Campaign for Fairfield University raises $137.9 million

September 20, 2004

Fairfield University today announced that its capital campaign publicly launched four years ago, "Our Promise: The Campaign for Fairfield University," has raised a record $137.9 million. Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., who became president on July 1, commended his predecessor, Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., for "his leadership and inspiration that led the University to launch such a major fundraising effort; and his vision and tireless efforts that brought it to fruition." The $137.9 million surpasses the campaign's original goal of $100 million by nearly $38 million. Midway through the campaign, Fairfield announced it was raising its sights to a $125 million goal and still managed to surpass the revised goal by more than 10 percent.

Speaking to a gathering of students, employees and media in the John A. Barone Campus Center, Fr. von Arx said the campaign, combined with revenues from recent tax exempt bond issues, had "changed the face of Fairfield." Leading the gathering on an imaginary tour of the campus, he listed the seven buildings that have either been constructed completely or received major additions and renovations. Altogether over 347,100 square feet have been added to campus facilities. The seven buildings are:

From the $137.9 million pledged in the campaign, $68 million has been designated toward the University's endowment. An additional $31 million helped enhance, build and renovate campus facilities and nearly $39 million supports existing operations and academic programs.

Several academic chairs have been announced and additional chairs in the Dolan School of Business, funded by a gift of Charles and Helen Dolan, are pending, as part of the campaign endowment. The four new chairs that have been established throughout the campaign are the: Stephen and Camille Schramm Chair in Information Systems and Operations Management, Gerald M. Levin Chair in Finance, and the Rev. Thomas R. Fitzgerald, S.J. Chair in Marketing, all in the Dolan School of Business; and the Roger M. Lynch Chair in Economics, in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Fr. von Arx said the successful campaign was possible through "the incredible generosity and leadership of our trustees, alumni, parents and friends, who contributed across a wide range of gift levels." He also made a point of thanking the entire university community. "Most people who decide to contribute to our university do so because they or their children - or children of family or friends - have had a good educational experience here. That is a tribute to the time and energy and commitment expended by everyone on campus to Fairfield's mission."

Vol. 37, No. 59

Fairfield University is a comprehensive Jesuit university that prepares undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world. In their 2005 editions, U.S.News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" ranks Fairfield third among universities with master's programs in the North and The Princeton Review names Fairfield one of the nation's 77 "best value" undergraduate institutions in "America's Best Value Colleges." Approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 37 states, 43 countries, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are enrolled in the University's six schools. The University was founded in 1942 in the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, Connecticut.