Fairfield University Magazine - Summer 2025

The Man Behind Meditz College

Fairfield University’s College of Arts and Sciences will be renamed the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences.

Excellence in Research

by Joe Buglewicz

The 2025 Student Research Symposium featured the scholarly work of more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students.

On the cover:

University Trustee John C. Meditz ’70 recently made a $50 million gift to Fairfield; it is the largest single donation by an individual in the history of the University.

by Joe Adams

Fairfield University Magazine

Fairfield University

Summer 2025 | Volume 48| Number 1

a M d g

Editor, Jeannine (Carolan) Graf ’87, MFA’25

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 2, 3, 5, 8, 19, 20, 30, 31, 35

Owen Bonaventura: page 32

Joe Buglewicz: pages 6, 7

Olivia Frzop: pages 2, 12, 13, 22, 24, 25

David Gray/Graypeak Images: page 9

Jason Kapell: page 30

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference: page 13

Todd Owyoung: pages 14, 15

Kathy Saracino: page 10

Stephen Sorokoff: page 5

Larry St. Pierre: page 21

Joe Vericker: page 27, 37

Cortney Wood: page 7

Contributed: pages 9, 16, 17, 21, 33, 34, 38

University Archives: pages 28, 29

Fairfield University Magazine is published four times (November, March, June, September) during the year by Fairfield University. Editorial offices are located in: Fairfield University

1720 Post Road, Fairfield CT 06824

(203) 254-4000

Email: magazine@fairfield.edu

Printed at Allied Printing Services Manchester, Connecticut

Photo

Photo

Contents

“Coach Carly is building an elite program and an enviable model that is about people, process, and a deep-rooted sense of integrity.”

18

Veteran Writers

Military veterans broaden and enrich the storytelling landscape of Fairfield’s MFA in Creative Writing program.

U.S. Army veteran Reed Kuehn, MD, MFA’25, Marine Corps veteran Emilio Ramos MFA’24, and Air Force veteran Barbara Lee MFA’25, are just a few of the recent graduates with military backgrounds who have elevated Fairfield’s Master of Fine Arts program while developing their craft and finding their creative writing voices.

22

All In

With a contract extension through the 203031 season, Head Coach Carly ThibaultDuDonis is committed to competing and winning — at Fairfield.

In three short years, “Coach Carly” has led the Fairfield University Women’s Basketball program to two Regular Season Championships, back-to-back MAAC Championships, and a pair of trips to the NCAA postseason.

Pictured above: Carly Thibault-DuDonis is the third head coach in the Division I history of the Fairfield University Women’s Basketball program.

Pictured above: The low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program gathers at Enders Island, off the coast of Mystic, Conn., for ten-day residencies each semester.

chlic KM ann , Vice President for Athletics

Fairfieldmagazine

The Man Behind Meditz College

by

J eannine

( c arolan ) g ra F ’87, MFa’25

Fairfield University’s College of Arts and Sciences will be renamed the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1. Meet the man behind the new name.

A member of the Class of 1970, John Charles Meditz’s gifts to Fairfield University over the decades have totaled more than $75 million and have touched every aspect of student life.

Pictured above: John Meditz ’70 is a champion of Fairfield’s broad-based Jesuit

Two Stags turned late-night dreams into careers at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

co MMU nity Local Advantage

Meredith gU inness Ma’16

When local businesses and Fairfield Dolan students connect, the benefit is mutual.

Nicholas Mercadante ’04

Mission-Driven Approach

Celine King ’23

Gilroy ’14 and Luigi DiMeglio ’14

“At Fairfield University, we take this Tocquevillian obligation exceedingly seriously. We are a civic institution, rooted in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition…”

Letter from the President

Dear Friends,

Each season at Fairfield engenders a renewed sense of purpose — and none more so than spring, when we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating students. Following joyful Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2025, we pause to reaffirm who we are and why we do what we do, as we look ahead to the transformative work yet to be done.

Send your letters to the editor of Fairfield University Magazine to Jeannine Graf at jeannine.graf@fairfield.edu.

Your news could be featured in an upcoming issue of Fairfield University Magazine! Submit your updates through Class Notes within the Online Community and don’t forget to include a photo! Go to fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity.

Throughout this semester, we as a university have been actively engaged in our civic mission. Personally, I have travelled to Washington, D.C., several times — speaking to the American Council of Education and academic innovators from around the world at Georgetown University, as well as meeting with elected officials and convening with advocates for higher education. In all of these meetings I have drawn upon my academic work and invoked Alexis de Tocqueville, the mid-19th century French political philosopher whose two-volume Democracy in America remains one of the most compelling treatises on the American experiment. Tocqueville observed that America’s exceptionalism — its strength and enduring promise — did not derive from its elected officials. Rather, it came from the vibrancy of its civic institutions: its schools, its churches, and its voluntary associations.

At Fairfield University, we take this Tocquevillian obligation exceedingly seriously. We are a civic institution, rooted in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition, dedicated to forming men and women for and with others — as children of God, in service of the greater good. And we do so not just through education in the classroom, but by engaging fully in the economic, cultural, and spiritual life of our community.

Fairfield is positioned as a national university of prominence — attracting, educating, and

sending forth leaders, prepared to think critically, communicate thoughtfully, and accompany all they meet with a spirit of encounter and humility. We continue to draw remarkably talented young people to our community. In this year’s admission cycle we received 21,290 applications, a 15 percent increase from last year and a remarkable 38 percent increase over the past two years.

Targeting a Class of 2029 size of 1,450 students, our selectivity has increased dramatically: this year’s admit rate dropped to 25 percent — the most competitive in our modern history.

Fairfield is proud to celebrate its first graduates of Fairfield Bellarmine, our two-year associate’s degree program. These students represent the realization of our Jesuit promise to expand access to transformative education. Of the 35 graduates, 31 will be continuing on at Fairfield to pursue a four-year degree — a testament to the power of accompaniment.

In March, we announced the naming of the College of Arts and Sciences in honor of John Charles Meditz ’70 whose $50 million gift will create a lasting impact and advance the University’s mission to expand student learning and continuously enhance the quality of its Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts and sciences education. In this issue, you can read about John’s inspiring story and dedication to Fairfield.

As part of the Jesuit family, our Fairfield University community shared a special connection to Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pontiff. We mourned his passing as the loss of a healer and peacemaker who showed us the face of humanity at its best. Meeting him last November, for those of us on Fairfield’s Ignatian pilgrimage to Rome, was one of the greatest privileges of our lives.

At the time of this writing, the College of Cardinals has just elected our first American pope. We pray that Pope Leo XIV will guide the global Church forward with wisdom, humility, and courage.

With deepest gratitude and warmest wishes,

MarK r. ne M ec, Phd President

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25% Admit Rate

RECORD-SETTING ADMISSION CYCLE FOR CLASS OF 2029

Fairfield University’s Class of 2029 profile reflects the high level of interest that has been a defining element of the 2025 admission cycle. This year, the University received applications from a talented pool of students representing more than 3,410 high schools across 49 states (plus D.C. and Puerto Rico) and 92 countries. The total number of applications for the Class of 2029 reached 21,290, marking a 15 percent increase from last year and a 38 percent increase from two years ago.

This year’s admission cycle also marks a significant shift in selectivity. The overall admit rate has decreased to 25 percent, making this year the most selective admission cycle in recent history. Prospective students demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential within this applicant pool. l F

STAGIVING DAY 2025 RAISES RECORD-BREAKING $3.9M

Celebrating its 11th year, STAGiving Day connects students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends in a celebration of Fairfield. More than 4,600 donors from 38 states and 9 countries came together to impact more than 120 funds and unlock $1.5 million in challenge dollars. This effort secured a total of more than $3.9 million to advance opportunities and resources for students across research, scholarships, clubs, athletics, and more at Fairfield. In recent years, Stag alumni generosity has placed Fairfield among the top colleges for alumni giving. A recent U.S. News & World Report ranking placed Fairfield at number 15 nationally among colleges with the highest percentage of alumni donors. With an average of 21.4 percent of Stag alumni donating in 2022–23, Fairfield far surpasses the national average of 7.7 percent of alumni annual giving.

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN PERFORMS TONY BENNETT TRIBUTE

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts hosted award-winning and Grammynominated singer, pianist, and recording artist Michael Feinstein for a Tony Bennett tribute. Feinstein headlined the 2nd Annual Spring Soirée benefit on April 6. The evening celebrated American music history and the Quick Center’s community engagement, with proceeds supporting youth programming.

RWANDAN GENOCIDE SURVIVOR REV. MARCEL UWINEZA, S.J., SPEAKS ON FORGIVENESS

The Office of Mission & Ministry hosted Rwandan genocide survivor Rev. Marcel Uwineza, S.J., on April 7 for a lecture titled Healing a Wounded World: The Miracle of Forgiveness and Sowing the Yeast of Leadership. The event marked the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, during which more than one million lives were lost in 100 days. Fr. Uwineza shared his story as a teen witness to the genocide and spoke of his desire to be an instrument of mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Fairfield Awards Dinner

2025 FAIRFIELD AWARDS DINNER RAISES RECORD-BREAKING $2 MILLION

On April 2, more than 700 alumni, parents, students, and friends of Fairfield gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City and marked a historic milestone for Fairfield in both fundraising and attendance. Together, supporters of the event helped raise more than $2 million for the St. Ignatius Scholarship Fund. The evening also celebrated the achievements of exceptional members of the Fairfield community and served as an opportunity for attendees to reconnect and network.

Since its launch in 1988, the Fairfield Awards Dinner has raised more than $24 million for scholarships, empowering students to pursue their dreams and access a Fairfield education, regardless of financial or social challenges.

WALSH GALLERY OPENING: AN GORTA MÓR: SELECTIONS FROM IRELAND’S GREAT HUNGER MUSEUM

On April 11, the Fairfield University Art Museum celebrated the opening of An Gorta Mór: Selections From Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum at the Walsh Gallery in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Thirty-eight works will be on view through August 16, 2025.

NBA TV host Chris Miles ’03 returned to host this year’s program. Honorees included Joseph R. Bronson ’70, principal and CEO of The Bronson Group, LLC; Adrienne Johnson-Dowling ’91, P’28, head of internal audit and SOX reporting at Apollo Global Management; Joan L. Lee, PhD, P’19 (formerly Joan L. Van Hise) professor of accounting and Deloitte fellow in accounting at Fairfield University; The Butala and O’Keefe Families: Robert ’55 (posthumous) and Maureen O’Keefe, P’84, Patrick and Karen (Occhipinti) O’Keefe ’84, P’15, Mary and John Butala, P’20,

above : More than 700 members of the University community gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City for the annual Awards Dinner.

Sir Thomas Alfred Jones, Connemara Girls, ca. 1880, oil on canvas. Courtesy of Quinnipiac University and Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield.

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and Joseph and Wendy O’Keefe, P’27; and special recognition to Jacqueline S. Kane ’87, former field hockey head coach at Fairfield University.

“Thank you to the people within this Fairfield community who uplifted me, walked beside me, and believed in me when I needed it most,” said student speaker and scholarship recipient Mekaylia Ingram ’25. “As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the transformative power of the Fairfield education — an experience rooted not only in academic excellence but also in community, resilience, and the call to serve something greater than ourselves. l F

top: (l-r): Joseph O’Keefe, P’27; Jack O’Keefe ’27; John Butala P’20, Noreen Butala ’20; Mary (O’Keefe) Butala P’20; Patrick and Karen (Occhipinti) O’Keefe ’84, P’15; Joseph R. Bronson ’70; President Mark R. Nemec, PhD; Jacqueline S. Kane ’87; Dr. Joan L. Lee, P’19; and Adrienne Johnson-Dowling ’91, P’28.

middle row : (l-r): Jennifer Fajardo ’25; Phil-Jay Whyte ’25; Mishal Qureshi ’26; and Mekaylia Ingram ’25. Ingram shared how scholarship support made her Fairfield University experience possible and helped shape her journey.

left: 2025 Fairfield Awards Dinner Co-Chairs, Trish Comey Preston ’80 and Matthew C. Kramer ’96, P’28.

TWO FAIRFIELD BELLARMINE STUDENTS RECEIVE ROMERO AWARD

Ana Aguirre AA’25 and Jaheim Mckie AS’25 are the first-ever recipients of Fairfield Bellarmine’s Romero Award, which recognizes students in the associate’s degree program who exemplify the spirit of a Catholic, Jesuit education through academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to service. The award, named after St. Oscar Romero, was presented during the Student Achievement Awards on March 31.

Aguirre was recognized for her high academic achievements and deep involvement in service as a Humanitarian Action fellow and a Community-Engaged Research fellow in the Center for Social Impact.

Mckie is the founder of Brothers of Bellarmine, a group that promotes mentorship and community among male students. He too demonstrated high academic commitment while participating in campus leadership roles, club sports, and the Black Student Union.

Both students received associate’s degrees on May 15 and will continue toward bachelor’s degrees at Fairfield in the fall — Mckie at the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and Aguirre in the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences.

Fairfield Bellarmine Class of ’25 students Ana Aguirre and Jaheim Mckie.

DISABILITY AWARENESS SIMULATION

On April 2, more than 80 students gathered in the Barone Campus Center’s Oak Room for “Experiencing Barriers: A Disability Awareness Simulation,” hosted by the Disability Awareness Committee and Disability Awareness Club.

During the simulation, participants learned about the benefits of universal design, a solution that makes accessibility equal for everyone. Maddie Babcock ’26 and Christopher (Tripp) Lyons ’26, a 2024-25 Newman Civic Fellow, co-organized the event in which attendees were assigned a disability and participated in stationed activities that simulated real-life barriers to accessibility.

CAMPUS MINISTRY HOSTS IMMERSION TRIP TO SAN DIEGO

Over Spring Break, three staff members and eight students traveled to San Diego, California’s borderlands region through the immersion program Via International, which the University has partnered with since 2017.

Staff members included Rev. Garrett Ahlers, n.S.J., who has spent this past year at the University as Fairfield Bellarmine’s student success program coordinator and as a spiritual director at the Murphy Center; Julia Murphy, a campus minister for justice and immersions; and Sonya Alexander, associate director of living and learning community partnerships through the Office of Residence Life.

Students engaged in a mural restoration project in the historic Barrio Logan, met with Chicano community leaders to learn about indigenous heritage, installed a community garden, and met with Unified U.S. Deported Veterans, an organization that supports U.S. veterans facing deportation.

Rankings

U.S. NEWS RANKS FAIRFIELD’S GRAD PROGRAMS AMONG TOP 20 NATIONALLY

Fairfield University earned strong placements in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools Rankings. Graduate programs in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business stood out, rising in multiple categories:

Best Business Schools Specialty Rankings (T = Tie)

#13 in Best Accounting Programs (T), nationally, #1 in Connecticut #14 in Best MBA Marketing Programs (T), nationally, #1 in Connecticut #17 in Best Finance MBA Programs (T), nationally, #1 in Connecticut #20 in Best Business Analytics MBA Programs (T), nationally, #1 in Connecticut

#21 in Best Management MBA Programs (T), nationally, #2 in Connecticut, after Yale

Fairfield Dolan’s Part-Time MBA Program ranked #56 among the best nationally, and #2 in Connecticut after Yale.

The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies earned notable recognition with a six-spot rise to #52 in Best Nursing Schools: Master’s Programs (T). The Egan School was also ranked in the following categories, including a seven-spot jump in the Nursing Midwifery category to #10.

Fairfield Egan Rankings

#10 in Nursing-Midwifery (T), nationally, #1 in Connecticut #60 in Nursing-Anesthesia (T), nationally, #2 in Connecticut #74 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice (T), nationally, #3 in Connecticut

The School of Education & Human Development’s graduate program in Social Work has also been recognized, earning a spot at #142 (T). l F

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ALUMNI LEAD STUDENTS ON TECH IMMERSION JOURNEY THROUGH SILICON VALLEY

Fairfield students traveled to California as part of an immersive Silicon Valley spring break trip and connected with industry leaders at top companies such as Uber, Salesforce, Google, KPMG, and more. The trip was sponsored by the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and alumni supporters: Joseph Bronson ’70, Stephen Pilch ’83, and Packy (’90) and Robyn (’91) Kelly. The itinerary was filled with visits to top

technology and venture capital (VC) companies within the Bay Area hub of tech and innovation, and included interactive Q&A sessions, lunches, and conversations driven by the students.

According to MBA candidate Anisa Libuya ’14, the experience exceeded his expectations and was truly exemplary of how Fairfield Dolan sets students up for real-world success.

below : Fairfield University students visited the Chase Center as part of Fairfield Dolan’s Silicon Valley Immersion spring break trip.

Graduate student Shayla Doane ‘24 modeled a diamondstudded pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes on the Quick Center stage during the shoe designer’s presentation.

STUART WEITZMAN CONNECTS WITH STUDENTS

Renowned shoe designer and entrepreneur Stuart Weitzman shared his insights on creativity, risk-taking, and business success in a March 25 Open VISIONS Forum (OVF) lecture titled “An Entrepreneur’s Journey on a Road Less Traveled,” at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Weitzman also visited a fashion marketing class at the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, where he enthusiastically inquired about the students’ personal interests and career aspirations. Reflecting on his own unexpected career pivot — from aspiring Wall Street executive to iconic shoe designer — Weitzman shared that the defining moments of his journey often came from taking chances and embracing the “road less traveled.”

SOCIAL CONNECTION & THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC: SEHD PODCAST

The School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) released a podcast episode, “Unpacking the Loneliness Epidemic,” led by Dean Evelyn Bilias Lolis, PhD. The episode explores the growing public health crisis of loneliness and was co-hosted by Clinesha Johnson, PsyD, assistant dean of students, and Anthony Santella, DrPH, MPH, MCHES, CPH, professor and director of the Master of Public Health program.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING EARNS NSA CYBER DEFENSE DESIGNATION

This spring, the School of Engineering and Computing was designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAECD) by the National Security Agency, effective through 2030. The result of a three-year application process, this prestigious designation recognizes the University’s commitment to cybersecurity education and its role in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure.

In alignment with the U.S. government’s National Cybersecurity Strategy released in March 2023, meeting NCAE-CD standards positions Fairfield to play a key role in securing the nation’s digital future. Programs that strengthen the domestic talent pipeline reinforce the essential role of higher education in defending America’s cyberspace and are critical to the development of a highly skilled national cybersecurity workforce.

DOLAN PROFESSOR TRAVELS AS AI FULBRIGHT SPECIALIST

Yasin Ozcelik, PhD, chair and associate professor of analytics in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, spent several weeks at the University of Finance & Economics (UFE) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as a Fulbright specialist in artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics.

As demonstrated in the business analytics courses he teaches, Dr. Ozcelik brought a fresh perspective on the field of AI to his colleagues and students across the world.

While in Mongolia, he taught academic courses, presented to students, faculty, and administration, and led workshops on AI.

Academics

SENIOR NURSING MAJORS PARTICIPATE IN ONE-OF-A-KIND SIMULATION EXPERIENCE

Over a period of two weeks, nearly 150 nursing majors at Fairfield University’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies participated in a 20-station simulation experience. A component of the required capstone course, the simulations involved close collaboration between nursing faculty, simulation staff, and graduate students — and exposed seniors to specialty areas they otherwise might not see in their final clinical rotations. Scenarios were chosen with great care, taking into consideration both the volume and stakes of cases within healthcare settings. During the simulations, students used a 15-page documentation tool to write assessments, track medication intake, and show dosage calculations. The entire experience was designed to replicate the clinical environment. l F

above : Students attended two sets of 10 simulations, one per week during the two-week simulation experience.

CHEM STUDENTS SHOWCASE RESEARCH AT ACS CONFERENCE

Fairfield University students traveled to San Diego in March to present faculty-mentored research projects at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting. Accompanied by Chemistry and Biochemistry professors Matt Kubasik, PhD, and John Miecznikowski, PhD, the students joined more than 13,000 chemists

from around the world for the four-day conference. This trip was made possible through the generous support of the Science Institute, the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office, the Western Connecticut Section of the American Chemical Society, Fairfield University Inspire Grants, Magis Student Funding, and the Kuck Fund from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

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ENGINEERING STUDENTS

ATTEND 50TH NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS CONVENTION

One of the largest student-led organizations in the nation, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) — with more than 600 chapters worldwide — is dedicated to increasing the pipeline of Black engineering professionals. This year’s convention welcomed more than 15,000 participants and 400 career fair exhibitors, including ASML, Dell Technologies, Caterpillar, United Airlines, Ford, and more, offering students networking opportunities. With full funding from School of Engineering and Computing Advisory

Board member Deacon Patrick Toole, 17 engineering students accompanied Dean Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD, to this year’s conference in Chicago: Alexander White ’25, Isabella Dawes ’27, David Camayo ’25, Kameron Reynolds ’26, Ryan Van Allen ’26, Khadar Abdilaahi ’26, Ibnath Saboor ’26, Ankitha Bojja ’25, Andrew Mejia Hernadez ’26, Zuriel Guerra ’27, Agustin Gonzalez ’28, Jhanvi Varma ’25, Vishesh Patel ’25, Rick Daytec ’26, Noor Khattak ’25, Feroz Shaik ’25, and Phuc Nguyen ’25.

below : Fairfield engineering students traveled to Chicago for the 50th Annual National Society of Black Engineers Convention, themed “Inspire! Excel! Impact!”

ART HISTORY MAJOR CURATES BSU LIBRARY EXHIBIT

In February, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library unveiled the Mosaic of Empowerment: A Tribute to Fairfield University’s Black Student Union, an exhibit featuring photographs, artifacts, and commentary on the history and impact of Black voices on campus. The exhibit was curated by BSU President Blessed Stephen ’25, in collaboration with library staff. A double major in art history and an individually designed program in art, advocacy, and community education, Stephen saw the library as an ideal exhibit partner for its space, archives, and curatorial expertise. A panel discussion featuring BSU members past and present was held in conjunction with the exhibit.

MASTER CLASS WITH BROADWAY ICON

Fairfield Theatre Company (FTC) hosted an exclusive master class with award-winning Broadway composer, lyricist, and music director David Friedman. Friedman is known for his work on classic Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast and Broadway and Off-Broadway productions such as Desperate Measures

The event was coordinated by FTC spring marketing intern Angelo Corsini ’25 who connected vocalists Kylee Faulkner ’26 and Zach Cirillo ’27 with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Blessed Stephen ’25, curator of the Mosaic of Empowerment exhibit and president of the Black Student Union (BSU).

LAURA GEBHART NAMED FIELD HOCKEY HEAD COACH

Laura Gebhart has been named the head coach of the Fairfield Field Hockey program. Gebhart comes to Fairfield after spending four seasons with the Penn State Field Hockey program. She started her tenure at Penn State as an assistant coach for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, advancing to the NCAA Tournament both years. In 2022, the team secured a spot in the NCAA semifinals with three tournament wins.

During her four years at Penn State, the program registered a 48-27 overall record including two seasons with 14 or more victories. Prior to Penn State, Gebhart spent two seasons at Bryant University, starting as an assistant coach before eventually taking over the program as head coach for the 2021 season.

Athletics

WOMEN’S LAX WINS MAAC CHAMPIONSHIP, EARNS 7TH CONSECUTIVE NCAA BID

With a 12-7 victory over Iona on May 4, Fairfield University Women’s Lacrosse won the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship, their 9th in program history, and advanced to the NCAA postseason for the 7th consecutive season.

“No journey is the same, and this year’s team really fought for this one. We battled through injuries and a difficult non-conference, and we just stuck together and kept finding a way,” said Head Coach Laura Field.

Coach Field tied former Canisius Head Coach Scott Teeter with her sixth MAAC Championship as a head coach (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025). The 10th-year leader of the Stags was also on the sidelines for two conference crowns as an assistant coach in 2009 and 2015.

MAAC Offensive Player of the Year Amanda Kozak ’24 was named the Championship MVP. She was joined on the All-Championship Team by teammates Macey Daly ’24, Brynn Donnelly ’26, Katherine Shammas ’26 and Grace Slater ’25.

In the NCAA Championship First Round, the MAAC Champion Stags drew #6 Maryland for their first-ever meeting with the Terps. l F

above : The women’s lacrosse team celebrated its 2025 MAAC Championship with fans at Rafferty Stadium.

Field Hockey Head Coach Laura Gebhart was previously at Penn State.

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MEN’S GOLF WINS MAAC CHAMPIONSHIP

With a final round score of 287 (-1) at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course on April 19, Fairfield University Men’s Golf Program surged to the top of the leaderboard to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship for the first time since 1997. The Stags were led by Tadgh Burke ’28, who brought home the McLeod Trophy as the individual MAAC Champion and was named MAAC Rookie of the Year. Director of Golf Doug Holub was tabbed by his peers as the MAAC Coach of the Year.

Burke is the seventh Stag on the men’s side to hoist the McLeod Trophy as individual MAAC Champion and the second in three years (Killian McGinley, 2023). Including Maria Beltran M’24 for the Fairfield women last season, a Stag has won the honor in three consecutive campaigns.

Holub earned MAAC Men’s Coach of the Year for the second time to go along with three MAAC Women’s Coach of the Year nods in his career. He made history in 2021 as the first coach to win both awards in the same season. Holub is assisted by Sara LaTerza and Shane DeVincenzo ’23.

Also contributing to the Championship victory, Colin Summers ’25 finished 11th in the field.

Peter Crowe ’27 placed 14th, Chase Millar ’25 was 22nd and Rasmus Ditzinger ’28 slotted 25th as all five competing Stags were among the top 25 of the 65-golfer field.

Fairfield Men’s Golf participated in the NCAA Championship as a team for the first time.

below : The Stags were led by Tadgh Burke ’28 (third from right), who brought home the McLeod Trophy as the individual MAAC Champion.

“AMERICA’S TEAM”

Fairfield University Men’s Lacrosse tied the program record for victories, finishing the 2025 season with a record of 12-3. The Stags’ final tally included an 8-0 record on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium to mark the first-ever unbeaten year at home in a full spring campaign.

The Stags got off to a hot start in 2025, winning their first 9 games to stand as the nation’s final unbeaten team. Fairfield was nationally ranked for 10 consecutive weeks during the spring, rising as high as #12 in the media poll and #13 in the coaches’ poll.

BERSHEFSKY ’25 AND KAYLA FOX ’25

NAMED DIVISION II ALLAMERICAN BY NATIONAL COLLEGIATE RUGBY

Two senior front rows on the Fairfield women’s rugby team, Hannah Bershefsky ’25 and Kayla Fox ’25, were awarded the prestigious recognition of Division II National Rugby All-American by National Collegiate Rugby.

This marks the fourth consecutive year of All-American recognitions for the Fairfield University Rugby Club. Under Head Coach Eric Anahory, Fairfield has qualified in seven consecutive semesters for the fall 15s and spring 7s national playoffs.

As the nation’s final unbeaten team, the exuberant Fairfield Stags were dubbed ‘America’s Team’ by lacrosse fans online.

HANNAH

. Network Success

Two Stags turned late-night dreams into careers at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy

Fallon

by e rin c raw M a’19, P h d

Bec K y K ra U se ’09 kickstarted her career as a sketch writer at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2016 after gaining experience as a production assistant and writer for MTV Promos. In her role at The Tonight Show, she works closely with Fallon and all departments to make the show’s on-air sketch comedy come to life. Krause described sketch writing as highly creative, team-oriented, and, of course, filled with laughter. “I’ll write a script, and we riff together: ‘What if we did this?’ or ‘What if this happened?’ Then, I go back and rewrite the script. It’s very collaborative,” she said.

Krause has written and produced segments for recurring bits including “Mad Lib Theater,” “Classroom Instruments,” and “What’s Behind Me?” Enthusiastic about her involvement in the entire process — from the initial idea to witnessing the audience’s enjoyment — she gave an example of a sketch she wrote called “Grab and Chat,” based on a personal encounter. While sitting with a fellow writer, the two had experienced an awkward yet humorous moment when the conversation began fading, so they grabbed someone walking by and asked, “Hey, what do you think of this?” to rekindle the dialogue. Two days later, a sketch based on the interaction came to life on the show. “One of the most exciting parts is that something in your brain could be written and then on the show that night, in front of millions of people,” said Krause, “performed by the most talented actors, singers, or comedians.”

Left: At Fairfield, Becky Krause ’09 was a doublemajor in creative writing and new media: television production in the College of Arts and Sciences.

i n 2019, as a F irst - year st U dent , Rebecca Walsh ’23 saw a flyer posted on campus for a trip to tour NBC Studios in New York City. Curious, she boarded the bus to 30 Rock. There, she was excited to find multiple Fairfield University alumni in the NBCUniversal Page Program, a competitive learning and development program for earlycareer professionals that offers rotations in different areas of the media industry. “Initially, when you’re thinking, ‘I’d love to work for The Tonight Show,’ you never really believe it could happen,” said Walsh. “But seeing people who went to the same school as me, I started to believe ‘I can do this too.’”

Inspired, Walsh immediately began working with Steph Gallo, the director of career planning for the College of Arts and Sciences, whom she had met during the trip.

As a former employee of NBCUniversal herself, Gallo offered invaluable insight and guidance. Walsh began taking courses in film and television, eventually declaring communication as her major with minors in music and film, television, and media arts.

Eager to connect with Fairfield University’s alumni network, Walsh found Krause’s LinkedIn profile and reached out for an informational interview to discuss her work at The Tonight Show; Krause was happy to support a fellow Stag.

Upon meeting, Krause instantly felt like Walsh’s energy was a seamless fit for the team. “I was more than happy to send Rebecca’s information to the coordinators,” said the sketch writer, “and then she landed the internship, which was amazing.”

“When I see an intern on our list and it says they went to Fairfield, it’s just a nice connection,” said Krause.

Walsh’s experience at The Tonight Show stood out among several undergraduate

“I think it says a lot about a school when the alumni, no matter how recently or long ago they graduated, are so passionate about the University and helping the current students.”

r ebecca w alsh ’23

internships. After graduation, she landed a full-time job as an audience coordinator for the show. A blend of hospitality and logistics management, she greets guests and guides them through the studio, coordinates their engagement with the show, and ensures their experience as a live audience is smooth and enjoyable. “People travel to New York from all over the world, and it’s so rewarding to help them see something they’ve been dreaming of seeing for so long,” she said.

Krause and Walsh share a great appreciation for Fairfield’s alumni network. “I think it says a lot about a school when the alumni, no matter how recently or long ago they graduated, are so passionate about the University and helping the current students,” said Walsh.

The alumnae also share a deep gratitude for the opportunity to do what they love at such a renowned show. The Tonight Show — which premiered in 1954 and is one of the longestrunning programs in television history — airs

Above: (l-r) Rebecca Walsh ’23 joined Becky Krause ’09 at The Tonight Show, first as an intern and currently as an audience coordinator.

Monday through Thursday with an average of more than a million viewers each night.

As for advice to Stags pursuing their dream jobs, Walsh said, “The first thing I would tell them is that it is possible. Use the strong Fairfield network and the Career Center, talk to your professors, and gather as much advice as possible.”

To new graduates entering the workforce, Krause advised, “Be yourself because you’re hired for your voice. I have a specific voice, and a lot of writers have specific types of humor. But that’s why you’re hired — you’re hired for you.”

“Keep creating,” she added. “Keep following the voice that says what you love to do.” l F

Local Advantage

When local businesses and Fairfield Dolan students connect, the benefit is mutual.

by M eredith g U inness M a’16

Mairead K elly ’26 noticed the cute “Fairfield Beach” sweatshirts when she first arrived on campus, but she had no idea where you could buy one. That mystery was solved by a memorable class assignment.

This year, Charles F. Dolan School of Business students in an advertising class taught by adjunct professor Mary Kelly ’02 and in a social media marketing course taught by associate professor of marketing Woocheol Kim, PhD, worked with local merchants to learn real-world skills and put up-to-the-moment advertising and marketing strategies to the test. These vibrant partnerships helped Fairfield community businesses boost awareness and sales while creating meaningful challenges for the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Dr. Kim’s social media marketing students were paired with two restaurants: Romanacci, an Italian restaurant celebrating its first year in town, and Chef’s Table, an established American eatery with a reputation for great soups, sandwiches, and coffee

Adjunct Professor Kelly’s advertising students were matched up with Team Woofgang & Co., a non-profit that has both a production site that creates custom dog treats, beds, and toys, and a downtown retail store that sells Woofgang & Co. products as well as cards, gifts, and apparel — including those popular “Fairfield Beach” sweatshirts.

When choosing a business partner for her class, “I look at what students are wearing or doing,” said Professor Kelly.

Community partnerships typically begin with a classroom visit in which the business

owners present their original business plan, current employment, and strategies for building and keeping a strong customer base. They then identify challenges for the students to address with creative solutions.

Working in teams of three or four, students take a deep dive into the businesses — they research theory, study current best practices, and prepare final 12-minute presentations for the owners and their boards.

Caroline Cody ’25, a public relations major from Chicago, said she was “blown away” by Team Woofgang & Co.’s creative brief. “They do amazing work,” she said of the organization, which provides individualized vocational training, lifelong learning, and social opportunities to adults with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. “They motivated me to come up with ideas and put in the effort — it made the project more meaningful.”

While the students felt Team Woofgang did an exceptional job of sharing its mission with the Fairfield community, several teams recommended ways for the organization to better showcase products at its prime downtown storefront — simple improvements like intentionally putting brighter shades of clothing in the store window, adding a QR code on the glass to entice passersby, and using eye-catching outdoor advertising to draw attention to the store’s sidewalk browsing rack. Others suggested Fairfield University events as a ready-made opportunity for a pop-up shop.

Right: (l-r) Mairead Kelly ’26 and Maggie Freeman ’26 were introduced to Team Woofgang & Co. during an advertising class and were later hired to work as regular weekly interns for the downtown non-profit.

“Seeing how creative strategy and thoughtful execution can genuinely drive engagement in a real-world setting made the impact of our hard work feel tangible.”

t ristan d e c rescenzo ’26

Above: (l-r) An Instagram post heralded the arrival of Romanacci to the Fairfield neighborhood; Sasha Bastedo ’26 lip synched her appreciation for Romanacci’s pizza in an Instagram video; the iced coffee at Chef’s Table, a perennial Stag favorite, was the star of a Fairfield-themed post.

JU st UP the road, dr. Ki M’s social M edia marketing students were cooking up ways to boost restaurant sales through businessoriented social media content.

At Romanacci, which has two locations in Westport and one each in Trumbull and Norwalk, Chief Marketing Officer James Ricci was looking for a fresh approach to attracting customers to their new Fairfield restaurant through social media. “The students are very deep in the weeds of social, which is valuable when approaching these platforms from a business perspective,” he said.

Teams of Dr. Kim’s students studied the restaurant and created both paid social advertising and organic content. The

student-created posts — about 16 in all — garnered two to three times as many likes and shares as the restaurant’s previous content.

One Instagram post earned about 420 interactions, including more than 200 shares, which spelled more orders for Romanacci. “We had an uptick on TikTok,” Ricci said, “and student foot traffic increased. We’re kind of becoming ‘the place’ for them.”

At Chef’s Table, students were also tasked with branding the business and maximizing the benefits of social media. Business management and marketing double-major Julia Paul ’26 said that working on the restaurant’s Instagram content exponentially enhanced her team’s classroom experience by providing “hands-on application of the different facets of social media marketing that we had learned through lectures.”

“I have always said experience is the best teacher,” agreed classmate Tristan DeCrescenzo ’26, a marketing major with a graphic design minor. “Seeing how creative strategy and thoughtful execution can genuinely drive engagement in a real-world

setting made the impact of our hard work feel tangible.”

Beyond providing students with realworld experience and offering marketing support to local businesses, business owners and Dolan faculty members were happy to see these community partnerships evolve in new ways. As a result of their successful collaboration in the fall, Romanacci offered two students a semester-long internship in spring 2025. The owners also plan to enlist more help from Fairfield Dolan students when they open their new downtown gelato place, OGGI.

At Team Woofgang, two advertising classmates — Maggie Freeman ’26 and Mairead Kelly ’26 — were hired as regular weekly interns. They worked on fundraising campaigns, wrote video scripts, and recommended new apparel ideas with the male customer in mind, said the non-profit’s co-founder Kelly Maffei.

“They have managed to give us new and fresh perspectives,” Maffei said. “They knocked it out of the park.” l F

VeteranWriters

Military veterans broaden and enrich the storytelling landscape of

Fairfield’s MFA in Creative Writing program.

Reed Kuehn, MD, MFA’25 joined the military in June of 2001, just three months before 9/11. For the next 17 years, he was either preparing for war or at war. Trained as a general surgeon for the U.S. Army, Kuehn deployed five times during his military service — once to Iraq, and twice each to Africa and Afghanistan. Now a civilian, the graduate of Fairfield University’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program is making a name for himself as a writer, recently winning the Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans, a biannual competition hosted by the Iowa Review, one of the most respected literary magazines in the country.

A resident of Rhode Island, Kuehn is one of several talented veterans who have found their writerly voice and developed their craft in the creative writing graduate program in the newly christened John Charles Meditz College of Arts & Sciences. Home to faculty members and veterans Phil Klay, a New York Times best-selling author, and Matt Gallagher, a Dayton Literary Peace Prize finalist, Fairfield’s MFA program is attracting and shaping the next generation of veteran writers like Kuehn.

Writing was never an activity in which Kuehn willingly engaged outside of school assignments. He always enjoyed reading and excelled in his English courses — nearly earning a second major in college because he took so many electives in literature — yet the desire to write eluded him. That is, until many years later, when he was deployed overseas for war.

“War is a mix of chaos and downtime,” Kuehn said. “A few deployments into my service, I had extra time on my hands and,

A view of the gardens on beautiful Enders Island, where MFA students complete their writing residencies.

“We had a shared understanding of what it meant to serve, and we could relate to coming back to this environment that encouraged vulnerability.”

— e M ilio r a M os MFa’24

below : An aerial view of Enders Island, an 11-acre retreat off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut.

for some reason, just started writing. I had not taken any classes or read any books about writing, which was obvious in my early work. The writing was not good, but it was enjoyable.”

After leaving the Army in 2018, Kuehn continued to write — the motivation being that it helped him make sense of his world. He began writing fiction as a means of exploring things in his life that he wanted to address. “I wrote some stories and struggled,” he said. “And then I wrote some more stories and struggled.” Eventually, he decided to look for a creative writing program to take his craft to the next level.

Fairfield’s low-residency MFA program proved a great option for Kuehn. First and foremost, its structure and location meant that he did not have to uproot his family for what was then a hobby. That Klay was on faculty there was a “huge stroke of serendipity.”

Kuehn became familiar with Klay’s work shortly after leaving the Army. It was then that he read Redeployment, Klay’s first published

collection of short stories and winner of the 2014 National Book Award in Fiction. Kuehn connected with the stories because they portrayed war in a way that made sense to him. “Those stories are not about guns and blowing things up,” he said. “They are about people and adversity.”

What appealed to Kuehn most was that Klay wrote stories about war, as opposed to war stories. Though situated within the framework of the military, they dealt primarily with human struggle. Whether readers had military experience or not was irrelevant, for his characters faced challenges to which most people can relate.

“The people in his stories struggle with things that people see in their everyday lives, seen through a military lens,” Kuehn said. “Obviously, most readers are not facing those struggles in Anbar province, Iraq; they are facing them in Davenport, Iowa, for example, but they still get something out of the stories.”

According to Kuehn, there is a small group of veteran writers, including Klay and

Gallagher, that write about their experiences in this way and do so exceptionally well. Kuehn aspires to be counted among those writers, so he was grateful that the MFA program provided opportunities for one-onone mentorships with its high caliber writing faculty. For him, that dedicated hands-on time with Klay and his other mentors was the most valuable feature of the program.

Because Fairfield’s MFA in Creative Writing is a low-residency program, students complete most of their writing at home, meeting once a month with mentors, either in-person or remotely. Then, twice a year during the two-year program, they gather as a community for their residencies at beautiful Enders Island, off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut.

Each 10-day residency period brings together a uniquely talented group of faculty members, guest writers, students, editors, and agents to talk about writing, to learn about writing, and, of course, to write. Importantly, the residencies foster a sense of community among writers, creating connections for collaboration and creative support.

For U.S. Marine Corps veteran and alumnus Emilio Ramos MFA’24, the residencies were a highlight of the creative writing program. “I loved the experience of being at Enders Island, totally engulfed in writing,” he said. “I got to geek out about writing and have conversations with people who appreciate the subtleties of our craft.”

While there, Ramos also shared and workshopped his writing with other students in the program, which can be especially uncomfortable for veterans, whose military training emphasizes mental toughness and resiliency.

“You have to make a transition,” Ramos said. “You have to allow yourself to be vulnerable, to be open to making mistakes and growing, and to expose your mind and emotions — because those are the things that make good stories.”

That transition, for Ramos, was made drastically easier by having other veterans in the program. “It was great to have people to lean on, veterans who were going through the same thing I was,” he said. “We had a shared understanding of what it meant to serve, and we could relate to coming back to this environment that encouraged vulnerability.”

Air Force veteran Barbara Lee MFA’25

also appreciated the writing residencies and the camaraderie she found there with her fellow veterans. She equally valued the relationships she formed with the program’s non-veterans — students and instructors alike with whom she worked closely and shared connections and experiences.

Though a long-time writer of poetry, Lee found her voice as a playwright and screenwriter and was glad the program allowed her to explore multiple genres. “The process of discovering my niche as a writer was an interesting one,” she said. “I was trying so hard to be something I am not that I did not realize who I am.”

She added: “It’s the best thing that could have happened to me, and I am grateful to have had the support of my instructors and writing community at Fairfield.”

Fairfield University offers a welcoming environment and supportive community for veterans, and nowhere is that more prominently displayed than the MFA in

top: (l-r) Reed Kuehn MFA’25 at a winter residency with current and former MFA students Christopher McArdle, Emilio Ramos MFA’24, and Adam Williams.

above : (l-r) Emilio Ramos MFA’24 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, Calif.; MFA faculty member William Patrick with Barbara Lee MFA’25.

Creative Writing. The program has helped veteran alumni like Kuehn, Ramos, and Lee find their voices, but the advantage is not theirs alone. According to Klay, associate professor of the practice, the veterans elevate the program for all students.

“Our veterans have been wonderful students,” Klay said. “They have a range of experiences and attitudes and opinions and are writing on a variety of subjects. I think that creates a very healthy dynamic within the program, for everyone involved.” l F

ALL IN

by d rew K ingsley ’07

Last March, Women’s Basketball Head Coach Carly ThibaultDuDonis entered a postgame press conference in Lexington, Kentucky with one message in mind. It wasn’t the Stags’ season that had come to an end at the hands of Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament — though the loss would certainly be on the third-year head coach’s mind for the next few days of reflection, film breakdown, and meetings. Nor was it the baseless noise on social media that “Coach Carly” would be leaving Fairfield Women’s Basketball in the coming days. Coach Carly’s message was clear: the Stags’ exit from the 2025 NCAA Tournament was not a departure from the national spotlight, but a step in a journey that, in many ways, is just beginning. And both the coach and her student-athletes — present and future — are committed not just to competing and winning, but to doing so at Fairfield University.

left: Coach Carly and the Stags won their second consecutive MAAC Championship this past March.

“I have so much faith in our administration that we’re going to continue to be competitive. But I also think that we can do it our way,” said Coach Carly. “For us, finding your fit is something we talk a lot about with recruits. You might be able to go to ‘Power 4 School XYZ’ and make a little bit more money, but is that going to make you a better person for the next 40 years?”

“Coach Carly is building an elite program and an enviable model that is about people, process, and a deep-rooted sense of integrity,” said Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann. “It was inspiring — but not at all surprising — for her to reaffirm in the moment and in the presence of her studentathletes, that we are going to compete, we are going to build something unique, and we are going to do it the right way.”

The road to that podium in Lexington began three years ago, when Coach Carly — then the associate head coach at the University of Minnesota — was introduced as the third head coach in the Division I history of Fairfield Women’s Basketball. The first-time head coach was quick to assemble a staff, develop a culture, and begin to produce stellar results.

After a 15-15 start in the first year of the

Coach Carly era, the Stags are 59-7 over the last two seasons, which includes a 45-1 mark against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference competition. That dominant run through the conference has culminated with two MAAC Championships — the first time that Fairfield Women’s Basketball has ever won back-toback titles — as well as two Regular Season Championships and a pair of trips to the NCAA postseason.

But some of the biggest results on the recent ledger have come outside of league play, where the Stags have earned victories over power conference opponents Rutgers, St. John’s, Arkansas, Wake Forest, and Villanova, in addition to a three-point loss at the SEC’s Vanderbilt in 2023-24 and a two-point loss this past November to an Oklahoma State team that contended for a Big XII Championship and finished ranked #22 in the nation.

The Stags’ emergence on the national stage has had Fairfield in the conversation for an NCAA at-large bid in both 2024 and 2025 and merited the program’s first-ever Associated Press national ranking when the voters slotted them at #25 in the country during the Stags’ historic 29-game winning streak two seasons ago.

“THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES WHERE A STUDENT-ATHLETE CAN COMPETE AND WIN BASKETBALL GAMES, BUT THERE’S NO OTHER PLACE, ON AND OFF THE COURT, LIKE FAIRFIELD.”

— c arly t hiba U lt - d U d onis , Head Coach

In a college bas K etball landsca P e where student-athletes are on the move in record numbers and programs can find themselves looking to fill upwards of 10 scholarships, the Stags have thrived on a level of continuity that has allowed Coach Carly and her staff to build, not rebuild. In 2024-25, Fairfield returned over 90 percent of its scoring from the prior campaign. And next year, the Stags are slated to welcome back every point scored this past year, with the exception of the seniors and graduate students who have exhausted their eligibility.

“As basketball players, of course they want to win and they want to compete at a high level. But I think the biggest factor in our high level of retention is that our women enjoy the day-to-day experience at Fairfield,” said Coach Carly. “They love their relationships with their teammates and classmates, they enjoy everything that Fairfield has to offer, and they know they’re getting an experience and an education that will prepare them for the next chapter of their lives. There are a lot of places where a student-athlete can compete and win basketball games, but there’s no other place, on and off the court, like Fairfield.”

above : Coach Carly on the sidelines at Leo D. Mahoney Arena.

right: The Stags celebrate Senior Day: (l-r) Izabela Nicoletti Leite, Emina Selimović ’24, Kendall McGruder ’25, and Raiana Brown with Coach Carly (center).

With the commitment firmly in place from top to bottom — including a coaching staff that has been together for three seasons and counting — there are other factors that contribute to the Fairfield way. Whether a senior or a first-year, a guard, or a road runner — the Stags’ moniker for its post players — the standards for the program are quite literally written on the wall: Selfless. Tough. Accountable. Grateful. Those four words, not coincidentally forming the acronym “STAG”, appear prominently and permanently on the women’s basketball locker room wall and are just as palpable in the actions of the student-athletes who have taken the words to heart.

“The standards are evident in everything that they do,” said Schlickmann. “The on-court success speaks for itself, but that is a byproduct of how they go about their

business every day. The young women in our program excel academically, are leaders to their peers on campus and have become valued role models in the community. They are achieving at a high level in every facet of their educational experience at Fairfield because of their belief in our culture and a relentless pursuit of excellence in all their endeavors. It is a testament to Coach Carly and her staff for their commitment to our core values and for weaving them into the fabric that makes Fairfield Women’s Basketball special.”

Much like the student-athletes, successful head coaches are often viewed as a hot commodity in the college basketball landscape. On the heels of back-to-back MAAC Championship seasons and with a program just scratching the surface of its potential, Coach Carly heeded her own

advice: find your fit and do it your way. On April 18, she signed a contract extension spanning through the 2030-31 season.

“In a time where so many in college athletics are jumping at whatever opportunity presents itself next, I feel so blessed to be at a place that is all in on making Fairfield one of the best Women’s Basketball programs in the country,” Coach Carly said. “We have been able to set records and accomplish so many goals in the last three years, but none more important than our women growing, leading, and thriving as the best versions of themselves. Fairfield develops well-rounded, altruistic young adults that energize me every single day, and I am excited for what we can accomplish in the future. We aren’t done yet!” l F

The Man Behind Meditz College

FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY’S COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES WILL BE RENAMED THE JOHN CHARLES MEDITZ COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, EFFECTIVE JULY 1. MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE NEW NAME.

by Jeannine (carolan) graF ’87, MFa’25

On March 17, 2025, the 83rd anniversary of Fairfield’s founding, President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, announced a $50 million gift from John Charles Meditz ’70 — the largestever single donation by an individual in the history of the University. In recognition of the alumnus and longtime University Trustee’s extraordinary generosity, Dr. Nemec also shared news that the College of Arts and Sciences would be renamed the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences.

“It’s fitting that the hub of Fairfield’s liberal arts core curriculum should be named after John,” said Richard Greenwald, dean of Meditz College. “He speaks passionately about his appreciation for his broad-based Jesuit education — with the arts and sciences at its core — and about how this exposure makes one a better person, citizen, and role model for others.”

(l-r) University Trustees Christopher C. Desmarais ’93 and John C. Meditz ’70, at Bellarmine Hall prior to Commencement Exercises in 2023.

above: First-year John Meditz ’70 (facing camera) and classmates wore “freshman beanies,” customary in those days, while shopping for Fairfield gear at the University bookstore.

Families moving their sons onto campus in 1966.

right: When the Class of 1970 arrived in the fall 1966, jackets and ties were required in classrooms and the dining hall. By spring of that year, the rules regarding attire had loosened.

During a visit to campus this past spring, Meditz described education as “the willingness to broaden one’s horizons away from the provincial experiences of youth and analyze them critically.”

“Education,” he said, “should be multidimensional. Exposure to the liberal arts is certainly that.”

Raised in Weehawken, New Jersey, Meditz’s parents instilled in him a lifelong appreciation for the arts. They took him “to the great museums of Italy” when he was just 11 years old and stopped to explore the Cloisters in Washington Heights “probably twice a year” throughout his childhood on the way to visit his aunt and uncle in the Bronx. To this day, he considers that branch of The Met — devoted exclusively to the art, architecture, and artifacts of medieval Europe — one of his favorite places.

His educational journey with the Jesuits began at Xavier High School in New York City. There, Meditz said he didn’t appreciate the required four years of learning Latin but he “sure did like the literature.” He estimated that he’s gone back to read Virgil’s Aeneid at least four times. George Orwell’s Animal Farm

is another repeat favorite. “In this day and age, from an observation of the politics of the world,” he noted, “it doesn’t hurt to read Animal Farm over and over.”

When it came time to look at colleges, Meditz recalls visiting only one other campus before heading up the Connecticut Turnpike to Fairfield, if only because one of his best high school friends had two brothers attending. He joked that his first impressions were simply, “Gee, it’s a perfect location. It’s Jesuit. It’s what my mother wants!”

Those initial selling points withstood further consideration. “Fairfield fit the bill in terms of what I too was looking for,” he said. “It was a smaller school in the Jesuit tradition, more rural than urban, relatively close to home but not around the corner — and attending would be with 15 others from Xavier.”

Meditz and his 15 Xavier classmates arrived to campus in the fall of 1966, which he said, “was not unusual, because in my day, if you went to a Jesuit high school, you would invariably be expected to go to a Jesuit university.”

“ I’ve said this repeatedly: the quality of education at Fairfield was second to none. I think it’s true today, and it certainly was true then.”

— John c harles M editz ’70

He described his Class of ’70 as a “cusp group of students — that is, a transitional generation.” In their first semester, jackets and ties were required in the classroom and in the dining hall. By spring, the rules had loosened. “The good old days of ‘very strict everything’ were coming to an end and the introduction of more liberal times was, more or less, beginning,” he said. “It was not just unique to Fairfield; that was the way it was everywhere.”

Meditz began as a finance major but switched to economics “for the simple fact that I was far more interested in a social science course of curriculum.” The Economics Department was housed solely in the College of Arts and Sciences back then, and he said, “I really preferred the liberal arts to… let’s say, ‘more focused’ instruction.”

He was quick to point out, however, that even business majors at Fairfield receive a liberal arts foundation. “That’s the benefit of a Jesuit education,” Meditz observed. “There’s a core curriculum that’s intended to expose you to philosophy, theology, history, mathematics, and even the physical sciences.”

More than half a century after earning his diploma, Meditz still lights up when asked about the Fairfield professors who grabbed his attention and saturated his mind with new topics and ideas. He described Dr. Julia Johnston, a philosophy professor who taught Plato, as “probably as inspirational as you could come up with;” Carmen Donnarumma’s Western civilization instruction as “mesmerizing;” and “U.S. Diplomatic History” with Rev. Richard Costello, S.J., as “an absolutely spectacular way to approach one’s nation’s background.”

“I’ve said this repeatedly: the quality of education at Fairfield was second to none,” he said. “I think it’s true today, and it certainly was true then.”

One of 399 bachelor’s degree recipients in the Class of 1970, Meditz graduated with an idea of going into foreign service. Looking into the requirements, he discovered that the State Department “wanted either law, engineering, or business as an advanced degree, not a master’s in foreign service.”

“So I got my MBA,” he said. “And then, like so many things in life, a path you set out on takes twists and turns divergent from what you may have initially planned on doing, and it certainly did.”

After a brief stint teaching macroeconomics and money and banking at a New Jersey college, Meditz “stumbled into” investment management, his profession for the past 50 years. “Which is amazing,” he said, “because I certainly am not mathematically oriented. But in any event, I think of investment management more as an art than a science.”

Co-founder in 1994 of the investment advisory services company known today as Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation, Meditz said he is “more than happy continuing to work” and has no intention of retiring. His spare time is devoted to not-for-profit boards and committees — including Fairfield’s Board of Trustees, which he’s served on for 28 years — and philanthropy.

“There are plenty of opportunities to provide financial assistance,” said Meditz. “I seem to get a solicitation from every charity in Western civilization. Who’s the most worthy? Fairfield, obviously, in my mind, is most worthy.”

“If one is successful,” he continued, “one should have a strong obligation to make good use of that money, and a good use of that money very definitely relates to supporting education. The only other thing that I’ve been particularly generous to is healthcare. What better causes are there than education and healthcare?”

Meditz’s gifts to Fairfield over the past few decades total more than $75 million and have touched every aspect of student life on campus, from the construction of Egan Chapel in 1989 to the establishment of the Fairfield University Art Museum in 2010 and renovations to the RecPlex in 2016. An endowed scholarship bears his name, as does an apartment-style sophomore residence hall. The museum’s Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Directorship, named after his parents, is currently held by Carey Weber.

“John Meditz had the rare vision to see how transformative a university art museum could be — not just for students and faculty, but for the broader community,” said Weber. “His unwavering support — from helping to create the Fairfield University Art Museum, to endowing the director’s position, to championing ambitious exhibitions over the years — has shaped the museum into a vital cultural and educational force, both for the University as well as the local community.”

Meditz credits his parents — both children of the Depression — with instilling in him the value of giving back. He shared a story his father, Frank Meditz, often told about the generous boss who paid his tuition to attend New York University. The man, Mr. Church,

was known for his big heart and his habit of giving to every panhandler who came to the office door. When colleagues warned that he was being taken advantage of, Mr. Church would simply reply, “Of course I know that — but I’d rather give to the nine who don’t deserve it than miss the one who does.”

“I remember that story vividly, said Meditz, “and it played a significant role in my attitude toward philanthropy.”

Instead of referring to his recent $50 million gift as “transformational,” Meditz prefers to think of it as “augmentative.” The funding, he said, will ultimately provide scholarship money, aid in faculty recruitment and retention, and enhance the University museum. He hopes it will also serve as a catalyst that incentivizes others to give generously to Fairfield.

“John’s philanthropy is remarkable and inspirational,” said Wally Halas, executive director for leadership gifts. “His example of giving back has already touched the hearts of many in the Fairfield community — and will continue to inspire alumni, parents, and friends for years to come.”

Like a true product of Jesuit education, Meditz humbly — and cheerfully — embraces the ripple effects of championing the liberal arts. He admitted to feeling “embarrassed” by the honor of having Meditz College named after him, but said he’ll be “proud to meet its first graduating class” under his banner.

“I made the quip one time: never express an interest in something,” he said with a smile, “because you’ll eventually get to pay for it.” l F

Liberal arts majors of the Class of 2026 will be the first Meditz College graduates.

Students meet for class in the Frank and Clara Meditz Gallery of the Fairfield University Art Museum, named for the parents of John Meditz ’70.

Grants&Gifts

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

John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences

Sara Williams, PhD, assistant professor of religious studies, has received a $55,000 grant from the Louisville Institute to complete her research for a book project titled “Journeys to the Margins: American Christians in the Palestinian Holy Land,” which examines an increasingly popular form of travel among progressive American Catholics, mainline Protestants, and evangelicals. The phrase “journeys to the margins” refers to short-term packaged trips that promise participants moral and spiritual transformation through encounters with marginalized persons.

Anita Fernandez, PhD, associate professor of biology, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholars grant for research in Spain. Dr. Fernandez plans to work in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Askjaer at the Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CABD) in Seville. Her research will focus on Néstor-Guillermo Progeria Syndrome (NGPS), a rare genetic disease caused by a defect to the nuclear lamina protein BAF-1 that results in infirmities that are normally associated with the elderly.

Alfred Babo, PhD, associate professor of sociology and anthropology, has been selected for a Fulbright Specialist Program at the Jean Lorougnon Guédé University in the Ivory Coast. Dr. Babo will work with the university in June 2025 to develop a curriculum in international studies, including the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, especially in environmental and social studies

This summer, Associate Professor Alfred Babo, PhD, will work in the Fulbright Specialist Program at Jean Lorougnon Guédé University in the Ivory Coast.

Bennett Center for Judaic Studies

The Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation has provided a $40,000 grant to the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies. Under the guidance of Glenn Dynner, PhD, professor of religious studies and Carl & Dorothy Bennett Chair, this support will go toward Bennett Center programming, the program manager, and research

School of Engineering and Computing

John Drazan, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering has been named the inaugural BMRC/ORS Mentorship & Outreach Fellow, which includes an award of

$19,500, by the Bethel Musculoskeletal Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh, together with the Orthopaedic Research Society. This award recognizes his efforts to bring science to all youth, regardless of background, and his commitment to broadening opportunities in STEM, educational access, and community engagement.

Dr. Drazan has also received funding of $10,050 from the U.S. State Department to travel to Australia in May/June 2025, where he will provide seminars and workshops in Canberra, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Launceston, and Hobart, addressing high school and university audiences in each location. This work is part of a broader initiative to grow the pipeline for STEM-related careers to fulfill critical gaps in safe and secure technologies and supply chains in the U.S. and Australia by addressing high-school youth and university students using the topic of sports as an inspirational starting point.

The Baja competition team, under the mentorship of Professor Sriharsha Sundarram, PhD, has been awarded $2,750 from the Gene Haas Foundation to sponsor its participation in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja Competition. The Gene Haas Foundation seeks to build skills in the machining industry by supporting competitions that highlight design, engineering, and manufacturing with CNC-machined (Computer Numerical Control) parts as a primary component.

Charles F. Dolan School of Business

A team of faculty led by Kara Hunter, PhD, associate professor of accounting, has been awarded a $10,000 INQuires grant from the

Fairfield University received a $1.25 million bequest from the estate of the Honorable Maryanne Trump Barry, to be distributed among three programs: Fairfield Bellarmine, Campus Ministry, and the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality.

PwC Foundation to support an initiative to increase the focus on data analytics in the graduate accounting curriculum, to recognize and respond to the importance of data analytics and related technological skills in the modern accounting environment.

Fairfield Bellarmine

Near & Far Aid has awarded $5,000 to fund scholarships for Fairfield Bellarmine students, and the Lone Pine Foundation has donated $5,000 in support of Bellarmine Campus

Center for Social Impact

The Greenwich United Way awarded $79,624 to the Center for Social Impact, led by Melissa Quan, EdD, to conduct their 2025 Community Assessment. This

funding will support research to help develop data-informed solutions to the most pressing community issues facing Greenwich, Connecticut

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) awarded $3,400 to the Quick Center to support the performance of I Said What I Said by Castle of our Skins on March 2, 2025, featuring a unique blend of music and spoken word, exploring themes of self-expression, personal agency, and creative empowerment

Additional Support for the Benefit of Fairfield University Students

Fairfield University received a $1.25 million bequest from the estate of the Honorable Maryanne Trump Barry, to be distributed among three programs: Fairfield Bellarmine, Campus Ministry, and the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality.

The Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative, with funding from the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, has awarded two grants of $30,000 each for opioid and stimulant education and awareness programs on the Fairfield Bellarmine and Fairfield Main campuses, overseen by Counseling & Psychological Services.

The Weller Foundation is continuing its scholarship support with a $1,000 grant for a local first-year student. l F

John Drazan will travel to Australia this summer as part of an initiative to grow the pipeline for STEMrelated careers, using the topic of sports as a starting point.

School of Engineering and Computing, con’t.

AlumniNOTES

1970

’77 | Edward C. “Ned” Burt Jr. was honored with this year’s Notable Citizen of the Year Award by the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce in Hamden, Conn. First elected to the court in 2014, Burt’s term as probate judge for the State of Connecticut’s Hamden-Bethany Probate Court District ended in March, but he remains in private practice with his wife, Christine Burt. Burt Law Office conducts a general practice of law with an emphasis on residential real estate, personal injury, and probate matters.

’78 | Leopold P. DeFusco, a general practice attorney in Bridgeport, Conn. since 1981, was honored with the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award. DeFusco received the award in recognition of his commitment to improving the quality of life in the Greater Bridgeport area through service to the community.

1990

’90 | Thomas Poon, PhD, has been appointed the 17th president of Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles, Calif., effective June 1, 2025. President Poon has worked at LMU since 2017 and previously served as executive vice president and provost, shaping nearly every aspect of academic life. He holds a BS in chemistry from Fairfield and a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

JU liana (hoFFMann) lyons ’18, M s’19 married Evan Lyons on Nov. 2, 2024. The day couldn’t have been better, thanks to wedding planner colleen (wilson) horstMann ’11 and her Coll It Entertaining team.

Share your news! Simply log on to the FREE Alumni Online Community and post your Class Note. Not a member? Registration is easy at fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity. Sign up and log on today.

’92 | Rebecca Cunningham, MD, began her appointment as the 18th president of the five-campus University of Minnesota system on July 1, 2024. Dr. Cunningham maintains a faculty appointment to the School of Public Health’s Division of Epidemiology & Community Health. Prior to joining the University of Minnesota, she served as vice president for research and innovation at the University of Michigan.

’93 | Robert Bird is a professor of business law at the University of Connecticut. His new book Legal Knowledge in Organizations: A Source of Strategic and Competitive Advantage, highlights how corporate counsel, managers, and compliance professionals can use their legal knowledge as a source of value in the corporate setting.

’95 | Christopher Pilkerton has been selected to serve as the acting general counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He has previously been the acting administrator and general counsel at the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as a White House senior policy advisor. Pilkerton began his career as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan and has served as a senior enforcement counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

2000

’01 | Christopher Cassese, MS’20 opened the first Connecticut location of Duck Donuts at 350

Boston Post Road in Orange with his friend and business partner Robert El-Hage. The shop serves Duck Donuts’ signature coffee blends, donuts, donut breakfast sandwiches, donut sundaes, frozen beverages, milkshakes, and more.

Thomas Tierney is the owner and funeral director of John. F. Tierney Funeral Home and The Green Cremation — both located in Manchester, Conn. Founded in 2024, The Green Cremation offers a sustainable, environmentally friendly end-of-life option.

’03 | Sarah Courtney serves as the chief communications officer for the League of Women Voters of the United States, where she is responsible for the organization’s digital presence, brand identity, media relations, and member communications. As a voting rights expert and communications professional with more than 15 years of experience in journalism and public relations, Courtney’s leadership ensures a unified and consistent voice across the organization’s communications channels. Under her direction, the League has won multiple awards for website development and public service video production.

’05 | Zac Freedman has been promoted to associate professor with tenure in the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

’07 | Ben Doody, former managing editor at digital sports information service Heavy and a longtime leader at several Connecticut newsrooms, was appointed executive editor of the Omaha World-Herald newsroom. He assumed his post on April 28, 2025.

AlumniNOTES

’08 | Katherine E. “Katie” Schneider, MFA’11 has been appointed poet laureate of the city of Norwalk, Conn. Announced by the Norwalk Public Library, in partnership with the Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission and Norwalk Business Development, Schneider will serve a two-year term, during which her role will be to promote creative expression and appreciation for poetry among Norwalk residents.

2010

’12 | In Sept. 2024, Vincent Ferrer, Esq. joined the Paramus, New Jersey-based law firm Bittiger Elias Triolo & Diehl, P.C. As the newest member of their M&A/ Corporate Transactions group, which closed over 220 transactions in 2024, Ferrer counsels business owners focused on growing, selling, and protecting their businesses.

’14 | Katherine Martin earned her doctorate in integrative and conservation biology from the University of Central Florida in Dec. 2024. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University.

’17 | Kaadiana Barnes-Padilla joined the New York Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on April 13, 2024.

2020

’20 | Helen E. Ruckes, BSN, RN, was recently selected for the Shining Bright Award by United Energy Workers, a national leader in

home healthcare for former nuclear and radium workers. Promoted to intake nurse, Ruckes was cited for being an “incredible nurse,” demonstrating love and compassion for her patients, and going “above and beyond for her team.” In her spare time, Ruckes fosters dogs for her local county animal shelter in Aiken, S.C.

’21 | Caitlyn Nichols, a graduate of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, runs a creative note-taking business, ICUnursingnotesby-caitlyn, LLC, an educational platform designed to fill a need for visual learning resources for critical care nurses. Her notes are available through Etsy and featured on a well-known Instagram page (icunursingnotesbycaitlyn) with more than 72K followers; Nichols is currently working on a book.

’23 | Shahnt Madalian is the founder and chief architect of the innovative advertising platform AdXR, which works with developers to monetize their visionOS apps with state-of-the-art 3D Spatial Video and image ads. The AdXR platform is tailored for the extended reality world and made its debut at the 2023 StartUp Showcase, winning second place and $7,500 in seed funding.

Marriages

Brittany Barbaro ’12 and Peter Bonnazio — Sept. 27, 2024.

Caleigh Tansey ’12 and Eric Lewis — Nov. 2, 2024.

Danielle Simko ’16 and Matthew Tkac ’14 — Sept. 21, 2024.

Gina Imperati ’15 and Evan Tuozzoli ’15 — Sept. 22, 2023.

StagMates and registered nurses Jessica vaU ghn ’21 and christian ciab U rro ’21 married on Feb. 21, 2025 with a festive herd of Stags in attendance.

Share your news! Simply log on to the FREE Alumni Online Community and post your Class Note. Not a member? Registration is easy at fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity. Sign up and log on today.

Rachel (Baroody) ’15 and Derek Thomson — June 16, 2024.

Michelle Cusumano ’15 and Nolan Clark ’15 — Aug. 10, 2024.

Margaret Abbott ’17 and James Law ’15, MS’16 — Oct. 19, 2024.

Meghan Baer ’16 and Marco Rodis ’16 — Aug. 24, 2024.

Elizabeth McShane ’16, MA’17 and Christian Gonser ’16 — July 20, 2024.

Alexandra Rosati ’16 and Mac Seavey — July 27, 2024.

Kimberly DeRosa ’17 and Robert Valente ’17 — Dec. 14, 2024.

Megan Gallagher ’17, MS’18 and Ryan Roche ’17 — June 22, 2024.

Megan LaFleche ’17 and Sam Daly ’17 — Sept. 13, 2024.

Dawson Poinelli ’17 and Ryan Antell ’19 — Oct. 12, 2024.

Erin Buckley ’18 and Andrew Killian ’18 — Nov. 9, 2024.

Juliana Hoffmann ’18, MS’19 and Evan Lyons — Nov. 2, 2024.

Marisa Molea ’18 and Joseph DeLasho ’18 — Oct. 25, 2024.

Sara Plowman ’19 and Jonathan Uy ’18 — July 13, 2024.

Shannon Carney ’19 and Anthony Lawinger — Nov. 8, 2024.

Susan Miranda ’19 and Michael Amoroso ’19 — Sept. 28, 2024.

Allison Carasone ’20 and Colten Roberts — Sept. 7, 2024.

Jessica Vaughn ’21 and Christian Ciaburro ’21 — Feb. 21, 2025.

n icholas M ercadante ’04 A Mission-Driven Approach

by sara colabella ’08, Ma’11

Nicholas Mercadante ’04 arrived at Fairfield University as a political science major with a passion for media. As general manager of the University’s radio station, WVOF, he relocated the student-run operation to the Barone Campus Center and expanded programming to include live sports coverage and concert broadcasts.

Studying political science sharpened his analytical skills and reinforced the importance of service. Overseeing WVOF allowed him to cultivate his entrepreneurial mindset while gaining experience in project management, business operations, and leadership. His involvement with Campus Ministry provided opportunities to give back to his community and consider solutions to challenges affecting vulnerable populations.

“Fairfield nurtured my curiosity and sense of purpose. Ignatian principles — like questioning assumptions, seeking the greater good, and applying what I learn to real-world challenges — directly influenced the path I am on today.”

Mercadante never anticipated that his interdisciplinary passions would ultimately shape his problem-solving skills, leadership style, and sense of mission — and lead him to the technology and healthcare sector.

“The Jesuit values at Fairfield really left a lasting impression,” he said. “Solving

healthcare challenges requires critical thinking, a deep sense of ethical and social responsibility, and reflection. It also requires a lot of determination and grit. These are all values that were honed at Fairfield and continue to guide my approach to mission-driven healthcare.”

Mercadante grew up in the healthcare world. His father, a pharmacist, built a national apothecary pharmacy chain. “I knew I wanted a meaningful career rooted in entrepreneurship and impact, but I wasn’t sure whether that would be in healthcare or something else,” he said. Taking courses across liberal arts disciplines at Fairfield fueled his curiosity and encouraged him to explore his interests beyond a defined professional track.

“Rather than narrowing my focus, Fairfield nurtured my curiosity and sense of purpose,” he noted. “Ignatian principles — like questioning assumptions, seeking the greater good, and applying what I learn to real-world challenges — directly influenced the path I am on today.”

i n 2019, M ercadante la U nched PursueCare, a telemedicine platform focused on virtual addiction treatment. With a goal of improving patient care through better healthcare accessibility, the company combines medical care with software solutions to offer virtual, personalized treatment.

It wasn’t long before the entrepreneur’s work caught the attention of the School of Engineering and Computing (SEC) and sparked an ongoing collaboration. “They saw where I was heading with telemedicine and reached out,” Mercadante said.

Mercadante mentors engineering students, sponsors senior design projects, and serves on the engineering school’s advisory board. As a lead sponsor of StagHack, he challenges students to solve real-world

healthcare problems. One recent student project — a provider scheduling tool — originated at StagHack and was passed along to his PursueCare team for potential implementation.

He also actively recruits Fairfield students for internships and full-time roles. Recently, alumnus Tim Gould MS’23, a data science graduate, transitioned from intern to PursueCare team member. “Many engineering programs put blinders on students but Fairfield’s liberal arts foundation encourages broader thinking,” Mercadante said. “That perspective is invaluable in industries like healthcare, where technical skills must be applied within complex, real-world contexts.”

As a School of Engineering and Computing Advisory Board member, Mercadante is helping to shape the school’s future, championing fields like AI and data security and preparing students for an evolving tech landscape. One of the most exciting developments, he said, is SEC’s planned expansion and refined curriculum.

“Fairfield isn’t just preparing students for where technology is now — it’s preparing them for where it’s going.”

For Mercadante, mentorship isn’t just about giving back — it’s about shaping the future of engineers. “It’s easy to follow the traditional engineering school path… where you’re cushioned from broader challenges and focus solely on your assigned work,” he said. “But stepping into a field like healthcare, where you’re tackling complex issues like population health, requires a different mindset. It demands a missiondriven approach. I believe Fairfield uniquely prepares students for that kind of work.” l F

Nicholas Mercadante ’04 (center) mentored engineering students during StagHack 2025.

AlumniNOTES

In Memoriam

Gus R. Horvath ’53 — Jan. 2, 2025

Donald J. Incerto ’53 — Feb. 25, 2025

Richard J. Sanislo ’54 — Jan. 18, 2025

Julius P. DeNitto Sr. ’56, MA’61, CT’64 — March 4, 2025

Emery J. Pavel ’56 — Jan. 21, 2025

Paul Dunn ’57, P’88, GP’06 — April 15, 2025

Thomas J. Callan ’58 — Jan. 4, 2025

Kenneth F. Felsmann Jr. ’58, CT’71 — March 4, 2025

John T. Gilmore Jr. ’58 — Feb. 19, 2025

Richard A. Mace ’58, MA’61 — Dec. 14, 2024

Anthony J. Nespole Jr. ’58 — Jan. 11, 2025

Rudolph S. Kuraska ’59 — Feb. 4, 2025

Lawrence A. Lessing III ’59 — March 16, 2025

Francis M. Marcellino Jr. ’59 — Feb. 18, 2025

James N. Bellantoni Sr. ’60, MA’67, MS’03 — Jan. 15, 2025

Russell M. Jagoe ’60 — Jan. 14, 2025

Arthur J. Funk ’61 — Jan. 3, 2025

James M. Keane ’61 — March 25, 2025

Mathew A. Pugliese ’61 — March 12, 2025

Steven A. Kolbay ’62 — March 1, 2025

Frederick J. Menosky ’62 — March 6, 2025

Sean M. Meehan ’63, MA’68 — Jan. 9, 2025

Gene F. Cassavechia ’64 — March 6, 2025

Jacque C. Cassella Sr. ’64 — March 22, 2025

Peter L. Goss ’64 — March 7, 2025

Clarence A. Thumm III ’65 — March 19, 2025

Brian V. Beaudin ’66 — March 11, 2025

Roger N. Rizzardi ’66 — Dec. 29, 2024

Bernard J. Daly Jr. ’67 — Feb. 19, 2025

Paul A. Zaveruha ’67 — Dec. 31, 2024

Peter F. Charette Jr. ’69 — Feb. 11, 2025

Edward J. Maher III ’69 — Oct. 23, 2024

James P. Higgins ’70 — Jan. 22, 2025

William J. McGee ’70 — Feb. 17, 2025

John K. Ricci Sr. ’72 (BEI) — Feb. 8, 2025

Robert S. Bartosiak ’73 — Feb. 23, 2025

Alan J. Tyma ’73 — Feb. 16, 2025

Richard W. Cullen ’74 — Dec. 14, 2024

Helen (Cunningham)

Tuccio ’77 — March 4, 2025

Brian R. Visokay ’77 — Aug. 25, 2023

Francis H. Golen ’80 — March 3, 2025

Mary E. Edelen ’81 — Jan. 13, 2025

Dennis C. Cronin ’82 — Jan. 16, 2025

Olga E. Tailor ’82 — Sept. 5, 2024

Robin E. DeValt ’87 — March 22, 2025

DID YOU KNOW? FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY HAS REGIONAL ALUMNI OPPORTUNITIES

BOSTON • PHILADELPHIA • CHICAGO NORTHERN NEW JERSEY • SAN FRANCISCO NYC • FAIRFIELD-WESTCHESTER HARTFORD • WASHINGTON, D.C.

Want to get involved?

For more information contact Scott Hibson at shibson@fairfield.edu or 203-254-4000 ext. 2374

For a complete list of upcoming events go to: fairfield.edu/alumnievents

Sheri L. (Lamont) Fabian ’88 — Jan. 24, 2025

Melissa B. (Nittoly) Dowd ’93 — Dec. 10, 2024

Jeffrey C. Ridley ’96 — Feb. 8, 2025

Holli A. Tapley ’01 — Jan. 7, 2025

Mary R. McGuire ’04 — Feb. 8, 2023

Haralampos B. Moisiadis ’02, MS’04 — March 17, 2025

Jennifer B. (Gellatly) Sirella ALUC’05 — Jan. 21, 2025

Brendan J. Joyce ’18 — March 18, 2025

Driving Environmental Change

by a lan b isbort

The only ti M e c eline King ’23 ever thought about trucks before arriving at Fairfield as a first-year in 2019 was when she was driving behind one on the highway.

“Now, when I encounter a truck on the road, I envision a sticker on their bumper that reads ‘Emissions Tracked by GreenIRR,’” she said.

GreenIRR, Inc. is the company King founded in her senior year at Fairfield after having competed in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business’s StartUp Showcase and taking home the People’s Choice Award the spring before. The daunting mission she has set for herself is nothing less than mitigating the environmental impact of an industry with one of the largest carbon footprints on the planet — trucking.

“I always knew I wanted to do something that would have an impact on climate change,” said King, who returned to campus this past April to sit on the Investor Panel for the 2025 StartUp Showcase. “Transportation generates 90 percent of the emissions in the U.S. And, of that 90 percent, trucks generate 72 percent. My inspiration was to find a way to help trucking companies gain some control over their emissions.”

Easier said than done, of course. Indeed, the biggest challenge she and her nineperson team faced wasn’t creating, testing, and piloting the software. Nor was it building the website or finding investors or office space (they currently gather at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Labs). It was, she said, “bringing brand-new technology into a legacy industry.”

In short, the trucking industry is old school. Prior to GreenIRR, almost all required emissions reports were done on spreadsheets, the figures often entered by hand — a 30- to 40-hour process fraught with error possibilities. King’s idea for GreenIRR was to create an SaaS (software

as a service) carbon accounting platform for trucking carriers to automatically measure fleet emissions and generate regulationcompliant reports.

Richard E. Hyman, an adjunct professor in the Center For Applied Ethics, sees King’s idea as “meeting the problem head on. There are tens of thousands of trucking companies in the U.S. It’s a tough crowd, a competitive industry and economically challenging. Company owners may not think about the environment, but they do care about efficiency and saving money, and GreenIRR can help with both. It has a user-friendly interface and can produce reports in seconds.”

(l-r) Matthew Miller mentored Celine King ’23 and GreenIRR during the 2022 StartUp Showcase.

“Experience is the best way to learn.”

came prepared with an idea and we worked together for nine months on it, at the end of which she asked me to be a partner.”

a P ennsylvania native , K ing ca M e to Fairfield as a biology major on a preveterinarian track— she graduated with a double-major in business analytics and biology. Two classes in her sophomore year turned her head, and life, around. The first was a course on climate change taught by David L. Downie, PhD, and the second was Hyman’s “Environmental Ethics” course. Taking these classes via Zoom in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, King had a “visceral reaction” to the coursework.

“Richard’s class was the pivot point for me, but I don’t know if I’d have made that pivot without having taken David Downie’s class first,” she said. “I just knew, at the end of that sophomore year, I wanted a career in climate, however that might take form.”

At the time, Hyman was also a mentor in the Dolan School’s Business Entrepreneurship Program. At the end of the semester, he encouraged students to think about bringing a StartUp business idea to present in the fall. “It was voluntary and not for credit,” said Hyman. “Celine

King credits the emphasis on experiential learning at the Dolan School. “Chris Huntley [an analytics professor and Fairfield StartUp director] said I needed a hard skill, something to ground me in real life experience and help me with starting a business,” she said. “Through the school, I interned for two summers — first with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at UCONN’s Coastal Biogeochemical Dynamics lab and the following summer with Greenbacker Capital, which invests in solar and wind energy projects. Experience is the best way to learn.”

Other people cited by King as instrumental to her success are Peter Murrugarra, a StartUp advisor/mentor, and Matthew Miller, a scientist, innovator, and high-tech entrepreneur who mentored Team GreenIRR during the 2022 StartUp Showcase.

“Matt Miller is at the top of my list,” she said. “He treated this then-19-year-old like an adult, which was empowering because he’s so accomplished. He taught me to believe in myself.” l F

AlumniNOTES

GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Lisa René Reynolds, MA’92, PhD, graduated from Fairfield’s Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program in 1992 and is currently an MFT professor at Northwestern University. Her newest publication, Creative Play in Family Therapy: Effective Strategies and Interventions for Child-Centered Treatment, was published by Routledge Press in April, 2025.

Justin Burse MBA’10 was named chief compliance officer of the U.S. business of Dubai-based international financial advisory firm Hoxton Wealth. Burse most recently served as the deputy commissioner and then acting commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio of regulated entities, including banks, credit unions, investment advisers, broker-dealers and the mortgage industry.

Katherine E. “Katie” Schneider ’08, MFA’11 has been appointed poet laureate of the city of Norwalk, Conn. Announced by the Norwalk Public Library in partnership with the Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission and Norwalk Business Development, Schneider will serve a two-year term, during which her role will be to promote creative expression and appreciation for poetry among Norwalk residents.

Christopher Cassese ’01, MS’20 opened the first Connecticut location of Duck Donuts at 350 Boston Post Road in Orange with his friend and business partner Robert El-Hage. The shop serves Duck Donuts’ signature coffee blends, donuts, donut breakfast sandwiches, donut sundaes, frozen beverages, milkshakes, and more.

Marriages

Elizabeth McShane ’16, MA’17 and Christian Gonser ’16 — July 20, 2024.

Margaret Abbott ’17 and James Law ’15, MS’16 — Oct. 19, 2024.

Megan Gallagher ’17, MS’18 and Ryan Roche ’17 — June 22, 2024.

Juliana Hoffmann ’18, MS’19 and Evan Lyons — Nov. 2, 2024.

In Memoriam

Joseph T. Gaffney MA’57 — Jan. 30, 2025

Edward R. Sipay MA’58 — Dec. 24, 2024

Julius P. DeNitto Sr. ’56, MA’61, CT’64 — March 4, 2025

Clayton G. Haviland III MA’61, CT’65 — Feb. 25, 2025

Richard A. Mace ’58, MA’61 — Dec. 14, 2024

Peter J. Loughran Sr. MA’62, CT’65 — March 16, 2025

Louis L. Lapolla Jr. MA’65, CT’75 — Jan. 15, 2025

James N. Bellantoni Sr. ’60, MA’67, MS’03 — Jan. 15, 2025

Robert A. Nalewajek MA’67 — Jan. 16, 2025

Sean M. Meehan ’63, MA’68 — Jan. 9, 2025

Julius F. Gryckiewicz MA’69 — Feb. 22, 2025

Jacqueline J. (Kinney) Ray MA’69, CT’75 — Jan. 25, 2025

Kenneth F. Felsmann Jr. ’58, CT’71 — March 4, 2025

elizabeth Mcshane ’16, Ma’17 & christian gonser ’16 wed on July 20, 2024.

Share your news! Simply log on to the FREE Alumni Online Community and post your Class Note. Not a member? Registration is easy at fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity. Sign up and log on today.

Rev. Richard J. Shea MA’69, CT’71 — Jan. 22, 2025

Andrea E. (Kieffer) Kirkman MA’73, CT’81 — Jan. 21, 2025

Jane E. Hardy MA’75 — Feb. 3, 2025

Rev. Patrick Mooney MA’76 — March 18, 2025

Jane (Spencer) Herrmann MA’77 — Feb. 18, 2025

Doryce R. (Ohlin) Smelter MA’77 — Jan. 5, 2025

Linda (Nykaza) Albanese MA’79 — Jan. 20, 2025

Joann (Tummel) Van Esselstyn MA’82 — Jan. 5, 2025

Ellen (Riley) Schneider MA’83 — Jan. 28, 2025

Haralampos B. Moisiadis ’02, MS’04 — March 17, 2025

Erica L. (Magliocco) Alterio MA’16 — Jan. 14, 2025

Michael C. Emond MSN’17 — Jan. 19, 2025

Alumni

SUMMER 2025

Fairfield University Alumni Association

fairfield.edu/alumni | 203-254-4280

Email us at alumni@fairfield.edu

Golden Stags Reunion

SAT., OCT. 4

Quick Center for the Arts

quickcenter.com | 203-254-4010

Follow us! @FairfieldQuick

Missoula Children’s Theatre

Camp Sessions:

Blackbeard the Pirate

JULY 7 – 11

The Snow Queen

JULY 14 – 18

Alice in Wonderland

JULY 21 – 25

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

JULY 28 – AUG. 1

The Princess and the Pea AUG. 4 – 8

Treasure Island AUG. 11 – 15

Summer Intensives

Morning Camp Sessions at the Bookstore:

Acting Class

JULY 14 – 18 | Ages 6-10

Step Right Up! An Introduction to Circus Skills

JULY 28 – AUG. 1 | Ages 8 & up

Summer Intensives

Afternoon Camp Sessions at the Quick:

Singing for the Stage

JULY 21 – 24 | Ages 8-11

JULY 28 – 31 | Ages 11 & up

Acting and Audition Prep AUG. 4 – 7 | Ages 11 & up

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

Fairfield University

Art Museum

fairfield.edu/museum | 203-254-4046

Email us at museum@fairfield.edu

An Gorta Mór: Selections From Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum

APRIL 11 – AUG. 16

Walsh Gallery

Famous & Family: Through the Lens of Trude Fleischmann

MAY 2 – JULY 26

Bellarmine Hall Galleries

Stitching Time: Social Justice Collaboration

Quilts Project and Give Me Life:

CPA Prison Arts Program

SEPT. 12 – DEC. 20

Walsh Gallery

Monuments: Commemoration and Controversy

SEPT. 19 – DEC. 20

Bellarmine Hall Galleries

Trude Fleischmann, Sandra and Barbara Rosenberg with Golden Heart Necklaces, 1951, gelatin silver print. Courtesy of Barbara Rosenberg Loss. © Trude Fleischmann

Several Summer Intensive camp sessions will take place downtown at the Fairfield University Bookstore.

Donor PROFILE

Alumni Leading With Purpose

s hannon g ilroy ’14 and l U igi d i M eglio ’14

StagMates Shannon Gilroy and Luigi DiMeglio graduated from Fairfield in 2014, carrying with them cherished memories, lasting friendships, and a deep appreciation for the well-rounded education they received. They view their college years as a crucial foundation for the lives they’ve built. Above all, they are grateful for the connection they formed at Fairfield, which led to their marriage in 2021.

Both Shannon and Luigi graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences — she was a new media film major and he was a double major in English and journalism. Today, they live in Queens, N.Y., where Shannon works as an HR professional and culture and engagement specialist at Oscar Health, and Luigi is a line producer at Bloomberg.

In 2024, the StagMates attended their 10th Reunion at Fairfield. They enjoyed reconnecting with mutual friends, networking with classmates, and celebrating this meaningful milestone. While the Reunion marked an important moment in their lives, it wasn’t their first time re-engaging with the University community — they have been intentional about staying involved from the start. Luigi has always believed in the impact that young alumni can have, especially through mentoring and advising current

“Giving back to Fairfield has given us a role in the community that we didn’t predict for ourselves, but we now realize it is something we can truly be proud of.”

students. He has served as a mentor to many undergraduates, offering support with interview preparation, résumé reviews, and general career advice. His involvement sparked Shannon’s appreciation of this type of mentorship as well. “When you’re more junior in your career, you can likely be more relatable to a current student,” she said. “Your recent experience and insight can offer a hand through the fog of uncertainty that separates those students from their early careers.”

Luigi currently serves on the Media Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences, a group dedicated to supporting the school’s strategic direction and advancement efforts. In the fall of 2024, he partnered with the College of Arts and Sciences’ Office of Career and Professional Development to host a group of students for a visit to his Bloomberg office through Fairfield’s Stags in the

City program. “This type of tour is actually part of what eventually led me to work at Bloomberg,” he said. “When I was a senior at Fairfield, I was lucky enough to visit Bloomberg’s headquarters in New York. So, as soon as I got the chance, I wanted to pay that forward.” The full-circle moment also brought back memories of his time as a campus tour guide at Fairfield.

Luigi’s sister, Christina DiMeglio ’06, PsyD, is also a Fairfield alumna. Luigi fondly recalls visiting Christina during Siblings Weekend. “I noticed how genuine, kind, and supportive her friends were — still are,” he said. “Her Fairfield roommate was her maid of honor, and my Fairfield roommate was my best man.”

The DiMeglio siblings are also first-generation college students, a fact that has deepened their appreciation for their Fairfield experience and

also inspired Luigi and Shannon to make a leadership pledge in support of the Fairfield Awards Dinner (FAD) and the College of Arts and Sciences. As longtime donors and attendees of the annual fundraising dinner, they appreciate how the Stag community comes together as men and women for others each year to expand access to higher education and the Fairfield experience.

Luigi and Shannon are proud to be active alumni. Together, they plan to continue supporting students, contributing to University initiatives, and inspiring other young alumni to get involved — they believe it’s never too early to make a difference. “Giving back to Fairfield has given us a role in the community that we didn’t predict for ourselves,” said Luigi, “but we now realize it is something we can truly be proud of.”

Giving Societies

Fairfield is deeply grateful for all levels of support that advance the University’s mission through philanthropy! For those individuals who make special gifts to the University, Fairfield’s Giving Societies recognize their support and offer a selection of special benefits As you make decisions on your own giving to Fairfield, please consider joining one or more of the Giving Societies listed below and experience the wonderful benefits provided to our donors

T h e P r e s i d e n t ’ s C i r c l e r e c o g n i z e s

d o n o r s w h o c o n t r i b u t e $ 1 , 0 0 0 +

a n n u a l l y , o f f e r i n g u n i q u e t h a n k

y o u b e n e f i t s t o a l u m n i , p a r e n t s ,

a n d f r i e n d s

The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) is a network of Fairfield parents committed to enhancing the student experience, with gifts starting at $5,000 annually and Executive PLC membership and benefits for gifts of $25,000 or more

The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) is a network of Fairfield parents committed to enhancing the student experience, with gifts starting at $5,000 annually and Executive PLC membership and benefits for gifts of $25,000 or more

The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) is a network of Fairfield parents committed to enhancing the student experience, with gifts starting at $5,000 annually and Executive PLC membership and benefits for gifts of $25,000 or more

The Bellarmine Society recognizes alumni, parents, and friends who include Fairfield University in their estate plans, offering special thank you benefits.

The Bellarmine Society recognizes alumni, parents, and friends who include Fairfield University in their estate plans, offering special thank you benefits

The Bellarmine Society recognizes alumni, parents, and friends who include Fairfield University in their estate plans, offering special thank you benefits

The Friends of Fairfield Athletics Monarch Program is for Athletics alumni who pledge $1,250+ over five years to support the athletics program of their choice

The Friends of Fairfield Athletics Monarch Program is for Athletics alumni who pledge $1,250+ over five years to support the athletics program of their choice

The Friends of Fairfield Athletics Monarch Program is for Athletics alumni who pledge $1,250+ over five years to support the athletics program of their choice

The 2010 Society recognizes donors who give $2,010+ annually to support the Fairfield University Art Museum’s exhibitions, programs, and the growth and care of the Museum’s permanent collection.

The 2010 Society recognizes donors who give $2,010+ annually to support the Fairfield University Art Museum’s exhibitions, programs, and the growth and care of the Museum’s permanent collection

The 2010 Society recognizes donors who give $2,010+ annually to support the Fairfield University Art Museum’s exhibitions, programs, and the growth and care of the Museum’s permanent collection

The Quick Center Patron Program supports the transformative power of the arts with gifts of $5,000+, offering exclusive benefits like VIP receptions and artist engagements

The Quick Center Patron Program supports the transformative power of the arts with gifts of $5,000+, offering exclusive benefits like VIP receptions and artist engagements

The Quick Center Patron Program supports the transformative power of the arts with gifts of $5,000+, offering exclusive benefits like VIP receptions and artist engagements

The Allen Society recognizes donors who give consistently, either through recurring gifts, giving for three or more consecutive years, or cumulatively for 10+ years.

The Allen Society recognizes donors who give consistently, either through recurring gifts, giving for three or more consecutive years, or cumulatively for 10+ years.

The Allen Society recognizes donors who give consistently, either through recurring gifts, giving for three or more consecutive years, or cumulatively for 10+ years.

For more information about any of our giving societies, please contact us at annualgiving@fairfield.edu.

For more information about any of our giving societies, please contact us at annualgiving@fairfield.edu.

For more information about any of our giving societies, please contact us at annualgiving@fairfield.edu.

To make your gift, visit Fairfield.edu/give

To make your gift, visit Fairfield.edu/give

To make your gift, visit Fairfield.edu/give