Fairfield Now - Fall 2009
Commencement 2009

By Meg McCaffrey

For the first time in its history, Fairfield University held separate 59th Commencement exercises on May 17 for undergraduate seniors and graduate students.

Dr. Peter Pronovost '87 gave the Commencement address to the 2009 undergraduates.	Grad Ed student, Gislene Maria Alves De Santanna takes a photo of the platform party as she processes in with her class.

Speaking at the undergraduate ceremony in the morning was Dr. Peter J. Pronovost, a native of Waterbury, Conn., and a 1987 graduate of Fairfield University who was awarded a MacArthur "genius" grant this year for creating a checklist system for critical care teams that has resulted in thousands of lives saved each year.

Fr. von Arx gives the Bellarmine Medal to Noah Benjamin '09.	Business graduates tossed their hats in the air after they received their diplomas.

A critical care physician at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, his protocols have been adopted by several states and the United Kingdom and Spain. The University conferred on Dr. Pronovost an honorary Doctor of Science degree. He told the 940 graduates: "You are entering a world in the throes of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, a world with conflicted values and responsibilities. You are entering a world that hungers for great leadership."

Fr. von Arx, the Rev. Thomas Regan, S.J., Dr. Peter Pronovost '87, and Dr. Glen Sauer before Commencement.	At the afternoon graduate ceremony, Nina Riccio is all smiles as she receives her Masters in American Studies.

Among the many outstanding graduates of Fairfield's graduate programs to receive degrees in the afternoon was the inaugural class of the Fairfield University School of Nursing and the Bridgeport Hospital Nurse Anesthesia Program. This select group began the program in January of 2007, all with critical care experience in nursing from top hospitals throughout the country. It is the only nurse anesthesia program in Connecticut to offer the Master of Science in Nursing to its students. Speaking at the graduate student ceremony was Mathy Mezey, Ed.D., RN, FAAN, a leader in geriatric care whose career has been dedicated to improving healthcare for older adults.

Dr. Jocelyn Boryczka hugs one of her students, Connie Gibilaro '09.	Graduate Commencement speaker, Dr. Mathy Mezey, receives her hood and honorary degree from Fr. von Arx with assistance from Academic Vice President Orin Grossman.

Dr. Mezey, director of The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing in the New York University College of Nursing, encouraged the 358 graduates to live lives fulfilled by community service. "You have been fortunate to experience the nearly 500-year Jesuit vision of not only integrating the intellectual and spiritual, but also of the awareness that academic achievement brings with it a responsibility to serve," she said.