” Launched in 2023 to serve underrepresented students in the Greater Bridgeport area, Fairfield Bellarmine offers associate’s degrees in business, computer science, health studies, and liberal studies. Featuring a comprehensive support system of academic, financial, and personal development resources, Bellarmine’s innovative model is yielding exceptional outcomes: its 80-percent two-year graduation rate far exceeds Connecticut’s community college three-year graduation rate, which remains below 20 percent.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 11

LINDA HENKEL, PhD, NAMED ELIZABETH DeCAMP MCINERNY CHAIR IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES Fairfield Meditz professor of psychological and brain sciences Linda Henkel, PhD, was recently named the Elizabeth DeCamp McInerny Chair in the Health Sciences. Established in 1979, the McInerny Chair was the first endowed chair established at Fairfield University, funded to support faculty research and facultymentored student research in healthrelated sciences. Dr. Henkel’s research explores how recollection is not a perfect recording of the past but a reconstructive process that influences well-being, social connection, and meaning in life. With the support of the McInerny Chair, she plans to examine how nostalgic objects—such as toys, photos, or even foods from earlier years—can spark memory and strengthen wellbeing. These items, she explained, may help people feel more connected to others and to their own life stories.

SURVIVING THE SHIFT: NEW NURSES FIND STRENGTH IN SHARED EXPERIENCES This semester, young alumni and nursing faculty of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Sciences shared experiences and reflections during a panel discussion with 16 contributors to a new textbook, An Empowering Leadership Guide for Emerging Nurses: Surviving the Shift, edited by Linda Roney, EdD, RN-BC, CPEN, CNE, FAAN, professor of nursing. Topics of discussion ranged from medication errors and deaths to patient advocacy and self-care. But perhaps most importantly, mentorship and support emerged as the overarching themes of the evening. “We can’t get through this without each other,” Dr. Roney told her fellow nurses and future nurses in attendance.

Guided by Mission REMEMBERING BILL EGAN ’67, P’99, GP’28

illiam P. (Bill) Egan ’67, P’99, GP’28, passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2025. He was 80 years old. A pioneer in the field of venture capital and a member of Fairfield’s Board of Trustees from 1988 to 2013, Egan’s stewardship and philanthropy touched nearly every corner of campus: Fairfield Bellarmine, Stags Athletics, the Fairfield University Art Museum, the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola—named in honor of Bill’s parents, John and Marion Egan, and the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, which proudly bears his mother’s name. Egan, who earned his BA in economics from Fairfield, was a devoted Stags fan. The men’s and women’s basketball teams will wear patches on their home uniforms in remembrance of Egan this season, and Mahoney Arena will close each home game with his favorite Frank Sinatra song, “My Way.” above : On Sept. 15, 2024, Bill Egan (far right) attended

the book launch of Success on the Sound in Newport, R.I., with his son Mark Egan ’99, P’28, and his wife, Jackie.

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

Use this QR Code to read Dr. Nemec’s full tribute to Bill Egan:

CURLEY SCIENCE CENTER UNVEILED

YARON AYALON, PhD, NAMED BENNETT CENTER DIRECTOR

On Sept. 12, 2025, Fairfield Bellarmine welcomed students, faculty, and members of the University community to Bellarmine Campus for the unveiling of the Curley Science Center, a modern facility made possible by the generous gift of William and Amy Curley ’83. Bill Curley spoke on behalf of the Curley family and shared what inspired them to make their gift. During a prior visit to Fairfield Bellarmine, he said he and his wife Amy had the opportunity to speak with many students; one in particular left a lasting impression with her words. “We love being here. This is our sanctuary,” she told the Curleys. “This is the place where we take care of each other. Nobody slips through the cracks here at Bellarmine.” As the Curley Science Center sign was unveiled, Bill said, “Amy and I hope the Curley Science Center will provide enrichment and inspiration, not only to Bellarmine students that are here today, but hopefully to their friends, neighbors, and family generations for years to come.”

Continuing the vision of Carl and Dorothy Bennett, the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies promotes learning experiences and awareness about Jewish history, ethical values, and religious observances. Effective Sept. 1, 2025, Yaron Ayalon, PhD, began his new roles as director of the Bennett Center and professor of religious studies. Dr. Ayalon received his bachelor of arts in Middle East history and education from Tel Aviv University and his doctorate in Near Eastern studies from Princeton University. His expertise includes Sephardic Jews, the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East, and Isreal. His interdisciplinary approach to teaching incorporates history, psychology, sociology, climate science, and disaster studies. “I look forward to bringing an innovative approach to the Bennett Center, while also working with University officials to attract more Jewish students to attend Fairfield,” said Dr. Ayalon. “At these tumultuous times, as the atmosphere on so many college campuses is extremely challenging for Jewish students, Fairfield offers a safe and exciting space for rigorous learning, networking, and professional growth.”

below: (l-r) Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J.; Christine Siegel,

PhD; William Curley, MD, and his wife, Samantha Powers; William Curley Jr. ’83; Amy Curley ’83; Emily Curley; Patrick Curley and Meg Sullivan; and President Mark R. Nemec, PhD.

above : Students volunteered at Green Village Initiative,

an urban gardening and farming program with a mission to create a more just food system in Bridgeport, Conn.

FAIRFIELD ON FIRE: 10TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY On Oct. 4, 2025, more than 175 Fairfield students participated in the University’s 10th annual community service day hosted by Campus Ministry. Fairfield on Fire offers students the opportunity to connect with the local community through acts of service. Students signed up with their club, team, residence hall floor, classmates, or individually to spend the day on projects that ranged from gardening at the Green Village Initiative in Bridgeport, to preparing food donations for the Filling in the Blanks initiative and the Black Rock Food Pantry, to visiting with senior citizens at the Sturges Ridge assisted living and memory care facility in Fairfield, to cleaning up a section of 20 bioswales for the City of Bridgeport’s Sustainability Office. “It was great to see students up at 8:45 a.m. on a Saturday, ready and energized to work,” said Katie Byrnes, EdD’25, who helped launch Fairfield on Fire in 2015, noting that this tenth anniversary event marked the largest number of student participants since Covid-19.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 13

SUPAMAN On Nov. 11, the University community experienced the groundbreaking artistry of Supaman—a Native American dancer, rapper, and activist who has redefined contemporary hip-hop by weaving in Indigenous culture, storytelling, and spirituality. In a powerful live performance, Supaman blended traditional drum and flute with modern beats, freestyle, and compelling lyrics that uplifted his audience. Recognized worldwide for his message of hope, resilience, and unity, Supaman has been featured on MTV, TEDx, and NPR, and has earned acclaim for bringing Native identity and contemporary artistry together in a way that speaks to audiences of all ages. below: Supaman—(pronounced “sup-a-man”), also

known as Christian Takes Gun Parrish, is a member of the Apsaalooke Nation (Crow).

Creatively Inspired UNIVERSITY DEBUT OF ARTOLUTION

THE PHILIP I. ELIASOPH OPEN VISIONS FORUM The University’s signature lecture series has been renamed in honor of Special Assistant to the President for Art and Culture Philip I. Eliasoph, PhD, a professor of art history and visual culture, in celebration of his 50th year of teaching at Fairfield. The newly named series kicked off the fall season with a lecture by the Obama administration’s Eboo Patel, PhD, founder of Interfaith America, on Oct. 22, followed by a conversation with CNN political commentator Scott Jennings on Oct. 27. 14

rom Sept. 16 to Dec. 12, 2025, the Center for Social Impact hosted the U.S. university debut of Artolution: Collaborative Public Art by Refugee Communities Worldwide at Fairfield University’s 1720 Post Road campus, in partnership with the Center for Arts & Minds and the Humanities Institute. First unveiled at the United Nations Headquarters on World Refugee Day 2024, the impactful Artolution exhibition brings to light the resilience, creativity, and stories of displaced people across the globe. Created by refugees from Ukraine, Bangladesh, India, Colombia, and beyond, the pieces—rendered on paper and canvas—reflect both the hardship and hope that emerge from lives uprooted by conflict and crisis.

above : Max Frieder, EdD, co-founder and chief creative officer of Artolution, shares insight into the creation and

meaning of a work included in Artolution.

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

AMERICA250: THE PROMISE AND PARADOX

CARDINAL DOLAN RECOUNTS CONCLAVE EXPERIENCE On Sept. 4, 2025, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan joined the Fairfield University community for “Reflections on the Conclave and the New American Pope: Leo XIV.” With humor and a deep understanding of the historical context that brought us to this moment in the life of the Church, Cardinal Dolan recounted the road that led to the election of Robert Prevost, the first American to ever ascend to the papacy. While the finer details of the Papal Conclave remain secret, His Eminence said the daily rhythm included deep prayer, reflection, and many rounds of voting. “The Cardinal managed the difficult feat of being insightful, substantive, and revelatory without violating the secrets of the Conclave,” said Rev. Paul Rourke, S.J., vice president for mission below: Timothy Cardinal Dolan shared his experience

at the Conclave with a sold-out crowd at Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

and ministry. “He placed the election of Leo XIV within the context of his three predecessors and made a compelling case that the Holy Father combines the best elements of all three.”

MUSEUM PROGRAM FOR NEURODIVERGENT ADULTS The Fairfield University Art Museum recently launched a unique program for adults in the community who are neurodivergent, providing opportunities for self-expression and social connection. About 15 students between the ages of 22 and 32 gather with educator Elizabeth Vienneau three times per month in the museum’s classroom to work on an art project. “A lot of the people I work with are nonverbal or they have limited verbal behavior,” said Vienneau, but “they can express themselves through art.” The program has deepened her own appreciation of how the arts can help individuals build confidence and express themselves.

Fairfield’s yearlong suite of programming in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence began in Sept. 2025. As recently written up in The New York Times, the Fairfield University Art Museum’s Stitching Time: The Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project and Give Me Life: CPA Prison Arts Program dual exhibitions (Sept. 12 – Dec. 13, 2025) feature artwork created by currently or formerly incarcerated individuals at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola Prison) and York Correctional Institution in Niantic, Conn., shining a light on those often forgotten by society when discussing the history of the U.S. criminal justice system. Monuments: Commemoration and Controversy, organized by The New York Historical (Sept. 19 – Dec. 20, 2025) explores monuments and their representations in public spaces as flashpoints of fierce debate over national identity, politics, and race that have raged for centuries, revealing how monument-making and monument-breaking have long shaped American life.

above : Johannes Adam Simon Oertel, Pulling Down

the Statue of King George III, New York City, ca.1852–1853, oil on canvas. The New York Historical, Gift of Samuel Verplanck Hoffman, 1925.6. Courtesy of The New York Historical.

For a complete calendar of upcoming arts and cultural programming at Fairfield University, scan this QR code or visit fairfield.edu/arts-and-minds.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 15

FIRST-EVER TEACHER RESILIENCY INSTITUTE In July 2025, Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) launched its inaugural Educator Resiliency and Wellness Institute, a two-day professional development experience centered on caring for the whole educator: body, mind, and spirit. The Institute was designed to support K–12 educators across Connecticut. “Our educators—the backbone of our communities and the architects of childhood—are facing unprecedented burnout. Post-pandemic research shows their exhaustion now surpasses even that of health professionals,” said Evelyn Bilias Lolis M’02, PhD, dean of the School of Education and Human Development.

LARGEST ENGINEERING SUMMER RESEARCH RESIDENCY TO DATE This summer, the School of Engineering and Computing hosted its largest Summer Undergraduate Research Residency to date, with more than 40 innovative projects taking place in labs across campus. Open to both undergraduates and high school students, the eight-week residency allowed students to gain hands-on experience in faculty-mentored research. Students collaborated closely with faculty on topics ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity awareness to biofabrication and robotic vision systems. The program culminated in a Summer Research Symposium where students shared their work through poster presentations. “What’s been especially meaningful to me this summer is seeing more young women actively engaged in engineering research in my lab,” said Dr. Haghbin. “In a field that’s long struggled with gender imbalance, it’s incredibly rewarding to see their growing confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging in a research setting.” 16

Serving Together 2025-26 WALL AWARD RECIPIENT

he Robert E. Wall Award for the 2025–26 academic year was bestowed upon Jie Tao, DSc, an associate professor of business analytics and the director of the AI and Technology Institute in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business. Dr. Tao’s research studies the detection of suicidal ideation in social media through artificial intelligence (AI) tools. His research proposal, “Using Large Language Models (LLMs) for Mental Health Detection and Intervention on Social Media,” was recognized for its innovative use of AI to address a critical societal need with global relevance. The process of choosing the Wall Award by a selection committee comprised of the academic deans and the chair of the Faculty Research Committee is a highlight of each academic year, bringing forward the best of Fairfield University faculty’s essential scholarly work. above : 2025-26 Wall Award recipient Jie Tao, DSc, director of the University’s AI and Technology Institute.

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

GENETICS GLOBAL SCHOLAR: ANITA FERNANDEZ, PHD Anita Fernandez, PhD, associate professor of biology, spent the fall 2025 semester on an assignment to conduct research in Seville, Spain, at the Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD) as a Fulbright Global Scholar. Working alongside fellow scientists, Dr. Fernandez studied a rare, recently discovered genetic syndrome called Nestor-Guillermo Progeria, which causes premature aging in humans. The condition is caused by a defect in a specific gene called baf-1, which is found in both C. elegans and humans. “The researchers in Seville made a C. elegans (a nematode worm) mutant that carries the same mutation in the same gene,” she said. In preparation for her research trip, Dr. Fernandez worked with four Fairfield Meditz students on a fourweek summer project to prepare them to continue conducting research in her Meditz lab during her time in Seville. She continued to mentor them through regular virtual meetings from CABD. below: Dr. Anita Fernandez (center, back) is a Fulbright

Global Scholar studying the rare genetic syndrome called Nestor-Guillermo Progeria.

“People are suffering,” said Dr. Fernandez. “If we can help understand this disease, then we can potentially alleviate their suffering.

“ANXIOUS AMERICA” On Sept. 29, the School of Education and Human Development hosted a Dean’s Dialogue Series panel discussion titled “Anxious America: Mental Health & Healing in the Era of Anxiety.” Led by Dean Evelyn Bilias Lolis M’02, PhD, the community event brought together educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders for a cross-disciplinary conversation on one of the most prevalent issues of our time: the rise of anxiety in American life. Provost Christine Siegel, PhD, opened the evening by citing a statistic from a June 2025 CDC report: 21 percent of children ages 3–17 are diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral condition annually, with anxiety leading the list. Against the backdrop of cultural unrest, pandemic aftershocks, social media saturation, and constant performance pressures, panelists urged the audience to consider not just the numbers but the lived realities behind them.

above: Dr. Akshay Mathur is advising students on a project

for alumni-owned Aquila’s Nest Vineyard in Newtown, Conn.

COMP SCI MAJORS BRING AI INNOVATION TO LOCAL VINEYARD Guided by alumna and entrepreneur Neviana Zhgaba ’11, MS’13, three women majoring in computer science are harnessing AI to tackle real-world business challenges at Aquila’s Nest Vineyard in Newtown, Conn. Akshay Mathur, PhD, assistant professor of computer science in the School of Engineering & Computing, is overseeing the undergraduates’ senior design project with Zhgaba, who owns Aquila’s Nest as well as Windy Hill Estate in New York. For their project, the students— Brooke Kaplan ’27, Christina Collazzo ’26, and Tashfia Ahmed ’26 —are developing a centralized event and vendor management portal with artificial intelligence planning capabilities. Designed to automate scheduling, streamline vendor communications, and forecast staffing and attendance, the platform has the potential to provide a scalable solution for agritourism and hospitality venues. Zhgaba, who studied software engineering at Fairfield, said the partnership represents a meaningful return to her academic roots.

AI MADE SIMPLE Recognizing the general public’s growing need for practical AI guidance, Anca Micu, PhD, senior associate dean and professor of marketing in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, recently published AI Made Simple: Copy and Paste Guides for Everyday Tasks. F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 17

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: 2024-25

EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM

3.57

2024-25 AVERAGE STUDENT-ATHLETE GPA

80% OVER

OF STUDENT-ATHLETES ON DEAN’S LIST IN ONE OR BOTH SEMESTERS

136

STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH 4.0 GPA IN ONE OR BOTH SEMESTERS

MAAC-BEST

TEAMS WITH 1000 APR MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY MEN’S GOLF WOMEN’S GOLF SOFTBALL WOMEN’S SOCCER MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING

100%

ALL 20 VARSITY TEAMS EARNED A 2024-25 GPA OF 3.0 OR HIGHER

Driven to Succeed WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TO STAR IN ALL-ACCESS ESPNU SPECIAL

airfield University Athletics and Sport & Story have announced the debut of an all-access special spotlighting Fairfield University Women’s Basketball. The 30-minute program will premiere on ESPNU during the 2025-26 basketball season, giving fans a unique, behind-thescenes look at one of the nation’s top mid-major programs. The show will feature the individuals and culture that make Fairfield Women’s Basketball special—from Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis’ relationship-based leadership, to the team’s distinctive style of play that has energized the Stags’ rise to national prominence, to the stories of student-athletes excelling in academics and athletics at one of the nation’s leading Jesuit Catholic institutions. Sport & Story will produce the special, capturing authentic, behind-the-scenes stories from both on and off the court.

above : Fairfield University Women’s Basketball Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis is known for her distinct leadership

style that has helped redefine Stags Athletics culture.

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

STAGS COMPETE 2024-25 TEAM RESULTS Earning their second-in-a-row MAAC Commissioner’s Cup, 2024-25 was the Stags’ most successful all-around season.

MEN’S BASKETBALL WELCOMES JAHSON TO THE STAGS In a partnership with Team IMPACT, the Fairfield University Men’s Basketball program has officially signed Jahson (“Juju”) to be a part of the Stags family. Juju, his parents, and his sister Jaiana will join the Stags at games, practices, and other team events. “We are thrilled and honored to have Juju and his family as a part of our team,” said Head Coach Chris Casey. “Our guys really enjoyed interacting with Juju and Jaiana, and we look forward to having their whole family with us throughout the upcoming season and beyond.” Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multiyear program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. below: Jahson (“Juju”) officially signed to the

Fairfield University men’s basketball team, in partnership with Team IMPACT.

WOMEN’S ROWING MAAC CHAMPIONS 1st of 9 at MAAC Championship Varsity 8 wins MAAC Championship First-ever NCAA Championship appearance

BASEBALL MAAC CHAMPIONS 39-19, 21-8 MAAC NCAA Conway Regional MEN’S BASKETBALL 12-20, 8-12 MAAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MAAC CHAMPIONS 28-5, 19-1 MAAC MAAC Regular Season Champions NCAA Lexington Regional MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 8th of 13 at MAAC Championship WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY 9th of 13 at MAAC Championship Individual MAAC Champion (Hannah Snayd ’27) FIELD HOCKEY NEC CHAMPIONS 12-9, 6-2 NEC NCAA First Round MEN’S GOLF MAAC CHAMPIONS 1st of 11 at MAAC Championship Individual MAAC Champion (Tadgh Burke ’28) NCAA Reno Regional WOMEN’S GOLF 6th of 8 at MAAC Championship MEN’S LACROSSE 12-3, 5-2 CAA Nationally ranked for 10 weeks CAA Semifinals WOMEN’S LACROSSE MAAC CHAMPIONS 11-8, 7-1 MAAC NCAA First Round

MEN’S SOCCER 3-9-5, 2-3-3 MAAC WOMEN’S SOCCER MAAC CHAMPIONS 18-3-1, 10-1-1 MAAC MAAC Regular Season Champions NCAA First Round SOFTBALL 26-26, 18-7 MAAC MAAC Semifinals MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING 3 individual MAAC Championships 5-3; 3rd of 9 at MAAC Championship Andrew Cataldo ’27, NCAA Zone Diving qualifier WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING 3 individual MAAC Championships 5-3; 2nd of 12 at MAAC Championship MEN’S TENNIS 9-9, 5-3 MAAC MAAC Quarterfinals WOMEN’S TENNIS 8-14, 6-2 MAAC MAAC Finalist MAAC Masters Champion (Anna Neyestani) VOLLEYBALL MAAC CHAMPIONS 21-12, 17-1 MAAC MAAC Regular Season Champions NCAA First Round

MEN’S ROWING Novice 8 wins silver at Dad Vail Regatta Novice 8 wins first Fairfield gold at Knecht Cup

2024-25 COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS DOUG HOLUB MEN’S GOLF 2025 MAAC Men’s Coach of the Year ANDREW BAXTER MEN’S LACROSSE 2025 CAA Co-Coach of the Year DAVID PATTERSON, PHD MEN’S AND WOMEN’S ROWING 2025 MAAC Coach of the Year

DAVID BARRETT WOMEN’S SOCCER 2024 MAAC Coach of the Year 2024 ECAC Coach of the Year 2024 New England Coach of the Year NANCY SOMERA VOLLEYBALL 2024 MAAC Coach of the Year

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 19

Chief Advocate for Student Life

For two decades, Will Johnson, PhD, has served up student success at Fairfield. by K i e rste n B jork ’21

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

s k any F ai rfi e ld stu de nt who’s ever grabbed lunch at The Tully Dining Commons, and they’ll tell you: when Associate Vice President and Dean of Students William H. Johnson, PhD, walks into the dining hall, the energy changes. Equal parts mentor, cheerleader, and problem-solver, Dean Johnson has spent 20 years shaping the campus life experience at Fairfield—one conversation, one pot of chili, and one student success story at a time. The dean of students role could best be described as chief advocate for student life beyond the classroom. As such, Dean Johnson is best known for fostering a campus environment in which students feel supported, heard, and equipped to thrive. Dean Johnson worked in higher education for six years before joining the Fairfield Admission team as associate director of admission for diversity in 2005. Back then, the Office of Admission was in Bellarmine Hall. “I was in awe,” he said of his first day on the job. “Looking up at that building, I had one of those ‘I made it’ moments.” A lot has changed at Fairfield over the past two decades. “When I started here, we were still receiving mailed applications, written in pen on paper,” he noted. As technologies advanced, applications began arriving in greater numbers from more far-flung places. Dean Johnson moved to the Office of Student Life and witnessed firsthand how the growing student body readily adapted to meet new challenges. “Students are affected by the changing world around them,” he said. “They’ve always been bright, talented, and promising, but now they bring an increased level of sophistication—a sign of the day and age in which they have been raised.”

T h e dean of stu de nts has had a f ront row seat to the surge of co-curricular expansion at Fairfield in recent years. As research programs elevate the educational experience, dozens of new clubs, honor societies, and Left: Dean Johnson has spent 20 years shaping the campus life experience at Fairfield.

“Even in today’s digital age, I would still rather go to The Tully, meet with students in person, attend athletics and club events, and seek those in-person relationships.” W i lliam H. J oh n son , P h D, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Above: Dean Johnson stops for a photo with student volunteers on Move-In Day, 2025. organizations encourage students to explore their passions. “Students continue to take advantage of the University’s emphasis on creativity, innovation, and making this place feel like home,” said Dean Johnson. Performing for Change, a student group that used poetry and performance to communicate social injustices, was a particularly memorable new club addition in 2008. “They brought theatre to campus that was very much tied to our mission,” he said. New ideas have turned into beloved annual traditions during Dean Johnson’s two decades on campus. “The Presidential Ball began right around the time I started at Fairfield,” he recalled. Now a staple of the fall semester, Pres Ball invites students to kick off the academic year and dance the night away on Bellarmine Lawn.

As student life has evolved, so too has the physical campus. “I don’t think we’ve stopped growing, both in terms of physical space and enrollment,” said Dean Johnson, listing the new residence halls, townhouses, and state-ofthe-art business school and nursing and health studies buildings as just a few additions since his arrival in 2005. Asked about highlights of his Fairfield career, Dean Johnson cited the 2007 launch of Academic Immersion, a four-week, highintensity summer program designed to assist students with the transition to college, followed by academic and social programs during the school year that focus on student success and retention. “I’m really proud of the legacy that program has created here at Fairfield,” he said. “It’s a gateway for the campus community to welcome a wider range of students. My hope is that we continue to find ways to provide educational opportunities to people from all different backgrounds.” While the Academic Immersion program has become a hallmark of his tenure, sharing his favorite chili recipe with students via email on the eve of a 2022 snowstorm established the dean’s culinary reputation on campus. Student cooks began posting photos on social media when they made Dean Johnson’s Famous Snow Day Chili—even a group studying abroad in Madrid joined in the fun. Last winter, the dean whipped up a batch of his signature chili at an in-person cooking demonstration with students in The Tully. “The Fairfield University experience is grounded in relationships,” Dean Johnson affirmed. “Even in today’s digital age, I would still rather go to The Tully, meet with students in person, attend athletics and club events, and seek those in-person relationships.” Johnson’s leadership style is rooted in compassion and accompaniment. “No two people who sit in this seat will approach the job the same way—you have to make the role your own,” he said. “I walk with students on their college journey and accompany them even in their hardest moments—especially in those moments. Even the students I have to discipline: I want them to know that I have their best interests in mind. That is the F hallmark of my work here.” l

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 21

Once Upon a STEM Fairfield researchers are exploring how stories of struggle and success can help underrepresented children see themselves in STEM fields. by A lan B i s bort

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

hen A manda H aber , P h D,

arrived at Fairfield University in 2023 as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, she brought with her a passion for early childhood education and storytelling. “I’m interested in how language—what children hear from caregivers at home, from teachers at the day care center or school, or from peers on the playground—shapes early learning,” said Dr. Haber, director of Fairfield’s Child Development and Learning Laboratory. “I want to find out how we can develop new pedagogical approaches to early education and evidence-based interventions that foster the skills that children need to engage with the world today.” One way to find out, Dr. Haber hopes, is a research project she and her students have been conducting in collaboration with Hall Neighborhood House in Bridgeport, Conn., a nonprofit community services provider with an early childhood program that Fairfield University has long supported through the Adrienne Kirby Family Literacy Project. The study is titled, “Exploring the Longitudinal Effects of Scientific Storybooks on Children’s Persistence in STEM.” “Our partnership with Hall Neighborhood House has expanded from a literacy program to having a research component,” said Dr. Haber, who focused the project on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) for two important reasons. “Not only are the skills associated with STEM needed for success in the 21st century, but we want to create a sense of belonging for the children,” she said. “Children of racial and ethnic minoritized groups and girls are underrepresented in STEM studies. By kindergarten, they are already falling behind in STEM achievement, which is why we’re developing interventions during the preschool years. Many children from underrepresented groups do not see themselves belonging to the STEM community or even the conversation.” Despite the project’s scientific approach— data collecting, Excel spreadsheets, coding, and statistical analysis—at the heart of it is the simple act of telling a story to a child. In

“If you can get the child to endorse more of a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset, they may see themselves taking part in the STEM community.” A man da H ab e r , P h D, Assistant Professor, Psychological and Brain Sciences

Above: (l-r) Dr. Amanda Haber with student researchers Katelyn Kramer ’25, Katelyn Bagley ’26, and Morgan Zickendrath ’27 (not shown: Kayleigh Mezick ’26). this case, the story takes the form of STEMthemed storybooks created and monitored by four student lab assistants—Katelyn Bagley ’26, Katelyn Kramer ’25, Kayleigh Mezick ’26, and Morgan Zickendrath ’27. The “books” are short, eight-page biographies of two accomplished women scientists from diverse backgrounds: astronaut Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, and biologist Lydia Villa-Komaroff, a Mexican American with a PhD from MIT. The target audience for the 130-word stories are 36 children, ages three to five, from Hall House’s Early Childhood program, whose parents have consented to their taking part. There’s a plot twist to this story, though. “We use three different versions of each biography,” explained lab assistant Bagley, a senior psychology major who spent an entire

semester developing the storybooks. “We are looking at three different conditions, each represented in a different version we read to the children. The ‘achievement condition’ version highlights nothing but the scientist’s successes in her STEM career. The ‘effort condition’ version tells how the scientist faced struggles and challenges on her way to success. The ‘baseline condition’ version is just about their childhood and family life, with nothing about STEM.” After the storybooks are read to each of the 36 children over a period of three sessions, the kids are asked a few simple questions to gauge their reactions to the story. “They all hear the story three different ways,” said Mezick, a psychology and brain sciences major with a special education minor. “After each reading, we ask a few questions, looking out for words they use that serve as codes to their mindsets.” A fixed mindset, Mezick explained, is one where the child thinks that no matter how hard they try, they won’t get smarter at anything STEM-related. A growth mindset is one that is more engaged and open to such possibilities. “These mindsets impact a child’s willingness to approach a difficult task,” said Dr. Haber. “If you can get the child to endorse more of a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset, they may see themselves taking part in the STEM community. If they’re hearing about scientists making mistakes, they can relate to that. Children think, ‘I’m not going to give up,’ just as Jemison and Villa-Komaroff didn’t give up.” Dr. Haber said that the project would not have been possible without the dedication of her four student assistants, who have presented this research at the Eastern Psychological Association Conference and at Fairfield University’s annual Student Research Symposium. Haber attributes the project’s success to the intellectual curiosity and social awareness cultivated in Fairfield students, and to the University’s broader commitment to inclusive, values-driven research. “Fairfield students are already interested in social engagement and F they are committed to this sort of work.” l

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 23

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

INNOVATIONS IN

Dining Alumnus Jay DeGioia ’80 has spent the better part of a decade reimagining Fairfield University’s collegiate dining experience.

by S ara C o lab e lla ’08, MA’11

t is lunchtime at Fairfield University’s Tully Dining Commons, and the space is buzzing with students, faculty, and staff. The sound of sizzling grills mixes with the talking and laughter of friends waiting in line at the food stations. The air is rich with the smell of spices, garlic, and onions. As hungry diners move from station to station, they study the day’s offerings, debating what to try next. At the Sazón station, students create their own burrito bowls with toppings that range from mojo chicken to carne asada, guacamole, beans, and salsa options. At the omelet station, a chef flips eggs with nimble precision. Nearby, students assemble personalized avocado toast. On the way out, many stop at the dessert station to top off their meal with a warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. This is not your ordinary dining hall. It is a culinary hub with a marketplace feel and diverse offerings, even for those with food allergies—a striking evolution from the campus cafeteria alumni once knew.

left: The Tully Dining Commons offers more

than 15 stations, featuring plenty of glutenfree, vegan, and allergy-friendly options.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 25

“Every decision we make—from what’s on the menu to where we serve it— is about the student experience.” J ay D e G ioia ’80, Director of Aramark’s Stags Hospitality

At the center of this transformation is alumnus Jay DeGioia ’80, director of Aramark’s Stags Hospitality, who has spent the better part of a decade reimagining the collegiate dining experience and on-campus hospitality services at Fairfield. For DeGioia, coming to work feels like coming home. Having shaped dining experiences at James Madison University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Merrimack College, Brandeis University, and Florida State University, he arrived with a vision to make Fairfield’s program as dynamic as its students. “When I was here as a student, it was just the Campus Center cafeteria and the StagHer Inn,” he recalled. “Now, dining at Fairfield is an experience that matches the energy of campus life.” Fairfield’s culinary offerings continue to evolve to meet students’ diverse tastes and dietary needs. The Tully Dining Commons features more than 15 stations, including

gluten-free, vegan, and allergen-sensitive options. On-staff nutritionists collaborate with chefs to craft balanced, flavorful meals, while visiting celebrity chefs like Art Smith bring distinctive menus and professional flair to campus. “We want every student to feel like there’s a place for them here,” DeGioia said. “Whether you’re gluten-free, vegetarian, or just craving something new, we make sure you’re taken care of.” According to DeGioia, the omelet station remains a standout favorite, with chefs cooking up more than 20 crates of eggs daily. They also serve more than 400 pounds of grilled chicken every day. Other top menu picks include avocado toast, chicken parmesan, the salad bar, items from the TexMex station, and smoothies. One of DeGioia’s earliest priorities was broadening the meal plan system to open an unlimited plan to all students. The results

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

speak for themselves: meal swipes are up across campus for the inclusive plan, as students enjoy items from Starbucks, The Levee, Pete’s Coffee, and Sambazon Acai Bowls, in addition to meals at The Tully. Meal exchanges and coffee shop upgrades allow students to move freely between locations, try different options, and discover new favorites. Last year, Fairfield recorded more than one million meal swipes for the first time ever—participation well above the industry standard. This year, that number is tracking 10 to 12 percent higher, a reflection of the program’s growing appeal.

ne of Fairfield’s most beloved dining innovations in recent years is the Food Truck Village, a cluster of mobile dining options parked across from Loyola Hall, complete with a tent and picnic tables. Stags Hospitality operates two trucks and

a rotation of off-campus options, including Zuppardi’s and Liberty Rock Tavern. Initially introduced a few years back as a temporary solution during the dining hall’s full remodel, the food truck concept quickly became a campus favorite. “It started small,” DeGioia said, “but the students loved it so much that it grew. Now we have rotating trucks, including some local family-run businesses that got their start again here after losing their restaurants during Covid. That’s been really rewarding.” In 2024–25, The Tully received 56.4 percent of meal swipes, followed in popularity by The Stag Snack Bar and the Food Truck Village. Thanks to the variety of options and high-quality offerings, David Frassinelli, vice president of facilities and auxiliary services, noted that the number of voluntary meal plans is well above peer institutions. “These are students with kitchens who don’t have to

be on meal plans, but who prefer to eat on campus.” This year, Stags Hospitality has introduced several new initiatives, including a quesadilla station in The Tully, a food truck at Dulles Hall, and a Botrista Boba Tea location. Innovation also extends to technology and sustainability. A robot delivery system that accepts meal swipes, hydroponic gardens, and other pilot programs have offered valuable learning opportunities, even if not every idea is successful. “We’re not afraid to try things,” DeGioia said. “Some work, some don’t. But the key is that we listen to students and keep innovating.” Through composting, waste reduction, and portion-awareness initiatives, the dining team also encourages students to think critically about sustainability and food choices. “We want them to enjoy what they eat,” said DeGioia, “and also understand what it takes to create it.”

far left: Last year, Fairfield recorded more than one million meal swipes for the first time ever. above left: Jay DeGioia is the director of Aramark’s Stags Hospitality and a proud member of Fairfield’s Class of 1980. above : Fairfield chefs keep campus

cuisine fresh with bold new flavors that cater to every taste.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 27

“Our chefs have the freedom to try new things. That flexibility is part of what makes Fairfield’s dining so vibrant.” J ay D e G ioia ’80

qually central to Fairfield’s dining success are the Aramark chefs who bring creativity and expertise to meal planning. “Our chefs have the freedom to try new things,” DeGioia said, which has led recently to popups featuring chefs’ regional cuisines, farmer’s market-style events, and a new smoothie bar, which originated from a student’s suggestion. “That flexibility,” he added, “is part of what makes Fairfield’s dining so vibrant.” Creativity and cooking skills have earned Fairfield’s culinary team recognition on the national stage. Chef Bill Reardon was named the Regional NACUFS (National Association of College and University Food Services) Chef Competition Gold Medalist and National Silver Medalist, while Chef Myles Hamilton earned the Northeast Regional Gold Medal and National Gold Medal for Aramark Culinary Excellence. Chef Reardon’s award-winning dish, a masterfully prepared chicken galantine with

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

winter vegetables and a port wine reduction, also earned him a prestigious American Culinary Federation (ACF) gold medal. “It was an honor to represent Fairfield University at such a prestigious event,” he said. “This win is a testament to the incredible work happening across the University’s dining services.” Stags Hospitality also received Bites of the Year and the Local Restaurant Row Growth Award from Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. And in 2025, Spokin, a food allergy platform that publishes an annual list of the top foodallergy-friendly colleges, ranked Fairfield at #39, highlighting the University’s commitment to inclusive dining experiences. Last spring, Fairfield partnered with renowned chef Art Smith, a two-time James Beard winner, philanthropist, and restauranteur, to launch Varsity Bird, a new and first-in-the-nation concept featuring Smith’s signature Southern-inspired cooking. Serving up fare such as his famous Cluckin’

Hot Chicken Sandwich, Varsity Bird fare is on the menu at The Levee and available from a food truck. What stands out most about Fairfield’s dining transformation is the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose—one that draws heavily on student feedback. Stags Hospitality’s partnership with the University has become a national model for how a university and its dining provider can cocreate meaningful student experiences. “Fairfield gives us the liberty to take care of the students,” DeGioia said. “Every decision we make—from what’s on the menu to where we serve it—is about the student experience.” For DeGioia, dining innovation at Fairfield is also deeply personal. His alma mater has grown, but the sense of community remains the same. “Being an alumnus drives me,” he said. “Fairfield’s students deserve the best, and we’re going to keep trying new things F until they have it.” l

opposite page : The new smoothie station is

a student-inspired addition to The Tully; Executive Chef Joe Dostilio serves up a warm tray of his signature “Chef Joe’s Homemade Bagels.” above : Stags Hospitality hosted a harvest-

themed farmer’s market-style event during the fall semester. left: Chef Myles’s Crispy Pan-Seared Snapper was on the menu in a pop-up event featuring the regional cuisine of Fairfield chefs.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 29

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

AUTHENTICALLY

HUMAN

Across the University, a thoughtful dialogue is taking shape around AI and the ways it is transforming education, work, and what it means to be human. by J ean n i n e (C arolan ) G raf ’87, M FA’25

n the Fairfield Egan simulation lab, the vital signs of an AI-powered manikin “patient” respond in real time to a nursing student’s interventions. Next door in the Bannow Science Center, engineering students decode the logic and data behind an AI decision-making program. Across campus, a humanities seminar debates whether AI can enrich our understanding of what it means to live with purpose. In each of these settings, artificial intelligence is shaping the way our students think and learn—about their world and about themselves. AI has arrived not just as a technology, but as a shared invitation for the entire Fairfield community—students, faculty, and staff—to reflect, to question, and to imagine the possibilities together. Preparing students to “meet the world where it is,” especially when that world defies prediction, is a campus-wide endeavor. Three interconnected dialogues are shaping the path forward: how we teach and learn in an AIdriven landscape, how we work and lead alongside intelligent systems, and how we preserve the essence of what it means to be authentically human. While life in the era of artificial intelligence is evolving faster than any syllabus can capture, Provost Christine Siegel, PhD, holds fast to her belief that Fairfield’s 500-year-old Ignatian pedagogy—which invites students to think critically, reason logically, imagine boldly, and act ethically—offers a steady compass amid the shifting terrain. Addressing the incoming Class of 2029 at Orientation this past June, she said, “I can’t, with confidence, say what the world of work is going to look like in May of 2029, but I can, as chief academic officer, say with confidence that you will be prepared for it.”

“ I CAN’T, WITH CONFIDENCE, SAY WHAT THE WORLD OF WORK IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN MAY OF 2029, BUT I CAN, AS CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER, SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WILL BE PREPARED FOR IT.” — C h ri sti n e S i eg e l , P h D Provost

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 31

ver the past two years, as waves of emerging AI technology have arrived on campus, members of Fairfield’s faculty have greeted the new generative tools with discernment. Eager to learn whether these advancements signal the end of original thinking—or a new beginning for it—professors across the humanities, sciences, and professional schools are experimenting with its uses and inviting students to approach AI through a critical lens: analyze its reasoning, question its assumptions, and

below: A nursing student tends to a

manikin “patient” in the Sim Lab of Fairfield Egan’s Austin, Texas campus.

discover its potential. “One of the biggest hurdles students and professors face is AI literacy,” said Provost Siegel. “Do we know what these tools are and what their benefits and limitations are? By intentionally engaging in learning about AI and fostering dialogue in and out of the classroom, we are able to learn from one another about this transformative technology and its possibilities.” As Fairfield professors explore the place for AI in their classrooms, some are inviting students to critically examine the technology, for example by feeding a writing prompt into AI, critiquing the output, and then rewriting the piece more effectively. Others are encouraging its use to add efficiency or

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

inspire creativity. A Fairfield Dolan student might use AI to simulate a global market scenario, while a philosophy student might use it to assess the logic of an argument. In his film studies class, Professor Jay Rozgonyi, associate vice provost for pedagogical innovation and effectiveness, recently invited his students to engage in “conversations” with a virtual college student from 1925, the era of silent films. When a student asked, “What’s it like to only watch silent films?” the AI-generated conversation partner responded, “Aren’t all films silent?”—a humbling insight into how we seldom see the meaning of our own moment in time. In this present, AI-saturated moment, curiosity and conscience—in equal parts—have

“FACULTY AND STAFF ARE CHALLENGED TO MAKE SURE TECHNOLOGY SERVES OUR HUMANITY, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.” — P au l F ama Vice President of Human Resources

become the hallmarks of Fairfield’s studentcentric approach to understanding the implications of artificial intelligence. “As a Jesuit Catholic university, guiding students to find their voice, develop their whole self, and become a fully flourishing person has always been the most important thing we can teach,” said Provost Siegel. “Our students will leave Fairfield ready to help shape the future of AI. They’ll be the ones asking really intelligent questions, with the recognition that no one person or academic discipline has cornered the market on the answers.”

airfield University is using AI in its operations to optimize efficiency and analyze data— improving everything from facilities maintenance to admission forecasting. Data governance—how we use, secure, and store information—remains central to the University’s operations and values. But, while AI-assisted tools have changed how we do things across our campuses, Paul Fama, vice president of Human Resources, is adamant that it hasn’t changed our purpose. “Faculty and staff are challenged to make sure technology serves our humanity, not the other way around,” he said. “Just like

any other technology that comes into our University workplace, we encourage employees to experiment with AI tools in a safe, ethical, and transparent way.” Those same principles extend to preparing graduates for an unpredictable job market. “Organizations are starting to think about a new metric: the human-agent ratio,” explained Fama, citing a Harvard study that evaluated job performance and concluded that “an individual with AI outperforms a team without AI. But when it comes to the highest quality work, a team with AI outperforms everyone.” “AI is going to be a part of how we work going forward,” Fama concluded, “but it’s not without the need for judgment, expertise, and human intervention. Organizations need to continually find ways to augment productivity, and AI may be part of the answer—but it can’t be the whole answer.” Whatever vocation a Fairfield graduate chooses, entering the workforce with a mindset of adaptability and an openness to continual learning is critical in this fastpaced environment of evolving technology. “Instead of the traditional view of learning as a pyramid—front-loaded early in life and narrowing toward expertise,” noted Fama,

top: A student and professor collaborate

in the AI Lab of the School of Engineering and Computing. above : Vice President of Human Resources

Paul Fama believes that human capacities— emotional intelligence, moral discernment, and ethical reasoning—will always be in demand in the workplace.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 33

“AN AUTHENTIC HUMAN LIFE IS ONE IN WHICH WE STRIVE FOR TRUTH, BEAUTY, AND GOODNESS. AI CAN GENERATE FACTS, BUT IT CANNOT GROW IN WISDOM—BECAUSE WISDOM REQUIRES REFLECTION, AND REFLECTION IS HOW WE FIND MEANING.” — R ev . K evi n O’B ri e n , S.J Executive Director of Fairfield Bellarmine

“we now see it as a series of S-curves: you begin knowing little, gain knowledge rapidly, and then, as that knowledge becomes outdated, you start climbing a new curve.” As far as skills that best serve professionals in an AI-augmented workplace, Fama said that critical thinking is number one. “As more data becomes available from more places, AI is pushing us toward a more interdisciplinary approach—we need a broader lens to analyze information and answer questions in a more complete way, and we need communication skills to help people digest all the information that’s coming at them.” Ultimately, it’s the human capacities— emotional intelligence, moral discernment, and ethical reasoning—that will always be in demand. “When it comes to educating tomorrow’s leaders, I truly believe that ethics is our sweet spot,” said Fama. “Our students are entering workplaces transformed by AI, but they’ll stand out because they understand that it’s people—not programs— that build trust, inspire teams, and imagine new possibilities.”

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

ack at Orientation last June, Provost Siegel announced a yearlong programming initiative to the incoming Class of 2029, titled Authentically Human: Who Are We in the Digital Age? To prepare for the campus dialogue, she asked each first-year student to choose one of three “summer reads” – Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, and I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. After reading their book choice, students were invited to share their vision of what it means to thrive—not just survive—in an AIdriven future, by uploading a two- to threeminute audio reflection. By Move-In Day in August, a remarkable 770 new voices had joined the University-wide conversation. Many responses centered on the idea that being human means “living inside something fragile” and having the capacity to “choose meaning,” “have opinions,” “live with purpose,” and “be vulnerable”—things that AI cannot do. And those capacities, students noted, can only be expressed through connections with others. “I believe the human heart is a combination of how your emotions, personality, memories, your ethics, and your own moral code come together,” said one first-year student. “Humans are so complex,” acknowledged another, “there is no single answer, but love is a vital part of thriving, beyond survival.” above : At Orientation, first-year students

practice the most enduring skill of all—connecting through face-to-face conversation. right: In his everyday interactions with

students, Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., executive director of Fairfield Bellarmine, reflects the Ignatian commitment to presence, care, and accompaniment.

That idea—the distinctly human call to love, to discern, to find meaning—lies at the heart of Jesuit education. Artificial intelligence may excel at processing the what and the how of things, but as Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., executive director and vice provost of Fairfield Bellarmine noted, it cannot answer the why. “That requires a human being who is deeply attentive to reality, deeply reflective, and deeply grateful,” he said. “Someone who can ask: Why does this matter?” Fr. O’Brien described Jesuit education as “paying attention to reality in all its forms, reflecting on what we notice, and responding with love.” In the end, he said, every Jesuit ministry is about “helping us to love better: to love ourselves, to love others, to love

nature, and to love God.” “Because we are created by God,” he continued, “there is in each of us this unfathomable mystery, which is beautiful to behold and exciting to discover.” Delving into that mystery—of who we are and who others are—is part of the joy and the beauty of human living. “An authentic human life,” Fr. O’Brien concluded, “is one in which we strive for truth, beauty, and goodness. AI can generate facts, but it cannot grow in wisdom—because wisdom requires reflection, and reflection is F how we find meaning.” l

To learn more about how Fairfield University is equipping students to thrive in an AI-driven world, please visit fairfield.edu/ai or use this QR Code.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 35

STAGS ON A MISSION: HOW FAIRFIELD’S COMMITMENT TO SERVICE ADDS UP 36

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

45,000+ 95

Hours of Service & Engagement

WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH AT FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY, THE NUMBERS TELL AN IMPRESSIVE STORY— BUT THE MOST POWERFUL IMPACT CAN’T BE MEASURED. by J ac k i e B e rto lo n e

hether lending a hand at local beach clean-ups or engaging in global humanitarian work, Stags are living their mission well beyond campus borders. Across neighborhoods and organizations, Fairfield students, faculty, and staff dedicate tens of thousands of hours each year to serving others through volunteerism, mentorship, and advocacy. The 2024-25 statistics that follow reflect the extraordinary reach of that commitment, while the photographs reveal the heart and humanity of the work.

Local Organizations & Nonprofit Partnerships

208

Free Community Events on Campus Throughout the Year

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 37

5,500 Hours

ATHLETES IN ACTION Fairfield’s student-athletes balance demanding academic and sports schedules while dedicating thousands of hours to our community. Last year, 475 Division I student-athletes gave 4,022 hours of their time in partnership with 17 regional organizations. From reading days at local schools to sports clinics, clean-ups, and beyond, their commitment on and off the field reflects the character, teamwork, and purpose that define the Stag spirit. 622 student participants in 21 club sports volunteered an additional 1,507 hours with 11 local partners. Together, these teammates exemplify what it means to compete with purpose—using their talents not only to win games, but to uplift others and strengthen the community they proudly represent.

“

Being ‘men and women in service to others’ is central to Fairfield’s Jesuit mission and, as such, is an integral commitment for our student-athletes to uphold. Providing opportunities for community engagement is a mutually beneficial endeavor—it is a great point of pride and inspiration for our athletes to give back to the town of Fairfield and the surrounding communities in meaningful ways. PAUL SCHLICKMANN VICE PRESIDENT FOR ATHLETICS

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

CAMPUS MINISTRY OUTREACH Campus Ministry connects students with ongoing and single-experience volunteer opportunities, matching their passions with real community needs. In 2024 alone, more than 4,200 meals were donated to Bridgeport’s Prospect House, continuing a 35-year partnership and contributing to an estimated 150,000 meals served over that time. The Pencil Pals program connects 100 undergraduates each year with 100 young pen pals at Bryant Elementary School in Bridgeport, Conn., fostering literacy and positive relationships.

“

Our third graders love the Pencil Pals partnership! Thanks to Fairfield University volunteers, they’re improving writing and communication skills while building meaningful socialemotional connections. Fairfield students have become role models, encouraging our students to work hard and dream big. VICTORIA EGRI PRINCIPAL, BRYANT ELEMENTARY

”

25,000 Hours

Organizations

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 39

15,000

29 50

Hours

Organizations

Courses

CENTER FOR SOCIAL IMPACT At the heart of the Center for Social Impact’s mission is the belief that students learn most deeply when they engage the world around them—developing the skills and moral responsibility to become agents of positive change. At the Fifth Annual Humanitarian Action Spring Filter Build in April 2025, students rolled up their sleeves and assembled 70 water filtration kits. Over the past five years, the club has raised nearly $25,000 to construct more than 400 water filters, each providing a family with clean water for up to ten years. The initiative serves victims of U.S. floods and hurricanes as well as communities in developing nations. Through several Special Education minor courses, students also partner with local programs that support individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. 109 students from the School of Education and Human Development’s Special Education program worked with 30 local schools and 8 community organizations in Fairfield and Westport.

“

For 20 years, the Center for Social Impact has facilitated partnerships among community members, faculty, staff, and students that have strengthened local capacity, advanced learning, and deepened Fairfield’s role as a trusted collaborator. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our Jesuit commitment to be people for and with others, co-creating a more just and hope-filled world. MELISSA QUAN, EdD DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

SPIRITUAL, HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Fairfield’s Jesuit Catholic mission comes to life through programs that nurture mind, body and spirit. The Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality’s approximately 60 spiritual directors welcomed 626 community members for one-on-one spiritual direction. The two-year Spiritual Director Formation program advanced 16 candidates toward program completion in December 2025. Fairfield’s Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program is ranked #1 in Connecticut by marriagefamilytherapy.org, a leading online resource for the field. The program’s on-campus clinic, the Koslow Center for Marriage and Family Therapy, provided affordable counseling to 55 families, ensuring access to compassionate care regardless of ability to pay.

“

MCIS makes a deep and profound impact in the faith lives of women and men throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport and beyond by offering spiritual direction and spiritual programming to feed the seemingly endless hunger to encounter the living God. REV. DENIS DONOGHUE, S.J. DIRECTOR, MURPHY CENTER FOR IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY

”

550+

Participants

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 41

1,358 Students

Organized Clean-Ups

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

BEACH CLEANUPS Since fall of 2024, students have gathered in the beach area on Sunday mornings with gloves and trash bags in hand, ready to clear debris along the shoreline and neighboring streets. What began decades ago as a grassroots effort among student beach residents has evolved into a cherished Fairfield tradition of stewardship and camaraderie.

“ ”

Love is shown more by deeds than by words. ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

Add it all up, and the equation is clear: thousands of hours, countless lives touched, and one shared mission—to be people for and with others. Learn more about the many ways the University engages with purpose throughout our community in our new 2024–25 Fairfield University Community & Economic Impact Report, highlighting the full scope of our community engagement and economic impact.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 43

Alumni NOTES Marriages

Joseph G. Stumpf ’66 (BEI) – Oct. 18, 2023

Sullivan “Sully” Smith ’12 and Kristen Kennedy – Aug. 30, 2025.

Truman W. Bassett ’67 (BEI) – May 29, 2025

Emily (Haggerty ’16) and Christian Hughes ’16, MS’17 – Sept. 18, 2024. Haleigh Doherty ’18 and Pat Loftus – May 31, 2025. Maeve Ward ’18 and Riley Leder – Sept. 27, 2025. Rachel (Landry ’21) and Ian Nelson ’20 – May, 25, 2025.

Births Michael Csorba ’09 and Ashley Csorba – daughter, Eliza Csorba, Nov. 21, 2024. Rachel (Baroody) Thomson ’15 and Derek Thomson – daughter, Sloane Mia, April 3, 2025. Megan (Montemarano ’14) and Brandon Bubba ’14 – daughter, Brynn Margaret, Sept. 10, 2025.

In Memoriam Patsy S. Pagliarulo ’54, MA’56, CT’63 – May 3, 2025 Andrew J. Broughel ’60 – April 28, 2025 Robert L. Garofalo ’61, MA’64, CT’71 – March 18, 2025 Theodore G. Baldyga ’62 – May 14, 2025 Richard C. DeAngelis Sr. ’63, MA’67 – May 29, 2025 Thomas F. Fitzpatrick ’64 – April 9, 2025 Dennis B. Mattison ’64 (BEI) – April 14, 2025 Lawrence I. Wagner ’65 – May 25, 2025 William M. Pintauro ’66 – May 22, 2025 44

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

William P. Egan ’67 – Sept. 13, 2025 Michael B. Parent ’67 – May 7, 2025 Howard E. Emond Jr. ’69 – April 8, 2025 Jay C. Lyons ’72 – March 31, 2025 Paul O’Connor ’72 – March 17, 2025 Dolores M. Galen ’73 – June 12, 2025 Ernest A. Gardella III ’73 – May 16, 2025 Richard R. Metz ’73 – June 23, 2025 Mark E. Matto ’74 – May 5, 2025 John J. Pulaski ’74 – April 13, 2025

Michae l Csorba ’09 and Ashley Csorba welcomed their daughter, Eliza, on November 21, 2024. Share your news! Married? Moved? New Job? New Baby? Big News? Share your Class Note or Contact Update by scanning this QR Code to access the form or going to fairfield.edu/AlumniNotes We’d love to hear from you!

Stephen V. Caruso ’75 – June 22, 2025 L. Matthew Arens ’77 – May 27, 2025 Peter J. Fett ’78 – March 17, 2025

G R A D U AT E S C H O O L S

In Memoriam

Sr. Marita Charley, O.P., MA’69 – May 30, 2025

Edward I. Dolny MA’55 – June 26, 2025

Nancy J. (Raphael) Martin MA’75 – April 14, 2025

Patsy S. Pagliarulo ’54, MA’56, CT’63 – May 3, 2025

Margaret E. (Fahey) Annett MA’76 – April 26, 2025

Anthony A. Costa Jr. CT’61 – May 16, 2025

Ann Marie Hannon CT’76 – April 8, 2025

Patrick J. McGlynn ’88 – May 30, 2025

Robert L. Garofalo ’61, MA’64, CT’71 – March 18, 2025

Sr. Virginia B. O’Brien, S.U., MA’82 – March 30, 2025

Mary B. (Dannaher) Robb ’88 – Dec. 27, 2024

Patricia (Dunigan) Silberblatt MA’64 – March 21, 2025

Beverly J. Coker MS’84 – April 13, 2025

Donna L. Viselli ’90 – March 26, 2025

Helen (Riccio) Gallucci MA’66 – June 21, 2025

Mary C. (Hudson) Henwood MA’84, CT’85 – June 12, 2025

Anne E. (Zaharek) Murray ’92 – April 18, 2025

Raymond C. Knox Sr. MA’66 – June 28, 2025

Christen A. (Fantasia) Hedge MA’95 – June 17, 2025

James M. Dean ’03 – May 10, 2025

Richard C. DeAngelis Sr. ’63, MA’67 – May 29, 2025

Don O. Noel Jr. MFA’13 – June 30, 2025

Paul B. McLaughlin ’78 – March 4, 2025 Liam S. McTeague ’83 – March 23, 2025 Paul F. Rinaldi ’83 – April 18, 2025 John E. Ryan ’83 – April 23, 2025

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

WINTER 2025-26

Fairfield University Alumni Association fairfield.edu/alumni | 203-254-4280 Email us at alumni@fairfield.edu Fairfield Awards Dinner Cipriani 42nd Street

Global Theatre Performance Series Cheryl Wiesenfeld, curator Ron Jenkins, playwright and director

Fairfield University Theatre Program

FRI., FEB. 6 | 7 P.M.

THURS., FEB. 26 - SAT., FEB. 28

Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation Eddie Glaude Jr., PhD

Fairfield University Glee Club

WED., FEB. 11 | 6 P.M.

Independent Project tick, tick… BOOM!

“Let Us Move Along Together” Concert FRI., FEB. 27 | 6 P.M.

WED., APRIL 15 | 6 P.M.

BODYTRAFFIC

Quick Center for the Arts

Minty Fresh Circus by Monique Martin

quickcenter.com | 203-254-4010 Follow us! @FairfieldQuick

SUN., FEB. 22 | 7 P.M.

fairfield.edu/cs

Eileen Ivers and the Universal Roots

National Theatre Live Life of Pi

SUN., MARCH 1 | 3 P.M.

The 2026 Bellarmine Lecture Tania Tetlow, JD

MON., JAN. 26 | 7 P.M.

Inspired Writers Series George Packer TUES., JAN. 27 | 7:30 P.M.

FRI., FEB. 20 | 8 P.M.

Orchestra Lumos American Gems

THURS., JAN. 29 | 7:30 P.M.

The Met: Live in HD

Bill’s 44th

I Puritani (Bellini)

SUN., FEB. 1 | 4 P.M.

20th Anniversary of the Center for Social Impact Kim Daniels, PhD

TUES., MARCH 3 | 8 P.M.

SUN., MARCH 8 | 3 P.M.

DRUM TAO The Best

WED., JAN. 28 | 7 P.M.

Manuel Roque bang bang

Film Screening and Panel Discussion Reclaim the Flag (2025)

FRI., JAN. 30 | 7:30 P.M. SAT., JAN. 31 | 2 P.M. & 7:30 P.M.

Center for Catholic Studies

TUES., MARCH 3 | 7 P.M.

Bennett Center for Judaic Studies fairfield.edu/bennett

SAT., JAN. 10 | 1 P.M. (LIVE), 12 P.M. PRE-SCREENING TALK

Philip I. Eliasoph Open VISIONS Forum: Espresso Elizabeth Weitzman

The Inaugural Diane Feigenson Lectureship in Jewish Literature Ashley Walters, PhD THURS., FEB. 19 | 7:30 P.M.

Pamela Nadell, PhD THURS., MARCH 5 | 7:30 P.M.

WED., FEB. 25 | 7:30 P.M.

David Brooks

Philip I. Eliasoph Open VISIONS Forum Kaitlan Collins SUN., JAN. 25 | 3 P.M.

Ken Burns TUES., FEB. 3 | 7:30 P.M.

Scott Rothkopf MON., FEB. 9 | 7:30 P.M.

Elaine Pagels, PhD TUES., FEB. 17 | 7:30 P.M.

DRUM TAO

SUN., MARCH 29 | 3:00 P.M.

Fairfield University Art Museum fairfield.edu/museum | 203-254-4046 Email us at museum@fairfield.edu For Which It Stands… Bellarmine Hall Galleries & Walsh Gallery JAN. 23 – JULY 25

Jim Sciutto MON., FEB. 23 | 7:30 P.M.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 45

Donor PROFILE Joe ’72 an d G ai l B e rardi no: Advanci ng Commu n ity an d S cholars h i p

oe Berardino ’72 came to Fairfield University for two clear reasons: he was drawn to Jesuit Catholic higher education and the accounting program’s outstanding reputation. “It was a good decision,” he said. “It was a time of growth.”

As a student, Joe didn’t just excel academically—he immersed himself in campus life and leadership. “I learned the discipline of how to think,” he said. “It was a great opportunity to learn how to organize work, lead others, and give back.” After earning his BS in accounting, Joe built a distinguished career, ultimately becoming chief executive of Andersen Worldwide. Joe and Gail have been married for 48 years. They raised two daughters in Greenwich, Conn., and now reside in North Palm Beach, Fla. Joe remains professionally active, continuing his career with Alvarez & Marsal in West Palm Beach. The Berardinos’ service to the University has been extraordinary. In Joe’s 18 years on the Board of Trustees, he chaired the finance and advancement committees, and he was a long-serving member of the executive committee. A supporter of multiple capital campaigns, he has also served on 46

the President’s Roundtable. Gail has served more than 10 years on the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies advisory board, mentoring students and supporting real-world learning. One of the couple’s most meaningful traditions of giving back began when she and Joe started awarding scholarships to two Fairfield Egan juniors to join them on the annual Order of Malta Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, to assist in caring for the sick. Gail noted that the pilgrimage also offers “an opportunity for the students to reflect on how and where they will use their nursing skills after graduation.” Such engagement reflects Joe’s philosophy of philanthropy and their shared commitment to Jesuit Catholic values. “We talk about time, talent, and treasure,” said Joe. “We’d like to think we’ve done a little bit of all the above.” Their giving has been both generous and strategic. The Berardinos have supported

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

“These students, when you invest behind them, whether it’s your time or your money, you can see them feel much more confident.” — J oe B e rardi no ’72

the Men’s and Women’s Golf Program, the Walsh Athletic Center, the Fairfield Awards Dinner Scholarship Fund, and the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality—for which Joe chaired the 2018 fundraising dinner. In 2000, they established the Joseph F. ’72 and Gail T. Berardino Scholarship and are longtime members of the President’s Circle and Bellarmine Society. While serving as president of the Alumni Association in the late 1990s, Joe helped transform the Fairfield Awards Dinner into a signature scholarship event celebrating those who make a meaningful impact on campus. Joe emphasized that scholarship support sends a clear message to students: “You are important and we’re happy to invest behind you.” The Berardino’s philanthropy

focuses on impact that is deeply personal. Their scholarship endowment fund provides need-based aid to finance and accounting majors in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business. Most recently, they expanded their commitment to include Fairfield Bellarmine students continuing toward a nursing degree. “Let’s get behind students who want to make a career in finance and accounting, and give them a chance to really be great,” Joe said. “But just as impactful is helping people who want to care for others through nursing.” For the Berardinos’, philanthropy means making thoughtful investments of time, talent, and treasure to help students thrive. “Everyone can find a way to contribute,” Joe noted. “We all have different motivations, experiences, and means. Just pick one.”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 CIPRIANI 42 ND STREET BENEFITING SCHOLARSHIPS AT FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

he Fairfield Awards Dinner is the University’s premier fundraising event, offering vital scholarship support to students. Since 1988, the Fairfield Awards Dinner has raised more than $24 million for scholarships to help students realize their full potential through a Fairfield education, regardless of economic or social barriers. The Awards Dinner also honors the achievements and volunteer service of alumni, parents, faculty, and staff.

Learn more about the Fairfield Awards Dinner and how you can impact students’ lives at fairfield.edu/awardsdinner or by scanning the QR code. For table sponsorships or ticket information, contact Carolyn Garibaldi at 203-254-4000, ext. 2174 or cgaribaldi@fairfield.edu.

F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e | w i n t e r 2025-26 47

Fairfield BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2025-2026 Chair

Sheila Kearney Davidson ’83 Chief Legal & Administrative Officer Retired New York Life Insurance Company Vice Chair

Brian P. Hull ’80, P’13 Executive Vice Chairman, Americas UBS Nancy A. Altobello ’80 Global Vice Chair, Retired Ernst & Young

Peter M. Harding, P’26 President Lindenmeyr Central

Christopher C. Quick ’79 Vice Chairman, Retired Bank of America

Steven Gstalder, EdD Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services

Kathleen Rafferty Hay ’03 President & CFO Blue Trails Properties, LLC

Rosellen Walsh Schnurr ’74 Educator, Retired

William H. Johnson, PhD Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life

Rev. Gregory A. Kalscheur, S.J. Dean, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences Boston College

Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. President Emeritus

Dagan T. Kasavana ’99 Founder & CEO Phoenix Tower International

Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. President Emeritus

Rev. Gerald Blaszczak, S.J. Eastern Point Retreat House

Matthew C. Kramer ’96, P’28 President & CEO Ascot Insurance U.S.

Maureen Errity Bujno ’90 Managing Director Deloitte & Touche LLP

Clinton A. Lewis Jr. ’88 CEO AgroFresh Solutions

Jorge A. Chiluisa ’89, MBA’06, P’21,’20,’19 Financial Services Executive, Retired

Shelagh Mahoney-McNamee ’87, P’26,’25,’22,’18 President and CEO Eastern Salt Company

Mary Ryan Cunningham ’76 Hugh Davis ’95 Co-founder & Managing Partner ACKWEST Group Christopher C. Desmarais ’93 Managing Director Gabelli Asset Management Inc. Rev. Christopher J. Devron, S.J. President Regis High School Mark P. Egan ’99, P’28 Founder & Managing Partner Marion Equity Partners Thomas J. Fanning Sr. ’78, P’10,’06 Founder & Managing Partner Heritage Strategies, LLC Co-Founder and Co-Managing Member TriState Q.S.R. LLC Lisa M. Ferraro ’85, P’22 Attorney, Retired Patricia E. Glassford ’85 Vice President and CFO, Retired GE Rev. Gregory M. Goethals, S.J. Douglas W. Hammond ’86 CEO NFP, an Aon Company 48

Trustees & Administration 2025-2026

Andrew J. McMahon ’89, P’19,’13 Chairman & Chief Executive Officer The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America John Charles Meditz ’70 Managing Director & Co-Founder Horizon-Kinetics Holding Corporation Elner L. Morrell ’81, MFA’18, P’03 Director, Enterprise Clinical Architecture Optum Technology UnitedHealth Group Robert J. Murphy Jr. ’71 Vice President ABC News Mark R. Nemec, PhD President Fairfield University Phillip J. Neugebauer ’91 Executive Vice President PIMCO Rev. Mario M. Powell, S.J. Provincial Assistant for Secondary and Pre-Secondary Education USA East Province of the Society of Jesus

w i n t e r 2025-26 | F a i r f i e l d U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e

Trustees Emeriti

Roger M. Lynch ’63, P’95

Zhan Li, DBA Dean, Charles F. Dolan School of Business Mark Ligas, PhD, P’26,’24,’21 Vice Provost, Undergraduate Excellence

Marianne Dolan Weber, P’16

Christina S. McGowan Dean of Library, and University Librarian

SENIOR LEADERSHIP 2025-2026

Mark R. Nemec, PhD President

Jennifer Anderson ’97, MBA’02 Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J. Vice Provost & Executive Director, Fairfield Bellarmine

Evelyn Bilias Lolis MA’02, PhD Dean, School of Education and Human Development

Walter P. Rankin, PhD Vice Provost for Graduate, Continuing, and Professional Studies

Patricia Simino Boyce, PhD Dean, Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Rev. Paul Rourke, S.J. Vice President, Mission and Ministry

Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD, P’24 Dean, School of Engineering and Computing Christian J. Cashman President, Fairfield College Preparatory School Geri Derbyshire MPA’24 Vice President, Advancement Karen A. Donoghue ’03, EdD Vice President, Student Life Philip I. Eliasoph, PhD Special Assistant to the President for Arts and Culture Paul C. Fama Vice President, Human Resources David W. Frassinelli MS’92 Vice President, Facilities, Campus and Auxiliary Services Richard A. Greenwald, PhD Dean, John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences

Don C. Sawyer III, PhD Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Paul Schlickmann Vice President, Athletics Rob Schnieders EdD’25 Vice President, Strategic Initiatives Rachel Schwartzman, JD University Counsel Christine Siegel, PhD Provost Michael Trafecante MBA’01, P’26,’25,’22,’21,’19 Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer Corry D. Unis Vice President, Strategic Enrollment Management JoAnne P. Williams, JD Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration

Fairfieldmagazine UNIVERSITY

WINTER 2025-26

1073 North Benson Road Fairfield, Connecticut 06824-5195 Address Service Requested

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Hartford, CT Permit No. 1382

Fairfield University Magazine - Winter 2025