Lights, Camera, Action!
Fairfield alumni brought students behind the scenes of the entertainment industry— and closer to their next act.
Behind the Broadcast
Inside Fairfield’s Sports Media program, where students produce live games and prepare for careers in the industry.
In an era defined by emerging technologies, the humanities at Fairfield remain essential to forming thoughtful, future-ready graduates.
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Old Glory waves proudly above campus on a beautiful summer day.
On the cover:
Aidan Schnapf ’26 was the top scorer for the Fairfield men’s team at the 2026 MAAC Championships.
Fairfield University Magazine
Fairfield University
Summer 2026 | Volume 49 | Number 1 a.M.d.g.
Editor, Jeannine (Carolan) Graf ’87, MFA’25
Managing Editor, Jackie Bertolone
Assistant Editor, Kiersten Bjork ’21
University News Editor, Susan Cipollaro
Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Jennifer Anderson ’97, MBA’02
Designer, Nancy (Gelston) Dobos ’91
Magazine Photographer, Joe Adams
Photography by:
Joe Adams: pages 2-5, 8, 25, 27-32, 35
Owen Bonaventura: pages 6, 7, 10
Joe Buglewicz: page 11, 14
Tim Cowie: page 13
Indi DelRocco: page 12
David Gray/GrayPeak Images: page 37
Hechler Photographers: page 7
Kristie Kistner: page 9
Lockheed Martin: page 11
Media Center: page 7, 33
Stockton Photo: pages 23-6
Contributed: pages 2, 5, 9, 10, 15, 19-21, 34, 36, 38-40
Fairfield University Magazine is published four times (December, 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
by K iersten b jor K ’21
Fairfield alumni brought students behind the scenes of the entertainment industry—and closer to their next act.
Over Spring Break in March, Fairfield alumni in the entertainment industry invited students from Fairfield Meditz’s Film, Television, and Media Arts program into their workplaces. The inaugural Stags in L.A. immersion trip exposed the group to a range of career options and introduced them to the famously strong Fairfield alumni career network.
“I tell every recruit and everybody who joins our program, that we are centered around three pillars: we’re hardworking, we’re competitive, and we have fun.”
— j a K e l ichter , Swimming & Diving Head Coach
by d rew K ingsley ’07
Swimming
For the first time ever, both the men’s team and the women’s team in Fairfield University’s Swimming & Diving program were crowned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions in the same season. Head Coach Jake Lichter—who brought home two Coach of the Year trophies—said the 2026 season’s success centered on his athletes’ ability to work hard, stay competitive, and have fun.
Pictured above: In his second year with the Stags, Head Coach Jake Lichter brought home both Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year awards.
c olabella ’08, M a’11, e d d ’26
Inside Fairfield’s Sports Media program, where students produce live games and prepare for careers in the industry.
In the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences, students in the Sports Media program hone technical and critical thinking skills in the classroom, while gaining professional experience— on campus with the Stags Sports Network and WVOF, and near campus at major sports media hubs like NBC Sports and Sports Illustrated
Fairfield Dolan’s 30 Under 30 recognition has grown into a network of students and recent alumni opening doors for one another.
M ics
In an era defined by emerging technologies, the humanities at Fairfield remain essential to forming thoughtful, future-ready graduates.
F iles :
Catherine (Auriana) Cadigan ’04, MBA’10 Newly Appointed President of the Alumni Board
Jared Mezzocchi ’07
Catapult Toward an Award-Winning Career
“Alumni mentorship continues to be a cornerstone of the Fairfield experience, opening doors and shaping pathways for our students.”
Dear Friends,
At the close of the academic year, I find myself reflecting on how Fairfield University has evolved, where we find ourselves, and where we are called to be. When we speak of being a model of the modern, Jesuit Catholic University, we do so with a deep commitment to our more than 500-year Jesuit educational tradition, ensuring our Ignatian mission remains vital, relevant, and always in conversation with the world around us.
The resonance of this endeavor is reflected in the young people drawn to our University. Fairfield saw the largest applicant pool in its history for the Class of 2030 and achieved a record-low admit rate of 21 percent. These students—representing 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 97 countries—bring both high academic standing and a clear sense of purpose. Increasingly, they are choosing Fairfield. Our yield is over 33 percent—a powerful affirmation of the strength of our academic programs and our valuesbased, student-centric, outcomes-focused approach.
Our 97 percent job placement rate for the Class of 2025 and our distinction among top institutions for long-term career success and return on investment reflect our commitment to forming graduates who lead lives of meaning and purpose.
in technology, media, and entrepreneurship— many of them Fairfield graduates.
We continue to advance interdisciplinary work that responds to today’s challenges. The Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies brings together faculty and students across disciplines to address issues of environmental resilience and sustainability, drawing elected officials and government leaders to campus to learn about students’ projects firsthand. Fairfield’s new Mechatronics Engineering program, one of the few of its kind in the U.S., prepares students at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, and computational systems, reflecting evolving workforce needs. Through the AI Institute, we are engaging what I have described as a new “Sputnik moment,” one reshaping the technological and economic landscape in profound ways.
Universities have long played a central role in such periods of transformation—not as ivory towers but as civic institutions where inquiry meets application and where innovation advances the common good. At Fairfield, we are dedicated to embracing that role fully.
Looking ahead, we remain grounded in the faith that defines us. This June, the Murphy Center will host the National Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises, underscoring Fairfield’s leadership in the work of Ignation spiritual direction. In that same spirit, we are honored to receive a Holocaust memorial sculpture, She Wouldn’t Take Off Her Boots, this fall. Created by Victoria Milstein, the piece embodies our commitment to remembrance, reflection, and the dignity of the human person.
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.
Equally important is the strength of our community. This year’s record-breaking STAGiving Day featured more than 4,300 donors supporting over 140 funds across campus. What stands out most is not simply the scale of participation but the shared commitment it represents.
That philanthropic investment is perhaps most visible in the relationships that define this University community. Alumni mentorship continues to be a cornerstone of the Fairfield experience, opening doors and shaping pathways for our students. Over spring break, students engaged in immersive experiences in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, connecting with leaders
Taken together, these developments illustrate a University advancing with commitment to mission and tradition. As the Class of 2026 graduates and the Class of 2030 arrives, Fairfield enters this next chapter with extraordinary momentum and commitment to responding to the needs of our time.
With deepest gratitude and warmest wishes,
MarK r. neMec, phd President
The Charles F. Dolan School of Business has evolved its MS in Business Analytics program into a new MS in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics, featuring expanded coursework and a forward-looking approach to business leadership.
Building on its strong foundation in business analytics, the new program introduces AI-focused coursework that reflects the latest developments in the field. AI course enhancements will strengthen the curriculum and equip students with a comprehensive, up-to-date understanding of the rapidly evolving AI landscape and with advanced tools and methodologies that meet the demands of today’s global marketplace.
Like the original program, which was ranked No. 7 in the U.S. and No. 12 globally by Quacquarelli Symonds’ 2026 Specialized Master’s Rankings for Best Value for Money, the new MS in AI and Business Analytics program is being offered in both on-campus and online formats, providing flexibility for students in the U.S. and those pursuing their studies in Shanghai, China. l F
What will it take to sustain and grow manufacturing in Connecticut? That question brought business, foundation, and community leaders to Bellarmine Hall on March 19 for a Presidential Colloquium hosted by President Mark R. Nemec, PhD.
Kirti Patel, the state’s chief manufacturing officer and deputy commissioner for economic development, noted that Connecticut’s 4,600 manufacturers generate about $34 billion in output and employ approximately 153,000 people. About 80 percent produce critical components for submarines, jet engines, surgical devices, electronics, and semiconductor equipment.
Meeting workforce demands requires a new kind of engineer, said Andrew Judge, PhD, chief of staff at ASML and adjunct faculty member in Fairfield’s School of Engineering & Computing, who emphasized the growing importance of mechatronics—the integration of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering.
Fairfield’s new BS in Mechatronics Engineering—one of only a handful of such programs nationwide—prepares students to design and operate the advanced systems driving Industry 4.0 and Connecticut’s manufacturing future.
At an event titled “Bridging the Gap,” a panel of Fairfield Bellarmine Class of 2025 alumni shared their experiences transitioning to Fairfield’s Main Campus and offered advice to current students.
Co-moderated by Yolehema Felican ’12, director of the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, and Joshua Dixon AS’25,’27, the discussion kept student voices at the center, with panelists addressing common concerns about moving from a smaller campus to a larger university setting. While acknowledging challenges, many said those concerns were quickly replaced by a strong sense of belonging, supported by peers, professors, and staff.
Bellarmine alumni emphasized the accessibility of faculty, the importance of community, and the value of getting involved, encouraging students to maintain Bellarmine connections while building new ones on the Main Campus.
On Jan. 29, U.S. Representative Jim Himes, D-Conn., visited Fairfield University’s Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies, where student researchers presented:
• Mattia Speretta ’27: public perceptions of sea level rise mitigation.
• Hannah Snayd ’26: how rising water temperatures affect cunner fish behavior.
• Brianna DiMaggio ’26: microplastic exposure and the need for standardized study methods.
• Ethan Chow ’27: projected extreme snowfall trends in mountain regions.
• Graduate student Naqibahmed Kadri presented work with Nusrat Zahan on deep learning techniques that enhance underwater image resolution for marine research and monitoring.
$2.3 MILLION
On April 15, more than 700 members of the Fairfield community gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City for the 2026 Fairfield Awards Dinner and raised a record-setting $2.3 million in support of student scholarships.
The Fairfield Awards Dinner is a signature Fairfield University event that began in 1988. Since its launch, the dinner has raised more than $26 million for scholarships—life-changing support that has empowered generations of students and expanded access to a Fairfield education.
Each year, the event also recognizes exemplary members of the Fairfield community. Alumnus Chris Miles ’03, who works as a host and play-by-play expert for the NBA, returned as event emcee.
A former scholarship recipient himself, Miles brought a personal connection and passion to the role.
This year’s featured student speaker, Jared Alicea ’26, captured the essence of the evening: “In reflecting on my time [at Fairfield], I’ve come to see that formation is not an individual endeavor but something that takes shape in and through community.”
Save the date for the 2027 Fairfield Awards Dinner on April 6, 2027, in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria! l F
Alumni Professional Achievement Award: Gavin G. O’Connor ’88, P’24, Group Chief Operating Officer, Point72 L.P.
Alumni Service Award: Rudolph (Vic) V. Pino Jr. ’73, P’05,’01, Of Counsel, Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP
Distinguished Administrator Award: Nakia N. Létang, Director of Admission, Fairfield Bellarmine
Parent Leadership Award: Frank J. Nigro III and Melissa H. Nigro, P’27,’25, Co-Chairs, Executive Parents Leadership Council
Special Recognition: Jay R. DeGioia ’80, District Manager, Aramark
faculty, staff, and corporate partners enjoyed an evening of impact, connection, and celebration at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
top: (l-r): President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, with honorees Rudolph (Vic) V. Pino Jr. ’73, P’05,’01; Gavin G. O’Connor ’88, P’24; Jay R. DeGioia ’80; Nakia N. Létang; Melissa H. Nigro and Frank J. Nigro III, P’27,’25.
middle row : (l-r): Alumnus and event emcee Chris Miles ’03 and 2026 Fairfield Awards Dinner Co-Chairs Trish Comey Preston ’80 and Matthew C. Kramer ’96, P’28.
left: (l-r): Jared Alicea ’26, Daisy Degante Garcia ’27, President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, Gianna Greco ’26, and Seamus Markey ’26.
The Class of 2030 marks a new wave of high-achieving students who identify Fairfield University as a top choice. The incoming class was selected from the largest applicant pool in the University’s history, underscoring rising academic selectivity and expanding geographic diversity.
Applicants to the Class of 2030 demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, with an average weighted GPA of 3.9 and middle 50 percent SAT range of 1320-1420 among those who submitted scores. Fairfield received 21,662 applications representing 49 states (plus D.C. and Puerto Rico) and 97 countries. In just five short years, the University has seen a 62 percent surge in the number of applications, making this year the most selective admission cycle to date. This growth reflects the University’s increasing appeal as a first-choice institution, with a record number of Early Decision (ED) applicants.
“Rooted in Jesuit tradition and guided by a commitment to ethical leadership, Fairfield University students are empowered to use their gifts in service to others to affect meaningful contributions to the world,” said Vice President for Enrollment Corry Unis. “As we grow in national prominence, more students are selecting Fairfield as their first choice.”
On March 31, the Center for Social Impact and Center for Arts & Minds opened Icons on Ammo Boxes: Christian Art of Hope and Sorrow from the War in Ukraine at their 1720 Post Rd. location. Since 2015, Ukrainian artists Sonia Atlantova and Oleksandr Klymenko have transformed ammunition box fragments from the front lines into sacred artworks rooted in Orthodox icon traditions, with proceeds supporting mobile hospitals. The exhibition featured their Mariupol Deisis (2022), a response to the city’s destruction, along with a newly created icon of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Nine nursing majors from the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies presented senior capstone projects at the 74th annual convention of the National Student Nurses’ Association in Houston, Texas. Professor Jenna LoGiudice, PhD, CNM, RN, CNE, FACNM, FAAN, mentored students as they submitted conference abstracts covering such diverse topics as canine therapy, tracheostomy decannulation readiness, and skin-to-skin contact between new mothers and newborns.
Kanlun (Sampson) Wang, PhD, assistant professor of analytics at Fairfield University’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business, has published a research paper titled “Digital Voices of Survival: From Social Media Disclosures to Support Provisions for Domestic Violence Victims.” The study explores how artificial intelligence can help researchers better understand how individuals disclose experiences of domestic violence on social media—and how online communities respond.
Existing research in this area focuses primarily on detecting posts related to abuse; Dr. Wang’s work takes the analysis one step further and maps the relationship between the types of abuse described and the types of support offered by online communities, providing insight into how people respond when individuals seek help online. Ultimately, his goal is to move toward stronger intervention and support mechanisms for those seeking help through digital platforms.
Dr. Wang analyzed thousands of posts from platforms including Reddit and Facebook and is now extending this work into the emerging field of multimodal AI, which integrates text, image, and video data. l F
above : Kanlun (Sampson) Wang, PhD, assistant professor of analytics at Fairfield Dolan, leverages AI to understand how domestic violence victims seek support on social media platforms.
Invited guests gathered on March 3 to celebrate the 20th anniversaries of Fairfield University’s Center for Catholic Studies and Center for Social Impact.
The evening included a dinner and lecture by Kim Daniels, JD, presented by the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences in partnership with America Media.
Professor Emeritus Paul Lakeland, PhD, founding director of the Center for Catholic Studies in 2005, and Fairfield University President Emeritus Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., (2004-2017) joined University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, in offering remarks at the event. Fr. von Arx reflected on the creation of what he called “the two flagship centers of the mission of the University” in the early days of his presidency. He honored the founding directors and thanked the current leaders and supporters who have sustained the centers’ work over the years. l F
below : Professor Emeritus Paul Lakeland, PhD (far right), posed with Center for Catholic Studies and Center for Social Impact faculty and staff members.
For two decades, the Center for Catholic Studies has promoted understanding of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition through scholarly programming that connects Fairfield’s mission to its academic life.
Nancy Dallavalle, associate professor of religious studies and the center’s current director, highlighted two recent initiatives: Faith and Fairfield, a new fall program for first-years, and the Canisius Faculty Fellows program, which brings together John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences faculty to explore projects that engage the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
Both the Center for Catholic Studies and what was initially called the Center for Faith and Public Life were established in response to the declining number of Jesuits on campus. The centers, noted Dr. Lakeland in his remarks, filled the void and cemented the relationship between Fairfield’s academic work and its Jesuit mission.
The Center for Social Impact (CSI) was launched in 2005 through an anonymous $2 million gift. Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J., former director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, served as its founding director.
Current CSI Director Melissa Quan, EdD, noted that Fr. Ryscavage “imagined a center that would help the University live more fully in its social responsibilities.”
Twenty years later, she said, the center’s name has changed but its vision remains constant. More than 9,000 students have participated in community-engaged learning courses and more than 2,000 in humanitarian action courses.
On Feb. 27, Brian Q. Torff, professor of music and renowned bassist and composer, premiered Shaker Songs Suite 250, which he composed in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The work was performed at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts by Professor Torff and the Fairfield University Glee Club, led by Michael A. Ciavaglia ’04, DMA, director of choral music and professor of the practice in music.
As an invited artist at the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, India, professor of visual & performing arts Jo Yarrington created the site-referential installation Pause, an immersive, walk-through meditation of light, sound, and textile. Visitors moved through yards of white muslin suspended from scaffold-like frames, sunlight filtering through handprinted patterns inspired by a centuryold piano roll. Four sound boxes— doubling as seating—played interwoven compositions by sound artist and U.S. composer John Morton.
“I thought a combination of these sensory elements would be really beautiful because it’s all about meditation,” Yarrington said.
Plans are underway to bring Pause to the New York area.
Fairfield students turned their March 2026 vacation break into journeys of growth and transformation.
SILICON VALLEY: The annual spring break trip to Silicon Valley exposed students to deep-tech companies at the forefront of fields from quantum computing to semiconductor manufacturing. The immersion experience was supported by the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and the generosity of alumni Packy Kelly ’90 and Robyn Kelly ’91; Stephen Pilch ’83; Joe Bronson ’70; Pat Slocum ’00 and Jaime Slocum ’01; Joseph Jaeger ’75; and the Smith Richardson Foundation.
SAN DIEGO: Eleven students traveled with Campus Ministry to San Diego for an annual immersion experience that explores migration, culture, and community. The group was led by Jesuit novice Joaquín Pannunzio, Melody Nuñez, an area coordinator in the Office of Student Life, and student leader Aydee Cruz Mejía ’28. Engaging directly with the realities of border life, immersion trip participants spent time in Barrio Logan and visited Friendship Park.
LOS ANGELES: For the first time ever, 13 students from the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences spent spring break in Los Angeles, Calif., where they visited Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company, Paramount, Netflix, Paradigm Talent Agency, Picture Shop, and the creative studio MakeMake.
Read more about the Stags in L.A. trip on page 18. l F
above : Stags continued the Silicon Valley trip tradition of stopping for a photo op at Olafur Eliasson’s famous “Seeing Spheres” public art installation.
On Feb. 26, Elia Haghbin ’26, a computer science and biology major, and Lauren Von Hassel ’26, a computer science major in the School of Engineering and Computing, won first place at the Lockheed Martin Ethics in Engineering Case Competition in Washington, D.C.
This marks the first time a Fairfield University team has taken the competition’s top prize.
Facing competitors from 72 universities, the Fairfield team analyzed a fast-moving national crisis scenario centered on artificial intelligence (AI) governance and national security risk. As new complications emerged throughout the case, teams were required to defend technical, ethical, and operational decisions in real time.
Haghbin and Von Hassel began preparing for the competition during the fall semester and were mentored by Naser Haghbin, PhD, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. Associate professor of ethics David Schmidt, PhD, also provided guidance and feedback ahead of the competition. l F
below : School of Engineering and Computing students won first place at the 2026 Lockheed Martin Ethics in Engineering Case Competition in Washington, D.C.
$4.1 MILLION
On March 25, the Fairfield University community came together for STAGiving Day—an annual day of giving that inspired more than 4,300 donors and supported 140+ funds across campus.
Now in its 12th year, STAGiving Day 2026 raised more than $4.1 million to support scholarships, programs, and experiences that shape who our students become as leaders and people for others.
PANEL EXPLORES ETHICS OF EATING DISORDER TREATMENT
This March, Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) hosted “Eating Disorder Grand Rounds: The Ethics of Eating Disorder Treatment,” a panel discussion that brought together clinicians and faculty members from multiple disciplines to explore ethical decision-making and collaborative care in the treatment of eating disorders.
Panelists included Jocelyn Novella, PhD, LPC, ACS, BC-TMH; Mary Dobson ’07, LMFT’10; Jane Conway, LCSW, RD; Briana Rogers, LPC; Bridget Hussain, PhD, RDN, CDCES, CND; Danielle Conklin, DNP; and Mackenzie Gordon, DCN.
More than 30 local mental health providers attended the event, alongside Fairfield graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in the field.
SEHD recently launched an online Interprofessional Concentration and Certificate in Eating Disorders.
Women’s Basketball Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis was named one of eight finalists for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division I National Coach of the Year award. Coach Carly led the Stags to their thirdstraight MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance while also earning a national ranking for the second time in the last three campaigns.
The Stags held one of the best offenses in program history, setting the program single-season standard with 2,476 points scored. They were one of the top shooting teams in the country, setting a conference record with 373 3-pointers made. Their 373 triples were the most in the nation and tied for the 11th most in Division I history.
The Stags were also ranked in the top10 in the country with their .369 3-point shooting percentage.
Coach Carly has maintained a .791 winning percentage over her four seasons with Fairfield, marking the seventh-highest percentage among active Division I head coaches. Included in those wins are victories against 15 different conferences including the: ACC, SEC, Big East, and Big Ten.
Fairfield Women’s Basketball defeated top-seeded Quinnipiac, 51-44, on March 9 in Atlantic City to bring home the third straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship crown—the seventh in program history. Jillian Huerter ’27 was named the MAAC Championship MVP after scoring 16 points, including four three-pointers, in the championship game.
Huerter was joined by Meghan Andersen ’27 and Cyanne Coe ’28 on the MAAC All-Championship Team. Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis earned her third MAAC Championship, tying Hall of Famer Dianne Nolan for the most in program history. Coach Carly also recorded her 100th career win during the tournament—the fastest to reach that milestone in MAAC history—and now stands at 102-27 (a .791 win percentage) in four years leading the Stags.
The Stags finished the season with a record of 28-5 while receiving votes in the AP and USA Today national polls and ranked No. 2 in the College Insider Women’s Mid Major Top 25. l F
above : The Stags earned their seventh MAAC title with determination, poise, and team-first play.
Having led the Fairfield University Baseball program for 15 seasons, including the most successful stretch in program history, Head Coach Bill Currier retired at the end of the 2026 season. His 37th and final season as head coach marked the culmination of more than 900 victories, including more than 400 as the leader of the Stags.
Coach Currier built the Stags into one of the premier baseball programs, not only in the Northeast but also in the national midmajor landscape. His 15 campaigns included a program-record 39 victories in both the 2021 and 2025 seasons. The landmark 2021 season saw the Stags earn the first national ranking in program history with a 33-1 regular season that merited an unprecedented at-large bid to the NCAA postseason. Fairfield capitalized on the opportunity with two wins on the national stage over Southern University and Arizona State University to reach the Regional Finals against the host, University of Texas.
Over the last 15 seasons, Stag players have claimed individual honors ranging from MAAC Player and Pitcher of the Year on the field to MAAC All-Academic and Academic All-District in the classroom. Beyond the Cook Field diamond, the current MLB season includes four Fairfield Baseball alumni on Major or Minor League rosters: Michael Sansone ’22, Trey McLoughlin ’21, Charlie Pagliarini ’23, and Austin Pope ’20.
Previously the head coach at the University of Vermont for 22 seasons, where he garnered three America East Coach of the Year honors, Currier is one of six coaches in NCAA history to earn more than 400 Division I victory at two different institutions.
Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann has announced that Associate Head Coach Brian Fay will succeed Currier as Head Coach following the 2026 season. l F
* A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE WINS WITH THE STAGS 15 400+
900+
6
9
: (l-r) Retiring Head Coach Bill Currier reviews a game plan with assistant baseball coach John Lagerfeldt. BY THE
3 2 6 CAREER VICTORIES
CONFERENCE COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS
30-WIN SEASONS
NCAA REGIONAL APPEARANCES
MAAC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS
MAAC REGULAR SEASON TITLES (in last nine full seasons)
ON THE FIELD
ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS FIRST TEAM ALL-MAAC HONORS
MAAC PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
MAAC PITCHER OF THE YEAR (2024) 63 31 3 1
SEASONS AT FAIRFIELD IN THE CLASSROOM
MAAC ALL-ACADEMIC HONORS
ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT SELECTIONS 193 9
*The spring season was not concluded at press time.
Fairfield Dolan’s 30 Under 30 recognition has grown into a network of students and recent alumni opening doors for one another.
by b ella M ello
THE VALUE OF A FAIRFIELD DOLAN EDUCATION IS REFLECTED IN ITS OUTCOMES:
99 percent of Dolan Class of 2025 undergraduates were employed or accepted into graduate school within six months—a testament to the school’s nationally ranked programs and the power of its alumni connections.
“With so many students reaching out, shared background can make the connection more personal.”
M arina c hiaro ’26
OF ten , the F irst step in a career begins with a simple act of outreach: a phone call, an email, an introduction at a networking event, or a thoughtfully crafted LinkedIn message.
For students and alumni who have been recognized in Fairfield Dolan’s 30 Under 30 program, that common ground can help open the conversation.
What began as an annual recognition honoring exceptional undergraduate and graduate business students has grown into a peer-driven career network across the Fairfield Dolan community. The shared distinction gives past and present 30 Under 30 awardees an immediate connection—one that can turn introductions into conversations, and conversations into opportunity.
When Marina Chiaro ’26 came across Whitney McVeagh ’25 on LinkedIn, one detail stood out immediately: both had been named to Fairfield Dolan’s 30 Under 30.
With Commencement a few months away, Chiaro reached out to McVeagh to learn more about her transition from Fairfield to the professional world. McVeagh, a member of the inaugural 30 Under 30 cohort and now a business insights fellow at McKinsey in Boston, Mass., welcomed the opportunity to chat.
“It’s always nice to connect on LinkedIn beyond a simple ‘I’m interested in what you do,’” Chiaro said. “With so many students reaching out, shared background can make the connection more personal.”
McVeagh appreciated hearing from Chiaro on both a personal and professional
left: The next cohort of Fairfield Dolan 30 Under 30 award recipients will join a network of 90 past honorees.
Marina Chiaro ’26
level. “I’m admittedly an introvert and, to some degree, terrified of networking,” she said. “But I’ve found it becomes much less intimidating when you connect with people you genuinely relate to.”
That sense of familiarity is part of what gives the program value beyond the award itself. As new 30 Under 30 cohorts are recognized each year, students and alumni are finding one another through the shared experience—and using it as a starting point for mentorship, advice, and encouragement.
M c v eagh said the M ission - driven dimension of the recognition especially resonated with her. The award honors achievement, not only in academics and professional development but also in service and societal impact.
“I have always greatly valued giving back to the communities that I am a part of, and that is not always something people associate with a business degree,” she said. “I thought it was admirable for Fairfield to recognize students involved in meaningful social initiatives.”
Chiaro views her own recognition through a similar lens.
A first-generation college student, she said leadership means “showing up with purpose.” During her time at Fairfield, she worked to create opportunities for others while pursuing her own goals. Serving as a senior fellow in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, Chiaro helped prospective students envision their future at Fairfield. She also completed internships at Warner Bros.
Whitney McVeagh ’25
and CNN in marketing and public relations.
As her graduation approached, Chiaro said alumni connections made the next chapter feel more accessible. “You hear the word mentor a lot in college,” she added. “But a mentor is really just someone who is receptive— someone willing to give feedback and advice.”
Approachability, she noted, is a defining strength of the business school community. “Alumni from Fairfield Dolan are very willing to give back.”
Chiaro is continuing that legacy by encouraging other students to apply for the 30 Under 30 program. She also shares the advice McVeagh offered to her: “Stay true to your genuine self, both personally and professionally. It’s important to choose companies, people, and paths that truly align with your beliefs and goals.”
It’s a small but meaningful continuation of their exchange—one that helps lower the barrier for the next group of students navigating the same transition.
McVeagh and Chiaro’s experience is but one example of what a 2026 recipient of the 30 Under 30 Award called “a legacy of leaders” to describe the growing trend of student and alumni honorees connecting across class years. Interest in the program continues to grow: the most recent application cycle drew nearly twice as many applicants as the year prior.
As the Fairfield Dolan 30 Under 30 program enters its fourth year, its value continues to be measured not only by the students it recognizes, but by the relationships those honorees continue to build. l F
“We see many undergraduates in professional programs like business and nursing pursuing minors in literature, art, and modern languages. They recognize that they can put two fields of study together to have a richer experience.”
christine siegel, phd, University Provost
In an era defined by emerging technologies, the humanities at Fairfield remain essential to forming thoughtful, future-ready graduates.
by b rad t ho
The h UM anities are thriving at Fairfield University. That reality positions graduates to become leaders in emerging industries by cultivating adaptable skills like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking
But even beyond the development of durable skills for long-term career success, Fairfield’s humanistic liberal arts education helps students find themselves and discover their unique place and purpose in the world.
“At Fairfield, we approach education holistically,” said University Provost Christine Siegel, PhD. “That means developing the skills that students need to enter the workforce and to pursue advanced degrees but also preparing them for lifelong development. Our goal is to help students understand who they are and how they can contribute to what the world needs.”
The humanities lie at the heart of that formation. Through philosophy, religion, literature and language, history, and the arts, students critically examine the human experience across time and place. They wrestle with what it means to be human and, in the process, gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
“Students are enthusiastic about our humanities courses,” Dr. Siegel said. “In fact, we see many undergraduates in professional programs like business and nursing pursuing minors in literature, art, and modern languages. They recognize that they can put two fields of study together to have a richer experience.”
That spirit of integrating knowledge across disciplines is a hallmark of the undergraduate experience. Every Fairfield student takes required courses in the humanities as part of the Magis Core Curriculum, the University’s
broad-based liberal arts foundation, which is rooted in the 500-year-old Jesuit tradition of forming the whole person. The Magis Core invites critical reflection on prior knowledge and lived experience while also fostering interdisciplinary thinking, effective communication skills, and a commitment to social justice.
“The humanities are the core of the Magis Core, and that is the value added with a Fairfield education,” said Sunil Purushotham, PhD, associate professor of history and director of the Humanities Institute. “Our required courses equip students with a reflective mindset through which they can analyze complex situations and problems, draw connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, and maintain an outside perspective of the world.”
While the core curriculum is fundamental to students’ intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development, it represents only one facet of the University’s integrated approach to student growth and success, which includes research and scholarship opportunities, lectures and panel discussions, arts excursions, and wide-ranging campus events.
This past semester, Fairfield’s schools, departments, and centers hosted workshops on Walt Whitman and Continental Philosophy, organized visits to the Museum of Modern Art and the Tenement Museum in New York City, featured musical performances by Orin Grossman and Orchestra Lumos, and presented lectures by legendary filmmaker Ken Burns, author David Brooks, and animal rights advocate and autism spokesperson Temple Grandin, PhD.
These are just a few examples of the University’s annual lineup of nearly 100 programs that address some aspect of what it means to be human. Students are encouraged to supplement their classroom learning
and to enrich their educational experience by participating in these extracurricular opportunities, and they do so consistently in large numbers.
The popularity of humanities courses and enrichment programs at Fairfield suggests that students are seeking more than credentials— they are hungry for opportunities to consider the human condition from multiple vantage points and disciplinary lenses. That curiosity will serve them well not only in their careers but throughout their lives.
The same habits of mind cultivated through study of the humanities—communication, collaboration, and critical thinking—are also the qualities employers consistently value.
Yet, the decades-long movement in American higher education to align majors with narrowly defined career paths has squeezed opportunities for humanities and liberal arts courses at many institutions. Fairfield has taken a different path.
“We do not present students with an eitheror proposition,” Dr. Purushotham said. “Our students study the humanities and liberal arts alongside their majors, developing both their human-centric skills and specialized academic knowledge.”
This approach to education has historically yielded excellent first-destination outcomes for Fairfield graduates and placed the University in the top one percent of institutions for longterm return on investment.
Today, it also positions graduates to be leaders in a rapidly changing world. As artificial intelligence and automation reshape global industries and redefine work, the distinctly human capacities that Fairfield cultivates in students are increasingly recognized as the indispensable drivers of professional success.
Because the humanities are thriving at Fairfield University, so too are its alumni. l F
FAIRFIELD ALUMNI BROUGHT STUDENTS BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY— AND CLOSER TO THEIR NEXT ACT.
by K iersten b jor K ’21
While many students unplugged for a week, 13 juniors and seniors spent their spring break on a tour of the entertainment world—guided by alumni in the industry.
The inaugural Stags in L.A. immersion trip—a cross-country extension of the Stags in the City program—took off on a Los Angeles-bound flight from New York, accompanied by John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences Dean Richard Greenwald, PhD, Associate Professor Patrick Brooks, director of the Film, Television, and Media Arts program, and Kim Nickolenko, Fairfield Meditz’s director of career engagement.
The Stags in L.A. experience opened doors for students at Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company, Paramount, Netflix, and Paradigm Talent Agency. They also connected with professionals at the creative collective MakeMake and the postproduction Picture Shop—establishing connections that could set the stage for the opening acts of their careers.
“ A TRIP LIKE THIS IS INVALUABLE BECAUSE IT HELPS STUDENTS SEE A CAREER PATH THAT SOMETIMES FEELS OUT OF REACH. HOLLYWOOD MAY FEEL FAR FROM FAIRFIELD, BUT IF I CAN DO IT, SO CAN THEY.”
— F iorela c anaj ’11
The Walt Disney Company
The trip included an academic visit to the University of California, Los Angeles School of Theater, Film, and Television, and a networking event hosted by John Mancini ’86 at his law firm, Mayer Brown. Mancini has been at the forefront of shaping intellectual property law with a focus on new media, the internet, and new technologies.
For Alexa Sewell ’26, a film, television, and media arts major with a minor in communication, the chance to tour Warner Bros. Studio was a highlight of the trip. Sewell, who previously interned with Warner Bros. Discovery in New York City, called the visit a dream come true.
“My experience was phenomenal,” she said. “Our days were jam-packed with meetings with the best of the best from the industry. We really got to see so much.”
The trip affirmed Sewell’s career direction, while shining a light on the spectrum of jobs available to her and the varied paths fellow Stags took to reach their current positions.
“The L.A. company visits really solidified
that this is indeed the right career path for me,” she said. “It also gave me a better understanding of unconventional roles I hadn’t considered. I intend to pursue post-production after graduation, so it was cool to watch a colorist perform their job and to see how they collaborate with the rest of the team.”
When the group arrived at Warner Bros. Television, they were greeted by John Power ’96, vice president of casting. He shared advice and insights about his responsibilities at the production studio.
“I’m so happy Fairfield was able to make a trip like this available to students who have a real interest in exploring careers in the entertainment industry,” said Power, who earned his BA in communication. “Hearing how much the TV
below : Students were shown original Disney animation cells and film equipment in Disney’s archives on a tour arranged by Fiorela Canaj ’11, and led by her colleague Alex Miller.
& Film department has grown since I was at Fairfield was really exciting. Experiences like this prove that the program places a real value on exposing students to what job possibilities might look like after graduation. I hope visiting a historic studio lot like Warner Bros. helped them realize that there could be a place for all of them in this business.”
The scale of the production setups was what surprised Sewell the most about Warner Bros. “They have so many buildings and sound stages dedicated to all aspects of production. It was eye-opening to think about all the different roles—and just how many people it takes to make a blockbuster film.”
At Paradigm Talent Agency, recent alumna Brooke Lathe ’25 treated students to a panel discussion with her co-workers: a literary agent, a talent agent, a literary coordinator, and the vice president of corporate communications. A former English and digital journalism major, Lathe now serves as an assistant to TV literary partners.
“I will always jump at the opportunity to share my industry experience with students, as I was fortunate enough to have so many others do the same for me,” Lathe said. “Fairfield has consistently done a fantastic job providing students with opportunities that set them up for careers after graduation—the trip to L.A. is one of many examples. It felt very full-circle to be a part of our wonderful alumni support system and, hopefully, contribute to a Stag’s future career.”
Students encountered a similar welcome at The Walt Disney Company, where Fiorela Canaj ’11, manager of product management, and several colleagues offered an inside look at careers within the company.
“As a Fairfield alum, it was really important to me to be able to share what it’s like to work at a company like Disney,” said Canaj, who majored in new media. “On our tour of the Disney lot, the students were engaged and asked great questions about the company and the broader entertainment landscape. A trip like this is invaluable because it helps students see a career path that sometimes feels out of reach. Hollywood may feel far from Fairfield, but if I can do it, so can they.”
Beyond the incredible conversations and new connections, Sewell said the trip helped to affirm her confidence in her own abilities as she prepares to enter the workforce.
“This experience took everything I’ve been
learning in the classroom and directly applied it to everyday work life,” she said. “Many of the professionals use similar setups, software, and knowledge of the industry that we’ve been taught at Fairfield—that was really reassuring. It showed me that I know more than I think I do—and might one day get to the dream job I’m working toward.”
For students looking toward graduation, Stags in L.A. confirmed that Fairfield has indeed prepared them for their next stage, and that wherever their careers take them, Fairfield alumni are always ready to provide support along the way. l F
top: Bob Cammisa ’10 (bottom right), Production Health and Safety Manager at Netflix, hosted students at Netflix with colleague Alycia Garcia (bottom left), director of production health & safety.
above: Students visited a UCLA cinematography class, led by professor William McDonald, head of cinematography in the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media.
by d rew K ingsley ’07
For the first time in the history of the Fairfield University Swimming & Diving program, the Stags returned from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship Meet with conference titles for both the men’s and women’s teams.
For the women, the victory this past February marked a return to form—the Stags have now won five of the last eight conference crowns. The men’s team reached the pinnacle on a more gradual trajectory, breaking through for the first time in 2026 after four consecutive topfour finishes, including a painfully narrow setback in the 2025 edition of the championship.
Both can now proudly call themselves MAAC Champions—but the men’s and women’s teams within Fairfield Swimming & Diving share far more than a title. Each squad is led by Head Coach Jake Lichter and his staff: diving coach Devon O’Nalty and assistant coaches Emma Brown and Jeff Vlass ’25. They share near-identical practice times and meet
“OUR MESSAGE WAS THAT WE DO SO MUCH GOOD STUFF ALL YEAR LONG, THAT YOUR WORTH DOES NOT HINGE ON THE OUTCOME OF ONE MEET. IF WE WIN, WE WIN. IF WE LOSE, WE WIN.”
— j a K e l ichter
Swimming & Diving Head Coach
schedules, endure the same physical and mental rigors of the hours in the pool, the weight room, and on the training table, and enjoy a shared camaraderie on the road, in training, and in their daily life as Fairfield student-athletes.
That unity carried them through a coaching change entering the fall of 2024 when Head Coach Jacy Dyer moved on to the head coaching position at the University of Toledo—her alma mater—and Coach Lichter and his staff took the reins. Remarkably, especially in the current era of college athletics, that regime change did not see a single men’s or women’s team member leave the program to compete elsewhere.
“As dedicated as we all are to our sport, I think most of all, it was just that we all enjoy Fairfield,” said Callie Gray ’26, a member of the 2023 and the 2026 women’s MAAC Champion teams and a four-time career medalist at MAAC conference meets. “We love this University and all that it has to offer, and I think no one really wanted to separate from the school or from one another. We felt like if this change was going to happen, at least I have my teammates on the women’s
above : For the first time in program history, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams both brought home a MAAC Championship in 2026.
and men’s sides, I have my best friends, and we will support one another.”
When a full roster returned for the 2024-25 season, Coach Lichter was quick to acknowledge that Fairfield was far from a rebuild—the women were only a season removed from their most recent MAAC Championship, and the men’s progression within the conference was clearly well underway. His challenge as the new head coach was not to start over but to take both programs higher.
“I tell every recruit and everybody who joins our program, that we are centered around three pillars: we’re hardworking, we’re competitive, and we have fun,” said Coach Lichter. “To be honest, it makes my job a whole lot easier to recruit on those pillars here at Fairfield. I think if you talk to
right: Lily Tonole ’27 was the top scorer for the women in the 1M and 3M diving events. below right: (l-r) Callie Gray ’26, Head Coach Jake Lichter, and Aidan Schnapf ’26 displayed their 2026 MAAC trophies.
your average Fairfield student—swimmer or other student-athlete or not—you’ll find that they’re hardworking and competitive, and they have fun.”
“The coaching change was something unexpected, but Jake came in, showed his hunger right away,” said Aidan Schnapf ’26, a men’s team captain for the 2025-26 season. “Words are just words and actions speak louder, and right away we saw a change in the culture with Jake. He draws us closer together every single day.”
Coach Lichter’s first season in 2024-25 showed clear progress. Both teams won five dual meets and entered the MAAC Championships with legitimate title aspirations. But neither reached the top of the podium: the women finished second, while the men fell to third after entering the final day within striking distance.
Rather than define the program, those disappointments helped reshape it.
“That experience gave us a new approach going into this past year. Our message was that we do so much good stuff all year long, that your worth does not hinge on the outcome of one meet,” said Coach Lichter. “If we win, we win. If we lose, we win. I think that allowed them to really swim free and just race to win versus racing to not lose.”
If we win, we win. If we lose, we win.
The phrase may feel counterintuitive, jarring, or just plain wrong to athletes, coaches, and fans of all sports. But for the Fairfield Swimming & Diving program, it was just a new way to do what they had always done: work hard, compete, and have fun. And 12 months later, the men’s and women’s teams both found themselves back in a familiar place—standing on the pool deck at the MAAC Championships with one day to go and a championship within reach.
“I WISH I COULD, BUT I DON’T ATTRIBUTE IT TO ME. IT’S THE CULTURE THAT EXISTED IN THE PROGRAM THAT MAYBE WE HELPED BRING OUT A BIT. BUT THEY ALREADY HAD THE IDEA OF WHAT HARD WORK WAS AND WHAT IT MEANT TO BE A TEAM.”
— j a K e l ichter
Swimming & Diving Head Coach
This time around, the Fairfield men’s team finished the job. The Stags grabbed first place on the second day and never relinquished the lead, closing out second-place Marist by more than 60 points to secure the first MAAC Championship in program history.
“In 2025, we found ourselves in a tight meet without expecting it and without having been in that position before,” said Schnapf, who was the Stags’ top scorer and a fourtime medalist at the 2026 meet, including an individual MAAC Championship in the 200y Freestyle. “But we knew all season that we had the team to do it this year, and it was just going to be about every person doing their piece of the puzzle. We knew that we had the guys and that we could trust each other.”
“I don’t even have the words for how
proud I was and just how incredible it was to see them win,” said Gray. “From the start of the year, they put it out there and didn’t shy away from it: their goal was to win it. It was just the best feeling to see them celebrate and see them so happy, because they absolutely deserved it, not just for this year but some of them for three or four years of grinding.”
For the women, the program’s return to the top step of the podium came with much more of a flourish. The Stags entered
below : Assistant Coach Emma Brown and Head Coach Jake Lichter cheered the Stags to victory at the MAAC Championship.
the final day in second place, staring down a manageable but daunting 34-point deficit to Marist and with the defending champs from Niagara nipping at their heels in third.
Fairfield hit the water fast on Championship Saturday with a gold medal swim from Natasha De Pree ’29, who would later be tabbed as MAAC Rookie Swimmer of the Meet. That performance marked the Stags’ ninth and final gold medal of the day, but the Stags added four more top-three finishes to fuel the scoring efforts.
The women entered into the final race of the day with a slim lead but with the title still up for grabs. That race—the 400y Freestyle Relay—saw Holly Rahurahu ’26 as the anchor touch the wall just 0.16 seconds ahead of Marist to claim a silver medal and bring the women’s trophy back to North Benson Road.
“It was kind of cooler than ours in the way that they did it,” Schnapf admitted. “Coming down to the last relay and being able to watch while knowing exactly what needed to be done. It’s probably my favorite race I’ve seen live, even including my own.”
Hard working. Competitive. Fun. And a bond that turned two teams into one—with two MAAC Championships to celebrate.
“I wish I could, but I don’t attribute it to me. It’s the culture that existed in the program that maybe we helped bring out a bit. But they already had the idea of what hard work was and what it meant to be a team.” said Coach Lichter, who was recognized by his peers this season as both the men’s and women’s MAAC Coach of the Year. “And I think we owe an incredible amount of that to Fairfield. They came into this place, they found their best friends, they loved the school, and they became a family.” l F
“WE KNEW ALL SEASON THAT WE HAD THE TEAM TO DO IT THIS YEAR, AND IT WAS JUST GOING TO BE ABOUT EVERY PERSON DOING THEIR PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. WE KNEW THAT WE HAD THE GUYS, AND THAT WE COULD TRUST EACH OTHER.”
— a idan s chnap F ’26 Men’s Swimming & Diving Team Captain
“ALL OUR REQUIRED CLASSES ARE SPORTSRELATED, FROM SPORTS BROADCASTING AND SPORTS JOURNALISM TO SPORTS MEDIA CULTURE. THERE AREN’T MANY PROGRAMS OUT THERE WHERE THAT’S THE CASE.”
—
a da M r U gg , p h d , Sports Media Program Director
It’s a crisp, sunlit spring afternoon on Don ’63 and Chris ’88 Cook Field. A pitcher settles on the mound, the batter digs in, and anticipation hangs in the air as the crowd leans forward, waiting for the crack of the bat.
Beyond the baseline, a second team is in action—one most fans never notice. High above the field in the press box, students who work for the Stags Sports Network, Fairfield Athletics’ in-house broadcast operation, are producing the game. A cameraman tracks the action, a designer updates graphics in the moment, and a broadcaster calls the game. For these students, this isn’t an extracurricular—it’s an extension of their undergraduate Sports Media program.
Sports media and communication double major Christopher Bocchieri ’26 said his first visit to the press box at Cook Field clarified where he wanted to be.
“I had to shadow a live broadcast as an assignment for my ‘Intro to Sports Broadcasting’ class,” he said. “As a sports media major, I originally had interest in being an on-air talent. However, watching
the production team in the booth really got me interested and I loved every second of it.”
Soon after, Bocchieri began volunteering for baseball broadcasts. He eventually landed an internship with the Stags Sports Network, working as a student production associate.
The Sports Media program launched in the fall of 2020 under program director Adam Rugg, PhD, and the late professor Matt Tullis.
Housed in the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences, its curriculum has a uniquely singular focus—every course directly ties to athletics.
“All our required classes are sportsrelated, from sports broadcasting and sports journalism to sports media culture,” Rugg said. “There aren’t many programs out there where that’s the case.”
In a curriculum designed to develop both technical skills and critical thinking, sports media majors study journalism, video production, and broadcasting, alongside classes that explore broader social and
left: Student interns help produce live softball broadcasts for the Stags Sports Network.
above : Baseball action at Cook Field is captured by a videographer behind home plate.
right: Students learn from industry professionals and gain experience in every aspect of broadcast production.
cultural issues in sports.
“It was important to me that the program is not just skills-based, but rooted in the Jesuit Catholic mission,” Rugg said. “We address issues like gender inequity in sports, race, and nationalism—significant topics that are really important to explore at the university level.”
Another defining strength of Fairfield’s program is its emphasis on experiential learning. On-campus professional opportunities abound at the Stags Sports Network and WVOF, the student-operated campus radio station. “We’re one of the rare schools where you can start interning as a freshman,” noted Rugg. “If you’re committed, you can start taking
opportunities right away.”
Students in sports journalism courses attend games and write features on Fairfield student-athletes. In the introductory broadcasting class, they shadow production teams and assist with live event coverage. “If you go to work at a place like ESPN now, they’re expecting you to write, film video, take pictures, edit video, post on social media, and talk in front of the camera,” continued Rugg. “You’re expected to have a wide variety of media-based skills.”
Sports media student Andrew Jamieson ’26 joined WVOF Sports as a first-year student, contributing to broadcasts across multiple sports. Looking to expand his skill set, he and classmate Bocchieri co-created a podcast called The Sports Den during their sophomore year.
Jamieson later helped develop Stags in the Studio, a WVOF podcast series featuring behind-the-scenes interviews with Fairfield Athletics staff and leadership. Along the way, he has also worked at the MAAC Basketball Championships, during the women’s basketball NCAA tournament run, and in an
internship with Sports Illustrated
“Taking advantage of those opportunities helped shape my work ethic,” Jamieson said.
The Stag Sports Network functions as a training ground where students put coursework into professional practice on live broadcasts.
“It’s really about growing opportunities for students, to get them ready to find jobs in this space, while also putting on a good show,” said Carlton Best, assistant director of athletics for broadcast operations and digital, who oversees the network.
Each year, the Stags Sports Network produces more than 140 varsity events across digital platforms, including ESPN+. Students rotate through nearly every production role—from camera operator and graphics producer to replay technician and on-air talent—building experience that reflects industry expectations.
For Bocchieri, that experience proved transformative. Interning as a student production assistant, he learned to set up and
“IT’S REALLY ABOUT GROWING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, TO GET THEM READY TO FIND JOBS IN THIS SPACE, WHILE ALSO PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW.”
— c
arlton b est
Assistant Director
of Athletics for Broadcast Operations and Digital
operate cameras, create and use graphics, run a 3Play replay system, and even direct broadcasts using a TriCaster.
“Working on a live broadcast with a group of people shows the need for a specific type of communication: one that is quick, concise, and adaptable,” he said. “While it can be tense at times, clear and quick communication ensures things run smoothly—I think that type of experience is extremely hard to get in a classroom setting.”
The Stags Sports Network has grown, expanding from 10 students to more than 20 in just the past year. Students first shadow broadcasts for class and observe the behind-the-scenes production before stepping into entrylevel roles and gradually taking on more responsibility. During high-profile broadcasts like men’s and women’s basketball, they gain exposure by working alongside experienced industry freelancers.
As on-air broadcasters, students are encouraged to develop their own voice by identifying the stories unfolding during games. “When they’re ready, we give them that responsibility,” Best said. “Sometimes there’s a little hesitation at first, but confidence grows quickly.”
Recently, an all-student crew produced an entire baseball broadcast, including play-byplay commentary.
“That was really a proud moment for me,” Best said.
Beyond the Stags Sports Network and WVOF, the Sports Media program also benefits from Fairfield’s proximity to major sports media hubs. Students have earned internships with NBC Sports and CBS Sports, including work connected to Olympics coverage. Graduates have gone on to careers with ESPN, NBC Sports, MLB Network, and Fox Sports.
“Every year we get a couple more out there,” Rugg said. “Then they come back to visit and talk through the process.”
above: Interns learn to use broadcast industry production systems and equipment.
below: Launched in 2020, a key strength of the Sports Media program is its emphasis on experiential learning.
Sometimes, alumni even return to campus to teach. The introductory broadcasting course is taught by Fairfield alumnus Ryan Cassella MA’14, a senior producer at WWE.
“When he’s teaching students, he’s saying, ‘This is literally what I did today,’” Rugg said. “It’s invaluable to have access to people who are actively working in the industry.”
Best and Rugg both credit the program’s momentum to the students themselves. “The majority of students have an attitude of ‘I want to learn more. I want to do more,’” Best said.
For Bocchieri, the Sports Media program has helped shape what comes next. He hopes to work in live broadcasting for WWE or the NBA.
“Fairfield developed me for that path by first allowing me to join Stags Sports Network and obtain and polish all the technical skills I need,” he said. “It also connected me with people throughout my four years who have given me advice and who continue to be connections I can always reach out to.” l F
Samuel M. Grimes, PhD, assistant professor of religious studies, has been awarded a Mellon Foundation Fellowship of $80,000 for assistant professors. Supported by the School of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J., the fellowship provides a full year for focused research and writing, allowing Dr. Grimes to engage exclusively in scholarly work within the Institute’s collaborative intellectual environment.
Joel D. Goldfield, PhD, associate professor of modern language and literatures, has been awarded $6,000 by the Resident Fellows program at the Institute for American Universities (IAU), Aix-en-Provence, France, to research the French reception of American expatriate Edith Wharton (1862–1937). The fellowship provides funding for housing. Dr. Goldfield will deliver lectures, lead seminars,
and document sites connected to Wharton using digital humanities tools, enhancing his teaching and scholarship.
Bryan Ripley Crandall, PhD, professor of English education, has been awarded $25,000 from a private foundation to support “Writing Our Lives & Bravely Belonging—Home Is Where the Heart Is,” an initiative of the Connecticut Writing Project (CWP) at Fairfield University. Since its inception, CWP-Fairfield has established and maintained programs between Fairfield University, the National Writing Project, and local K-12 schools by offering professional development, workshops, conferences, courses, and events for teachers and youth
Fairfield Bellarmine received $7,500 in scholarship support from Near and Far Aid, an all-volunteer fund-raising and fund-granting organization that makes a positive impact on thousands of people in Fairfield County by granting more than $1 million each year to well-vetted local agencies targeting poverty and changing lives.
Herman Goldman Foundation has awarded $7,500 to the Quick Center in support of Arts for All programming. Arts for All provides direct access to high-quality
arts instruction and exposure to diverse arts experiences for 3,000 students in grades K-12 annually, with particular focus on those students in under-resourced communities. In addition, the program offers a free ticket program and financial scholarships for summer camps.
The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) has awarded a $3,750 grant to present Elephant JANE Dance as part of their New England States Touring Grant. The company is led by acclaimed choreographer and Connecticut College Professor Heidi Henderson. Henderson gives Fairfield students and community members direct access to her creative process and practice.
The Ernest & Joan Trefz Foundation continues its critical scholarship funding with a $35,000 grant in support of the Community Partner Scholars program.
The Pio Costa Foundation has awarded $1,000 to the St. Anthony Scholarship Fund to support exceptional third- and fourth-year students with financial need.
The Weller Foundation, Inc. has awarded $1,000 for the Weller Collegiate Scholarship to support an outstanding incoming freshman student from the neighboring towns of Monroe, Newtown, Easton, Shelton, or Trumbull. l F
’68 | James Kielt, grants chair for Golden Isles Veterans Village, was responsible for raising more than $3 million in private and government grants to build 29 tiny homes in the Brunswick, Ga., transitional housing community designed for homeless veterans.
’77 | Donna (Kern) Finn, MS, PT, is a physical therapist in home healthcare, supporting the elderly. She and her husband Thomas Finn ’78, PhD, recently published A Caregiver’s Well-Being: How to Master Stress and Find Balance While Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia. Published by Greenleaf Book Group, the book blends proven psychological coping principles, practical dementia caregiving skills, and the authors’ own personal experiences of caring for Donna’s mother during her journey with Alzheimer’s Disease.
’78 | Thomas Finn, PhD, and his wife Donna (Kern) Finn ’77, MS, PT, co-authored A Caregiver’s Well-Being: How to Master Stress and Find Balance While Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia as a guide for caregivers on how to handle the stress of caring for their loved ones while finding deeper meaning in their caregiving relationships. Dr. Finn is a clinical psychologist in Youngsville, N.C. The Finns provide workshops and retreats in support of dementia caregivers. Their book is available in print, eBook, and audiobook formats and can be purchased online through retail outlets directly or linked through their website, tomanddonnafinn.com
StagMates c hristy p ar M enter ’18 and r yan c arl U cci ’18
tied the knot on Sept. 20, 2025 with many fellow Stags in attendance.
’89 | Brian Kavanagh teaches sixth grade science at the Henry Wilson Memorial Middle School in Farmington, N.H.
’90 | Michael Pompeo leads the financial services sector of Faegre Drinker, an international law firm and consulting partnership. He formerly led the firm’s finance and restructuring group and has more than 25 years of experience representing financial services clients, including banks, insurance companies, private equity and hedge funds, financial advisory firms, and other financial institutions.
’92 | Lauren (Rizy) Daniels has been nominated for a Bram Stoker
Award in the category of Superior Achievement in Short Fiction, for her climate/science fiction/horror story “Stomata,” published by The Godmother of Horror Press in the Darkness Most Fowl anthology.
’94 | Shannon (Spalthoff) Pranger earned her DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) from the University of Alabama in Dec. 2025.
’96 | John Guszkowski, principal of Tyche Planning and Policy Group, has been named to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
’03 | Sean Hayes serves as a special assistant to the President and deputy White House counsel in the Office of White House Counsel in Washington, D.C.
’05 | In May 2025, Patrick Lynch became executive director of the Central New York Land Trust. The
Land Trust currently owns more than $12 million in assets across 57 nature preserves, including 18 open to the public. Lynch holds a BA in economics and English from Fairfield, a JD from Vanderbilt Law School, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. He is a Member of the World Commission on Environmental Law, stemming from the eight years he spent running a conservation foundation in Chilean Patagonia. He lives in Pompey, N.Y., with his wife Erica Wood, and works to protect critical lands and waters in the Great Lakes watershed.
’08 | Elyse Raby, PhD, received tenure and promotion to the rank of associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Catholic theology.
Nicholas Ragosta co-founded the quiet luxury menswear brand Stòffa—a responsibly produced, made-to-measure clothing company—in 2014. Featuring a curated selection of ready-to-wear clothing in front and an appointmentonly atelier in back, Stòffa’s flagship New York City location on Grand Street in SoHo opened in 2024 and was named GQ’s “Store of the Year.”
’09 | Tamara J. Titre, Esq., of Bridgeport, Conn., was elected a 2026 fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation (CBF) James W. Cooper Fellows Program. Fellows are nominated by their peers based on outstanding service to the profession and larger community, and are elected by CBF’s Board of Directors. CBF’s mission is to facilitate systemic change that advances civil justice for all. The Fellows Program helps further that mission by developing and sponsoring projects and programs to: promote a better understanding of the legal profession, the judicial system, and the Continued on page 36
c atherine (aU riana) c adigan ’04, M ba’10
by j ohn M endez
As K c atherine ( a U riana )
Cadigan ’04, MBA’10 about her time at Fairfield University, and she describes an experience built on curiosity, exploration, and friendships that have endured well beyond graduation. “I came to Fairfield not really knowing what I wanted to major in or what I wanted to learn about,” she said, “but knowing that Fairfield was a place where I could get that real breadth of knowledge and explore different topics.”
As an undergraduate, she found her academic path majoring in English with a minor in religious studies. Outside of the classroom, she embraced new experiences such as hosting a WVOF campus radio show with her roommate and singing in the chapel choir. “I’m really a lifelong learner,” said the newly appointed president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. “That’s something that I think connects me back to Fairfield and really makes Fairfield dear to me.”
After graduating in 2004, Cadigan began her career in an editorial role at Reed Exhibitions but quickly moved into digital marketing, just as email and social media were beginning to transform the field.
Her commitment to continued growth brought her back to Fairfield for an MBA— an experience that, she said, really solidified her affinity for the University. A highlight of her time in the MBA program and “one of the most fascinating experiences” of her life was a summer trip to Barcelona, during which she visited businesses across industries and saw firsthand how companies operate in the global marketplace.
Cadigan’s career later included more than six years at Campbell Soup Company, where she worked in digital production and operations, often leading teams of employees from across the organization to launch new initiatives. “I love creating something
out of nothing,” she said. “Bringing teams of people from different areas of business together to create something brand new— that’s really exciting for me.”
Today, while Cadigan focuses on her family and her two young daughters, she remains deeply engaged with Fairfield through her service on the Alumni Board. Having served multiple terms, she brings years of experience shaping alumni programming and engagement to her new role as board president.
She views the two-year position as both collaborative and representative. “Everybody comes to the board for a different reason and has something unique that they’re passionate about,” she said. Drawing on the leadership skills that shaped her professional career, particularly her experience building consensus and bringing people together around shared goals, she hopes to channel those varied perspectives “to make a difference and to represent the alumni community as a whole.”
Cadigan assumes the role of Alumni Board president at a time when the University and its alumni network are growing. She hopes to expand opportunities for lifelong learning and strengthen alumni engagement in service—priorities rooted in her own Fairfield experience. “When I was at Fairfield, we did Hunger Cleanup,” she said, recalling that it was one of her earliest encounters with community need and the call to serve others.
As Fairfield’s upward trajectory continues, Cadigan sees new possibilities to strengthen connections across an increasingly dynamic alumni network. “It’s such an exciting time for the University right now,” she said, “with all of the growth and all of the changes that are happening.” l F
Catherine (Auriana) Cadigan ’04, MBA’10 has been named president of the Fairfield University Alumni Association.
“Everybody comes to the board for a different reason and has something unique that they’re passionate about.”
— catherine (aU riana) cadigan ’04, M ba’10
The Alumni Association Board of Directors is composed of approximately 20 alumni representing a range of class years, professions, and geographic regions.
Board members are elected to three-year terms and work in partnership with the Office of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving to help shape alumni programs, strengthen alumni connections, and encourage engagement across the Fairfield community.
For more information or to get involved, visit fairfield.edu/ alumniassociation.
Continued from page 34
role of law in society; explore ways to improve the profession and the administration of justice; and further the highest ideals of the legal system.
’11 | Lisa (Frazier) Kimberly was appointed assistant director of education for New Haven Reads, a nonprofit that works with aspiring readers in the Greater New Haven area.
’12 | Sullivan Smith has joined the staff at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass., as a head & neck, facial plastics, and reconstructive surgeon.
’15 | Anthony Antorino was promoted to director of investments at 17Capital and is based in their New York office.
Anne Lynch ’87 and John Courtmanche ’88 — March 14, 2026.
Mellissa Santos ’03 and Chris Goscinski — May 9, 2026.
Marissa Lanteri ’04 and Ricardo Hornburg — Jan. 25, 2025.
Kerry Lowth ’14 and Jackson Ewert — March 1, 2025.
Stephanie Lewia ’16 and Michael Kowalski ’16 — July 26, 2025.
Mairin McCabe ’16 and Aidan Grealish ’16 — Sept. 6, 2025.
Robert Hertlein ’17 and Lauren Witt — Dec. 21, 2025.
Sarah Sanclementi ’17, MS’18 and Patrick Grubb ’17, MBA’18 — June 27, 2025.
Hannah Brazier ’18 and Luke Lemieux ’18 — May 31, 2025.
Regan Casey ’18 and Patrick Tufano — Dec. 19, 2025.
Christy Parmenter ’18 and Ryan Carlucci ’18 — Sept. 20, 2025.
Emily Matli ’20 and Michael Pepiciello Jr. ’20 — Sept. 20, 2025.
Alexia Meissner ’20 and Wyatt Alberigo ’20, MS’21 — Aug. 29, 2025.
Hannah Kelley ’21 and Michael Della Torre ’21 — Oct. 11, 2025.
Mellissa Santos ’03 and Chris Goscinski — son, Jacob, Sept. 26, 2025.
Marissa (Lanteri) ’04 and Ricardo Hornburg — daughter, Filomena, Feb. 17, 2026.
Lindsay (Bohnsack) ’07 and William Sherman — son, Charles, Jan. 10, 2025.
Dana Sharkey ’09 and Luke Duffy — son, Hayden, Feb. 3, 2026.
Kady (Helme) and Kyle TumSuden ’12 — son, Theodore, Feb. 10, 2026.
Nicole (Murphy) and Albert Innarelli ’17 — daughter, Francesca, Feb. 14, 2026.
Kathleen (Barter) ’18 and Raymond Sanchez ’19 — son, James, Oct. 8, 2025.
Bernard J. Ringrose ’51 — Jan. 30, 2026
Lewis E. Pierce Jr. ’53 — Jan. 21, 2026
William C. Lannon Jr. ’54 — Jan. 25, 2026
d ana s har K ey ’09 and Luke Duffy welcomed their son Hayden on Feb. 3, 2026.
Share your news! Married? Moved? New Job? New Baby? Big News? Share your Class Note or Contact Update by scanning this QR Code to access the form or going to fairfield.edu/AlumniNotes We’d love to hear from you!
Vincent V. Nuccitelli ALND’55 — Feb. 24, 2026
Carmen J. Vegliante ’55, MA’60, CT’64 — Jan. 30, 2026
Robert W. Ferraro ’59 — Jan. 28, 2026
Ralph E. Marcarelli ’59 — Jan. 11, 2026
John H. Connelly ALND’61 — Jan. 10, 2026
William P. Desautelle Sr. ’61 — Dec. 23, 2025
Cornelius P. Shea ’62 (BEI) — March 11, 2026
Daniel F. Coughlin Jr. ’63, CT’03 — Dec. 31, 2025
Peter G. Doyle ALND’63 — Jan. 11, 2026
Kevin E. Gannon ’63 — Jan. 23, 2026
Myron V. Gould ’63 — Jan. 16, 2026
Charles D. Bialowas ’64 — Dec. 11, 2025
Joseph J. Kearns ’64 — Jan. 23, 2026
John F. Oates Jr. ’65 — March 10, 2026
Fred A. Scognamillo ’65 — Dec. 27, 2025
Brian M. Lee ’66 — Jan. 15, 2026
Frank A. Christoffel III ’67 — Feb. 4, 2026
Thomas R. McDonald ’67 — Jan. 28, 2026
Joseph P. Rafter ’67 — Jan. 25, 2026
James P. Smith ’67 — Dec. 15, 2025
Richard Schauster ’68 — March 13, 2026
John J. Langan Jr. ’69 — Dec. 30, 2025
by Kiersten bjor K ’21
Jared Mezzocchi ’07—a two-ti M e Obie Award-winning director and multi-media artist best known for his groundbreaking work at the intersection of theatre and film—credits his time at Fairfield University as the foundation for his continued success.
“It gave me the awareness of why, right now, I want to participate in this dialogue in the American theatre,” Mezzocchi said. “I had very one-on-one relationships with faculty, and they helped me to understand the catapult I was building toward my career.”
The theatre and film major vividly remembers how the Fairfield community responded after the untimely passing of his father during his sophomore year.
“Both departments came to the funeral and heard my eulogy for my dad, and both told me I should turn it into a piece of theatre or a piece of film,” he shared.
“Everything felt messy at that moment with the grief of it all, and I remember asking,
“The liberal arts mechanism allowed me to have a wide understanding of how to make theatre.”
— jared Mezzocchi ’07
well, what if it’s both? What if we do something where I use both theatre and film on the same platform?”
The first step came in his junior year: a short piece chronicling the history of theatre.
“I got everybody to give me their TVs from their townhouses and I stacked a three-by-three grid of tube televisions and
connected them to nine DVD players. I was printing DVDs in the Media Lab, trying to get the time codes correct so that when someone threw a ball and it left one frame, it would be caught in another.”
Little did he know that experiment would become the foundation of a career built on bringing together stage and screen.
“I still have that recording, and sometimes I watch it and realize everything I did in that piece, I’m still working through in my career—trying to create interactivity.”
h is senior year , his exploration o F grief and his father’s death culminated in The One Stoplight in Hollis, a two-act play where he continued his experiment across performance mediums. The work earned him a place in Brooklyn College’s MFA program.
“At Brooklyn College, I knew what I was wrestling with—all the questions—because of what Fairfield gave me,” he said. “I walked in with a depth of information that a 21-year-old at the time wouldn’t typically be walking into grad school with.”
After earning his MFA, Mezzocchi worked with theatres across the country, including Geffen Playhouse, Vineyard Theater, and TheatreWorks Hartford. Last December, he returned to where it all began: Fairfield’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
As part of the Quick Center’s Artist-inResidence program, he workshopped 73 Seconds, a solo piece exploring the fragile line between the personal and cosmic through the true story of his relationship with his mother after learning she once worked for NASA.
“Theatre in 2007 at the Quick Center let me ask these hard, dark questions of my life, and now, I’m returning to that,” he said. “Starting at Fairfield, there’s been a track in my career of using theatre to reflect on my life and my family. Every couple of years I find myself working on something that does that.” Today, Mezzocchi’s work continues to make headlines in Connecticut, New York, and beyond. He has been recognized by The New York Times and honored with Lucille Lortel and Henry Hewes awards. This April, the world premiere of Circus Fire opened at Theatreworks Hartford, with Mezzocchi responsible for direction and multimedia experience. Later that month, 73 Seconds returned, this time in the planetarium at the Lower Eastside Girls Club in New York, with Mezzocchi as both writer and performer.
“This year, I’m using everything I learned at Fairfield, all at once,” he said.
“The liberal arts mechanism allowed me to have a wide understanding of how to make theatre. If I had only gone to a conservatory to direct, this dream today would not be achievable. I’m very grateful for the classes that I took, because they’ve all become part of my career. Fairfield taught me how to write, direct, perform, operate, build—and now I make theatre in all these capacities.” l F
James C. Daily ’70 — Jan. 16, 2026
Robert K. Dunn ’70 — Feb. 4, 2026
Robert T. Gibson ’70 — Jan. 22, 2026
William P. Warnken Jr. ’70 — March 14, 2026
John B. Hughes ’74 — Jan. 20, 2026
Robert F. Morelli ’74 — Jan. 9, 2026
Robert M. Kulikowski ’77 — March 1, 2026
Colleen M. Jones ’78 — Feb. 16, 2026
Mary Ann McSweeny MFA’08 had a creative nonfiction essay titled “Where Are My Feet?” published in Issue 92 of the literary journal Kaleidoscope: Exploring the Experience of Disability Through Literature and the Fine Arts. Her work, selected from more than 400 submissions considered for the award-winning United Disability Services publication, shares the author’s experience with agoraphobia and panic disorder while trying to provide care and support for a grieving friend. An educator and instructional designer, McSweeny is a native of the Berkshires in Massachusetts. Her work has appeared in The Baltimore Review, Toasted Cheese Literary Journal, Highlights for Children, and others. She is also the co-author of a series of meditation books published by Liguori Publications.
Cathryn Prince MA’09 wrote and published For the Love of Labor: the Life of Pauline Newman, which tells the story of a self-educated Jewish immigrant—one of the youngest
Carolyn Vermont ’82, MA’84 — Feb. 18, 2026
Michael P. McVeigh ’88 — Jan. 19, 2026
Elizabeth C. Wallace ’94, MSN’11 — Jan. 5, 2026
Richard J. Leighton ’97 — March 14, 2026
Elaine J. (Mulaire) Hull AA’98 — Feb. 12, 2026
Michael T. Reynolds ’01 — Feb. 18, 2026
Margaret I. (Beck) Dennehy ’21 — March 12, 2026
StagMates e M ily M atli ’20 and M ichael p epiciello
j r . ’20 married on Sept. 20, 2025.
activists in U.S. history—who helped shape the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU) into a dominant force in industrial America. Prince is an adjunct professor of journalism at Fordham University. Her previous books include Queen of the Mountaineers: The Trailblazing Life of Fanny Bullock Workman and American Daredevil: The Extraordinary Life of Richard Halliburton, the World’s First Celebrity Travel Writer
Noah Vargoshe MSN’25 is excited to share that he recently published a book, written under the pen name L. Angelovich, while a student in the Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing program. Set in Bridgeport, Fairfield, and the surrounding area, the occult thriller novel, called Arcane Desolation, was published by Barnes & Noble press and can be purchased through Barnes & Noble.
Maggie Spadaro MSW’26 wrote and published her debut children’s book, My Friend Doesn’t Have a House, in April 2024. Inspired
by her social work with unhoused children and families, she wrote this book to educate kids on how some of their peers may be living. A great resource and conversation starter about housing insecurity for social workers, therapists, teachers, and parents, the book is available wherever books are sold.
Carmen J. Vegliante ’55, MA’60, CT’64 — Jan. 30, 2026
Richard C. LaPine MA’69 — Jan. 10, 2026
Jan S. Miska MA’71 — March 23, 2026
Faith (Baum) Diamond CT’73 — Dec. 18, 2025
Susan (Osman) Pascucci MA’74 — Jan. 2, 2026
Marjorie (Corliss) Dunham MA’76 — Jan. 2, 2026
Virginia A. (Todarelli) Ferris MA’77 — March 9, 2026
Carol J. MacElwee MA’77 — Feb. 23, 2026
William F. McAndrews MA’78 — March 1, 2026
Barbara Milvid MA’78 — Dec. 29, 2025
Michael J. Romano CT’78 –Jan. 27, 2026
Lawrence M. Doyle CT’79 — Feb. 4, 2026
Benita (Dimitri) Kelly CT’79 — Jan. 15, 2026
Rosemary Clark MA’80 — Dec. 22, 2025
Susan C. (Johnson) Bormolini MA’81 — Feb. 14, 2026
Sr. Mary E. Duke, SNDdeN MA’83 — Jan. 15, 2026
Carolyn Vermont ’82, MA’84 — Feb. 18, 2026
Timothy J. Mingey MS’02 — Jan. 27, 2026
Daniel F. Coughlin Jr. ’63, CT’03 — Dec. 31, 2025
Elizabeth C. Wallace ’94, MSN’11 — Jan. 5, 2026
SUMMER 2026
University Alumni Association
fairfield.edu/alumni | 203-254-4280
Email us at alumni@fairfield.edu
Golden Stags Reunion SAT., SEPT. 27
quickcenter.com | 203-254-4010
Follow us! @FairfieldQuick
Missoula Children’s Theatre
Camp Sessions:
The Tortoise and the Hare
JULY 6 – 10
Peter and Wendy
JULY 13 – 17
The Emperor’s New Clothes
JULY 20 – 24
Wiz of the West
JULY 27 – 31
Aladdin
AUG. 3 – 7
The Frog Prince AUG. 10 – 14
Summer Intensives
Morning Camp Sessions at the Bookstore:
Introduction to Acting and Improvisation Class
JULY 13 – 17 | Ages 8 & up
Step Right Up! An Introduction to Circus Skills
AUG. 10 – 14 | Ages 8 & up
Summer Intensives
Afternoon Camp Sessions at the Quick:
Singing for the Stage
JULY 20 – 23 | Ages 11 & up
JULY 27 – 30 | Ages 8 - 11
Acting and Audition Prep AUG. 3 – 6 | Ages 8 & up
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS
Keith Mayerson, First Men on the Moon, 2012, oil on linen. Fairfield University Art Museum, Gift of Avo Samuelian and Hector Manuel Gonzalez, 2023, 2023.25.10. © 2012 Keith Mayerson.
Fairfield University
Art Museum
fairfield.edu/museum | 203-254-4046
Email us at museum@fairfield.edu
For Which It Stands… THROUGH JULY 25
Bellarmine Hall Galleries & Walsh Gallery
Hieroglyphs to Hype: The Modern Afterlife of Ancient Egypt
SEPT. 18 – DEC. 12
Bellarmine Hall Galleries
James Welling: Cento
SEPT. 25 – DEC. 12 Walsh Gallery
Mike Robinson ’75 first visited Fairfield’s campus as a prospective student and quickly felt at home.
“It was a love-at-first-sight kind of place,” he recalled. “I mean, what’s not to like?”
That early excitement grew into something deeper: lifelong friendships, formative experiences, and a lasting bond with the University that continues to play a significant role in his life today.
As a student, Robinson studied business management and was a member of Fairfield’s Club Rugby team. Rugby became a defining part of his Fairfield experience, forging many of the friendships and alumni connections that remain central to his relationship with the University decades later.
Since graduating in 1975, Robinson and his Fairfield friends have remained closely connected, returning to campus for RugbyFest and Reunion Weekend while also organizing their own gatherings. After their 10th Reunion in 1985, the group took a weeklong trip to Bermuda—launching a tradition of post-reunion getaways they have continued ever since.
robinson’s co MM itM ent to Fairfield is also reflected in his philanthropy. His support includes longtime membership in The President’s Circle, membership in The Bellarmine Society, and service on his class Reunion Committee. He also champions STAGiving
Day—not only through his own contributions but by encouraging others to give, often reaching out to friends to rally support and sponsoring match challenges to inspire participation.
For Robinson, philanthropy is rooted in both gratitude and values—something that became clear to him throughout his Catholic education. “My wife Nancy and I are both products of 16 years of Catholic education,” he said. “Along the way, we learned the importance of giving back when you can.”
Their commitment is also deeply personal. Nancy attended the College of Saint Elizabeth (now called St. Elizabeth University) in New Jersey on a full scholarship—an opportunity made possible, in part, by donor support.
That experience helped shape the couple’s shared approach to giving, including their decision to support Fairfield Bellarmine. “Fairfield Bellarmine really caught our attention,” Robinson said. “We thought it was a great concept, especially when we
He has a simple philosophy about giving: “The biggest thing is to start.”
saw the success with the first graduating class. So, Nancy and I decided it was something we really wanted to support.”
In considering how to support the Bellarmine program, Mike and Nancy reviewed their options and decided to establish a charitable gift annuity (CGA) with a gift of appreciated securities through Fairfield’s CGA program. They received a charitable deduction in the year of their gift, and a significant portion of the capital gains were reduced. Plus, they will receive an annuity for life.
o ver ti M e , r obinson ’ s philanthropy has evolved alongside the University— growing with both his own capacity to give and his understanding of Fairfield’s priorities. He also has a simple philosophy about giving: “The
biggest thing is to start,” he said. “Even if you just graduated, and you’re sending in $50 a year—start. Because then you get updates from the school and the areas you support, and as your situation improves over the years, you may be able to give more. But I think the biggest thing is to start.”
Robinson served as president of affiliated companies for Weichert, Realtors; in retirement, he continues to advise the firm on mergers and acquisitions on an ad hoc basis. He and Nancy live in Spring Lake, N.J., and find some of their greatest joy in traveling together, spending time with their children and grandchildren, and remaining connected to the Fairfield community that has been an important part of their lives for more than 50 years.
Since 1942, tens of thousands of students have discovered their unique calling in the world through the Catholic and Jesuit education they experienced at Fairfield University. Guided by the ideals of our Jesuit mission, they have embraced lives of purpose, service, and responsibility to others.
With a planned gift, you can create a lasting legacy and help ensure that future generations are able to experience the transformative power of a Fairfield education.
u Bequest — name Fairfield University as a percent or dollar amount remainder beneficiary in your will or trust.
u IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution — give directly from your IRA if you are 70½ or older.
u Beneficiary Designation — name Fairfield as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts, bank and brokerage accounts, or paid-up life insurance policies.
u Charitable Gift Annuity — in exchange for a gift to Fairfield University, you will receive guaranteed fixed payments for life.
If you have named Fairfield in your estate plans, we would love to hear from you. If you are thinking about including the University as part of your legacy, please reach out to learn more.
