Fairfield University announces William G. McGowan Scholars | Press Releases

Fairfield University has announced that Lawrence James Dunn III of Southington, Conn., and Gregory Slater of New Rochelle, N.Y. have been named 1999-2000 William G. McGowan Scholars. The Scholars Program, underwritten by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc., based in Washington, D.C., honors the memory of the late William G. McGowan, founder and chairman of MCI Communications Corporation.

The philanthropic organization, founded in 1992 by William G. McGowan, promotes, nurtures and funds promising programs in health care and medical science research, creates educational opportunities, and develops the gifts and talents of the young. The Scholars Program selects students to receive full-tuition scholarships for one year in recognition of their outstanding academic performance, leadership ability and commitment to the greater community.

Committed to giving Americans an alternative choice for long-distance service, Mr. McGowan was successful in breaking AT&T's monopoly over the telecommunications industry. By applying new technologies and creating innovative services, he was able to offer long-distance service at substantial savings for the consumer and had far-reaching effects on the telecommunications industry worldwide.

Lawrence Dunn

A double major in accounting and information systems with a minor in mathematics, Lawrence Dunn currently ranks number one in his class with a perfect 4.0 average. While at Fairfield, Dunn has been active in the University's internship program. Last summer he did an independent study on the Euro and its effects on the European information system, following a week of intensive study in Limerick, Ireland.

In addition, he volunteers as a religious education instructor at Holy Family Church in Fairfield, is a lector in Campus Ministry and has taken part in Mission Volunteer programs in Duran, Ecuador and Morehead, Ky. He also is a member of the Fairfield University Glee Club and the Fairfield University Student Association.

This summer, after returning from a two-week Mission Volunteer trip to Ecuador, he is continuing an internship, begun last September, with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board in Norwalk, Conn. In addition, he has been invited to attend the Student Leadership Conference in Chicago, Ill., in August, sponsored by Andersen Consulting.

Dunn said that Mr. McGowan stood for "the ideals of sound business and entrepreneurial practices" and "serves as a role model for aspiring individuals facing fierce competition ... His tiny telecommunications company triumphed over the industry superpower and, thanks to that victory, millions of people across the globe can enjoy drastically reduced rates and innovative technologies that make it possible to communicate at speeds never before imagined."

Gregory Slater

Gregory Slater is pursuing a finance major with a double minor in accounting and economics. A National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Westchester Chapter Scholar, he received the Touchdown Club of America Student Athlete College Scholarship Award. He is a member of the varsity football team at Fairfield, devoting 35 hours a week to practice, training and games. Fairfield University was the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference football champions for 1998.

Slater, who achieved Eagle Scout rank through the Boy Scouts of America, has volunteered for work in a soup kitchen, raised funds for Hunger Clean-Up and helped with collections for a food and clothing drive. He organized accounting tutoring sessions for athletes and last summer assisted in portfolio analysis at Westchester Advisory Group in Harrison, N.Y.

This summer Slater is working in the World Trade Center in New York for Intercapital America. He will be spending the fall semester in Fairfield University's study abroad program at the Lorenzo de' Medici Institute in Florence, Italy.

Saying he was honored to be named a McGowan Scholar, Slater commented, "The vision of William G. McGowan was genuine, strong and effective. The way he attacked life and its challenges should serve as a model for all people today ... Hard work and commitment were the cornerstones of his vision."