Alumni Professional Achievement Award

Carlos M. Cardoso '81
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kennametal Inc.

Carlos M. Cardoso '81 is president and CEO of Kennametal Inc., a leading industrial technology company that develops highly engineered tooling, advanced materials, and expertise to diverse sectors in industrial production, transportation, energy, and infrastructure.

Carlos was named one of America's "Best Chief Executive Officers" by Institutional Investor. Leading the company through the most challenging economic times of its 75-year history, Kennametal has grown to nearly $3 billion in sales with 13,000 employees serving customers in 60 nations worldwide. Kennametal has earned consistent recognition under Carlos' leadership, named as one of "America's Safest Companies" by EHS Today magazine, and among the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by the Ethisphere Institute.

Carlos was born in Angola, Africa, is of Portuguese heritage, and emigrated to the United States at the age of 17 to pursue an education at Fairfield University, which he credits for providing the foundation and language skills he needed to achieve his "American Dream." Having lived and worked on three continents, he believes that employees are a company's most important competitive advantage, and seeks to promote excellence and innovation among young people. In 2012, Carlos founded Kennametal's Young Engineers Program, offering advanced manufacturing curriculum and career paths for high school students. He also spearheads the Kennametal Foundation, which provides grants focused on post-secondary educational opportunities and community development where the company operates.

Before joining Kennametal in 2003, Carlos served as president of the $1.3 billion Pump Division of Flowserve Corporation, and at Honeywell/AlliedSignal as a leader in the company's aerospace business. Prior to that, Carlos was vice president of Manufacturing Operations for Colt Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Conn.

Carlos is a member of the University's Charles F. Dolan School of Business Advisory Council. He recently was appointed to the U.S. Manufacturing Council, which advises the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to sector, global competitiveness, and government policies and programs of importance to U.S. manufacturers. He also serves as chairman of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI), and is on the board of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Carlos is co-chair of the Pennsylvania Governor's Manufacturing Advisory Council, and serves on the boards of Hubbell Inc., Stanley Black & Decker, and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, as well as the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Council.

Carlos earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Fairfield in 1981, a master's degree in management from the Hartford Graduate Center, and an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Penn. He completed the Executive Management Program at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., as well as the AlliedSignal Executive Management Program, and is a certified Six Sigma and Lean Green Belt.

Carlos has two grown sons, and resides in Pittsburgh with wife Christina.

Alumni Service Award

Robert L. Berchem '62, P'92
Principal and President, Berchem, Moses & Devlin, P.C.

When Bob Berchem graduated with a degree in politics from Fairfield in 1962, he was only 20 years old and the first in his family to earn a college degree. He had entered Fairfield on a full academic scholarship after completing his high school studies at Fairfield Prep in just three years. He was awarded a full scholarship to Villanova University School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 1965, finishing first in his class. That same year, at age 23, he was admitted to the Connecticut bar and became law clerk to a federal judge, the Honorable William H. Timbers. He then received a William W. Cook Fellowship to the University of Michigan's Law School, where he received his Master of Laws degree in 1967.

Afterward, Bob returned to his hometown of Milford, Conn., to establish Berchem, Moses & Devlin, P.C., where he is both a principal and president. The firm is one of Connecticut's most prominent, with 35 lawyers. Currently, he chairs the Business Services Department, where his clients include professional service groups, municipalities and boards of education, as well as companies ranging in size from startups to Fortune 500s.

Bob was active as an undergraduate at Fairfield, serving on both the Student Council and the Cardinal Key Society. He has remained equally active as an alumnus, serving the University in a multitude of ways. From 1990 to 1996, he served as a University trustee, and has represented the University pro bono in various special matters. Bob secured a permanent home course for the University's golf teams at the Race Brook Country Club in Orange, Conn. Recently, he also facilitated arrangements for the University's continued use of the Webster Bank Arena for varsity competition.

Bob has been a member of The President's Circle since 1981, and was chairman in 1989. In appreciation for the life opportunities which Fairfield had provided him, and in honor of his mother, he funded the Barbara M. Berchem Scholarship for the benefit of other first-generation college students. Last year, Bob served as co-chairman of the Class of 1962's 50th Reunion Gift Committee. Over sixty percent of the class participated, raising the largest 50th Reunion class gift in Fairfield's history.

In addition to his work for Fairfield, Bob serves on the boards of the Cardinal Shehan Center, Boys & Girl's Village, and the University of Bridgeport. He and his wife Lee have three children: Kerry, a corporate lawyer in New York City; Robert Jr., an artist living in Bogota, Colombia; and Jonathan, a graduate of the Class of 1992 who lives in Milford and is a member of his father's firm. Together they have blessed Bob with seven grandchildren with whom, when not playing golf or watching Fairfield basketball, he spends all of his spare time.

Distinguished Faculty / Administrator Award

Eugene Doris
Director of Athletics, Fairfield University

When Athletics Director Eugene P. Doris came to Fairfield University 19 years ago in 1994, the Walsh Athletic Center did not exist. Visiting teams were told to come dressed in their uniforms because there was not a locker room for them to use. In fact, there were not even locker rooms for most of the teams on campus.

Under Gene's guidance, Fairfield's Athletics program has flourished. The University now boasts 20 varsity sports, a solid Division I standing, and a multi-million-dollar facility. The University has seen the Stags win the overall Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Commissioner's Cup four times; the men have earned the Cup three times, and the women's teams have won an impressive seven times.

Over the years, Gene has garnered multiple awards for his skills as an athletic director. In 2004, he received the Constituent Supporter of the Year Award from the Coastal Fairfield County Convention and Visitors Bureau for his role in bringing the NCAA Women's Basketball First and Second rounds to the Webster Bank Arena. Gene was also instrumental in securing the 2006 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Regionals, and the 2007 MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments. Fairfield also hosted the 2008 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament First and Second rounds and co-hosted the 2009 and 2011 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey East Regional. Fairfield and the MAAC just hosted the 2013 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional.

In 2010, Gene received the Division I Northeast Athletic Director of the Year Award from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Off-campus, Gene served a term as president of the ECAC, the nation's largest athletic conference, and has sat on the NCAA Sportsmanship Committee. He currently serves on the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Committee, as well as other regional and national committees and several MAAC committees. Gene is also an adjunct faculty member at Manhattanville College.

Prior to Fairfield, Gene was the athletics director at Marist College for five years, during which time the number of intercollegiate athletic teams grew from 14 to 20. Before that, he was associate athletic director at Fordham University, as well as assistant basketball coach under Richard "Digger" Phelps.

He coached both basketball and baseball at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y., and junior varsity baseball at Archbishop Molloy High School in Jamaica, N.Y. In 2007, Gene was inducted into the Catholic High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame for his contribution to the New York City-based league.

Gene holds a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in teaching, both from Fordham University.

Honorary Alumna

Nancy Lynch, P'95

Nancy Lynch, P'95, has been a dedicated volunteer her entire adult life. For the past ten years, she has focused her time and energy on the field of healthcare, and Fairfield University has been the recipient of her many gifts. With natural leadership qualities and a passion for the issues, Nancy played a significant role in recruiting and mentoring members of the first advisory board for the University's School of Nursing. She designed and implemented the two-day retreat that officially launched the Board, and served as chair for two terms, from the board's inception in 2005 to 2012.

The momentum she nurtured as Advisory Board chair resulted in gifts of approximately $1 million to the Robin Kanarek Learning Resource Center in the School, which was the Board's first fundraising priority.

Under Nancy's leadership, the development of the School's advisory board became a model for other institutions. In 2006, along with University staff, Nancy outlined details of the formation of a School-specific advisory board in a workshop at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Conference in Washington, D.C. She also co-authored an article on the subject with the former dean of the School of Nursing, Dr. Jeanne Novotny, which was published in theJournal of Professional Nursing in 2007. Nancy also received the James Daly School of Nursing Award for her mentorship and extraordinary commitment to Fairfield University in 2007.

The University's School of Nursing maintains a close relationship with Greenwich Hospital, where Nancy was previously a member of the Board of Trustees. Nancy continues to volunteer her time and skills in the healthcare field in Vero Beach, Fla.

Nancy's husband Roger Lynch is a proud member of the Class of 1963, and their son, Stephen, is an equally proud member of the Class of 1995. Roger served on the University's Board of Trustees for 20 years until 2008, chairing the Board from 1995 to 2002. Roger and Nancy are long-time members of The President's Circle and have been major donors to the University. In recognition of the couple's generosity to Fairfield, the auditorium in the School of Nursing was named The Nancy Lynch Auditorium in 2008.

Nancy and Roger have graciously hosted and enthusiastically attended numerous events on Fairfield's behalf over their 50-year relationship with the University. Although she received her degree from Centenary College, Nancy has truly embraced Fairfield as her home and is one of the University's most well-loved and respected ambassadors.

The Fairfield Award

James P. and Linda C. Slattery, P'92, and the Slattery Family

When Chris Slattery '92, a block equities trader at Cantor Fitzgerald, was killed in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, his parents, Jim and Linda Slattery, his brother Dan, and sister Erin recognized the outpouring of affection from friends and family by establishing a foundation in honor of Chris to support scholarships for students who attend Chris' alma maters: Chaminade High School in Mineola, N.Y., and Fairfield University.

To augment the foundation, the Slattery family launched the annual Chris Slattery Golf Classic. "To know Chris was to love him," said Chris' father, Jim. "He had a huge number of friends, and something he enjoyed doing with a lot of them was playing golf. So it was a natural that we would stage a golf outing in his name."

Over the past ten years, the Classic drew up to 175 people for each golf outing. Jim, Linda, Dan, Erin, and Walter (Erin's husband) did all the work of coordinating the annual event themselves - from invitations and set-up, to raffle baskets and silent auctions - "maximizing profit" for the scholarship fund at every opportunity, and having a lot of fun along the way. About 35 volunteers also came consistently each summer from all around the country in honor of Chris, ready to pitch in however they could.

Now, thanks to the generosity, hard work, and dedication of the Slattery Family and their many supporters, the Christopher Slattery '92 Scholarship at Fairfield University has grown to nearly $1,000,000. Having reached the milestone they targeted, the Slatterys recently voted to close the Foundation.

Since 2002, the Fund has helped finance the educations of 16 Fairfield students, including five current recipients. The Slatterys have met several of the students supported by the Scholarship. "It's a highlight for us," Jim said, "They're a great bunch of young men and women, focused on college life and achieving their goals. We're inspired by them."

Keynote Speaker

Cynthia R. Bigelow
President & CEO, Bigelow Tea

Before assuming her current role as president and CEO of Bigelow Tea in 2005, Cindi Bigelow spent 20 years in virtually all areas of the company that her grandmother founded in 1945. Headquartered in Fairfield, Conn., Bigelow Tea is the national market leader of specialty teas and maker of the popular "Constant Comment" Tea. The company remains a family-owned business and employs 330 people across three manufacturing facilities, producing over 1.6 billion tea bags annually.

Cindi initiated the Annual Bigelow Tea Community Challenge in 1987, which has raised over $800,000 since its inception. All proceeds are donated to local charities. She spearheaded the creation of Sandcastle Playground in 1996, a landmark wooden village playground at Jennings Beach in Fairfield and focal point for children in the community. Her annual volunteer projects include Habitat for Humanity, Adopt-a-Home through the Kennedy Center, and an Appalachian project.

Cindi is a passionate advocate for education, making frequent classroom appearances to speak to high school, college, and university MBA students about business and business ethics. Her philanthropy is well represented at many institutions and within the community. Cindi and her family created the Eunice & David Bigelow Scholarship at Fairfield University, providing much-needed financial assistance to deserving students.

Cindi was the keynote speaker at the Greenbrier Women in Leadership Conference, the Network of Executive Women's Conference, and Powerful Women in Business Conference. She has served on the Bridgeport and Fairfield Boards of Directors, Boston College Board of Alumni, Bridgeport Regional Council, and Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Committee.

In addition to Mass Mutual and UCONN Family Business of the Year Awards, Cindi has been recognized with numerous other awards, including: Ernst & Young Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Fairfield Rotary Club's Paul Harris Community Service Award; the Housatonic Community College Pillars of the Community Award; the Boy Scouts of America Good Scout Award; the Girl Scouts' Woman of Distinction Award; 2010 Notable Women in Business Award; Sacred Heart University's 2011 Discovery Award; and 2012 recognition as a Woman of Influence in the Food Industry. She has also been honored by the Cardinal Shehan Center, Operation Hope, and Beardsley Park Zoo's Red Ribbon Ball for her years of service to the community.

Cindi graduated magna cum laude from Boston College with a bachelor's degree in marketing, earned her MBA degree at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management with a major in marketing and finance. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business degree from the University of New Haven.

When she's not working, Cindi enjoys being with her children, skiing, tennis, a little bit of yoga and, of course, "drinking lot and lots of tea."