Fairfield University

infobox University
name =


motto = "Per Fidem ad Plenam Veritatem" (Latin)
mottoeng = Through Faith to the Fullness of Truth
established = 1942
type = Private, Coeducational
affiliation = Roman Catholic,
Jesuit
endowment = $269 million [http://www.nacubo.org/Images/All%20Institutions%20Listed%20by%20FY%202007%20Market%20Value%20of%20Endowment%20Assets_2007%20NES.pdf]
president = Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.
vice-president = Dr. William Weltzer [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pres_weitzerbio.html Biography: Dr. William Weitzer, Senior Vice President] ]
provost = Dr. Orin L. Grossman [ [http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=53174281 ZoomInfo Web Profile: Dr. Orin L. Grossman] ]
chairman = Paul J. Huston '82 [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pres_trustees.html Fairfield University Board of Trustees] ]
city = Fairfield
state = Connecticut
country = USA flagicon|USA
undergrad = 3,941 (642 at UC)
postgrad = 994
faculty = 239 full-time (13-to-1)
campus = Suburban 200 acres (809,000 m²)
mascot = Stags
colors = Cardinal White
athletics = 20 NCAA DI teams
affiliations = AJCU, MAAC, NEASC
free_label = Newspaper
free = Fairfield Mirror
website = [http://www.fairfield.edu/ www.fairfield.edu]

Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. About 3,900 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students study in Fairfield's six schools and colleges: The Fairfield College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The School of Nursing, The Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, and The University College. The primary objectives of a Fairfield University education are to develop the creative intellectual potential of its students and to foster in them ethical and religious values and a sense of social responsibility. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/about_mission.html Fairfield University: Mission Statement] ]

History and tradition

History

Fairfield University was founded in 1942 by Society of Jesus when the Jesuits acquired the two contiguous estates of the Jennings and Lashar families. In the same year the Rev. James H. Dolan, S.J., the Provincial Superior of the New England Jesuit Province appointed the Rev. John J. McEleney, S.J. the first President of the "Fairfield University of Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J." and Vicar of the Fairfield College Preparatory School. In 1944, the Rev. James H. Dolan, S.J. became the second President. During his tenure, Fairfield University was chartered by the State of Connecticut to grant degrees in 1945; the first class of 303 male students was admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences in 1947; the College of Arts and Sciences was accredited by the State of Connecticut and the first summer session of undergraduate courses was held in 1949. A detailed account of the history of Fairfield University was written by the late Rev. Joseph MacDonnell, S.J. in his book entitled If these Stones Could Speak. [ [http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/fu/FU1ur.htm If these Stones Could Speak: Fairfield University's Ur-History.] ] Further, a brief history of The Jesuits in Fairfield can be found on The Fairfield Jesuit Community website. [ [http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jesuit/history_1.html The Jesuits in Fairfield] ]

Recent history

In September 2000, Charles F. Dolan H'04, founder of HBO and chairman of Cablevision, donated $25 million to the renamed Charles F. Dolan School of Business, which still represents one of the largest donations from a single source to a business school. [ [http://www.aacsb.edu/members/communities/interestgrps/donors.asp Business School Donations] ]

In July 2004, the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., a graduate of Princeton University, former Chair of the History Department at Georgetown University, and former Dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, became the eighth Jesuit President of Fairfield University succeeding the Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., the longest tenured and most accomplished President of the University. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/x1473.html Fairfield University inaugurates its first president in 25 years] ]

In September 2004, the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. announced that the capital campaign, "Our Promise: The Campaign for Fairfield University," launched and led by the Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., raised a record $137.9 million. The capital raised resulted in the construction and renovation of seven buildings, the creation of four new academic chairs, and the significant increase in the University's endowment. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/x3541.html Campaign for Fairfield University raises $137.9 million] ]

In October 2006, the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., the Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., and Paul J. Huston '82, chairman of the Board of Trustees, dedicated the Aloysius P. Kelley. S.J. Center, a new environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art welcoming center for prospective students and a "one-stop shopping" administrative center for current students. [ [http://www.workstage.com/kelleycenter/ Fairfield University honors former President with green, hi-tech administration and welcome center] ]

And in March 2008, the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., announced the Bridgeport Tuition Plan offering full tuition scholarships to admitted students who are graduates of a Bridgeport, Connecticut High School whose family earns less than $50,000 a year. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0308bpttuition.html Fairfield University announces Bridgeport Tuition Plan for students with family incomes under $50,000] ]

Roman Catholic and Jesuit tradition

Fairfield University's Roman Catholic and Jesuit tradition and history reach back nearly 500 years to the life, teachings and insights of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). As one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, Fairfield belongs to an elite group that continues Ignatius' dedication to developing the whole person. Fairfield's nurturing environment invites students of all traditions to a maturing of faith, self knowledge, respect for the dignity of themselves and others, a devotion to justice, a commitment to serving the poor, and a passion for truth, reflection, and lifelong learning.

eal of the University

Fairfield's seal combines elements of its several traditions. The gold pinecones come from the coat of arms of the family of Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J., for whom the University was originally named. Superimposed on the cones is the badge of the Society of Jesus - the letters IHS surmounted by the cross and surrounded by the instruments of Christ's passion - to indicate that the University is in the care of members of the same religious family.

There are three compartments in the upper portion of the shield, because "the school is dedicated and exists in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit." The central compartment portrays a hart crossing a ford, a part of the coat of arms of the Diocese of Hartford, whose boundaries encompassed the Town of Fairfield, when the University was founded. Finally, the two outer compartments show clusters of grapes, charges taken from the town seal and symbolic of the fertility of the verdant fields of the Town and County of Fairfield.When the University was founded in 1942, the official name of the University was "Fairfield University of St. Robert Bellarmine". Three of the original seals with this name still exist on campus - in the main lobby of Alumni Hall, on the exterior of the Barone Campus Center, and on the glass front of Regis Hall facing the Quad.

Alma Mater

::::"Fairfield! See the stag with cross of Gold"::::"Rears once more its undefeated head."::::"Fair our field, as any field of old,"

::::"Bids our banners, like our blood, be red."::::"Through faith, unto total truth," our cry"::::"Swells from the sea to spire and sky;"::::"Hear, Alma Mater, hear! Fairfield, hail!"

::::"Mem'ries fold away the thought of thee:"::::"Autumn roses crimson on the bough,"::::"Bright snow breaking to the dogwood tree"

::::"Keeps spring singing, then as now."::::"Through faith, unto total truth," our cry"::::"Swells from the sea to spire and sky;"::::"Hear, Alma Mater, hear! Fairfield, hail!"

::::Alma Mater of Fairfield University by Rev. John L. Bonn, S.J.

*Listen to the [http://www.fairfield.edu/documents/quick/ffldunivalmamater.mp3 Alma Mater] , as performed by the Fairfield University Glee Club.

Academics

Academic programs

Fairfield's Jesuit ethos trains students in scholarship; prepares students for leadership; encourages students to engage in service projects; and develops students with strong social concerns for the common good. Fairfield University is an intellectual, social, spiritual, and cultural destination of choice for students and faculty from a rich diversity of backgrounds. Everyone in the University commits to excellence in educating, serving, inspiring and training students in various disciplines and fields.Fairfield University offers 34 undergraduate majors and 16 interdisciplinary minors,34 graduate programs leading to a Master's degree or certification, as well as more than 350 credit and 250 non-credit courses in University College. The Fiske Guide to Colleges recognized Fairfield's Strongest Programs to include Biology, International Studies, Art History, Religious Studies, Sociology, Accounting and Finance, and Mechanical Engineering. The innovative New Media major is the first of its kind among Jesuit universities and features Cinefest Fairfield, an annual film festival showcasing student work created in production courses. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0505radio.html Film, Television and Radio major led by three Jesuits] ]

*The Fairfield College of Arts and Sciences
*The Charles F. Dolan School of Business
*The School of Engineering
*The School of Nursing
*The Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions
*The University College

Academic achievement

Fellows and scholars

Fairfield University students have been the recipients of numerous fellowships and scholarships, see "Fairfield University - Fellows and Scholars".

*Fulbright Scholars: Since 1993-94, 53 Fairfield students have been awarded highly prestigious Fulbright Program Scholarships from the flagship international educational program sponsored by the U.S. government. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0708ful.html Fairfield University sets new record with nine Fulbrights awarded this year] ] Fairfield was ranked #1 among universities that grant master's degrees in the Fulbright Program's list of colleges and universities that produced 2006 U.S. Fulbright Fellows. [ [http://www.iienetwork.org/?p=FulbrightRankings Fulbright Rankings 2006-2007] ] Besting 55 other schools in the category, Fairfield was selected by the Institute of International Education, the non-profit agency which administers the Fulbright Program and The Chronicle of Higher Education, for this ranking. This was the third time in four years that Fairfield has been singled out for having the largest number of Fulbrights in its category. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_1007fulbright.html Fairfield University once again tops in its class in Fulbrights awarded] ] In the last nine years, eight faculty members have been awarded Fulbright Program Scholar Grants for postdoctoral research. Fairfield faculty members have published hundreds of scholarly articles and books in the past two years.

*Phi Beta Kappa: Fairfield University is the second youngest institution to gain membership in Phi Beta Kappa (ΦΒΚ), the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. When the Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was chartered at Fairfield University in 1994, Fairfield joined an elect company of 262 colleges and universities. Nationwide, only one percent of college seniors are invited to join Phi Beta Kappa annually. As of 2007, forty-three faculty and staff members on campus, including University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, are members of Phi Beta Kappa.

*USA Today All-USA College Academic Team: Two Fairfield students, Chris Pilkerton '95 and Michael Franz '99, were selected to the USA Today All-USA College Academic Team which honors full-time undergraduates who not only excel in scholarship but also extend their intellectual abilities beyond the classroom to benefit society. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2004-08-12-2005-colllege-team_x.htm All-USA College Academic Team: About and advice] ]

Centers of distinction

Center for Catholic Studies

The Center for Catholic Studies promotes an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic intellectual tradition by supporting academic programming exploring the Catholic and Jesuit mission and identity and the Minor in Catholic Studies. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/cs_index.html Center for Catholic Studies] ] The Center sponsors the "Voices of Others" video series in which Dr. Paul Lakeland sits down with distinguished scholars, theologians and social activists to discuss issues surrounding the theme “Listening to the Voices of Others.” Past special guests include Loung Ung, Rev. Gregory Boyle, S.J., Dr. Paul Farmer and Archbishop Demetrios of America. [ [http://www.voicesofothers.com/ Voice of Others] ] The Center is directed by the holder of the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Chair in Catholic Studies, currently Dr. Lakeland. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/cs_index.html Center for Catholic Studies] ]

Center for Faith and Public Life

The Center for Faith and Public Life provides a cross-disciplinary forum for students, scholars, policy makers, and religious leaders to converse and reflect on the many issues where religion intersects with civic life. Through academic research, teaching, publications and public initiatives, the Center provides a new and exciting focus for viewing the role of religion in the public square. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/cfpl_index.html Center for Faith and Public Life] ] The Center sponsors the "Politics Meets Faith" video series in which American politicians such U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0308lieberman.html Senator Joseph Lieberman answers questions about faith and politics posed by Fairfield University students] ] U.S. Representative Christopher Shays [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/cc_march07.html#shays Shays kicks off Politics Meets Faith series] ] and U.S. Representative Jim McGovern have gone on record in front of a live audience of students for a conversation on the role of faith in political life. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/cfpl_polfaith.html Politics Meets Faith Series] ] The Center is home to the Office of Service Learning which incorporates the service learning teaching methodology into the Fairfield curriculum by providing students opportunities to combine their academics studies with active community service to local organizations in nearby Bridgeport, Connecticut. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/svc_index.html Office of Service Learning] ] For example, education and psychology students can participate in the Adrienne Kirby Family Literacy Project, [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E1D71130F935A35755C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Literacy Program Teaches the Teachers] ] business students can participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, [ [http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2007/03/22/News/Taxes.Teaching.Lessons-2784396.shtml Taxes Teaching Lessons] ] and nursing students can work at the Health Promotion Center. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/son_clinsites.html Fairfield University School of Nursing Health Promotion Center] ] [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/sl_commpartners.html Office of Service Learning Community Partners] ] The Center is also the current home for the Connecticut Campus Compact, providing state level support for the Campus Compact, a national coalition of more than 1,100 colleges and universities, representing close to six million students, dedicated to promoting community service, civic engagement, and service learning in higher education. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/currents/stories/08_02/cc_upclose_feb08.html Fairfield Welcome Campus Compact] ] The Center for Faith and Public Life was founded in 2005 and is directed by the Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_1105dulles.html Cardinals McCarrick and Dulles help celebrate the opening of Fairfield University's new Center for Faith and Public Life] ]

Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies

The Bennett Center provides students and the local community exposure to and contact with Jewish ideas, culture, and thinking. The Bennett Center has brought several world-renowned lecturers to the University, including Nobel Prize-winner Elie Wiesel, Former Ambassador Dennis Ross, and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/js_bennettctr.html Carl & Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University] ] The Bennett Center was founded in 1994 with an initial endowment of $1.5 million from Carl and Dorothy Bennett of Greenwich, Connecticut and is directed by Dr. Ellen Umansky. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/x4338.html Judaic Studies: From enrichment to enlightenment] ]

Center for Microfinance Advice and Consulting

The Center for Microfinance Advice and Consulting is at the forefront of the microfinance movement working to help develop self-sustaining business operations in developing countries. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/dsb_cmac.html Center for Microfinance Advice and Consulting] ] In keeping with the Jesuit mission of Fairfield University, Dr. Winston Tellis and Dr. Michael Tucker co-founded the Center in 2001 where the professors and business students have helped develop self-sustaining businesses in poor rural areas of Haiti and Nicaragua. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0298haiti.html Business students investigating viability of sun ovens for Haiti] ] The Center was honored for its work for Haiti's poor by FONKOZE USA (F/USA) which supports Fonkoze (Fondasyon Kole Zepol), Haiti's only alternative bank for the poor. F/USA is one of only five non-profit organizations approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to solicit U.S. investments for foreign organizations. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0999tellis.html Business professor honored for support of Haitian poor] ]

=Rankings and ratings=

Barron's Educational Series
*Listed as highly competitive in the 2007 edition of Barron's Profiles of American Colleges.

Fiske Guide to Colleges
* Profiled as one of the "country's best and most interesting colleges and universities."
* Stated that "Fairfield is one of the up-and-coming schools in the Roman Catholic universe" and "is moving into the same class as older, more revered East Coast Jesuit institutions."
* Ranked among "Small Colleges and Universities Strong in Business."

The Princeton Review
* Ranked among the "Best 361 Colleges."
* Ranked the Charles F. Dolan School of Business among the "Best 237 Business Schools."
* Ranked among the "Best Northeast Colleges."
* Ranked among "America's Best Value Colleges" in 2005. (The only Connecticut school and among 77 schools nationwide).
* Ranked among "Top 25 Most Connected Campuses" in 2004.

U.S. News America's Best Colleges
* Ranked second in the top tier of colleges with master's degree programs in the North.

University and College Accountability Network (U-CAN)
* Fairfield University participates in the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)'s University and College Accountability Network (U-CAN). U-CAN is a free, consumer-informed college information Web site that aims to develop and deliver key college information directly to consumers. [ [http://members.ucan-network.org/fairfield U-CAN: Fairfield University] ]

Arts and enrichment

Quick Center For the Arts

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is the major center of theatre and the arts at Fairfield University and recognized as the "cultural epicenter of Fairfield County" by Westport Magazine. [ [http://www.westportmag.com/media/Westport-Magazine/December-2005/Intellectual-Hot-House/ Intellectual Hot House] ] The Quick Center opened in 1990 and includes events such as popular and classical music, dance, theatre, and programs for young audiences. It houses the 740-seat Kelley Theatre, the 150-seat Lawrence A. Wien Experimental (Black Box) Theatre, and the Thomas J. Walsh, Jr. Art Gallery. The Quick Center has become known as one of the finest concert halls in the country. [ [http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/psarawit/vtour/quickcenter.htm Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts] ] The Quick Center is home to the Open VISIONS Forum, which under the direction and moderation of Dr. Philip Eliasoph brings a wide range of speakers to campus to participate in an open dialogue about topical issues impacting the global and national agenda. Past guests have included two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough, prize-winning NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto; documentary filmmaker Ken Burns; Forbes CEO and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes; former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke; United States Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky; Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim; and former hostage and author Terry Waite [ [http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2007/10/04/News/Eliasoph.Brings.Headliners.To.Fairfield-3008324.shtml Eliasoph Brings Headliners To Fairfield] ]

Cinefest Fairfield

Cinefest Fairfield is an annual film festival held in association with the Fairfield Community Theatre featuring short films by students, alumni and faculty. The film festival is sponsored by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and showcases its innovative New Media major. "CineFest Fairfield will become a notable annual event for the University and for Fairfield County," Fr. James Mayzik, S.J., Director of the New Media major and Media Center said. "Fairfield students will emerge as leaders within the region and the nation for their creativity and talent in film, television and radio within this exciting new program."

Kress Foundation Art Collection

The Samuel H. Kress Collection of Italian Paintings at Fairfield University is a Kress Study Collection of 10 old master paintings that date from the mid-14th through the early 18th centuries and are representative of the major schools of Italian Renaissance painting and Baroque painting. The paintings represent a spectrum of religious and secular images generally attributed to the followers or the studio workshops of some of the noteworthy major painters of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art. This collection was a gift to Fairfield University by the Discovery Museum and Planetarium in Bridgeport, Connecticut and arranged by Dr. Philip Eliasoph. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/x5724.html The Discovery Museum presents Kress collection of ten old master paintings to Fairfield University] ] The paintings were originally given to The Discovery Museum by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation whose mission is to promote the understanding and appreciation of European art in the United States. Fairfield is one of only 23 colleges and universities to maintain a collection from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. In Spring 2009, the Kress Collection will take permanent residence at the new Bellarmine Museum along with a teaching collection of Medieval art on loan from the The Cloisters at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0608art.html Fairfield University announces plans for a new art museum on campus] ] Other notable art collections at Fairfield University include a Plaster Cast Collection of over fifty pieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art; a select Asian Art Collection; and a Japanese Garden designed in the 1920s by renowned landscape architect Arthur Asahel Shurcliff, as well as his original watercolors of the formal gardens designed by him at Bellarmine Hall. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/art_collections.html Art Collections at Fairfield University] ]

Theatre Fairfield

Theatre Fairfield is the resident production company of the Theatre Program of the Department of Visual & Performing Arts at Fairfield University. Theatre Fairfield's season includes professionally directed and designed productions; a Festival of student-written, directed, and designed plays; performances by On the Spot, an improv company; Director's Cut or A Class Act which features the work of advanced directing and acting students; and independent projects created by junior and senior theatre majors. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/arts_theatreffld.html Theater Fairfield] ] The PepsiCo Theatre, a renovated 1922 carriage house, is the home to Theatre Fairfield. This theatrical facility includes a 70-seat flexible black box theatre, coffeehouse, dance studio, design studio, and costume shop/dressing room. [ [http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/psarawit/vtour/pepsico.htm The PepsiCo Theatre] ]

Athletics

Fairfield University is a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and is classified as Division 1 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association for a majority of its athletic programs. Fairfield sponsors 20 varsity sports - baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's crew, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, and women's volleyball. Men's lacrosse is a member of the ECAC Lacrosse League and field hockey is an associate member of the America East Conference.

cholar-athletes

Fairfield University athletes are among the most academically successful in the nation, according to the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR). In the past several years the NCAA has honored many Fairfield University sports teams for their academic performance with Public Recognition Awards. These teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports nationwide. [ [http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/home?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/NCAA/Media+and+Events/Press+Room/News+Release+Archive/2008/Awards+and+Scholarships/20080424_d1_academichonors_rls.html NCAA Honors Division I Teams for Academic Performance] ] In 2006-07, eight teams, and in 2007-08, seven teams received NCAA Public Recognition Awards. Further, in recent years, eleven Fairfield student-athletes have been honored as Academic All-Americans or National Scholar-Athletes in recognition of their academic and athletic achievements.

Notable success

The Stags most notable success in athletics has come from the basketball, lacrosse, and soccer programs. The men's basketball team held a half time lead over the number 1 seed University of North Carolina Tar Heels before falling short in the 1997 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship tournament. Darren Phillip '00 was the nation's top rebounder averaging 14 rebounds per game in 1999-00 and Deng Gai '05 was the nation's top shot blocker averaging 5.5 blocks per game in 2004-05. The former women's basketball head coach, Diane Nolan, achieved her milestone 500th career win in 2005-06 and led the Stags to four post-season bids to the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 1988, 1991, 1998 and 2001. The men's lacrosse team won berths to the 2003 and 2005 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournaments while the women won the 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2008 MAAC Regular Season Titles. The women's soccer team won a berth to the 2005 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship tournament.

One of Fairfield's most recent successful athletic programs has been men's soccer. Fairfield has defeated several college powerhouses including North Carolina State, University of Connecticut and St. John's University. The men's soccer team won the 2005 and 2006 MAAC Regular Season Championship as well as the 2006 MAAC Tournament Championship. This win earned the team a First Round NCAA Tournmant Game at in-state rival University of Connecticut. Prior to the game, UConn had never lost an NCAA Tournament game on its home field. Fairfield secured a 2-1 first round victory, thanks to a late goal by star player James Gaughan. During the years of 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the team was nationally ranked, rising as high as #15 in several polls. In 2007, the Men's Soccer team defeated St. John's University 2-1. St. John's was the 1996 NCAA National Champion while UConn was the 2000 NCAA National Champion. No other Fairfield University athletic program has ever defeated a former National Championship team.

port clubs

Sport Clubs offer a competitive athletic opportunity for students including baseball, equestrian, men's and women's ice hockey, martial arts, men's and women's rugby, sailing, men's and women's skiing and snowboarding, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and men's and women's volleyball. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/rec_sportsclubs.html Sport Clubs] ] The 'Equestrian Club was Regional Champions in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, & 2003 and in 2007 seven Fairfield riders were invited to the elite Tournament of Champions, a horse show for the nation's top collegiate equestrian teams. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/rec_equestrian.html Equestrian Club] ] The Men's Hockey Club (formerly an NCAA level Division I program of the now-defunct MAAC) competed in the 2007 MCHC Championship game and the 2008 ACHA National Tournament. [ [http://www.fairfieldhockey.net/ Men's Hockey Club] ] The Men's Rugby Football Club or Red Ruggers, established in 1963, is the longest continuously running sport club at Fairfield University and has produced two USA Rugby Collegiate All-Americans and two former players who have gone on to play for the USA Eagles in the 1991 Rugby World Cup and the USA Tomahawks. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/rec_mensrugby.html Men's Rugby Football Club] ] And the Men's Volleyball Club won the 2006 and 2007 New England Collegiate Volleyball League Division II Championship and competed in the 2008 National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Volleyball Championship. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/rec_mvball.html Men's Volleyball Club] ] Historically, the 1979 Football Club led by All-America quarterback Craig Leach '81 played in the National Collegiate Football Association's championship game where the Stags fell 60-40 to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The 1980 Football Club started the season ranked #1 in the pre-season NCFA Polls.

Campus and region

Fairfield University is situated on a pastoral campus offering scenic views of Long Island Sound and all the amenities of a major, comprehensive university in a setting of rolling hills, sprawling lawns, picturesque ponds, and bucolic wooded areas-a setting ideal for education.

Today, Fairfield's convert|200|acre|km2|sing=on campus consists of 35 buildings anchored by the three manor homes of the original estates: Bellarmine Hall (1921), formerly the Lashar's 'Hearthstone Hall', re-named to honor Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J,; McAuliffe Hall (1896), originally O.G. Jennings' 'Mailands', re-named for Bishop Maurice F. McAuliffe, who sanctioned the creation of Fairfield University; and David J. Dolan House, Lawrence Jenning's 'Larribee', dedicated to honor the uncle of Charles F. Dolan who made the 1989 acquisition of Dolan Campus possible.

Buildings names

Along with Bellarmine Hall, named in honor of Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J,, many of the buildings on the campus of Fairfield University are named in honor of Jesuit priests. Behind each building name is a story of a Jesuit priest who was an exemplar of the Jesuit mission and their pursuit of educational and intellectual contributions, human rights and social justice. [ [http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/fu/deadjes.htm Names of The Fairfield University Building ] ]

DiMenna-Nyselius Library

Built in 1968, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library originally was named the Nyselius Library in honor of benefactors Gustav and Dagmar Nyselius. They were Swedish immigrants who had settled in Stamford and wanted to make a donation to Fairfield University to repay in part the kindness of their adoptive country. In 2001, the Library underwent a major renovation and expansion and was renamed the DiMenna-Nyselius Library in recognition of a generous donation from alumnus Joseph A. DiMenna, Jr. '80. It’s warm and inviting Arts and Crafts details blends in beautifully with Fairfield's New England campus.

At present, the Library contains an extensive and carefully selected collection of print and electronic resources which include over 300,000 bound volumes, 1800 journals and newspapers, over 11,000 audiovisual items and the equivalent of 92,000 volumes in microform. Its electronic resources, provide online access to a wide variety of World Wide Web subscription databases that bring full text journals and statistical information to the desktop anywhere on campus. Throughout the Library, wireless access is available in designated areas. The Library also contains two open access computer labs featuring Macintosh and Dell computers (one with 24-hour access for students), two dozen multimedia workstations, an electronic classroom, a 90-seat multimedia auditorium, and study rooms.

Among its valuable collection, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library is home to a rare facsimile of The Book of Kells, which was donated by The Wild Geese organization. The Book of Kells is an ornately illustrated manuscript, produced by Celtic monks around AD 800 in the style known as Insular art. It is one of the more lavishly illuminated manuscripts to survive from the Middle Ages and has been described as the zenith of Western calligraphy and illumination.

Environmental sustainability

In recent years, Fairfield University has implemented an institution-wide Green Movement taking major steps to reduce its impact on the natural environment and improve its sustainability. Fairfield now builds facilities with an eye to energy efficiency, recycling, and high marks from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council that promotes responsible building practices and sustainable design. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/green_fairfield_doing.html What is Fairfield doing?] ]

In October 2007, U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and U.S. Representative Christopher Shays joined the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. in unveiling the University's new environmentally friendly Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) designed to reduce strain on the region's power grid and reduce the University's overall carbon footprint by more than 10,000 metric tons per year. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_1007chp.html United States Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and Congressman Christopher Shays help unveil Fairfield University's new eco-friendly Combined Heat and Power Plant] ]

In May 2008, the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0508climate.html Fairfield University President commits to 'climate neutral' campus] ]

Most recently, on Earth Day 2008, a ground breaking took place for the new Fairfield Jesuit Community Center, an environmentally friendly home and retreat and meeting center that will feature a roof garden and a geo-thermal heating and cooling system. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0408jesuit.html Fairfield University's Jesuit Community Center groundbreaking ceremony set for Earth Day] ] Fairfield is also in the process of replacing its 125-vehicle fleet with biodiesel-powered buses and hybrid vehicles. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/green_fairfield_conservation.html What is Fairfield Doing?: Conservation] ]

Region

The Town of Fairfield was rated a Top Ten Best Place to Live in 2006 by Money Magazine offering students Fairfield Beach along the scenic shoreline of Long Island Sound and a vibrant downtown area which are both located just five minutes from campus. [ [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/snapshots/CS0926620.html Money Magazine Top Ten Best Place to Live in 2006: Fairfield, CT] ] The University runs a shuttle between campus and downtown where students can catch a dinner and a movie or hop on a Metro-North Train bound for Grand Central Station and New York City.

The Black Rock neighborhood of the City of Bridgeport bordering on the Town of Fairfield is located just ten minutes from campus and provides students a metropolitan village-like atmosphere that boasts some of the best restaurants and entertainment in Fairfield County. [ [http://www.blackrockrocks.com/ Black Rock Entertainment District] ] Fairfield University students frequent the "Acoustic Cafe" which has been named "Best Place to Hear Alternative Music" three years in a row by Fairfield County Weekly's reader poll and helped launch Fairfield University's own award-winning Indie rock band, The Alternate Routes. [ [http://www.acousticafe.com/ Acoustic Cafe] ]

People

Notable alumni

Despite the relative youth of the institution Fairfield University alumni are achieving considerable success and making significant contributions in the fields of "academia, business, economics, education, law, government, medicine, science and social justice".
*In the fields of "academia" and "education", Fairfield alumnus include a leading art historian and former Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Oxford; a world-renowned psychology professor considered the "Father of Play Therapy"; one of the world's leading authorities on Ralph Waldo Emerson and Distinguished Professor of English at the University at Albany; a CASE National Gold Medal Professor of the Year and R. Stuart Dickson Professor of Psychology at Davidson College; and founding heads of school at the St. Thomas More School and The Stanwich School.
*In the fields of "business and economics", Fairfield alumnus include a former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; one of Fortune Magazine's 50 Most Powerful Business Women; leaders of major Fortune 1000 corporations and Wall Street financial institutions; and several successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
*In the fields of "law" and "government", Fairfield alumnus include the Chief Judges of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and Connecticut Appellate Court; a former law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger; a dean emeritus of the Georgetown University Law Center; the Deputy White House Counsel; the Connecticut Senate Majority Leader; and three current and former U.S. Attorneys.
*In the fields of "medicine" and "science", Fairfield alumnus include one of the 2008 Time 100 World's Most Influential People, MacArthur Fellow and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine faculty member; a world renowned cancer researcher and Distinguished Professor at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; an award-winning genetics researcher and Barbara McClintock Professor of Molecular Biology & Genetics at Cornell University; a president emeritus of the Medical College of Georgia; the dean of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine; and Harvard Medical School, New York University School of Medicine and Weill Cornell Medical College faculty members.
*And in the field of "social justice", Fairfield alumnus include the founding president of a mission helping Haitian street children; the president of the oldest and largest community development bank providing socially responsible investing in under-served urban neighborhoods; a Pax Christi National Peacemaker of the Year and Director of the Marquette University Center for Peacemaking; and the founding executive director of AIDS-Free World, an international advocacy organization that works to promote more urgent and effective global responses to HIV/AIDS.

E. Gerald Corrigan
Raymond J. Dearie
Joseph E. Hasten
Kathleen A. Murphy
Peter Pronovost
Joseph Russoniello

*"See also:" ""

Notable benefactors

Fairfield has had many financial supporters, but some stand out by the magnitude of their contributions. Among those who have made large donations commemorated at the university are:
*Rudolf F. Bannow - Swedish-American Industrialist; namesake of the Rudolf F. Bannow Science Center. [ [http://www.vasaorden.se/en/index.htm?page=/en/asa/1960.asp Vasa Order of America: Rudolf F. Bannow Profile] ]
*E. Gerald Corrigan '63 - Managing Director, Goldman Sachs; former President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of New York; namesake of the E. Gerald Corrigan Endowed Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
*Charles F. Dolan H'04 - founder of HBO and Cablevision; namesake of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and Dolan Campus.
*Joseph A. DiMenna, Jr. '80 - founding Managing Director of Zweig-DiMenna Associates; namesake of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library.
*William P. Egan '67 - founding Partner at Alta Communications; namesake of the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
*Steve Lessing '80 - Head of Client Relationship Management at Lehman Brother; namesake of Lessing Field.
*Roger Lynch '63 - former Partner, Goldman Sachs; namesake of the Roger M. Lynch Professor of Economics.
*Gustav Nyselius - Swedish-American Industrialist; namesake of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library. [ [http://www.vasaorden.se/en/index.htm?page=/en/asa/1971.asp Vasa Order of America: Gustav Nyselius Profile] ]
*Leslie C. Quick Jr. H'99 - founder of Quick & Reilly; namesake of the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreational Complex and Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
*Fay Vincent H'08 - former Commissioner of Major League Baseball; created the need-based Alice Lynch Vincent Scholarship. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_1296fay.html Fay Vincent gives Fairfield University $2 million for scholarships] ]
*Thomas J. Walsh Jr. - former President & Chairman of Colonial Wire and Cable; namesake of the Thomas J. Walsh, Jr. Athletic Center and Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery.

Publications and media

*"Campus Currents" - The Official News Publication of Fairfield University
*"Fairfield Now" - The Magazine of Fairfield University,
*"Press Room" - Fairfield University's Electronic News Room
*"The Mirror" - The Independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University
*"The Reluctant Environmentalist" - Blogging about Earth-friendly living at Fairfield University

Academic journals

*"Mezzo Cammin" - An Online Journal of Formalist Poetry by Women.

Media Center

The Media Center is a convert|15000|sqft|m2|sing=on facility located on the ground floor of Xavier Hall that houses the New Media: Film, Television, and Radio major, the Campus Television Network and the student run HAM Channel. The Media Center also operates a convert|32|ft|m|sing=on television production satellite uplink truck that can transmit and receive digitally encoded television signals from geostationary domestic satellites. Fairfield University is one of few colleges in the nation to have this technology allowing campus programming and international news organizations including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and Bloomberg Television to be broadcast worldwide from the University.

The Media Center staff and New Media students have won national recognition for their award-winning programs and production of multimedia presentations for the University. The Media Center has received several Telly Awards including a Bronze Telly Award in 2001 [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0501telly.html Media Center wins Telly Award for video production] ] and one Silver Telly Award and three Bronze Telly Awards in 2004. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/x4603.html Fairfield University Media Center wins three Telly Awards, Student video secures a fourth Telly] ] Other recent honors have included the Crystal Award of Distinction from the Communicator Awards 2005 Print Competition; two Awards of Excellence from the Videographer 2005 Awards; and the Platinum BEST of Show from The Aurora 2005 Awards. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_1105media.html Fairfield University Media Center wins Platinum BEST of Show in major film and video competition] ] [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/x13504.html Fairfield University Media Center wins four awards in international competitions] ]

Residence life

Residence halls

Fairfield University guarantees first year students four years of campus housing and provides several housing options depending on their class. Most underclassman live on campus and live the typical residence hall life in the Quad or The Orient sections of campus. The Quad is located in the northwest corner of campus and consists of Campion Hall, Joques Hall, Gonzaga Hall, Loyola Hall, and Regis Hall. Students typically choose to live in The Quad in order to be close to the classroom buildings and to enjoy the annual battle of dorms water fights; and frisbee and wiffleball games during the warm weather. The Orient is located in the southeast corner of campus and consists of Kostka Hall and Claver Hall which is suite style living, and also the apartments, the newest on campus housing. This section earned its name due to its woodsy seclusion from the main area of campus. Dolan Hall is located in the northeast corner of campus is the primary residence hall for students who request to live in singles housing. This building also holds some freshman doubles.

Ignatian Residential College

Loyola Hall is home to the Ignatian Residential College, which offers a unique residential college experience for Fairfield sophomores. Funded by a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, the program provides over 200 students with the opportunity to study and live together while pondering questions of identity, faith and purpose. In addition to living together and taking two classes together students meet once per month in groups of ten with a mentor, hear from weekly speakers, attend one overnight retreat per semester, and take cultural trips. [ [http://www.collegesofdistinction.com/collegetemplates/masterfile.asp?cid=160&st=students Fairfield University - Fairfield, CT - Colleges of Distinction ] ]

Upperclassmen alternatives

Upperclassmen are able to choose between living at the Townhouse Complex, Apartment Village or Fairfield Beach. The 10 unit Townhouse Complex is a series of 104 two-story student townhouses for 469 juniors and seniors. There are between five and seven students living in each townhouse which has two or three bedrooms upstairs, a living and dining area, a kitchen and two bathrooms. During the colder weather the townhouse basements serve as a unique gathering place for students to socialize and catch a live performance by their favorite student band. And during the warmer weather students enjoy their back porches and lawns with an occasional barbecue and wiffleball game. The Apartment Village is at the southeast corner of campus and was opened in September 2000. These apartment-style residences house 192 juniors and seniors. Each apartment contains four single bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room. Finally, Fairfield Beach is truly a unique Fairfield living experience for 200 eligible students to rent beach houses along the Long Island Sound. Fairfield Beach historically has been the center of off-campus social life hosting such Fairfield traditions as the Clam Jam and Mock Weddings. However, as the Fairfield Beach community has evolved from a part-time summer beach community into a more permanent residential community, Fairfield Beach has become a source of strain on town-gown relations leading to greater controls over student social life.

tudent life

Community service

The goal of Jesuit education is "homines pro aliis", “men and women for others”. For this reason Fairfield students are involved in many local and international community service opportunities. Locally, the award-winning Annual Hunger Clean Up is a one-day service-a-thon where the entire University community joins together to work at 40-plus local agency sites throughout Fairfield County and to raise money for local and national hunger and homelessness causes. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/cm_hunger.html Annual Hunger Clean Up] ] The Fairfield chapter of Colleges Against Cancer hosts an annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life, an overnight event designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures, celebrate cancer survivors and raise money for cancer research. [ [http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2008/04/24/CampusLife/All-Aboard.For.Relay.For.Life-3342805.shtml All aboard for Relay for Life!] ] The Adrienne Kirby Family Literacy Project, recognized as a model program by the Corporation for National and Community Service, involves about 175 Fairfield student-volunteers a year in providing individual tutoring to preschool children to increase their language and school readiness skills at the Action for Bridgeport Community Development's Early Learning/Head Start Program. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E1D71130F935A35755C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Literacy Program Teaches the Teachers] ]

Internationally, Ignatian Solidarity Corps volunteers annually participate in two-week international service trips during their spring and winter breaks traveling to Ecuador [ [http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19365140&BRD=1653&PAG=461&dept_id=12717&rfi=6 Fairfield students provide aid in Ecuador] ] Mexico, Jamaica, Belize and Haiti where Fairfield alumnus, Doug Perlitz '92 founded and directs [http://haitippt.org Project Pierre Toussaint] , a mission helping Haitan street children. [ [http://haitippt.org//story.asp Project Pierre Toussaint: Our Story] ] In 2004, Mikaela Conley '06 and Aamina Awan '07 founded The Afghan Children's Project to raise awareness and funds for children who have suffered the effects of war, violence, and poverty in the heart of Afghanistan. [ [http://afghanchildrensproject.org/background.html The Afghan Children's Project: Background] ] Both were interviewed on CNN Daybreak in August 2005 for their work in funding the building of a water well for Aloudine, a small village outside Kabul, desperate for clean drinking water. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/fn_w05well.html A Well That Runs Deep] ] And in 2008, nine Fairfield students, inspired by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, started Sustainable Equity for Women, a micro-lending project designed to raise and invest money in small businesses run by women in developing countries in conjunction with
Kiva Microfunds. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0505sew.html Fairfield University seniors leave legacy of micro-lending project, Sustainable Equity for Women (SEW)] ]

Diversity

In total, the Fairfield student body hails from 32 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 45 foreign countries. 13% of undergraduate students are African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American (AHANA), or multiracial. Valuing a mix of experiences in the classroom and on campus, increasing diversity at Fairfield is a major goal of the University's Strategic Vision, [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/fnow_wint06vision.html Fairfield's Strategic Vision: Windows to the Future] ] and in 2005, during the University's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration and Convocation, the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., called on the University community to join him in efforts to increase diversity at the institution. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0105diversity.html Fairfield President pledges campus-wide effort to increase diversity] ] For this reason, the Office of Institutional Diversity Initiatives [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/sl_institdiversityhp.html Office of Institutional Diversity Initiatives] ] and the Office of Student Diversity Programs [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/sl_studentdiversity.html Office of Student Diversity Programs] ] were created to pursue a number of initiatives to increase racial and socioeconomic diversity. These diversity initiatives are helped annually by the Fairfield Awards Dinner held in New York City in which funds are raised for The Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund. The 2008 Fairfield Awards Dinner raised a record-breaking $1.1 million. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0408ffldawards.html Record-breaking $1.1 million raised by Fairfield University for drive to increase diversity] ]

Fairfield University Student Association

The Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA)] is the official student association for full-time undergraduate students and is the largest student organization on campus. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/sl_fusa.html Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA)] ] The association exists to represent student issues and concerns to the faculty and administration and to sponsor a multitude of student programs and activities. All full-time undergraduate students are members of FUSA. FUSA is organized into three branches – "legislative", "executive", and "judicial". The "legislative branch" consists of the Student Senate, comprising 40 elected representatives (10 from each undergraduate class year). The "executive branch" is headed by the popularly-elected President of FUSA, who serves as the official spokesperson for undergraduate students in addition to administering the student association on a daily basis. In 2002, Karen Donoghue '03 became the first women elected President of FUSA. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE3DD133BF932A05750C0A9649C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fF%2fFairfield%20University Kenneth Best, "Fairfield University's B.W.O.C.," New York Times, March 31, 2002.] ] The FUSA President is assisted by a popularly-elected Vice President, elected class officers, and a number of other appointed officers, including the Executive Director of Programming and the Executive Director of Clubs & Organizations. The "judicial branch" is known as the Student Court, which serves as a hearing body in certain student conduct cases, as well as performing the judicial functions required for the student association. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/documents/StLife_Athletics/studenthandbook06.pdf Fairfield University Student Handbook] ]

tudent activism

A central tenet of a Jesuit education is the promotion of the values of peace and social justice. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pj_index.html Program in Peace and Justice Studies] ] Fairfield University students have embraced and reflected these values in their own student activism. In 1988, 1989 and 1990, the Coalition for a Better World constructed "Cardboard City" and held a 36 hour vigil, [ [http://digital.fairfield.edu/u?/fuhp,240 Cardboard City on the patio of Barone Campus Center] ] and again in 2008, the Students for Social Justice similarly constructed "Homeless Village" and hosted the "Oxfam Hunger Banquet" to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless in the United States. [ [http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2008/01/31/News/Food-For.Thought.Students.For.Social.Justice.Host.Hunger.Banquet-3176960.shtml Food for thought: Students for Social Justice host Hunger Banquet] ] In 1999, students staged an 11-hour sit-in at the home of the university president and later a hunger strike to protest a contracting company used by the university that the students said was anti-union and paid janitors poorly. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE4D9143DF930A25752C1A96F958260 Six Students End Hunger Strike After Fairfield Drops Contractor] ] Each year, the Students for Social Justice travel to Columbus, Georgia for the annual School of the Americas Watch protest at a combat training school for Latin American soldiers now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. The date of the protest marks the anniversary of the murder of six Jesuit priests, their maid, and her daughter in El Salvador at the hands of soldiers trained at the School of the Americas. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/cm_socjustice.html Fairfield University: Social Justice: School of the Americas Protest] ] And in 2008, Fairfield for Peace NOW created "Hope Trail", a pathway of flags around campus symbolizing the cost in life and casualties from the Iraq War, [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_0408iraq.html# Fairfield University students erect symbols of Iraq war casualties] ] and "A Cry For Peace", a play written and performed with Theatre Fairfield demonstrating the toll of the Iraq War on the families of soldiers back in the United States. [ [http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2008/05/01/Commentary/Editorial.Fairfield.Shows.Activism-3357368.shtml Fairfield shows activism] ]

tudent clubs & organizations

All student clubs and organizations comprise the Student Organization Board of Governors (SOBOG), which is governed by a board of governors and administered by a chairperson selected by members of student organizations. SOBOG exists to encourage student involvement and participation in approximately 80 clubs and organizations each year including the Glee Club, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Dance Team, Stag in the Stands, Habitat for Humanity, mission volunteer trips, and Theater Fairfield. The oldest club on campus is the Fairfield University Glee Club which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2007. The Fairfield University Debate Team of Jason LaRue '99 and Courtney Darts '01 won first place at the 1998 Columbia University Parliamentary Debate Tournament beating 69 other teams, including teams from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Yale and Williams. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/pr_1298debate.html Debate Team wins major tournament] ]

tudent media

*"The Cream Filling" - The Student Artistic, Literary, and Cultural Special-Interest Magazine of Fairfield University
*
*The HAM Channel - The Student Television Station of Fairfield University
*The Mirror - The Independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University
*"The Mirror Sports Blog" - The Independent Student Sports Blog of Fairfield University Athletics
*"The Sound" - The Student Literary Magazine of Fairfield University
*WVOF - The Voice of Fairfield University

Traditions

Student life at the Fairfield is marked by a number of unique traditions and celebrations:
*Stagstock - Stagstock is an all day, outdoor concert organized by the HAM Channel and WVOF each year. Co-sponsored by the office of New Student Programming and FUSA, Stagstock brings together local bands, along with bigger, nationally recognized acts, and showcases them in a free concert. The concert is traditionally held in the Quad on the first weekend of the new school year.
*Mock Weddings - Mock Wedding is a long standing Fairfield tradition in which senior class members select peers to be part of a faux wedding ceremony at The Point at Fairfield Beach followed by a wedding party at a local reception hall late in their final spring semester. [ [http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2008/05/01/News/Stayin.Alive.VaVaVegas-3358811.shtml Stayin' alive...Va-va-Vegas??] ]

Notes of interest

Fairfield in American history

*Battle of Round Hill: During the American Revolutionary War in 1779, the "Battle of Round Hill" took place on the present day Bellarmine Hill on the campus of Fairfield University where the Americans under the command of Colonel Samuel Whiting (whose third-generation grandson Andrew Whiting graduated in 2005) repelled the British invaders under the command of Major-General William Tryon, but not before the British laid ruin to the Town of Fairfield. [ [http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/fu/FU1ur.htm Fairfield University's Ur-History] ]
*Tilton vs. Richardson: Fairfield University won a significant legal victory at the Supreme Court of the United States in "Tilton vs. Richardson" establishing an important legal precedent concerning the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and government financial assistance to religious-based colleges and universities. [ [http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1970/1970_153/ Oyez: Tilton vs. Richardson, 403 U.S. 672 (1971)] ] This landmark court case questioned the legality of Fairfield and three other Connecticut religious-based institutions securing federal construction grants under the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963. An appeal was denied the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court on June 28, 1971, ensuring Fairfield a significant amount of federal money which contributed to the construction of the Nyselius Library (1968) and Bannow Science Center (1971). [ [http://digital.fairfield.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/fuhp&CISOPTR=227&CISOBOX=1&REC=8 Rev. William C. McInnes, S.J., 5th President of Fairfield University (1964-1973)] ] In the Majority Opinion written by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, the Court upheld, 5-4, the federal construction grants as long as the facilities were not to be used for sectarian instruction or places of worship. [ [http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1970/1970_153/ Oyez: Tilton vs. Richardson, 403 U.S. 672 (1971)] ] The Court held that the church-related institutions in question had not used their federally-funded facilities for religious activities, and that the facilities were "indistinguishable from a typical state university facility." [ [http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1970/1970_153/ Oyez: Tilton vs. Richardson, 403 U.S. 672 (1971)] ]

Fairfield in Presidential elections

*1984 United States Presidential Election: Then 40th President of the United States Ronald Reagan visited Fairfield University on October 26, 1984, where he was greeted by former Fairfield University President Aloysius P. Kelley as he stepped off Marine One on the field adjoining Southwell Hall.
*1988 United States Presidential Election: Then Vice President George H. Bush visited Fairfield University and delivered a speech in Alumni Hall attacking the tax-and-budget policies of then Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis days before being elected the 41st President of the United States. Alumnus J. Michael Farren '77 served as deputy director to President-elect George H. Bush’s transition team and later served as deputy campaign manager for the Bush-Quayle Re-election Committee during the 1992 United States presidential election.
*2000 United States Presidential Election: Then Texas Governor George W. Bush scheduled and controversially cancelled at the last moment a large student rally at Fairfield University following a visit to Bob Jones University, a school which has been characterized as anti-Catholic. Alumnus Thomas J. Josefiak served as general counsel to both the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee and later served as general counsel to Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc. during the 2004 United States presidential election.

Fairfield on the national stage

*All Good Things: Five locations on the Fairfield University campus including McAuliffe Hall were utilized in the filming of All Good Things, an upcoming mystery-romance film written and directed by Andrew Jarecki. Among the actors and actresses present on campus June 2 through June 5, 2008 were Academy Award-nominated actor Ryan Gosling and actress Kirsten Dunst. The movie is scheduled to be released in theaters nationally in 2009.cite web| url = http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2008/05/01/SummerOnlineUpdate/Movie.To.Be.Filmed.At.Fairfield.Next.Week-3375401.shtml| title = Movie to be filmed at Fairfield next week| publisher = "Fairfield Mirror"| date = May 1, 2008| accessdate = 2008-06-13]
*For One More Day: Two locations on the Fairfield University campus including Loyola Hall were utilized in the filming of For One More Day, an "Oprah Winfrey Presents" adaptation of Mitch Albom's New York Times best-selling book. Among the actors and actresses present on campus on July 23 and 24, 2007 were Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Imperioli and Academy Award-winning actress Ellen Burstyn. The made-for-television movie aired nationally on the ABC television network on December 9, 2007. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/cc_aug07.html#film Fairfield's campus captured in a feature film] ]
*GE College Bowl: A team of four Fairfield University students won three consecutive matches on the GE College Bowl, a popular quiz game show broadcast live nationally on the NBC television network. The wins brought national recognition to the University along with a total grant of $5,000. In the first match broadcast on September 29, 1963, the Fairfield four defeated a team from Creighton University, 215-140. In the second match, broadcast on October 6, 1963, the Fairfield four defeated a team from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 220-190. And in the third match, broadcast on October 14, 1963, the Fairfield four defeated a team from Clemson University, 245-200. The Fairfield four finally were defeated in their fourth match broadcast on October 20, 1963, falling to Polytechnic University, 145-160. [ [http://www.collegebowl.com/gecollegebowlresultrpt.asp GE College Bowl TV Show History: Fairfield University] ] The Fairfield four included John Horvath, John Kappenberg, Joseph Kroll and George Greller; and were coached by the Rev. Donald D. Lynch, S.J. [ [http://digital.fairfield.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/fuhp&CISOPTR=236&CISOBOX=1&REC=7 College Bowl 1963, Fairfield University vs. Brooklyn Polytechnic] ]
*Grand Central: Dr. Kurt C. Schlichting '70, the E. Gerald Corrigan Endowed Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Fairfield University and Fairfield alumnus, appeared as an on-screen interviewee and served as an Academic Advisor to the American Experience documentary, "Grand Central." [ [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/grandcentral/program/a.html Grand Central | American Experience | PBS] ] The documentary aired nationally on the PBS television network on February 4, 2008. [ [http://media.www.fairfieldmirror.com/media/storage/paper148/news/2008/02/21/News/Schlichtings.Stint.On.The.Silver.Screen-3221634.shtml Schlichting's stint on the silver screen] ] The documentary was based on his book "Grand Central Terminal: Railroads, Architecture and Engineering in New York" (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001), for which he received the 2002 Best Professional /Scholarly Book: Architecture & Urbanism Award from the Association of American Publishers. [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0801865107 Amazon.com: Grand Central Terminal: Railroads, Engineering, and Architecture in New York City: Books: Kurt C. Schlichting] ]
*Who's the Boss?: Tony Micelli, the lead fictional character played by actor Tony Danza in the television sitcom Who's the Boss?, which was set and filmed in Fairfield, Connecticut, [ [http://www.wtbr.com/articles/fairfield_citizen/001/ Fairfield and Fantasy Mix on 'Who's the Boss?] ] attended Fairfield University and wore an official Fairfield University sweatshirt during the Season 5 "Winter Break" episode. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ULG8i9gr1U Season 5 "Winter Break" episode] ] The episode aired nationally on the ABC television network on February 14, 1989.

External links

* [http://www.fairfield.edu/ Official website]

References

Map links