Winter 2007

Volume 8 / Issue 2

The Glee Club celebrates 60!

Sixty years ago, Fairfield University had only one classroom building, no dorms, and of course, no undergraduate women.

One thing it proudly boasted, however, was its Glee Club, which numbered between 60 and 80 young men who aptly nicknamed themselves 'The Ambassadors of Song.' "We really were a traveling road show," recalls George Lacovara '56, P'89, now president of the Alumni Association and a tenor back in his college days. A typical concert back then, he says, was held jointly with one of the women's Catholic colleges and included show tunes or songs by Cole Porter and Mitch Miller, followed by a supper.

"In many ways, the Glee Club was our fraternity," adds Lacovara, in a statement echoed by others. "Fairfield was a commuter school. The Glee Club was not only the biggest organization on campus, it was the first. We spent a lot of time together, between rehearsing twice a week and long road trips to Boston or New York state, and that helped us develop a very close bond." Fr. John Murray, S.J., organized the original group when the University opened its doors in 1947. "He was a tiny man and a stern taskmaster, but he was well-loved," recalls Lacovara. "Simon Harak was the musical director. I remember that we had a concert on the night his son was born, and I was chosen to step out in front and make the announcement." That baby boy is now a Jesuit, the Rev. Simon Harak, S.J. '70.

Sixty years and a few changes later, the Glee Club is stronger than ever. Its members number more than 100 men and women, and its director, Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell, is known for being a musical force to be reckoned with, demanding - and getting - excellence from her singers.

"Joining the Glee Club is the best decision I've made since coming here," says senior Joe Duffy, who auditioned his freshman year and is now club president. "I had not done anything musical before, so it's given me a chance to develop that talent. I've learned leadership skills, and have met a ton of people. We're a very close-knit group."

"The original Glee Club came out of the German tradition of all-male singing and camaraderie," says Dr. Maxwell, who has been in her position since 1980. "Music was scored for tenors and basses. With the addition of women, it's had to be rescored for women's alto and soprano voices." And while concert venues still include cities fairly regional, the Glee Club has also wowed audiences in London, Italy, Canada, Ireland, and Germany over the years. "It's my hope that an overseas concert will be an every-other-year event," says Dr. Maxwell.

So positive has the Glee Club experience been for some Fairfield grads that, 22 years ago, alumni decided to form the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, which makes its home in Norwalk and is considered one of the outstanding choral organizations in the state. Dr. Maxwell also directs that group.

The Glee Club is planning a special Gala Concert to celebrate its 60th. It will be held at the Quick Center for the Arts on April 14 at 8 p.m.; music for the event has been commissioned by the Center for Catholic Studies from noted American composer Gwyneth Walker. Glee Club alumni are invited to join current students in some of the selections. For anyone interested in participating, please contact Kelly Beatty '07 at 07_kbeatty@stagweb.fairfield.edu. Tickets for the concert are available by calling the Quick Center Box Office at (203) 254-4010.

2006 Homecoming Weekend

Lacrosse players past and present.
Photo by Mike Langowski '10

On Saturday, Oct. 14 more than 300 alumni returned to campus for Homecoming 2006 - a fun-filled day with friends, family, and current Fairfield students. The crowd was treated to a variety of alumni games played all over campus, including women's soccer, softball, baseball, swimming and diving, and men's lacrosse. Alumni in attendance got a preview of the 2006-2007 Fairfield Stags at their annual red/white scrimmages put on by the men's and women's basketball teams. Fans also had the chance to meet the players at their autograph session following the scrimmages.

At The Levee, alumni bands "Awkward Silence," "Talking to Walls," Mike Falzone '06, and "El Sugar" performed to a packed crowd as they enjoyed a drink, pizza, and music at Stagtoberfest 2006.

Athletic Hall of Fame Honorees: (l-r): George Groom '73, John Redway '59, John Barry '62, Joe Miko '51, John O'Connell '55, Jim Lopusznick '00, Robert Gerwien '55, Christen Veach '97, Jessica Grossarth '98, Bob Meyers '83, Theresa O'Connor '99, Billy Barnes '80, Charlie Phillips '67, Prof. John "Doc" McCarthy P'93, '90, '87, Art Kenney '68, Paul Barnes '67.

Photo by James Nguyen '07

2006 Athletic Hall of Fame

The Athletic Hall of Fame celebrated 25 years of athletic excellence on Oct. 14 in the Oak Room at the Barone Campus Center. Hosted by the Fairfield University Alumni Association, this year's Athletic Hall of Fame inducted four former athletes: From top, Theresa O'Connor '99, softball; Abby Ward '00, women's soccer; Jim Lopusznick '00, football; and Christen Veach '97, women's soccer.

Also present were 14 past Hall of Fame honorees who came to celebrate the achievements of all former Fairfield athletes. Following the induction ceremony, guests were ushered to the second floor of the Campus Center for the unveiling of the new Athletic Hall of Fame display. This permanent display was designed by Jim Rapoport P'07, of Honorcraft Inc. The new Athletic Hall of Fame display is located across from the bookstore; the mobile Hall of Fame is on display in the Walsh Athletic Center and at the Arena at Harbor Yard during the basketball season.

Photos by James Nguyen '07

Alumni Christmas Mass

Amidst the holiday season alumni, family, and friends returned to campus to celebrate the annual Alumni Christmas Mass held Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Egan Chapel. Rev. Charles Allen, S.J. concelebrated Mass with alumni clergy, Rev. Michael Doody, S.J. '70, director of Campus Ministry, and Rev. Thomas McMurray, S.J. '70, associate facilitator for Catholic and Jesuit Mission. Following Mass, alumni were invited back to the Alumni House for refreshments, where they caught up with one another beside a roaring fire.

Web streaming available

Good news for Stag fans! Video streaming is now available for home games. The package includes games at the Arena at Harbor Yard as well as those at Alumni Hall. Some games are subject to blackout. Fans may access the video stream by clicking on the following link:

http://www.fairfield.edu/stagsvideo

Dr. Donald Preziosi '62

Fairfield alumnus Dr. Donald Preziosi '62, one of the leading art historians in the world today, returned to his alma mater to deliver a lecture, "Plato's Dilemma: Art, Religion & Artifice" on Oct. 10. He is currently a professor of art history at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Oxford University. After the lecture, he was given  membership in Phi Beta Kappa as a distinguished alumnus.

"The cycle of life and learning comes full circle in the distinguished career of Professor Preziosi," said Dr. Philip Eliasoph, professor of art history. "The seed that was planted in our classrooms here 44 years ago has blossomed and reached full fruition. We are honored to have this alumnus join us for this triumphant return." Dr. Preziosi is the author of numerous books, including Rethinking Art History: Meditations on a Coy Science; Brain of the Earth's Body: Museums & the Fabrication of Modernity; and Seeing Through Art History.

Stepping out

By Lisa Roberts

They say to travel far, one begins with the first few steps. For those embarking on a career path, many choose to take those first steps in college. With more than 4,900 Fairfield graduates currently celebrating a reunion year, we got in touch with a few who have put their Fairfield degrees to work in noteworthy ways. For each, Fairfield University - the programs, the people, and the Jesuit principles - offered a safe ground to explore a calling.

A news-worthy career

While her seven-year-old friends were watching cartoons and sit-coms, Sonia Baghdady '97 was fascinated by a different kind of programming. She was tuned into the news. By the time she was a Fairfield student, she didn't hesitate to step up to the plate when she saw an ad on campus for a news anchor. The University's Media Center was launching a news program through its Ham Channel, and it was time for Baghdady to test her aptitude in her dream field.

That first experience on camera affirmed her calling. Today, Baghdady is an Emmy award-winning anchor of "Good Morning Connecticut" and "News Channel 8 at Noon" at WTNH, Connecticut's ABC affiliate. Baghdady, who was a communication major at Fairfield, has found that reporting, "almost becomes an art in how to effectively communicate to people. At first, you just hope you don't stumble, that you get your facts straight, and you represent both sides of the story. After a while, you realize there's so much more to it. You need to understand the story so your audience can understand it."

In May 2004, Baghdady earned an Emmy Award for a three-story report on popular products. The work she is most proud of, however, is her Emmy-nominated piece, "Wake Up Call." She addressed the disturbing finding that children were sleeping through smoke detector alarms, and the piece involved Baghdady's testing of a new product that sounded a familiar, pre-recorded voice instead of an alarm. "Sure enough, we found that children woke up sooner to a familiar voice," says Baghdady, who worked for months with parents and local fire departments. "When you do a story of that nature, the personal reward is much greater than any public recognition."

WTNH is familiar territory for Baghdady, who first entered its doors as a Fairfield intern in 1996. These days she loves the early morning shift that gets her up hours ahead of daybreak (2 a.m.), before the people who inspire her work the most - her audience - are awake. "I love knowing that I'm providing information to people every day that might be helpful to them," says Baghdady. "And I love that I leave work every day having learned something I didn't know yesterday."

Steve DePino Photography

A marketing mind in the making

Marketing minds are like the fountain of youth - they stay fresh at any age and never run dry. You know you've run into one when conversation starts flowing and one novel idea follows another. Such must have been the case for anyone on Fairfield's campus in the mid-1980s who ran into "the Hoagie Guy." While his entrepreneurial stint running a food delivery service only lasted three weeks, John Sohigian '82 learned early on that one idea definitely leads to another.

Looking for a way to make money his freshman year, Sohigian approached Student Services for permission to open up a sandwich shop in Regis Hall. Promising fresh ingredients and delivery twice a night, Sogi's Hoagies took off right out of the gate. "We had lines 50 people deep," recalls Sohigian, who found the enterprise a terrific way to meet people all over campus. "In three weeks we were ready to expand to sell candy and soda."

That's when Student Services shut the service down, citing health department regulations. After two articles in The Mirror (one a cover story announcing the grand opening and the other an editorial lamenting its brief run), Sohigian was ready for his next challenge. "Getting closed down was the best thing that happened to me," Sohigian believes. "I ended up with a job offer from Jim Fitzpatrick, assistant vice president for student affairs at the Stag-Her Inn (now the Stag Snack Bar) and started spending my spare time organizing activities for FUSA."

As a "townie" today, he remains in close contact with Fitzpatrick and a good many of his Fairfield FUSA friends.

With a B.S. in marketing and an M.A. in corporate communication from Fairfield, Sohigian took his gift of enterprise to such sports marketing organizations as the National Hockey League, NFL Properties, and World Wrestling Entertainment. Currently the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Orange County Choppers, the world's premier custom motorcycle manufacturer, Sohigian is responsible for developing brand strategy and marketing plans, garnering endorsements, and securing promotional partnerships and licensing guarantees.

"I enjoy working where there are interesting personalities," says Sohigian, "and where I get involved with different people and projects every day."

Sohigian's influence at Fairfield is felt to this day. In 1981, he led the charge through FUSA to turn Parents' Day at Fairfield into Parents' Weekend. "We thought one day was kind of dull," he explains. Unlike Sogi's Hoagies, that was a Sohigian idea that took.

Campaigning for a positive impact

There is only one word to describe how Sean Dunphy '62 felt when John F. Kennedy was elected president: euphoric. Then a junior at Fairfield, Dunphy had previously teamed up with classmate and fellow Massachusetts resident Paul Rudd '62 to spearhead "Students for Kennedy," a club organized to counter the active Republican group campaigning for Richard Nixon. "It was a time of broad student involvement in the election," recalls Dunphy, whose concentration was in political science. "It was a very exciting time to be pursuing coursework in politics."

Dunphy describes his career path since as one of seeking new challenges. After obtaining a law degree at Boston University and serving in the U.S. Army National Guard, he returned to his native Northampton, Mass., to practice law. In 1970, he was elected mayor and served six years. Shortly thereafter, he became chairman of the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board, and in 1978 he was appointed a judge. Today, Dunphy is serving his second term as chief justice of the Probate and Family Court Department in the Massachusetts Trial Court.

"My objective in every position I have held has always been the same," shares Dunphy, "and that is to have an opportunity to impact lives in a positive way." As chief justice in family court, this responsibility can be highly emotional. "Our work not only impacts the lives of adults, but of children. We work on a case by case basis, doing the best we can to respond to the particular needs of each."

Dunphy stays connected to his alma mater through fellow alumni judges who work in his home state, by reading Fairfield Now, the alumni magazine, and by attending Stags games. Dunphy believes that the Jesuit values he came to appreciate at Fairfield have enriched him as a person. "The exposure to theology and philosophy, infused with the core academic curriculum, results in an approach to life that becomes ingrained over time," says this former photo editor of the student newspaper, then called The Stag. As chief justice presiding over 51 judges, with jurisdiction over matters of divorce, guardianship, adoption, and custody, such values are bound to serve many well.

Represent your classmates

The Fairfield University Alumni Association Board of Directors has class representative openings for the classes of 1966, 1969, 1983, 1993, 1997, 1998, and 2000, and three at-large positions. The three-year terms begin July 1, 2007.

Alumni willing to volunteer for this position should send a letter of interest by Feb. 1, 2007, to the Alumni Association Nominations Committee, Fairfield University, Alumni House, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.

Wondering who's going to Reunion?

Include your name in Fairfield University's Reunion e-mail directory! The directory will help you make plans for Reunion Weekend and reconnect with classmates. It will be distributed in mid-April to reunion-year alumni who indicate they would like to get the directory. To be included, please complete the form at www.fairfield.edu/reuniondirectory by March 10, 2007. Don't miss out - sign up today!

Class of 1957 to celebrate 50th Reunion

Fairfield's seventh graduating class, the Class of 1957, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this coming May during Commencement Weekend. Come join your classmates to reunite and witness the changes to campus since 1957!

A weekend full of fun activities has been planned for May 19 and 20, and it's the hope of the Reunion Committee that many of the known 116 members of the class will want to renew the friendships made so many years ago.

If you have any photos, films, or other memorabilia from your glory days here at Fairfield University that you would be willing to display during your Reunion Weekend, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280. All items will be returned to you after the Reunion.

So, make plans NOW to be part of the celebration in May. We can't wait to see you!

Club Happenings

Baltimore/Washington, DC

Save the Date

St. Patrick's Day is coming early on March 15. Come out and celebrate the patron saint of Ireland at McFadden's in Washington, D.C. Details to follow.

Boston

More than 65 alumni attended the Briefcase Breakfast on Sept. 18 at Ernst & Young hosted by University Trustee Nancy A. Altobello '80. Special thanks to Paul LaViolette '79, guest speaker, for providing attendees insight into the success of Boston Scientific and how to manage their careers.

Stag spirit was alive as Boston-area fans came out to cheer on the men's basketball team as it took on the Boston College Eagles on Dec. 6.

Save the Date

The next Briefcase Breakfast will be on Feb. 8 at Ernst & Young with Timothy Conway '76, chairman and chief executive officer of NewStar Financial as the featured speaker. With NewStar in the midst of an initial public offering, Conway will speak on "Taking a Company from an Idea to IPO."

Other upcoming events include the annual St. Patrick's Day gathering and a golf outing! Details and dates coming soon.

Chicago

More than 30 alumni and parents welcomed President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. to Chicago on Oct. 25 at the Chicago Athletic Association. The menu had a special touch of Fairfield University with Rachel Kunst '00 serving as sous chef for the evening. Special thanks to Kevin and Marilou McGirr, P'03, who generously hosted the reception.

Chicago Bears fans gathered at 4 Shadows to watch the Bears take on the New England Patriots on Nov. 26.

Coming up

Chicago alumni will gather for a private tour of the Art Institute of Chicago followed by a reception. Plans are also in the works for a business networking event.

Photo by Colleen McGinn

Fairfield

Over 50 alumni and friends gathered at Tiffany & Co. in Westport, Conn. on Nov. 15 for an interesting and informative presentation entitled "What Makes a Tiffany Diamond." Attendees learned why some diamonds are more beautiful than others and the role of the engagement ring setting. Keep your eyes open for another event in the spring.

Hartford

The first stop of the "Floating Naut" was at the Wood-n-Tap in Hartford, Conn. on Sept. 21. Stay tuned to see where the "naut" will be floating next.

Hartford alumni gathered at the Capitol building for a private tour of this national landmark. State Senator Marty Looney '70 joined everyone in the State chamber for a personal Q&A following the tour. Thank you to John Courtmanche '88 for organizing this event.

Hartford area alumni gathered to "Swirl the World", a wine-tasting event on Nov. 3 at the West Hartford Art League. Thanks to Max O'Meara '52 and Cathy Scarfe Pedemonti '84 for organizing the evening.

Special thanks to Paul Thompson '87 for gathering a group of alumni and supporting the Habitat for Humanity efforts in Hartford on Nov. 4.

Hoop fans came out on Nov. 18 to cheer on the men's basketball team when they played the UConn Huskies as part of the Hispanic College Fund Classic at the Hartford Civic Center.

Coming up

Join area alumni along with their families in February at A C Petersen's for ice cream and family fun.

Insightful speakers, stimulating discussion: Capital Conversations is a great way to network with fellow alumni over cocktails and at some of the Hartford area's hottest spots. The next event will be in March. More information to follow.

Manhattan

Thirty-five young alumni came out to meet Fr. von Arx in New York City at Latitude Bar + Lounge owned by John Joyce '92. Thank you to Larry Rafferty '64, P'03 and Kathleen Rafferty '03 who hosted this event.

Philadelphia

More than 50 alumni and parents gathered at the Union League of Philadelphia to welcome Fr. von Arx back to the area. Special thanks to Jim and Denise Paul P'05, '03 and Ralph and Laura (DePaola) Riedel '80 for hosting an enjoyable evening.

The Fairfield University Glee Club performed a sung liturgy at Old St. Joseph's Church in Philadelphia on Nov. 4.

Philadelphia-area alumni gathered on Nov. 14 to cheer on the men's basketball team as the Stags took on the St. Joseph University Hawks.

Presidential Receptions

President von Arx will be visiting alumni in the following areas over the next few months: Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., Florida, Boston, New York City, and California. Be on the look-out for your invitation or check the web calendar at www.fairfield.edu/alumni.

Photo by Vic D'Ascenzo MA '88

Alumni Postcards

John Gallagher '06 & Jocelyn Collen '06

"FrancisCorps is really a very special place, and I'm pleased to say that we've had a Fairfield graduate there every year since 1999, when Brother Jim came to the service fair to talk about the program," says Carolyn Rusiackas, associate director of Campus Ministry. "Brother Jim" is Brother Jim Moore, OMF Conv., the founder and director of FrancisCorps, a volunteer group of recent college grads committed to a year of service in the Syracuse, N.Y., area.

This year, Fairfield has two graduates serving in FrancisCorps: John Gallagher '06 and Jocelyn Collen '06, both attracted to the organization's model of community living and service, and intrigued by Brother Jim himself, whom they both view as a role model. "He's awesome," says Collen. "He's really living a life like Jesus, teaching others how to live with and to think about the poor."

Life in FrancisCorps means communal living. Collen and Gallagher live in a house with three others, each with a placement in different agencies within the community. Gallagher, for example, is spending the year as a youth mentor at a neighborhood center serving many refugee families. His responsibilities include educational and recreational outreach to teens, coaching a soccer team, and making home and school visits to neighborhood families. Many of these activities are structured to get the kids to work together as a team - a worthwhile concept that can be a lot more difficult than it sounds. "It isn't always fun and games and it hasn't been an unending series of 'finding God in all things' or joy-filled days. Sometimes, it's hard and sometimes it just downright stinks," he admits, recalling a racially charged incident between a refugee and a neighborhood girl in his group. "But isn't that what I signed up for? Nobody ever said it would be easy."

Collen's placement is at a homeless shelter for women and their children. She spends her days preparing meals, getting clients to appointments, and shopping for groceries. Eventually, she'll have her own caseload. "I've had to rely on life skills I didn't know I had," she says. "I'm grateful for what I have in my life and for what I've learned about myself, and glad I can share the joy I have with others. Those women know they can count on me, and that's important."

Living in a community has its rewards, but it's not always easy. "We're all friends, but our relationship is more like that of siblings," says Collen of the others in the house. "We each have different ministries and challenges, and that can be difficult." FrancisCorps stresses the importance of sharing meals together, so a different person plans supper nightly and leads the prayer, thus fostering a sense of community that helps them reaffirm why they're there.

"I've learned a lot about what I'm good at and what I'm not," admits Gallagher. "And I realize that I may not be able to make a huge difference in a kid's life. But I am learning about myself and trying to become a better person."

Fairfield University alumni in post-graduate service

Several recent graduates have committed to a year or two of service work, and they welcome your cards, letters, and e-mails!

Christian Brothers Volunteer Corps.
Daniel Levesque
2660 Noble Lane
Bonita Springs, Fla. 3413
06_dlevesque@stagweb.fairfield.edu

FrancisCorps
John Gallagher
800 N. Salina St.
Syracuse, N.Y. 13208
06_jgallagher@stagweb.fairfield.edu

Jocelyn Collen
800 N. Salina St.
Syracuse, N.Y. 13208
06_jcollen@stagweb.fairfield.edu

Jesuit Volunteer Corps.
Lori Boccuzzi
2160 Irving Ave.
San Diego, Calif. 92113
Lorib310@hotmail.com

Mike Hamilton
333 Spalding Rd
Wilmington, Del. 19803

Nicole Hill
135 North Herbert Avenue
Los Angeles, Calif. 90063

Mary Beth VinGelen
404 N. Naches
Yakima, Wash. 98901
Mary.vingelen@ynhs.org

Marshall University Teach in China Program
Shannon Cummings
Shanghai High School-Int'l Div.
400 Shangzhong Rd
Shanghai, China  200231

Mercy Works
Dominique Frio
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls
1140 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, Ill  60607
Dominique_frio@yahoo.com

PLACE Corps
Jessica Pramer
801 East Redondo Beach Blvd.
Compton, Calif. 90220

Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers (PACT)
Janelle Buckley
34 Kopernick St.
Indian Orchard, Mass. 01151
06_jbuckley@stagweb.fairfield.edu

Invitation to Italy!

President von Arx cordially invites you to the Fairfield University Florence Campus Library naming and concert.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

         5 p.m. Library naming ceremony

Friday, April 20, 2007

         5:45 p.m. Reception and Piano Concert
         "An American in Florence"
         Dr. Orin Grossman, Academic Vice President

Join President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. as we name the Bellarmino Library in honor of St. Roberto Bellarmino, S.J. (1542 -1621).

Come and enjoy the festivities with other graduates who have lived and studied in Firenze! We can assist you with hotel recommendations and travel suggestions.

R.s.v.p.: Jamie Mitchell by March 15, 2007, (203) 254-4332

Fairfield University's Online Community Continues to Grow!

• Approximately 2,000 members visit the site monthly

• More than 500 have posted Class Notes - many with photos

• 3,382 Fairfield Alumni Network (FAN) searches have been conducted since launch, with 1,424 FAN members now in the network

• Yellow Page listings are available for members to peruse - offering services from pet photography to elder care law

• A free Fairfield University mouse pad is sent to all members

Tell us about your favorite feature of the Online Community - e-mail community-comments@mail.fairfield.edu today. See you online!

TV time at The Stag

On Saturday, Dec. 2, the new television set for The Stag Snack Bar, donated by the Alumni Association, was unveiled and rededicated to the students of Fairfield University. Pictured (l-r):

Jim Fitzpatrick '70, assistant vice president of student services; George Lacovara '56, P'87, president, Alumni Association; Hutchinson Williams '08, FUSA president; Alumni Association Board of Directors members Paul Richards '71 and Eugene Devaney '80.

Photo by Colleen McGinn

Teddy bears with love

Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, area children in need enjoyed a brighter holiday season this year because of the 8th Annual Teddy Bears with Love drive co-sponsored by the Student Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations. Hundreds of new bears were donated and hand-delivered to local charities and community centers, bringing joy and many big "bear hugs" to children who needed them most at Christmas. One of our bears, donated by Renate Wilmot '85, came to us all the way from Alaska!

A special thank you to everyone at South School Elementary and the New Canaan Toy Store in New Canaan, Conn.; St. Anthony's Youth Group in NY; Brownie Troop 1474 in Davidsonville, MD; the NYU Cancer Center of Manhattan; Giving Through Grief; Lynn Ramando '03 and her students in NJ; Corpus Christi School student council in Wethersfield, Conn.; and everyone else who helped make our drive a huge success.

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