2025 Commencement
75th Commencement Week
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | Sunday, May 18, 2025, 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Timothy Shriver, PhD, Recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree
Honorary Recipient: Reverend John F. Baldovin, S.J.
Graduate Ceremony
Leo D. Mahoney Arena | Saturday, May 17, 2025, 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Cathy E. Minehan, Recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Honorary Recipient: Robin Bennett Kanarek ’96
Throwback Photos
2021 Alumni & Family Weekend
Class of 2025 Move-in Day
Class of 2025 Orientation
Senior Week 2025
I would remind you one last time... never forget, the world needs what you do. Fairfield is blessed to have an approach, a commitment to value-based, student-centric, outcomes-focused education, which calls us to be a model for others, to be a model of modern excellence, to be a model of the modern, Jesuit Catholic University. Members of the Class of 2025, as graduates, you are now stewards of this model.
— Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, in his closing remarks to the Class of 2025
Fairfield Celebrates Class of 2025 at 75th Commencement
Fairfield University celebrated 1,182 undergraduates, 473 graduate students, and 34 associate’s degree recipients at its 75th Commencement ceremonies.
Read the 75th Commencement Recap on FairfieldNewsFlickr Albums
View the Commencement Weekend 2025 Photos
75th Commencement Undergraduate Ceremony 2025 75th Commencement Graduate Ceremony 20252024 Commencement
74th Commencement Week
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Baccalaureate Mass
Sunday, May 19, 2024 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | Sunday, May 19, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree
Honorary Recipient: Patrick J. Waide
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, Recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Honorary Recipient: Carolyn M. Vermont
Throwback Photos
Class of 2024 Move-in Day
Everyone is a leader, and everyone is leading all the time. The measure of a leader's personal greatness is less what they found at journey's end and more the depth of human character that carried them along the way.
— Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, in his closing remarks to the Class of 2024
Fairfield University Celebrates 74th Commencement Ceremonies
Fairfield University celebrated 1,061 undergraduates, 529 graduate students, 55 doctorate recipients and 15 sixth-year certificate recipients, at its 74th Commencement ceremonies.
Read the 74th Commencement Recap on FairfieldNewsFlickr Albums
View the Commencement Weekend 2024 Photos
74th Commencement Undergraduate Ceremony 2024 74th Commencement Graduate Ceremony 20242023 Commencement
73rd Commencement Week
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | Sunday, May 21, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Marcela Orvañanos de Rovzar, recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Honorary Recipient: Mary Beth Powers
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | Saturday, May 20, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Geoffrey Canada, recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Honorary Recipient: Charles MacCormack, PhD
Throwback Photos
2019 Alumni & Family Weekend
Class of 2023 Move-in Day
Class of 2023 Orientation
Presidential Ball 2022
Class of 2023 Facebook Group
The official Fairfield University Class of 2023 Facebook Group.
Our work here...is to educate individuals to go set the world on fire. For we as a Jesuit Catholic institution are committed to universal truth and justice. We as a Jesuit Catholic university most humbly acknowledge that no one individual or collective owns this truth, or knows the path, and thus we commit above all else through faith to the fullness of truth.
— Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, in his closing remarks to the Class of 2023
Fairfield Celebrates Class of 2023 at 73rd Commencement
Fairfield University celebrated 1,171 undergraduates, 519 graduate students, 49 doctorate recipients and 20 sixth-year certificate recipients, at its 73rd Commencement ceremonies.
Read the 73rd Commencement Recap on FairfieldNewsFlickr Albums
View the Commencement Weekend 2023 Photos
73rd Commencement Undergraduate Ceremony 2023 73rd Commencement Graduate Ceremony 2023 2023 Commencement Weekend2022 Commencement
72nd Commencement Week
Saturday, May 21, 2021
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday, May 21, 2021 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | Sunday, May 22, 2022, 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Robert D. Manfred Jr., attorney and business executive
Honorary Recipient: Nicole Hockley
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | Saturday, May 21, 2022, 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Allison Joy Rivera, president of Saint Martin de Porres Academy, New Haven
Honorary Recipient: Carl F. Bailey Jr. ’75
Throwback Photos
Class of 2022 White Coat Ceremony
2018 Alumni Family Weekend
Class of 2022 Move-In
Class of 2022 Orientation
Class of 2022 Pep Rally
2021 Presidential Ball (Class of 2022)
Videos
Class of 2022 Facebook Group
The official Fairfield University Class of 2022 Facebook Group.
You will all have busy and successful lives. Please find room and time in those busy lives to positively affect the lives of others... Be generous with your wealth and try to help those who are less fortunate. At the end of the day, what you do for others is what really matters.
— Robert D. Manfred Jr., attorney and business executive, in his Commencement speech addressing the undergraduate class of 2022Flickr Albums
View the Commencement Weekend 2022 Photos
72nd Commencement Undergraduate Ceremony 2022 72nd Commencement Graduate Ceremony 2022 2022 Egan School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony2021 Commencement
71st Commencement Week
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Baccalaureate Mass
Sunday May 16, 2021 | 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Sunday May 23, 2021 | 11 a.m.
While we were not able to host our traditional Baccalaureate Mass this year, we are excited to host a 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mass on Sunday, May 16 as well as an 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 23 in celebration of all Class of 2021
graduates.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour
Student Commencement Speaker: Michelle Jasko '21
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Commencement Speaker: Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour
Throwback Photos
2017 Orientation
Alumni & Family Weekend 2017
Videos
Class of 2021 Facebook Group
The official Fairfield University Class of 2021 Facebook Group.
The main difference between those who succeed at their goals and those who don’t, is simply not giving up. Look around you. Those who keep going — who learn that lesson: that things won’t always go your way, but that can’t stop you — those are the ones who end up making a difference.
— Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, in her Commencement speech addressing the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2021Flickr Album
View the Undergraduate Class of 2021 Academic Celebrations Photos
View the Class of 2021 flickr Album2020 Commencement
70th Commencement Weekend
Saturday, May 22, 2020
Baccalaureate Mass
Sunday May 16, 2020 | 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Sunday May 23, 2020 | 11 a.m.
While we were not able to host our traditional Baccalaureate Mass this year, we are excited to host a 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mass on Sunday, May 16 as well as an 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 23 in celebration of all Class of 2020
graduates.
Undergraduate Ceremony
College of Arts & Sciences; Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies | Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Charles F. Dolan School of Business; School of Engineering | Bellarmine Lawn | 2 p.m.
Commencement Speaker: Mark. R. Nemec, PhD, Fairfield University's 9th President
Student Commencement Speaker: Teresa Ann Sauer '20
Graduate Ceremony
Virtual | 9:30 a.m.
Throwback Photos
2016 Orientation
Alumni & Family Weekend 2016
Videos
Class of 2020 Facebook Group
The official Fairfield University Class of 2020 Facebook Group.
About Our Class
The restoration of our global community depends on our drive and strength, even in the face of uncertainty and hardship.
— Teresa Ann Sauer '20, Student Commencement SpeakerFlickr Album
View the Undergraduate Class of 2020 Academic Celebrations Photos
View the Class of 2020 flickr Album2019 Commencement
69th Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 18, 2019 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Chris Lowney, co-founder of Jesuit Commons, and vice-chair of the board of CommonSpirit Health
Valedictory Speaker: Elisa Castelli ’19, Finance Major
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Billy Shore, founder of Share Our Strength and former Congressional appointee to the National Commission on Hunger
Bearing witness makes us complicit. What we’ve seen can’t be unseen—and we are left with a profound choice: do something or do nothing. [...] The time we’re allotted to solve problems is limited and precious. Don’t wait until the mortgage is paid, or until you get the promotion, or until it stops raining.
— Billy Shore, founder of Share Our Strength and former Congressional appointee to the National Commission on Hunger, in his keynote speech addressing the Graduate Class of 20192018 Commencement
68th Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 19, 2018 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Brother Guy Joseph Consolmagno, S.J., director of the Vatican Observatory and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation
Valedictory Speaker: Michael Harding ’18
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: John R. Mitchell, Chairman of Mitchell's stores
Videos
You are the instantiation of Fairfield's commitment to educate men and women for and with others in the pursuit of social justice and productive citizenship. Your education is ever relevant.
— Mark. R. Nemec, PhD, Fairfield University's 9th President2017 Commencement
65th Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 20, 2017 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Fairfield University President Emeritus Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Juanita James, President & CEO of Fairfield County's Community Foundation
Undergraduate Commencement Recording
Watch the Reording of CommencementGraduate Commencement Recording
Watch the Reording of CommencementVideos
President's Address
Dear Fairfield University degree candidates:
On Sunday, May 21, 2017, Fairfield University will hold its Commencement exercises. The ceremony for undergraduates will be at 9:30 a.m. and the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. - both ceremonies will be held on Bellarmine Lawn. For the University, this marks a milestone in that it will be the institution's 67th commencement. More importantly, for all of you, this is a moment to acknowledge years of hard work and sacrifice along with what has, hopefully, been a time of transformation.
This Commencement is an important ending and an exciting new beginning. Speaking on behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, I hope that your educational experience at Fairfield has led you to know yourself better and that you have developed a passion for lifelong learning. For it is only through that passion that you will continue to learn, question and analyze - all hallmarks of an individual who is especially equipped to contribute to the social and economic well-being of their communities and the world.
In addition to our Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 21, I invite you to join our community for the Baccalaureate Mass that will be held in Alumni Hall at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. Prior to Commencement weekend, look forward to a number of celebratory activities during Senior Week for our undergraduate students as well as special school-based events for both undergraduates and graduates that will offer opportunities to further engage with faculty and classmates prior to the next phase of your Fairfield experience when you become alumni of this special and distinctive institution.
As we move towards the middle of this academic year, I, as President, want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful accomplishments. All of us at Fairfield University look forward to celebrating with you this wonderful occasion.
Sincerely,
Seventy-five years ago [Fairfield University] was intended as a University for men... now, most of our students are women, and indeed, you have before you the first woman — and the first lay person — to have ever served in the Office of the President. It’s an exciting world, an evolving society that is creating whole new vistas of opportunity, and Fairfield graduates — now as ever — will find their place in it.
— Interim University President Lynn Babington, PhD, RN, in her speech addressing the 2017 Commencement ceremonies2016 Commencement
65th Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 21, 2016 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Cindi Bigelow, CEO of Bigelow Tea
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J., the principal and president of the Jesuit School of Theology and Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations in Nairobi, Kenya
Undergraduate Commencement Recording
Watch the Reording of CommencementGraduate Commencement Recording
Watch the Reording of CommencementVideos
President's Address
Dear Fairfield University degree candidates:
On Sunday, May 22, 2016, Fairfield University will hold its Commencement exercises. The ceremony for undergraduates will be at 9:30 a.m. and the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. - both ceremonies will be held on Bellarmine Lawn. For the University, this marks a milestone in that it will be the institution's 66th commencement. More importantly, for all of you, this is a moment to acknowledge years of hard work and sacrifice along with what has, hopefully, been a time of transformation.
This Commencement is an important ending and an exciting new beginning. Speaking on behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, I hope that your educational experience at Fairfield has led you to know yourself better and that you have developed a passion for lifelong learning. For it is only through that passion that you will continue to learn, question and analyze - all hallmarks of an individual who is especially equipped to contribute to the social and economic well-being of their communities and the world.
In addition to our Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 22, I invite you to join our community for the Baccalaureate Mass that will be held in Alumni Hall at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Prior to Commencement weekend, look forward to a number of celebratory activities during Senior Week for our undergraduate students as well as special school-based events for both undergraduates and graduates that will offer opportunities to further engage with faculty and classmates prior to the next phase of your Fairfield experience when you become alumni of this special and distinctive institution.
As we move towards the middle of this academic year, I, as President, want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful accomplishments. All of us at Fairfield University look forward to celebrating with you this wonderful occasion.
Sincerely,
We have asked you to discern that along with the privilege of education comes the obligation to be of service to those who need what you have to give. That is what a Jesuit education is all about. There is so much good work that needs to be done in the world. I have every confidence you will find your place in it.
— Rev. Jeffrey Von Arx, S.J., in his closing address of the Commencement ceremonies2015 Commencement
65th Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 16, 2015 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. James Martin, S.J.
Read Rev. Martin's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Margaret Siu ’15, Biochemistry Major
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Greg Boyle
Watch Rev. Boyle's SpeechUndergraduate Commencement Recording
Watch the Reording of CommencementGraduate Commencement Recording
Watch the Reording of CommencementAdvice to the Class of 2015
President's Address
Dear Fairfield University degree candidates:
On Sunday, May 17, 2015, Fairfield University will hold its Commencement exercises. The ceremony for undergraduates will be at 9:30 a.m. and the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. - both ceremonies will be held on Bellarmine Lawn. For the University, this marks a milestone in that it will be the institution's 65th commencement. More importantly, for all of you, this is a moment to acknowledge years of hard work and sacrifice along with what has, hopefully, been a time of transformation.
This Commencement is an important ending and an exciting new beginning. Speaking on behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, I hope that your educational experience at Fairfield has led you to know yourself better and that you have developed a passion for lifelong learning. For it is only through that passion that you will continue to learn, question and analyze - all hallmarks of an individual who is especially equipped to contribute to the social and economic well-being of their communities and the world.
In addition to our Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, I invite you to join our community for the Baccalaureate Mass that will be held in Alumni Hall at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. Prior to Commencement weekend, look forward to a number of celebratory activities during Senior Week for our undergraduate students as well as special school-based events for both undergraduates and graduates that will offer opportunities to further engage with faculty and classmates prior to the next phase of your Fairfield experience when you become alumni of this special and distinctive institution.
As we move towards the middle of this academic year, I, as President, want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful accomplishments. All of us at Fairfield University look forward to celebrating with you this wonderful occasion.
Sincerely,
2014 Commencement
64th Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 17, 2014 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Sharon M. K. Kugler, University Chaplain, Yale University
Valedictory Speaker: Kevin James Greener ’14, Physics Major
Graduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Mary Ann Christopher ’79, MSN, RN, FAAN, president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York
Valedictory Speaker: Paul Gerard Scheufele
President's Address
Dear Fairfield University degree candidates:
On Sunday, May 18, 2014, Fairfield University will hold its Commencement exercises. The ceremony for undergraduates will be at 9:30 a.m. and the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. - both ceremonies will be held on Bellarmine Lawn. For the University, this marks a milestone in that it will be the institution's 64th commencement. More importantly, for all of you, this is a moment to acknowledge years of hard work and sacrifice along with what has, hopefully, been a time of transformation.
This Commencement is an important ending and an exciting new beginning. Speaking on behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, I hope that your educational experience at Fairfield has led you to know yourself better and that you have developed a passion for lifelong learning. For it is only through that passion that you will continue to learn, question and analyze - all hallmarks of an individual who is especially equipped to contribute to the social and economic well-being of their communities and the world.
In addition to our Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 18, I invite you to join our community for the Baccalaureate Mass that will be held in Alumni Hall at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. Prior to Commencement weekend, look forward to a number of celebratory activities during Senior Week for our undergraduate students as well as special school-based events for both undergraduates and graduates that will offer opportunities to further engage with faculty and classmates prior to the next phase of your Fairfield experience when you become alumni of this special and distinctive institution.
As we move towards the middle of this academic year, I, as President, want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful accomplishments. All of us at Fairfield University look forward to celebrating with you this wonderful occasion.
Sincerely,
It wasn’t that I didn’t care to ask the big questions; it was that I didn’t have the time to explore the answers. The overwhelming question for me for the past 25 years was simple: How do I provide for my family the best way that I can? Now I was experiencing what it was like to think about Plato and Plotinus, Augustine, and Aquinas, with peers who were younger than my sons. Life in the classroom with smart young students was enriching – this time for the soul.
— Paul Gerard Scheufele, in his valedictory speech addressing the Graduate Class of 20142013 Commencement
63rd Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 18, 2013 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., president of Loyola University Chicago and the General Secretary for Higher Education for the Society of Jesus
Read Rev. Garanzini's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Kevin Reda ’13, Poltiics & International Studies Double Major
Read Kevin's SpeechGraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Patrick W. Kelley ’76, P’12, M.D., DrPH, director of the Boards of Global Health and African Science Academy Development at the U.S. National Academies
Read Patrick Kelley's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Erin Radocchia
Read Erin's SpeechPresident's Address
Dear Fairfield University degree candidates:
On Sunday, May 19, 2013, Fairfield University will hold its Commencement exercises. The ceremony for undergraduates will be at 9:30 a.m. and the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. - both ceremonies will be held on Bellarmine Lawn. For the University, this marks a milestone in that it will be the institution's 63rd commencement. More importantly, for all of you, this is a moment to acknowledge years of hard work and sacrifice along with what has, hopefully, been a time of transformation.
This Commencement is an important ending and an exciting new beginning. Speaking on behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, I hope that your educational experience at Fairfield has led you to know yourself better and that you have developed a passion for lifelong learning. For it is only through that passion that you will continue to learn, question and analyze - all hallmarks of an individual who is especially equipped to contribute to the social and economic well-being of their communities and the world.
In addition to our Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 19, I invite you to join our community for the Baccalaureate Mass that will be held in Alumni Hall at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. Prior to Commencement weekend, look forward to a number of celebratory activities during Senior Week for our undergraduate students as well as special school-based events for both undergraduates and graduates that will offer opportunities to further engage with faculty and classmates prior to the next phase of your Fairfield experience when you become alumni of this special and distinctive institution.
As we move towards the middle of this academic year, I, as President, want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful accomplishments. All of us at Fairfield University look forward to celebrating with you this wonderful occasion.
Sincerely,
The educated, especially at the professional level, like yourselves, are parties to a social contract. Empowered professionals, such as each of you, in recognition of their status, assume an obligation to use their position and capabilities to lead the creation of more equitable societies where health, education, security and opportunity are more accessible to all, where the treasury of the talents God has given to each of us, can be fully at the service of all of us.
— Patrick W. Kelley '76, P'12, M.D., DrPH, in his keynote speech addressing the Graduate Class of 20132012 Commencement
62nd Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 19, 2012 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Joseph P. Russoniello ’63
Read Joseph Russoniello's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Kekoa Taparra
Read Kekoa's SpeechGraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Graduate Speakers: Suzanne and Bob Wright
Read Suzanne and Bob's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Jenna Allegretto
Read Jenna Allegretto's SpeechPresident's Address
Dear Fairfield University degree candidates:
On Sunday, May 20, 2012, Fairfield University will hold its Commencement exercises. The ceremony for undergraduates will be at 9:30 a.m. and the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. - both ceremonies will be held on Bellarmine Lawn. For the University, this marks a milestone in that it will be the institution's 62nd commencement. More importantly, for all of you, this is a moment to acknowledge years of hard work and sacrifice along with what has, hopefully, been a time of transformation.
This Commencement is an important ending and an exciting new beginning. Speaking on behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, I hope that your educational experience at Fairfield has led you to know yourself better and that you have developed a passion for lifelong learning. For it is only through that passion that you will continue to learn, question and analyze - all hallmarks of an individual who is especially equipped to contribute to the social and economic well-being of their communities and the world.
In addition to our Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 20, I invite you to join our community for the Baccalaureate Mass that will be held in Alumni Hall at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. Prior to Commencement weekend, look forward to a number of celebratory activities during Senior Week for our undergraduate students as well as special school-based events for both undergraduates and graduates that will offer opportunities to further engage with faculty and classmates prior to the next phase of your Fairfield experience when you become alumni of this special and distinctive institution.
As we move towards the middle of this academic year, I, as President, want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful accomplishments. All of us at Fairfield University look forward to celebrating with you this wonderful occasion.
Sincerely,
2011 Commencement
61st Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 21, 2011 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Honorable Maryanne Trump Barry
Read Honorable Maryanne Trump Barry's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Stephen Bottari, Jr. ’11, Communication & Politics Double Major
Read Stephen's SpeechGraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Rear Admiral Brian P. Monahan
Read Admiral Monahan's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Jessica Viner ’11
Read Jessica's SpeechPresident's Address
Dear Fairfield University degree candidates:
On Sunday, May 22, 2011, Fairfield University will hold its Commencement exercises. The ceremony for undergraduates will be at 9:30 a.m. and the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. - both ceremonies will be held on Bellarmine Lawn. For the University, this marks a milestone in that it will be the institution's 61st commencement. More importantly, for all of you, this is a moment to acknowledge years of hard work and sacrifice along with what has, hopefully, been a time of transformation.
This Commencement is an important ending and an exciting new beginning. Speaking on behalf of our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, I hope that your educational experience at Fairfield has led you to know yourself better and that you have developed a passion for lifelong learning. For it is only through that passion that you will continue to learn, question and analyze - all hallmarks of an individual who is especially equipped to contribute to the social and economic well-being of their communities and the world.
In addition to our Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 20, I invite you to join our community for the Baccalaureate Mass that will be held in Alumni Hall at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. Prior to Commencement weekend, look forward to a number of celebratory activities during Senior Week for our undergraduate students as well as special school-based events for both undergraduates and graduates that will offer opportunities to further engage with faculty and classmates prior to the next phase of your Fairfield experience when you become alumni of this special and distinctive institution.
As we move towards the middle of this academic year, I, as President, want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful accomplishments. All of us at Fairfield University look forward to celebrating with you this wonderful occasion.
Sincerely,
2010 Commencement
60th Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 22, 2010 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Katherine N. Lapp ’78
Read Dr. Lapp's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Christopher Staysniak ’10
Read Christopher's SpeechGraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. James L. Abbruzzese ’74
Read Dr. Abbruzzese's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Beth Lambert
Read Beth's Speech2009 Commencement
65th Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Baccalaureate Mass
Saturday May 16, 2009 | 4 p.m.
All baccalaureate, master's and doctoral graduates and their families and friends are invited to join as part of the University community for the Baccalaureate Mass in Alumni Hall.
Undergraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 9:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Peter J. Pronovost, MD, PhD
Read Dr. Pronovost's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Colleen Michelle Gibson
Read Colleen's SpeechGraduate Ceremony
Bellarmine Lawn | 3 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mathy Mezey
Read Dr. Mezey's SpeechValedictory Speaker: Robert J. Morton, Jr.
Read Robert's SpeechPresident's Address
With the growth of Fairfield University as a comprehensive institution of higher education and the subsequent increase in the number of graduate programs and students, efforts are underway to find ways to acknowledge this important dimension of Fairfield's mission appropriately. Increasing the visibility of our graduate programs, as well as the talented faculty and students associated with them, is among those initiatives.
Indeed, our strategic vision has as one of its goals the Integration of Jesuit Values in Graduate and Professional Education. The initiatives we have developed as part of the implementation process have called for us to build a stronger graduate student community, broaden the reach of our graduate education in the region, and enhance the external visibility and presence of the graduate programs.
Considering this, and following a recommendation by the University's Commencement Committee, the University will enhance its commencement celebrations this year by holding a separate ceremony for graduate students. The undergraduate ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, May 17, followed by commencement exercises for our graduate programs at 3 p.m., also on Sunday, May 17.
As there are a number of celebratory events during senior week for our undergraduate students, there will be the opportunity of graduate students to engage with faculty and their classmates during special school-based receptions. Further details and implementation information about the change will be announced in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, it's appropriate to acknowledge that this additional ceremony confirms the success Fairfield University has experienced in recent years in achieving our strategic goals, and is a tribute to all the work that we have done as we continue to meet the graduate education needs of our region.
Sincerely,