Fairfield Awards Dinner

Benefiting Scholarships at Fairfield University

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 6 p.m.

Cipriani 42nd Street

Countdown to the Event

More than $2 million raised in 2025...

Generous Fairfield community members and corporate sponsors exceeded expectations and broke records, making the 2025 Fairfield Awards Dinner our most successful yet.

2025 Awards Dinner Photos

About

Since 1988, the Fairfield Awards Dinner has raised more than $24 million for scholarships to help students realize their full potential through a Fairfield education. The St. Ignatius Scholarship Fund and other scholarship support help bring together a uniquely gifted population of undergraduates, attracting exceptionally talented young scholars and supporting the creation of a student body that reflects our rise in national prominence. Furthermore, scholarships inspire our students to persist in their studies, embrace academic experience, and look toward the future with hope. These students are deeply grateful for the support of benefactors like you who believe in them. Your generosity fosters a sense of inspired motivation in our scholarship recipients. The Awards Dinner also honors the achievements and volunteer service of alumni, parents, faculty, and staff.
2025 Awards Dinner Committee

Co-Chairs

  • Trish Comey Preston ’80
  • Matthew C. Kramer ’96, P’28
    Ascot US Insurance

Committee

  • Jessica L. Baehr ’04, MBA’11
    Equitable
  • Corrine E. Baliga ’18
    J.P. Morgan
  • Nick M. Benaquista ’05
    MasterCard International
  • Robert Berchem, Esq. ’62, P’92
    Berchem Moses P.C.
  • Darryl Brackeen ’10
    J.P. Morgan
  • Robert Z. Brandy ’15
    Offit Kurman, P.A.
  • Chuck F. Burke, Jr. ’01
    Rockefeller Capital Management
  • Tom Clements ’09
    Meridian Risk Management
  • Xavier C. Cole ’20
    Lazard Asset Management LLC
  • Meaghan P. Conlon ’16, MFA’19
    BlackRock, Inc.
  • Alexandra Cordero ’19
    JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • John K. Courtmanche ’88
    Johns Hopkins University
  • Marc D'Angelillio ’06
    BNY Mellon Investment Wealth Management
  • Alexandra Delaney ’12
  • Luigi DiMeglio ’14
    Bloomberg
  • Michael Fazio ’96
    Qualtrics XM
  • Zoe T. Ferranti ’17
    The Knot Worldwide
  • Michelle Ferrara ’14
    Ernst & Young LLP
  • Jordan J. Freeman ’13
    Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, LLP
  • Cara M. Gibbons ’18
    Northwell Health
  • Michael S. Guarnieri ’84
  • Kevin Guinan ’95
    Chubb
  • Craig W. Hanrahan ’89
    Everest
  • Stephen Hollingsworth ’84, P’28
    Adele Financial Services
  • Adrienne Johnson-Dowling ’91, P’28
    Apollo Global Management
  • James P. Keenan ’11
    BNP Paribas Investment Partners
  • Brianna Korn ’17, MS’18
    CrossCountry Consulting
  • Tracy Lai MBA’11
    LYSTAR Group
  • Bryan L. LeClerc, Esq. ’84
    Berchem Moses P.C.
  • Andrew S. Leone ’17
    MLB
  • Anthony J. Luongo ’96, MBA’03, P’24
    Morgan Stanley
  • Scott M. Malone ’97
    Macquarie Capital
  • James McCullagh ’03
    Northwell Health
  • Trisha McCullagh ’03
    Trisha T. McCullagh LLC
  • Anif I. McDonald ’16
    Xaverian Brothers High School
  • Jennifer McMahon ’89, P’19,’13
  • Claretta S. Mills ’16
    Scouting America
  • John R. O’Neill ’71, P’08
    Long Ridge Road Partners, LLC
  • Dominic J. Paolino ’14
    Accenture
  • Taylor Pawson ’16, MS’17
    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  • John G. Phelan Jr. ’89, P’28
    Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
  • Claudele Pierre ’14, MS’16
    Batska Consulting Group
  • Melody Serafino ’05
    No. 29 Communications
  • Malu Siskind, P’27
    Goodwin Global Law Firm
  • John M. Sweeney ’94, P’27, P’29
    Brookfield Asset Management
  • Melanie Tinto, P’27
    Wex Inc.
  • Donald Wilson, P’26
    Intuitive Surgical
  • Karen Wilson P’26
    Los Altos School District
2025 Awards Dinner Emcee

Chris Miles ’03

With over 15 years of experience as a sports anchor, reporter and host, Miles has covered almost every major sporting event, including the Final Four, College Football National Championship, and multiple Super Bowls. Miles has worked in seven different markets, and has covered the full gamut of sports from Nascar to the PGA and (his personal favorites) the NBA & MLB. Currently he works in Atlanta as a host & play-by-play expert for NBA TV.

2025 Honorees

Alumni Professional Achievement Award

Joseph R. Bronson ’70

Read Honoree Bio Watch Honoree Video

Alumni Service Award

Adrienne Johnson-Dowling ’91, P’28

Read Honoree Bio Watch Honoree Video

Distinguished Faculty/Administrator Award

Dr. Joan L. Lee, P’19

Read Honoree Bio Watch Honoree Video

Family Leadership Award

The Butala and O’Keefe Families

Robert ’55 (Posthumous) and Maureen O’Keefe, P’84
Patrick and Karen (Occhipinti) O’Keefe ’84, P’15
Mary and John Butala, P’20
Joseph and Wendy O’Keefe, P’27

Read Family Bio Watch Video

Special Recognition

Jacqueline S. Kane ’87
Former Field Hockey Head Coach, Fairfield University

Read Bio Watch Honoree Video

Why Giving Matters

We create scholars and leaders. But mostly, we create change. At Fairfield University, we are driven by our Jesuit roots to act on needs greater than our own—to seek out opportunities, to make the world a better place, to put our plans into action. We are committed to providing each and every student with a strong, exemplary academic experience. We’re also committed to making this experience as accessible to as many bright, driven students as possible so they’ll have a better shot at making a real difference in the world. We hope you share this mission and that you’ll help us bring it to life. In fact, our vision is dependent on your generosity.

Give Today

2025 Awards Dinner Student Speaker

Mekaylia Ingram ’25
Watch Mekaylia’s Speech

About the St. Ignatius Scholarship Fund

To meet the growing demand for a Fairfield education, we are committed to expanding access and opportunities for talented, ambitious students from all backgrounds. This includes increased funding with a focus on first-generation students, and those with high financial need across broader geographies. These efforts enhance our community and reinforce our leadership in providing impactful and outcomes-focused educational opportunities.

1,000+

Scholarships Awarded

283

Distinct number of individuals have received this scholarship

Meet the Scholars

Donor Roll

We wish to thank the contributors for their generosity in making the 2025 Fairfield Awards Dinner a success.

2025 Awards Dinner Donor Roll

Magis

  • Kevin ’80 and Elaine Cannon, P’20
  • Doug ’86 and Patricia Hammond

Bellarmine

  • Frank Carroll ’89
  • William and Amy Curley ’83
  • Eastern Salt Company, Inc./Atlantic Salt Company, Inc.
  • Jennifer ’92 and Richard Piepszak

Leadership

  • Apollo Global Management
  • Maureen ’90 and Stephen Bujno
  • Joseph A. ’80 and Diana DiMenna
  • The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
  • John Giblin ’63
  • Brian ’80 and Laura Hull, P’13
  • Matthew ’96 and Emily ’95 Kramer, P’28
  • Gavin and Marybeth O’Connor ’88, P’24
  • Patricia (Comey) ’80 and John Preston

Partner

  • Accenture
  • Sheila Kearney Davidson ’83
  • Hugh Davis ’95 and Amy Baldwin
  • Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC
  • Robert F. and Maureen T. O'Keefe Foundation
  • John ’94 and Kristina ’96 Sweeney

Benefactor

  • 443 Technologies
  • ABM Industries Inc.
  • AON Reinsurance Solutions
  • Nancy ’80 and Joel Altobello
  • Aramark
  • Michael Archbold ’82
  • Arthur J. Gallagher Co.
  • AgroFresh
  • Ascot, U.S., The Ascot Group
  • Barnes & Noble College
  • Jason and Alexis Beckwith, P’23
  • Mark ’80 and Patti Beckwith
  • Joseph ’70 and Linda Bronson
  • Heather Bulk ’95
  • Centerbrook Architects & Planners LLC
  • Jorge ’89, MBA’06 and Victoria Chiluisa, P’21,’19
  • Chubb
  • Deloitte Services, LP
  • Chris ’93 and Catherine ’93, MBA ’07 Desmarais
  • Elsmere Education Inc.
  • Equitable
  • Ernst & Young LLP
  • Tom ’78 and Michele Fanning P’10,’06
  • John and Kara Gally ’00
  • Gilbane Building Company
  • John and Patti Glassford ’85
  • Kathleen ’03 and Brad Hay
  • Henkel
  • Horizon Kinetics
  • Adrienne Johnson-Dowling ’91, P’28 and Lee Dowling
  • Dagan ’99 and Lori Kasavana
  • Kohler Ronan, LLC
  • KPMG
  • Stephen ’76 and Sandra Lessing
  • Clinton ’88 and Teresa Lewis
  • Lockton Reinsurance
  • Macquarie Capital
  • Scott Malone
  • Mastercard
  • Chris McCabe
  • Meridian Risk Management, Inc.
  • Phil and Liz Neugebauer ’91
  • Newman Architects LLC
  • John ’71 and Kathy O'Neill P’08
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  • Chrisopher ’79 and Ann Quick
  • Seward & Kissel LLP

Donors

  • Leigh Aberbach Lignowski ’92, P’29, ’26
  • Maria Alfonso ’85
  • Stephen ’81 and Jenna Allegretto ’11, MS’12
  • Antony Amarante ’80
  • Michael Ambrosio ’08
  • Michelle Armstrong ’07
  • Jeffrey Augustine
  • Joseph Avallone ’10
  • Jessica L. Baehr ’04, MBA’11
  • Corrine Baliga ’18
  • Cassandra Ballard - Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
  • Kaadiana Barnes-Padilla ’17
  • Kevin Barry ’74
  • BDO
  • Alexander Beckwith ’23
  • Deirdre Bennett ’83, MBA’23, P’17
  • Mike ’82 and Wendy Bentivegna
  • John Berardino ’85
  • Allison Berger Davis
  • Edward Bernacki ’63
  • Bennett Boccuzzi ’79
  • Robert Boyny ’16
  • Darryl Brackeen ’10
  • Devon Brady ’01
  • Robert Brandy ’15
  • Dorothea Brennan, MA’81
  • Michael Brown ’03, MBA’04
  • Susan Brown Galvao ’90
  • Charles F. Burke, Jr. ’01 and Jonathan Stark ’03
  • Madeline Butler ’75
  • Sean Byrne ’84
  • Julie Callhan ’94
  • Eric and Stacie Campbell, P’24
  • Brooke Cantone ’10
  • Jenna Cardone ’97
  • Carlton Fields
  • Eileen Carty ’97
  • Paul Caster
  • Griffin Caulfield ’24
  • J. Paul Caulfield ’96
  • Charles F. Dolan School of Business
  • Brian Chiolan
  • Brett Ciarlo ’89, P’26
  • Thomas Clements ’09
  • Xavier Cole ’20
  • College of Arts and Science
  • Richard Comings ’66
  • Meaghan Conlon ’16
  • Daria and Matt Connolly, P’27, ’25
  • Alexandra Cordero ’19
  • John Courtmanche ’88
  • John and Karen Coyle, P’26
  • Sheila Cummings ’92
  • Faith Daley ’18
  • Kathleen Dana-Goldberg ’91
  • Marc D'Angelillio ’06
  • Diane and Steven Danza, P’26
  • Alexandra Delaney ’12
  • Joseph Delaney ’03, MBA’04
  • Margaret Delaney ’90
  • John Della Jacono ’84
  • Joseph DeMarzo ’05
  • Anissa ’90 and Steve ’89 DeMatteo
  • Geri Derbyshire
  • Ian Diaz ’13
  • Kara Diffley ’97
  • Luigi DiMeglio ’14 and Shannon Gilroy ’14
  • Ryan Doheny ’12, MS’13
  • Eugene Doris
  • Callie Dunbar ’28
  • James and Elyse Dunbar ’99, P’28
  • James Dunn ’86, P’18, ’16
  • Philip and Yael Eliasoph
  • Joseph and Bonnie Enriquez, P’25
  • Enterprise Mobility Foundation
  • James Eustace ’85
  • Lauren Exnicios ’01
  • Paul Fama
  • Peter Fay ’87
  • Zoe Ferranti ’17
  • Michelle Ferrara ’14
  • Jaime Feurtes ’88, MS’90
  • Michael Fitzgerald ’89, P’24
  • Steven Flanagan ’84
  • Jordan Freeman ’13
  • Friends of Fairfield Rugby
  • Gallagher Re
  • Laura Garcia ’15
  • Carolyn Garibaldi, P’23
  • Patricia Garry ’81
  • Michael ’89 and Bernadette Garvey, P’25, ’23
  • Cara Gibbons ’18
  • Daniel Giroux ’04
  • Morgan Glasebrook
  • Hrvoje Glavan ’15
  • John Gramins ’95
  • Mikaylah Grant
  • Michael Guarnieri ’84
  • Marcy Haley
  • Kaitlyn Hanley ’21, MS’22
  • Ed Hardy
  • Joel Heller ’90
  • T. Bradley Hemingway ’95
  • John Henschel ’76, P’10
  • Christopher ’00 and Julie Hillock
  • Paul ’72 and Tiffany Hoffman
  • Stephen Hollingsworth ’84
  • Interstate Waste Services
  • Anna Jenner ’95
  • Charles Johnson ’90, P’28,’25
  • James and Sarah Keenan ’11
  • Padraic ’90 and Robyn ’91 Kelly
  • Vidhya and Rob Kelly, P’28
  • Erin Kent Fink ’93
  • Kristiane Kinahan ’00
  • Brianna Korn ’17, MS’18
  • Andrea Kovacs
  • Elizabeth Kramer Spencer
  • Mark ’11, MS’12 and Kimberly ’06, MBA’16 Kremheller
  • Robert and Clare Kretzman
  • Kevin Kryzwick ’21
  • Frank Kurr
  • Tracy Lai, MBA ’11
  • Marin Lane ’16
  • Timothy & Rosaleen Lane ’85, P’24, ’16
  • Christopher and Lisa Lawler, P’26
  • Joan Lee, P’19
  • Andrew Leone ’17
  • Andrew and May Leone, P’17
  • Matthew ’08 and Kelly ’07 Lepley
  • Andrew Liggio ’91
  • Littler Mendelson PC
  • Michael Loughlin - Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
  • Charles & Denise Luccarelli, P’26
  • Anthony Luongo ’96, MBA’03, P’24
  • Timothy Lynes ’81 and Joan Morningstar
  • Sue and Mike Lyngaas
  • Tricia McCann ’83
  • James and Trisha McCullah ’03
  • Anif McDonald ’16
  • Robert McDonnell ’08
  • Susan McGinley ’95, P’25
  • Brian McGovern P’25
  • Megan McGuire ’13
  • William McIntosh ’92
  • Matthew McLaughlin ’89, P’25
  • Kevin ’91 and Mary Ellen ’86 McMahon
  • John McNally ’77, P’07
  • Paul Menzel, P’26
  • Nicholas Mercadante ’04
  • Kristin Meyer
  • Samantha Militar - Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
  • Rob ’90 and Darlene ’92 Millard
  • Claretta Mills ’16
  • Madeline Minerly, P’08
  • Modern Mechanical Systems, Inc.
  • Elizabeth Melius ’84
  • Greg ’74 and Deirdre Montefiore
  • Danielle Moore ’03
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Elner ’81, MFA’18 and Randy Morrell, P’03
  • Robert Murphy ’71
  • Frank Novak - Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
  • Kevin Neubauer ’05
  • Ryan Neubauer ’07, MS’08
  • New England Television LLC
  • NWN Carousel
  • Kathleen Nyarady-Clymer ’01
  • Michael O'Malley ’94
  • Padraic ’90 and Robyn ’91 Kelly
  • Gabriel Pamich ’17
  • Dominic Paolino ’14
  • Andreas Papadatos ’91 and Brenda Thickett
  • Taylor Pawson ’16, MS’17
  • Pamela Ann Pepitone ’92
  • Calvin Peters ’21
  • Chris and Christine Peters ’89, P’21
  • Avery Phelan ’27
  • John Phelan, Jr. ’89, P’27
  • Claudele Pierre ’14, MS’16
  • Suzanne Quinn Craig ’91
  • William ’10 and Stephanie Rafferty
  • Megan Rajski
  • Connor Reardon ’23
  • Kevin Reda ’13
  • Rickes Associates
  • Risk Strategies Company
  • Marion and Thomas Rohrs
  • Nancy Rosado, MA’22
  • Andrea Rossiter ’00
  • James and Teresa Ruddy, P’24
  • Dylan Ruddy ’24
  • Cindy and Carl Russo, P’18,’15
  • Mark Ryan ’85, P’22
  • Marc ’94, and Kathleen Salerno, P’28,’26
  • Rev. Christopher Samele ’72, MA’74
  • Francesca and Christopher Santomero, P’26
  • Michael Santora, MS’06
  • Frances Scandariato
  • James Schmidlein ’13
  • School of Engineering & Computing
  • Marlene Schneider, P’16
  • Shannon Schoonbeek ’08
  • Michael Schwartz ’98
  • Thomas Sciametta ’96
  • Elizabeth ’97 and John ’94 Scroope, P’26
  • Beth Ann Semeraro ’02
  • Melody Serafino ’05
  • Randi Singer
  • Brian and Emma Stroop
  • Shadow Transport, Inc.
  • Rita Sherwood, P’10
  • Malu and Neal Siskind P’27
  • Patricia Sisney ’84
  • Diana Smith ’22
  • Megan Smith ’98
  • Stamford Office Furniture
  • Christopher Steger ’92
  • Jonathan Tan
  • Ruth Teague
  • The Siegfried Group
  • Carly Thibault-Dudonis
  • TIAA
  • Cooper Tinto ’27 and Claire Brady ’27
  • Melanie and Michael Tinto P’27
  • Cooper Tinto ’27 and Claire Brady ’27
  • Bill Tommins, P’18, President, Southern CT, Bank of America
  • Donald Tran
  • Colleen Tycz ’04
  • United Security, Inc.
  • Jeff Velleca
  • Gagan Virk’08, MS’12
  • Dorothy Vittner
  • Patrick Waide ’59
  • Matthieu Waldemar ’20
  • Drew Walter
  • Matthew Walters ’11
  • Lea Welch ’99
  • Thomas White ’84
  • The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
  • Donald and Karen Wilson P’26
  • Jacqueline Yerina ’14, MBA’18

About the Venue

For the third time, Fairfield University will be hosting the Fairfield Awards Dinner at the historic Cipriani 42nd St. Conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan, this Italian Renaissance inspired masterpiece showcases towering marble columns, soaring ceilings, magnificent inlaid floors and glorious chandeliers.

Learn More About the Venue

2025 Awards Dinner Sponsors

2025 Tickets and Sponsorship