Fall 2006

Volume 8 / Issue 1

Where in the world is...? Find out at www.fairfield.edu/alumnicommunity

The rush to join Fairfield's new alumni Online Community has been strong and steady since its launch in May 2006, with more than 6,000 members joining in less than 60 days, and hundreds of alumni accessing the site on a daily basis. According to Luigi Solla '00 of Natick, Mass., its popularity is about answering that pervasive but sometimes elusive question, Where in the world is ...? "Now I can just type the name of a Fairfield friend in the Online Directory and I know where they are," explains Solla. "And if they're not there yet I know they will be soon!"

Like thousands of other graduates, Solla registered as a member the day he received word that the site had gone live, and visits now to stay in touch with former classmates. "It's exciting to see that life is working out pretty well for some people," he shares. "The last time I saw them they were in caps and gowns, now they're parents and lawyers and more. The Online Community really does reopen the network you lose after graduating."

Fairfield University's Online Community is designed to offer tools to support graduates professionally and encourage their ongoing relationship with the University and each other. With more than 12,000 unique visitors to the site and 6,525 registered members as of press time, many come back to access the special features designed for alumni. Such activity includes:

• 3,100 updates of demographic data
• 2,070 career networking searches
• 420 class notes posted (some with photos)
• 298 registrations for permanent e-mail
• 128 online donations to the University

Another special feature of the site, the Yellow Page Listings, has uncovered the diversity among Fairfield's entrepreneurial alumni. "Fairfield graduates are among the most accomplished in many industries," comments Orry Fiume '64, co-author of Real Numbers: Management Accounting in a Lean Organization (2003). "I enjoy perusing the Yellow Pages to see what my fellow alumni have been up to in the areas of business, entrepreneurship, and publishing."

Career networking is a strong asset for alumni in all stages of career development. Says Michael Mercer '04, "I've been living in Shanghai, China, for the past two years and feel pretty out of the loop with the job market back in the U.S. The site is probably the most efficient and user-friendly networking resource from Fairfield that I've seen."

Haven't registered yet? To be part of 1073 every day or any day, simply e-mail communityhelp@mail.fairfield.edu. Once registered, update or hide desired data fields to complete your profile. Remember, to protect your privacy, the default display of your information is hidden from others. In order to appear in a directory search, you must "unhide" your info by clicking the appropriate boxes alongside each data field you would like to share, and you must make sure no portion of your name (first/middle/maiden/last) is hidden.

Alumni return for Reunion Weekend 2006

After a week of rain, the sun came out in full-force, welcoming back over 1,400 Fairfield University alumni from the classes of 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, and 2001 to Reunion Weekend 2006.

The all-day activities on June 10-11 included everything from a Fun Run to tours of Fairfield's newest building to a party with dancing under a full moon on the Bellarmine Lawn. See more Reunion 2006 photos at www.fairfield.edu/reunion06recap. Do you have pictures you want to share? Send them to us at alumni@mail.fairfield.edu and we'll add them to our online collection.

Photo submitted by Jonathan Doros '01

Pictured L-R - Adam Lynch, Matt Brooklier, Matt Smith, Ryan O'Rourke, Jonathan Doros, all Class of '01.

Notable Numbers for 2006

Save the Date

Reunion 2007: June 9 & 10

Mark your calendars for Reunion 2007 when the campus will welcome back alumni from the classes of 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002.

The class of 1957 will celebrate its 50th reunion May 19 and 20 along with all members of the "Golden Stags."

Congratulations to this year's "Golden Stags" inductees from the Class of 1956.

Photo by Robin Fellows

Fairfield's newest honorary alumni

In a special ceremony hosted by the Fairfield University Alumni Association, William Schimpf P'07, former vice president for Student Services, and George Diffley P'97, '96, former vice president for University Advancement, were inducted into the Alumni Association as Honorary Alumni.

Each retired from the University this year; together, they have logged in 67 years of service to Fairfield.

2007 Fairfield Awards nomination form now online

Honor a Fairfield alumnus/a, faculty member, or administrator for his or her extraordinary service in a career, in the community, or to the University. Send in your nomination by Sept. 29 using the new online form at www.fairfield.edu/ar_fadnom.html.

Bear hugs needed

Thanks to the generosity of Fairfield alumni and friends, more than 500 "bear hugs" were given to local children's charities last Christmas. The annual Teddy Bears with Love campaign has become a Fairfield holiday tradition. Over the past seven years, these bears have brightened the days of less fortunate children during the holiday season. Bears collected are donated to local organizations such as ABCD Nursery School and St. Jude's Children's Center.

This year, we would like to involve as many people as possible in hopes of surpassing our record of 1,400 bears. We encourage teachers or those affiliated with children's organizations to get children involved in this cuddly campaign. It's easy to help. Bring or send NEW, unwrapped teddy bears to the Office of Alumni Relations, Alumni House, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn. 06824 by Friday, Dec. 8. Please include your name and class year.

Bears will also be collected at the Alumni Christmas Mass and reception on Sunday, Dec. 3. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Alumni College

Join alumni, Fairfield University faculty, and friends for a "homecoming of the mind" on Sat., Nov. 11. Alumni College offers "mini" non-credit courses taught by some of the best and brightest of Fairfield's faculty. The course topics focus on interesting and pressing issues facing us today. For more information, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280. See you in class!

Looking for Class Reps

The Fairfield University Alumni Association Board of Directors has class representative openings for the classes of 1966, 1969, 1983, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000 plus two at-large positions. The three-year terms begin in fall 2006.

Alumni willing to volunteer for these positions should send a letter of interest by October 2, 2006, to the Alumni Association Nominations Committee, Fairfield University, Alumni House, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.

2007 Alumni Directory

An alumni directory is the service most frequently requested by our graduates. Therefore, Fairfield University has partnered with Harris Connect, who assisted us in launching the new Alumni Online Community, to bring you one. You will soon receive a mailing requesting that you verify your profile to help ensure that we have all of your current information.

Our goal is to make this all-new alumni publication as comprehensive as possible. The alumni directory, which will be available in fall 2007, will give you and your friends another way to stay connected.

Club Happenings

Baltimore/Washington, D.C.

On May 7, 15 alumni got together at RFK Stadium to watch the Washington Nationals take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Three alumni took part in the America Online/Greater D.C. Cares Servathon on May 20. Alums had fun while painting, planting, and cleaning up neighborhoods around D.C.

Want to get involved?

The Alumni Club of Baltimore/Washington, D.C. is looking for volunteers. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Christine Kohlmeyer '01, president, at ckohlmeyer@gmail.com.

Boston

On June 24, more than 50 alumni and friends were scheduled to participate in the 9th Annual Greater Boston Club Golf Outing at Juniper Hills Golf Course in Northborough, Mass. However, due to inclement weather, the event was postponed and will be rescheduled.

Save the Date

September 14 - Briefcase Breakfast. Guest speaker Paul LaViolette '79, chief operating officer of Boston Scientific.

Chicago
University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. will be visiting Chicago in October. Watch for your invitation.

Philadelphia

Join your fellow Fairfield alumni as they welcome University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. to Philadelphia.

A reception will be held on Sept. 18 at the Union League of Philadelphia from 5:30-7:30 p.m.. Cost is $20 per person and advance registration is required. To register, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280 or mail your response card by Sept. 11.

Hartford

More than 30 alumni and guests gathered for an evening of "Capital Conversations" at VIVO Seasonal Trattoria at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Guests enjoyed a night of networking while listening to guest speaker, Attorney William R. Carapezzi Jr. '79, general counsel for Lucent Technologies.

(L-R ) William Carapezzi Jr. '79, University Trustee Elner Morrell '81, Maureen Lee '80, Don Bodell '79, Susan Wolfe '88, John Courtmanche '88, and Allison Gormley '02.

Help rebuild a Fairfield tradition! Join us on the first stop of the "Floating Naut", Thurs., Sept. 21 at Wood-n-tap in Hartford, Conn. For more information, contact John Courtmanche '88 at jcourt@sonalysts.com.

Save the Dates

Meet your alumni legislators and tour the Capitol (Capitol Building, Hartford) on Oct. 2. Tour begins at 1:15 p.m. and is followed by a question and answer session at 2 p.m.  Contact John Courtmanche '88 at jcourt@sonalysts.com.

Come "Swirl the World" at the Hartford Club Wine Tasting on Nov. 3, 6-8 p.m. at the West Hartford Art League. $15 per person. Space is limited and advance registration required.

Habitat for Humanity, Nov. 4th in Hartford. Contact Paul Thompson '87 at pft65@hotmail.com for more information.

Show your Stags spirit - when Fairfield plays in the Hispanic College Fund Classic on Nov. 17-19 at the Hartford Civic Center!

There's always room for a new face!

To get involved with the Hartford club, contact Susan Wolfe '88 at susan.wolfe@morganstanley.com.

Manhattan

Saturday, July 8, alumni and friends joined Habitat for Humanity of Westchester for a day of building, painting, and cleaning to help refurbish areas in Yonkers.

We're always looking for a few good...

alumni volunteers to participate in the planning of club events. If there is an event or service you would like to see happen in your club area, join the team by calling the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280 or e-mail alumni@mail.fairfield.edu.

Athletic Hall of Fame to induct four

The Alumni Association will celebrate excellence in athletics at the 25th Annual Athletic Hall of Fame awards ceremony on Oct. 14. All alumni are welcome to join in this salute. Congratulations to this year's inductees.

Abby Ward '00 - Women's Soccer

Abby Ward remains the University's all-time leading scorer with 58 goals in 74 games as a varsity athlete. She was the team's leading scorer in three of her four seasons and 15 of her 58 goals resulted in game winning scores. Ward earned All-MAAC honors all four years at Fairfield including MAAC Rookie of the Year in 1996 and MAAC Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998. She was also recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), making the All Northeast Second Team in 1997 and 1998 and All Northeast Region First Team in 1999 and an All-America honorable mention in 1998.

Jim Lopusznick '00 - Football

Jim Lopusznick not only graduated as the school's leader in every passing category, but also ranked among the top 10 leaders in Division I AA in passing yardage by the end of his career. He guided the Fairfield University football program to the MAAC league title in just its third year of existence. In his junior year, Lopusznick earned the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year as well as 1st team All-America honors (Football Gazette). He won numerous MAAC Player of the Week awards and became the first Stag to earn a New England Gold Helmet Award for his on-field performance in a 42-0 win over Canisius. Lopusznick also played baseball for four seasons at Fairfield.

Theresa O'Connor '99 - Softball

Theresa O'Connor played softball for four seasons at Fairfield and remains on many of Fairfield's career records lists well after her graduation. She batted a school-record .475 in her sophomore season, which was the 6th best average in Division I. She ranks second in career hits with 191 and third in stolen bases with 58. O'Connor earned All-MAAC honors three times and was selected the MAAC Player of the Year following the 2000 campaign. She was the team's leading hitter in two of her three final seasons and boasted a .368 batting average in her senior year.

Christen Veach '97 - Women's Soccer

Christen Veach served the women's soccer team at Fairfield University as both a player and a coach during her nine-year association with the program. In her junior and senior years,Veach led the Stags as a captain. She played in and started 77 games during her time at Fairfield. Her 20 career shutouts and 371 saves place her second in the all-time record book. Veach compiled numerous MAAC awards, including three Keeper of the Year awards and two Tournament MVP honors. She was also selected to the NEWISA All-New England Second Team and the NSCAA All-Northeast Region Team. Upon graduation, Veach continued to serve the program as an assistant coach and helped the team earn three MAAC regular season championships, three MAAC tournament championships, and three NCAA tournament appearances.

Immediately following the Athletic Hall of Fame brunch, the newly designed Hall of Fame will be unveiled.

Passing of the Gavel

On June 14, Paul A. Richards '71 (left) officially passed the gavel of the Fairfield University Alumni Association to newly elected President George F. Lacovara '56. Lacovara will serve as president until June 2008.

Newly-appointed head men's basketball coach Ed Cooley (second from left) greets Fairfield's alumni and friends at the "Meet the Coach Reception" held at the Alumni House on June 27.

Photo by Jim Scholl '07

Stags Kids' Page launched!

Announcing the latest victory from the Athletics Department - the brand-new Stags Kids' Page, an interactive web page that invites children ages 4-12 to join the Stag Kids' club and participate in contests, earn gifts, and solve puzzles. Children, with their parents, can join by filling out an online enrollment form. Membership is free.

The Kids' Page offers members an opportunity to earn gifts each month by completing activity sheets. In September, members who have completed their two sheets can bring them to the September 24 women's soccer game or the September 30 volleyball game and redeem the sheets for a Kids' Page memo board. Other member activities include essay contests, coloring contests, and chat sessions with a coach or student-athlete.

For complete information about the club and a schedule of events, visit http://fairfieldstags.cstv.com/kidsclub/fair-kidsclub.html

Make plans to come home!

Stagtoberfest will be back on Oct. 14. Fairfield University alumni are coming back to campus for Homecoming 2006 - are you one of them? The fun starts at approximately 11 a.m. with alumni games played all over campus. The Fairfield men's and women's basketball teams will be celebrating their first day of the season with a red/white scrimmage complete with performances by the dance team, pep band, and cheerleaders. Don't miss your chance to welcome back Coach Nolan and greet the newly-appointed men's basketball coach Ed Cooley as they give you your first glimpse at the 2006-2007 Stags.

And don't forget to stop by The Levee for the fourth annual Stagtoberfest activities. Give us your e-mail address and get a free, official Stagtoberfest mug. All of your old favorites will be there - from alumni bands (including Mike Falzone '06) to Mike's pizza. So put October 14 on your calendar and bring your friends, family, and Stag spirit back to Fairfield! More information will be mailed shortly.

Online Community members

Have you found the site of value to you as a Fairfield grad? We'd love to hear from you. Share your stories and comments with an e-mail to communityhelp@mail.fairfield.edu. We may pass on your good news in the next issue of 1073!

What makes a Tiffany diamond?

Come join your fellow Fairfield alumni at Tiffany & Co. in Westport, Conn., on Wed., Nov. 15 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., for an interesting and informative presentation to help you understand why some diamonds are more beautiful than others, and help you appreciate the important role of the engagement ring setting. There will be wine and cheese and plenty of time for browsing and chatting with fellow alumni.

Be sure to register early, since space is limited. More information will be mailed shortly.

1073 North Benson is published three times a year by Fairfield University for its alumni. Letters to the editor, address changes, and correspondence should be sent to the editorial office:

1073 North Benson
Bellarmine Hall, Room 220
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
(203) 254-4000, ext. 3329
e-mail: nriccio@mail.fairfield.edu
www.fairfield.edu

Editor
Nina Riccio

Editorial Board

Barbara D. Kiernan, M.A.'90, P'02, '04
Director of University Publications

Janet Canepa '82
Director of Alumni Relations

Colleen McGinn
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

Jean Santopatre
University Photojournalist

Annie Forstrom
Designer