Fairfield Now - Summer 2008

The 2008 Awards Dinner

Benefiting the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund

More than 500 alumni, parents, and guests gathered at New York's Grand Hyatt in April to celebrate the University's annual Awards Dinner, where three members of the Fairfield University community were honored for outstanding service, distinctive academic accomplishment, and professional achievement.

Graduating student Peter Otoki '08 spoke to guests about the impact his Fairfield education has had on his life.

(l-r) George Lacovara '56, P'87 (Alumni Association president), Steve Lessing '76, Carolyn Vermont '82, M.A.'84, Fr. von Arx, Philip Eliasoph, Nancy Altobello, and Doug Hammond. Carolyn Vermont received the Alumni Service Award for her service and volunteerism, as a former member of the University Board of Trustees and Trustees Advisory Council, and as a College Fair representative, offering career advice to multicultural students. Philip Eliasoph, Ph.D., professor of art history, was recognized with the Distinguished Faculty Award for founding Open VISIONS Forum, and for his outstanding contributions to the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Trustee Stephen M. Lessing received the Alumni Professional Achievement Award for his leadership and professional accomplishments as managing director, member of the firm's Executive Committee and head of Client Relationship Management at Lehman Brothers. Under the co-chairmanship of Nancy A. Altobello '80 and Douglas W. Hammond '86, the event raised a record-breaking $1.1 million in scholarship money for multicultural students.

Keynote speaker Geoffrey Canada (center, with Fairfield University students), the acclaimed president and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone in New York City, has a national reputation as an advocate and expert on issues concerning violence, children, and community redevelopment. "This event is about more than giving money," he said. "This is about what kind of nation we'll have... We must make sure the next generation knows how to think outside the box."

Students enjoyed the evening. (l-r) Erika Chaparro '11, Evelyn Saiter '11, Jacqueline Mylroie '09, along with Dr. Raymond Poincelot, professor of biology and associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Gardner, professor of psychology.	Fr. von Arx and keynote speaker, Geoffrey Canada.

Students: (l-r) Alex Lee '09, Frank Fraioli '08, Jessica Bromberg '08, and Michelle Holmberg '08.