Fairfield Awards Dinner

Benefiting Scholarships at Fairfield University

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | 6 p.m.

Cipriani 42nd Street

Countdown to the Event

More than $1.35 million raised in 2023...

Generous Fairfield community members and corporate sponsors exceeded expectations and the fundraising goal of $1,000,000, making the 2023 event the most successful Fairfield Awards Dinner in our history.

Donate View 2023 Photos

About

Since 1988, the Fairfield Awards Dinner has raised more than $21 million for the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund and other scholarships to help students realize their full potential through a Fairfield education, regardless of economic or social barriers. In Fall 2023, 19 students received awards—an average of nearly $38,000 each—from this fund.

The Awards Dinner also honors the achievements and volunteer service of alumni, parents, faculty, and staff.
2024 Awards Dinner Committee

Co-Chairs

  • Adrienne A. Johnson ’91, Apollo Global Management
  • Trish Comey Preston ’80, Former Senior Vice President, Mastercard

Committee

  • Corrine E. Baliga '18, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
  • Robert Berchem, Esq. '62, P'92, Berchem Moses P.C.
  • Jessica L. Baehr '04, MBA'11, Equitable
  • Nick M. Benaquista '05, MasterCard International
  • Kara A. Brady '15, MS'16, Summit Rock Advisors
  • Robert Z. Brandy '15, Offit Kurman, P.A.
  • Chuck F. Burke, Jr. '01, Rockefeller Capital Management
  • Courtney F. Chin '09, UBS
  • Tom Clements '09, Meridian Risk Management
  • Xavier C. Cole '20, Lazard Asset Management LLC
  • Meaghan P. Conlon '16, MFA'19, Preqin
  • John K. Courtmanche '88, Johns Hopkins University
  • Marc D'Angelillio '06, BNY Mellon Pershing
  • Luigi DiMeglio '14, Executive Producer, FINTECH.TV
  • Kristen Fazio '99
  • Zoe T. Ferranti '17, The Knot Worldwide
  • Jordan J. Freeman '13, The Hughes Firm
  • Cara M. Gibbons '18, Northwell Health
  • Michael S. Guarnieri '84, Retired, GE
  • Kevin Guinan '95, Chubb & Son
  • Craig W. Hanrahan '89, CHUBB
  • James P. Keenan '11, JP Morgan Chase & Co
  • James M. Knopf '16, Motor Parts Group
  • Matthew C. Kramer '96, US Insurance at Ascot Group
  • Tracy Lai MBA'11, LYSTAR Group
  • Bryan L. LeClerc, Esq. '84, Berchem Moses P.C.
  • Andrew S. Leone '17, Piper Sandler Companies
  • Anthony J. Luongo '96, MBA'03, P'24, Morgan Stanley
  • Scott M. Malone '97, Macquarie Capital
  • Julio A. Martinez '07, Osterman & Company. Inc.
  • Anif I. McDonald '16, Xaverian Brothers High School
  • Jennifer McMahon '89, P'19,'13
  • Claretta S. Mills '16, Boy Scouts of America
  • John R. O’Neill '71, P'08, Long Ridge Road Partners, LLC
  • Dominic J. Paolino '14, Accenture
  • John G. Phelan Jr. '89, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
  • Claudele Pierre '14, MS'16, Batska Consulting Group
  • John M. Sweeney '94, Oaktree Capital Management, LP
  • Karen Wilson P'26, K-8 Math Coordinator, Easton-Redding School District
2024 Awards Dinner Emcee

Chris Miles '03

With over 15 years of experience as a sports anchor, reporter and host, Miles has covered almost every major sporting event, including the Final Four, College Football National Championship, and multiple Super Bowls. Miles has worked in seven different markets, and has covered the full gamut of sports from Nascar to the PGA and (his personal favorites) the NBA & MLB. Currently he works in Atlanta as a host & play-by-play expert for NBA TV.


2024 Honorees

Alumni Professional Achievement Award

Nancy Clegg Altobello ’80

Read Honoree Profile

Alumni Service Award

Timothy E. Lane ’85, P’24, ’16

Read Honoree Profile

Distinguished Faculty/Administrator Award

Janet A. Canepa ’82

Read Honoree Profile

Parent Leadership Award

Jason Beckwith and Alexis Dunbar Beckwith P’23

Read Honoree Profile

Posthumous Special Recognition

Varian Mackey Fry
Co-founder of the World War II Emergency Rescue Committee and Former Graduate Student, School of Education and Human Development

Read Profile

2024 Awards Dinner Student Speaker

Aliyah Seenauth '24, Fairfield University Student Association President

Why Giving Matters

We create scholars and leaders. But mostly, we create change. At Fairfield University, we are driven by our Jesuit roots to act on needs greater than our own—to seek out opportunities, to make the world a better place, to put our plans into action. We are committed to providing each and every student with a strong, exemplary academic experience. We’re also committed to making this experience as accessible to as many bright, driven students as possible so they’ll have a better shot at making a real difference in the world. We hope you share this mission and that you’ll help us bring it to life. In fact, our vision is dependent on your generosity.

Give Today

About the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund

Since 1995, nearly $10 million has been awarded from the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund, primarily supported through the proceeds of the Fairfield Awards Dinner. More than 1,000 scholarships have been awarded 283 distinct individual recipients. In 2023-24, 19 students received $732,165 in scholarships from the Fund, with the average student receiving more than $38,000.

1,000+

Scholarships Awarded

283

Distinct number of individuals have received this scholarship

Meet One of Our Scholars


About the Venue

For the third time, Fairfield University will be hosting the Fairfield Awards Dinner at the historic Cipriani 42nd St. Conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan, this Italian Renaissance inspired masterpiece showcases towering marble columns, soaring ceilings, magnificent inlaid floors and glorious chandeliers.

Learn More About the Venue

2024 Awards Dinner Sponsors