Winter 2005

Volume 6 / Issue 2 Winter 2005

Boston breaks for breakfast

If it's true that the early bird catches the worm, then the dozens of Fairfield University alumni taking advantage of the Alumni Club of Boston's 7 a.m. Briefcase Breakfast programs must be among the most satisfied.

The Briefcase Breakfasts have attracted the city's area alumni of all ages, industries, interests, and backgrounds who turn out for the early-morning networking events. Between sips of coffee and a short talk by a business guru, attendees make contacts that may lead to future business, new hires, or deeper industry relationships. Past speakers have included Dr. Milo Peck of Fairfield University's Charles F. Dolan School of Business, who discussed corporate scandals, and the Very Reverend Thomas J. Regan, S.J., provincial of the Society of Jesus New England, who talked about his current leadership role. University Trustee Bill Egan '67, P'99, entrepreneur and venture capitalist, will speak at the club's next event on Feb. 16.

Hosted by a committee of 26 alumni, who span 30 years in age, the events began last spring. Bill Crean '91, an active member of the Alumni Club of Boston, was among those who saw an opportunity for the club to serve area grads in a new way. After presenting the idea to the Office of Alumni Relations, which publicized the event among Boston-area alumni, the Briefcase Breakfasts took off.

"It's light and fun, and since it's early in the morning, everyone is energized and ready to go, before getting bogged down with the day's work," says Rob Grimes '01. For him, the event is a way to catch up with buddies in the area, as well as reach out to potential business and employment resources during his career change.

"Networking is essential to develop new business and career opportunities," says Crean, who has helped a few alumni make connections, "and I believe there is a predisposition among Fairfield alumni to want to help each other and the University."

To attend the Alumni Club of Boston's Briefcase Breakfast on Feb. 16, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Bill Crean '91, Abbie Miller-LaFrancesca '00, and Jamie Dunbar '99

Photo by Nicholas Segretario '99 

Leading the 2004-05 Annual Fund

Fairfield University welcomes Class of 1979 alumni couple Christine Newhall and Jim Hoefner as co-chairs of the Annual Fund for the 2004-05 fiscal year. Christine is a senior vice president of the American Arbitration Association; Jim is a vice president and general manager at TEK, a division of Spectrum Metals. Having met at Fairfield, they are great advocates for the University and are deeply involved in campus activities, most recently as co-chair (Jim) and committee member (Christine) of their 25th Reunion. They, along with the rest of the committee, helped the Class of '79 win the Reunion award for most money raised. The couple lives in Middleton, Mass., with their 7-year-old daughter, Sarah.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Stagtoberfest Weekend 2004

On Oct. 30, alumni returned to campus for Stagtoberfest 2004 - a fun-filled day with friends and family. The crowd took in a few games (men's and women's basketball, alumni softball, and lacrosse), caught up with former roommates over a Stagfest brew, and enjoyed music from four alumni bands. The early registration raffle prize, an authentic German beer stein, went to Edward Kapusta '01.

Lauren Marx, sister of Francis J. Marx V '04, sprinkled holy water on the men's crew team's new shell, named for her brother. Marx, who died in May, had been selected to deliver the Class of 2004's valedictory address. While a student, he was a pillar of the University community and a dedicated leader of the crew team (standing in background). University President, the Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. (far left), blessed the vessel. Frank's parents, Francis J. Marx IV '76 and Maureen, sister Katelyn, and brother Patrick, each took their turns sprinkling holy water on the shell. The Rev. Paul Carrier, S.J. (right), assisted in the dedication.

Cheered on by Stags fans, the men's and women's basketball teams played red/white scrimmages in Alumni Hall. The dance team, cheerleaders, pep band, and the Stag mascot were part of the festivities.

Dressed in traditional garb, members of the Class of 2007 and the Student Alumni Association, Kate Walsh, Jackie Macchi, and Michelle Schmidt, assisted in the day's events.

Photos by Jean Santopatre

2004 Athletic Hall of Fame

On Oct. 29, the Fairfield University Alumni Association recognized two outstanding contributors to Fairfield's athletic program. Pictured with Alumni Association President Paul A. Richards '71 (far left) and Fr. von Arx (far right), are inductees Hugh "Skeets" Coyle '88 (club lacrosse) and Matthew Baron '92 (swimming and diving).

Photo by B.K. Angeletti

Coming to a city near you

Over the next several months, Fr. von Arx will attend alumni receptions in the following areas:

Jan. 18 Palm Beach, Fla.
Feb. 16 Puerto Rico
March 8 Los Angeles, Calif.
March 10 San Francisco, Calif.
March 15 Chicago, Ill.
March 29 Fairfield, Conn.
April 6 Boston, Mass.
May 5 Washington, D.C.

Check www.fairfield.edu for schedule updates and event details.

Calendar of Events

January

19 Young Alumni Floating Naut, Ray Kelly's Pub, Black Rock, Conn.

22 Winter Homecoming
Arena at Harbor Yard. Basketall games at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.

30 Men's basketball vs. Manhattan
ESPN Pay-per-view Full Court station, 4 p.m.

February

16 Briefcase Breakfast, Boston.

17 Young Alumni Floating Naut, Brother Jimmy's, 2nd Avenue, New York City.

March

3-7 MAAC Tournament, Buffalo, N.Y.

10 Young Alumni Floating Naut, Rattlesnake, South Norwalk, Conn.

18-20 Retreat for alumni of Jesuit colleges, Staten Island, N.Y. Call (718) 727-3844, ext. 212 for more information.

April

6 Graduate Programs Information Session Dolan School of Business, 5:30 p.m. Call (888) 488-6840 for more information.

9 Great Hunger Cleanup
To volunteer, send an e-mail to hungercleanup@stagweb.fairfield.edu

16 Undergraduate Admission Open House for admitted students. Legacy breakfast, Alumni House.

21 Alumni Student Awards Dinner

May

9 Alumni Association's 23rd Annual Golf Tournament

21-22 50th Reunion Weekend for the Class of 1955

22 Fairfield University's 55th Commencement

June

11-12 Reunion Weekend for the Classes of 1960, '65, '70, '75, '80, '85, '90, '95, and '00. Invitations mailed in April.

For more information and news about additional events, visit www.fairfield.edu or call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Family ties

Six members of the Lesnik family - all Fairfield University alumni - enjoyed the family dance during youngest brother Mike Lesnik's graduation weekend last May. Pictured (l-r) are John Paul Lesnik '00, Stephanie (Bartus '97) Lesnik, Gregory Lesnik '97, Mike Lesnik '04, Deborah (Lesnik '93) McCarthy, and Richard McCarthy '93.

Teddy Bears With Love Campaign

In December, more than 1,400 new bears from this year's Teddy Bears With Love campaign were delivered to local community centers.

Donations arrived from alumni, local organizations, church groups, individuals, schools, and the Fairfield University community. The bear traveling the longest distance to Fairfield University was from Eagle River, Alaska (thanks to Renee Wilmot '85). Special thanks to Maureen (Leary '94) Minnick and students from Fairfield Woods Middle School for collecting more than 800 bears.

Save The Date

Winter Homecoming 2005

Saturday, January 22, 1 p.m. Men vs. Siena
Arena at Harbor Yard, 3 p.m. Women vs. Rider

Wear your red and cheer on the Fairfield Stags at this Winter Homecoming doubleheader! Don't miss the unveiling of the mobile Althletic Hall of Fame and attend an alumni reception held in honor of the Fairfield Hall of Famers. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at (203) 368-1000. Mention you are a Fairfield grad and receive a special rate. Pre-registrants will be entered into a drawing for two season tickets for the 2005-06 men's and women's basketball season.

Whatever happened to ...

Your Fairfield roommate? Your club teammates? Your former girlfriend or boyfriend? Aren't you even a little curious? Satisfy that curiosity now by making plans to attend Reunion Weekend, June 11 and 12, 2005. It's the perfect time to remember, reconnect, and celebrate all that is Fairfield.

Just to pique your interest, we caught up with three of the more than 5,000 Fairfield graduates celebrating a reunion this spring. We hope their stories will inspire you to join us.

5th Reunion: The family connection

After graduating from Fairfield, Class of 2000 alumni Jerry Schlichting and Katie McCarthy put their majors in accounting and communications, respectively, to immediate use. He became a public accountant with KPMG in Stamford, Conn., and passed the CPA exam in 2003. She headed to the non-profit sector and in 2002 became director of development for SoundWaters in Stamford.

In November 2003, Schlichting asked McCarthy to marry him; she agreed. It seemed everything was on track for the couple who met during their junior year. So how did they end up running a Newport, R.I. retail establishment a few months later? Just call it the family connection.

In 1996, Schlichting's parents established Frazzleberries, a retailer of country home furnishings and gifts. The first store grew from 300 to 3,000 square feet by the time Schlichting's parents asked him to join the business in late 2003. Their plan was to open a second Frazzleberries in Newport, R.I., the town where McCarthy's parents just happen to own a home.

After considerable thought, the couple decided to take the challenge. "I guess it's one of those things," says Schlichting. "If I had not taken it, 20 years from now I would probably look back and say 'gosh, what would have happened had I taken that chance?'."

Since opening the Thames Street shop in May 2004, Schlichting and McCarthy, who were married in August, have enjoyed considerable support from friends and family, many of whom come from the Fairfield community. "That's a great feeling," says Schlichting.

But then, Schlichting's fondest memory - outside of meeting his wife, that is - is of the friends he made during his Fairfield days. "I've made friendships that I'll carry with me forever," he says. He also credits Fairfield with preparing him to succeed in a retail environment. "My interactions with friends, classmates, and professors gave me the experience to deal with people in the shop everyday," he says.

20th Reunion: Matchmaking in a multicultural marketplace

"America is evolving to become a true multicultural society," says Gilbert Dávila '85, vice president of Multicultural Marketing for the Walt Disney Co. Charged with guiding his company's response to this growing trend in the American marketplace, Dávila helps Disney's business units craft, articulate, and implement marketing strategies for Disney products and services that match the entertainment desires of distinct groups.

What's it like to work for one of the most recognizable brand names in the world? "Disney is recognized around the world as the leader in quality family entertainment, which is a point of pride for employees," Dávila says. "Disney encourages and rewards creativity as well as strong business results, so it's a great challenge but also a great honor to represent such a formidable family brand."

Armed with his Fairfield marketing degree and a keen interest in life, Dávila began his career with Procter & Gamble shortly after graduation. "As I initiated my career in the New York metropolitan area, the wonderful mosaic that comprises New York was very evident to me," Dávila says. "I saw the opportunity to target efforts to meet the needs and wants, and aspirations, of particular groups."

As a result, the Puerto Rico native focused his talents on a career in marketing and advertising, leaving Procter & Gamble to work at Coca Cola USA and, in 1995, Sears, Roebuck & Co. He joined Walt Disney in Burbank, Calif., in June 2003.

Along the way, he married Lisette Arsuaga, a communications consultant and writer. They have three children: Sofia, 10; Daniel, 8; and Alec, 2. "For me, family is the cornerstone of my life," says Dávila. He also enjoys running and exercising.

Looking forward to his 20th reunion, Dávila is reminded of the wonderful, lifelong friends he made at Fairfield - especially "Smitty" (John D. Smith '85), the hockey team captain he says he regularly whipped on the racquetball court. Aside from the great friendships he shared, Dávila credits Fairfield with preparing him well for the challenges he's faced. "I feel that Fairfield was instrumental in providing me with the academic and spiritual tools I needed to be able to tackle the many challenges in this journey of life. I'm thankful to Fairfield for creating the wonderful foundation upon which I've built my life."

40th Reunion: The man behind "Click It or Ticket"

Virtually anyone with a television or radio is familiar with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) "Click It or Ticket" campaign, designed to increase safety belt usage and compliance with state seatbelt laws across the country. What you might not know, however, is that the man behind the initiative - John F. "Jack" Oates Jr. '65 - is a Fairfield graduate.

"for most of my working life, my focus has been on traffic safety," says Oates, who is the NHTSA's chief of highway safety program implementation. After graduating from Fairfield with a degree in physics, Oates earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Connecticut.

He began his professional career with Dunlap & Assoc., a Darien, Conn., consulting firm, researching factors that affect pedestrian behavior as well as alcohol-impaired driving. His efforts led to the development of a device that can inhibit someone who's under the influence from starting a car. He's also responsible for developing the national standard training curriculum for operating radar speed-measuring equipment. In 1980, he joined the International Association of Chiefs of Police, where he developed the manual used to teach police officers to conduct roadside sobriety tests.

Oates joined NHTSA, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 1984. Today, he oversees all federal initiatives that relate to human behavior on the highways. "I concentrate on the silly things that drivers do and pedestrians and bicycle riders do that cause deaths and injuries - like not wearing a safety belt," he says.

Without a doubt, the Fairfield experience Oates enjoyed contributed much to his interest in research and development. "Fairfield gave me a love of learning," he says. "I have retained an intellectual curiosity all my life; I believe it's because of the habits I learned there."

A dedicated runner, Oates recently completed his 30th marathon. When he's not running, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Alice, and his three children.

"I am determined to make the reunion next year," Oates says. "It's the first one I will attend - and it's my 40th."

Reunion '05

Ways to give

• Call the Office of Annual Giving's toll-free number at (877) 748-5123 and make your gift by credit card.
• Go to www.fairfield.edu, click "Advancement" and "Give to Fairfield".
• Consider a gift of appreciated stock; call the Office of Annual Giving at (203) 254-4004 for more information.
• Check with your employer to see if your company has a matching gift program. Corporate matching gifts are an excellent way to increase the value of your gift. You can view a list of matching gift companies at www.hepdevelopment.com/Fairfield/.
• Make a gift to Fairfield out of assets rather than income. Michael Kreuzer, director of planned giving, is available to discuss how making a gift can provide a tax advantage for you. Contact him at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2511, or mkreuzer@mail.fairfield.edu.

Wondering who's going to Reunion?

Be a part of Fairfield University's Reunion E-Mail Directory. The directory will help you make plans for Reunion Weekend - or just reconnect with classmates. It will be distributed via e-mail in mid-April to alumni who are celebrating their reunion and who indicate they would like to receive the directory.

Represent Your Classmates

The Fairfield University Alumni Association Board of Directors has class representative openings for the Classes of 1954, 1960, 1963, 1975, 1981, 1984, 1987, and 2002, and one engineering alumnus/a. The three-year terms begin July 1, 2005.

Interested alumni should send a letter of interest by Feb. 18, 2005, to the Alumni Association Nominations Committee, Fairfield University, Alumni House, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.

Reunion '05

Atlanta

On Oct. 2, Atlanta alumni joined with volunteers from Atlanta Catholic Sports and Hands On Atlanta in a service project to rebuild a wood-chip walking track at the Dunwoody Springs Elementary School. Participants soaked up the sunshine, raised a few blisters, and shared stories about their days at Fairfield while working together, fixing up the track area.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Atlanta club, e-mail Paul Gallois '73 at pgallois@comcast.net.

Baltimore/Washington, D.C.

Area alumni gathered at Holy Trinity Catholic Church for the Fairfield University Glee Club's liturgy performance and mini concert on Nov. 6. Following the performances, alumni caught up at Martin's Tavern.

Save the Date

Feb. 19: Beat the winter blues and join area alumni at Mackey's Public House, 1823 L Street NW, Washington, D.C., at 6 p.m. Cheer on the Stags as they play on ESPN's Bracket Buster.

Boston

Boston alumni enjoyed a busy fall schedule of networking, service events, a crew race, and the ultimate World Series triumph.

Special thanks to Jodi DiGregorio '98 for organizing local alumni and supporting the Habitat for Humanity efforts in Dorchester on Oct. 2. Limited space was available for this service project and we appreciate all alumni who were able to lend a hand.

Several alumni gathered at the Downtown Club on Dec. 9 to learn how to get through the sometimes-stressful process of getting a child into college. Karen Pellegrino, director of undergraduate admission at Fairfield University, guided attendees through the college application process.

Save the Date

Feb. 16: "Briefcase Breakfast," featuring a presentation by University Trustee Bill Egan '67, P'99. 7 a.m. at Battery-march Conference Center, Boston.

Other upcoming events for spring include the St. Patrick's Day gathering in March, Party for a Plate in April, and the annual golf outing! Details and dates coming soon.

Fairfield

The Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., executive assistant to the president, celebrated the Alumni Christmas Mass on the second Sunday of Advent at the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola. Following Mass, alumni shared some Christmas cheer at Alumni House.

Hartford

Hartford-area alumni gathered on Dec. 13 to cheer on the women's basketball team as the Stags took on the University of Hartford. If you are interested in helping new club leader Robert Harrison '98 plan upcoming club events, contact the Office of Alumni Relations.

New Haven

"The Joyful Noise" rang through the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts as the Fairfield University Glee Club performed its annual Christmas concert there on Dec. 3. New Haven alumni gathered beforehand for holiday cheer in the Quick Center's Wien Theatre.

San Francisco

On Oct. 2, San Francisco-area alumni shared a beautiful bay cruise with alumni from Boston College, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Boston University, and Syracuse.

Club Happenings 

Pictured above are Erin Daugherty '96, Amy Brown '99, and Paul Gallois '73.

On Oct. 28, members of the Atlanta club (below) celebrated Halloween at the Gordon Biersch Brewery in Atlanta.

Manhattan

More than 200 alumni met at the New York Stock Exchange on Nov. 18 to welcome Fr. von Arx, Fairfield's eighth president. Many thanks to host and University Trustee Christopher Quick '79 for a most successful event.

Manhattan-area alumni celebrated the Christmas season at the New York Philharmonic's performance of Handel's Messiah on Dec. 17 at the Riverside Church.

For more information on club happenings, events, or ways to get involved with the club in your area, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mail.fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4280.

Fr. von Arx, Christopher Quick '79, Paul Huston '82, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Norm Solomon, dean of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.

Alumni Postcard
Keith Maczkiewicz '04

Fairfield University alumni in post-graduate service

Several recent graduates are participating in service programs. They welcome your letters.

Keith Maczkiewicz '04 spends his nights in an empty convent. No, he didn't lose a bet; he's one of eight members from PACT - Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers - living in community at the convent. Maczkiewicz serves as a campus minister at Cathedral High School in Springfield, Mass., while working toward a master's degree in secondary education from Providence College.

The two-year PACT program, which is part of Providence College, invites recent college graduates to teach in New England's Catholic schools during the academic year and take courses toward a master's in education during the summers. It's a demanding program; students take up to 16 credits of courses the first summer and up to 12 the second. Each month during the first semester of the teaching program, they are in class one Saturday per month. During the school year, instead of receiving salaries, participants are provided a minimal stipend and community housing (hence, the convent).

maczkiewicz first heard about pact at a service fair he attended on campus during his senior year. his decision to spend 24 months in community service wasn't something his parents understood initially. "they thought it was an unusual choice for me after graduation," he says. "but when i explained that i'd also get a degree at the end, they came around."

At Cathedral High School, Maczkiewicz's office is known as a gathering place among the students. "Some mornings, soon after I arrive, usually before 7 a.m., I'll have 15 students in here," he says. "When the kids get stressed out, they know they can come here to collect themselves before going to class." But providing a serene space is only part of his job. He's also charged with fostering the spiritual life of the school, through activities including monitoring morning prayer, scheduling Mass three times a week, organizing meetings for the chaplaincy team, and getting together with student groups after school. In September, he led 85 seniors on a spiritual retreat. As if that weren't enough, he is also looking to start a Eucharistic Minister training group and a Kairos retreat program.

At the end of the day, bunking in the convent not only provides Maczkiewicz with a home base, it gives him the community support he needs. "We cook meals together, hold monthly prayer services, and, since we're all working in schools, we discuss different strategies for working with certain types of students or dealing with a particular lesson," he says. "It's fun."

Americorps

Chandana Ravindranath '04
2 Ryan Court
Nanuet, NY 10954

Inner-City Teaching Corps

Jessica Michael '04
2648 W. Pershing Rd.
Chicago, IL 60632

Jesuit Volunteer Corps

Matthew Day '00 and Mary Parr '04
JVC East
138 Allen Place
Hartford, CT 06106

Kris Poplowski '04
JVC East
1636 W. Onandaga St.
Syracuse, NY 13204

Katie Leo '04
JVC Northwest
20 Daniel Lane
Dix Hills, NY 11746

Kristen Nilsen '04
JVC Southwest
2245 G Street
San Diego, CA 92102

Kris Walentik '04
JVC Southwest
1713 W. Hazelwood
Phoenix, AZ 85015

Operation Teach

Roy Chrobocinski '04
Operation Teach
3812 5th St.
Baltimore, MD 21225

Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers

Keith Maczkiewicz '04
34 Kopernick Street
Indian Orchard, MA 01151

Campaign has strong finish

in september, fr. von arx shared the results of our promise: the campaign for fairfield university with the campus community. gifts from donors at all levels raised a total $137.9 million, surpassing the goal by nearly $13 million. "we are now positioned as never before to meet the educational, athletic, and extracurricular needs of the students we serve," he said. Renovations and new construction from Our Promise include the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, John A. Barone Campus Center, Charles F. Dolan School of Business, Rudolph F. Bannow Science Center, Apartment Village, Alumni House, and the Thomas J. Walsh Jr. Athletic Center.

Photo by Jean Santopatre

Petry honored with Distinguished Teaching Award

Walter Petry, an assistant professor of history in the College of Arts and Sciences for nearly 48 years, was honored with the Alumni Association's Distinguished Teaching Award. The award was presented at Alumni College on Nov. 6 by Paul A. Richards '71, president of the Fairfield University Alumni Association.

The award, which carries a $5,000 prize, honors faculty who have been with the University at least 10 years and who demonstrate excellence in teaching, advising, and/or curriculum development. Alumni nominate all candidates.

Petry's passions lie south of the border - in Nicaragua, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil. Ask him a question about something that's happened there and you're likely to come away knowing more than ever about the region.

That passion is what prompted Edward Miggins '66 to submit Petry's name for the award. In his letter to the Alumni Association, Miggins wrote, "Professor Petry was one of the best informed and enlightened teachers that I met during my career as a student ... I've never met anyone with his intellectual commitment to understanding the world and social justice. It was very humbling and inspirational to be in his presence."

Young alumni in community service

On Sept. 11, a group of Fairfield University's young alumni (above) joined the Westchester Chapter of Habitat for Humanity for the annual Catholic Challenge. 

On Oct. 23, Fairfield young alumni (above) took part in the 13th Annual New York Cares Day serve-a-thon. These five graduates did some gardening and painting at Henry Hudson Intermediate School in the Bronx.

Photo by Bob Winkler, M.A. '88

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. 2556
e-mail: jcaseria@mail.fairfield.edu
www.fairfield.edu

Editor
Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, M.A.'04

Editorial Board

Barbara D. Kiernan, M.A.'90, P'02, '94
Director of University Publications

Janet Canepa '82
Director of Alumni Relations

Nicholas Segretario '99
Associate Director of Alumni Relations

Elizabeth Chatel '02
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

Jean Santopatre
University Photojournalist

Annie Forstrom, Designer