Fairfield Announces 2020 Student Achievement Award Winners

Fairfield Announces 2020 Student Achievement Award Winners

Stag Statue at Fairfield University

Seven Fairfield University undergraduates have been recognized for leadership and outstanding achievements.

I didn't know the profound effect Fairfield University would have on me and just how much my life would be changed for the better when I first stepped on campus four years ago. Fairfield has gifted me so many important people, and provided so many opportunities for personal and professional growth.

— Courtney Krechel '20

Each year, Fairfield University recognizes a select number of seniors with Student Achievement Awards, for both academic and service-related accomplishments, highlighting the students' contributions to excellence, engagement, and the Ignatian tradition. 

Courtney Krechel ’20 has been announced as this year's recipient of the prestigious undergraduate St. Ignatius Loyola Medal for committing herself over the last four years to the Jesuit education ideals of maintaining high academic standards and substantial involvement in community service and extracurricular activities. She was recognized as a senior who has maximized opportunities for emotional, social, and intellectual growth throughout her undergraduate career, and who truly exemplifies the spirit of a Catholic, Jesuit education.

"I didn't know the profound effect Fairfield University would have on me and just how much my life would be changed for the better when I first stepped on campus four years ago. Fairfield has gifted me so many important people, and provided so many opportunities for personal and professional growth,” said Krechel. “Drawing on the Jesuit values has become part of my daily routine and I believe that the Loyola Medal will serve as a reminder to continue to do so throughout my life. I will soon be a Jesuit-educated nurse and plan on serving as a 'woman for others,' which is something I learned how to do from the example of the incredible nursing faculty of the Egan School and my admirable peers. I am truly humbled to receive this award and so proud to be a future graduate of Fairfield University." 

Krechel, a nursing major and peace and social justice studies minor, has a full résumé of accomplishments, including inductions into Alpha Sigma Nu and Sigma Theta Tau. She is a Magis scholar, a new student leader, a Eucharist minister, a senior mentor and office assistant at the Dean of Students office, a house manager for Theatre Fairfield, and a member of the Lord’s Chords. She volunteered for immersion trips in Kentucky and New Mexico, and served as a Eucharist minister at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Of Krechel, a nominator said, “In the 20 years I have worked at the University, I have not met another student who has made more of an impression than Courtney Krechel. She exemplifies our Jesuit values in all that she does.”

The William J. Kramer ’60 Humanitarian Award will be awarded to Christina Bogacz ’20 for her “commitment to volunteerism and service to an external community activity that best exemplifies the Ignatian tradition of being men and women for and with others.” As a student at Fairfield, Bogacz organized a drama club at the community center of the PT Barnum Apartments housing complex in Bridgeport, Conn. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, a co-leader of the Lord’s Chords, and has served as a community-engaged learning associate and Residential College mentor. During her time abroad in Florence, Italy, she volunteered in a second-grade classroom. In addition, she served as a volunteer for the South Dakota service trip and is an operations intern for Simply Smiles.

“She embodies the Jesuit mission of our University through her compassion, service, humility, resiliency, and leadership as an SLA, activist-scholar, future educator, and citizen of the world. She gives meaning to Fairfield University’s commitment to truth and justice, and its obligation to serve the wider community,” said her nominator. 

Five students will receive the Student Achievement Award for exceptional dedication to, enhancement of, and/or creation of a specific Fairfield University program, activity, organization, or project, which has had a significant and positive impact on the larger Fairfield University campus community. They are:

Shawn Hall ’20, a mechanical engineering major, won for his contributions in recruitment, involvement, and retention of diverse students. During his time at Fairfield, Hall co-founded and was president of the National Society for Black Engineers, was a tour guide ambassador, played club basketball, and served as vice president and president of the Black Student Union. He completed internships at Comcast, Delaware Investment, and ITS.

Pablo Idrovo ’20, an economics and international studies major, won for being a true “person for others.” At Fairfield, Idrovo was a Newman Civic Fellow, new student leader, resident assistant, research assistant for the Green Village initiative, SALSA president, lector, choir member, and immersion trip volunteer. He is a member of Sigma Iota Rho and Omicron Delta Epsilon. He also served as a college access program facilitator for Connecticut Students for a Dream, a youth services intern for the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, and was a paralegal for a local immigration law office.

Domenick Laperuta ’20, an accounting and management double major, received a Student Achievement Award for his contributions to Residence Life, particularly for establishing the Resident Assistant/Commuter Assistant Council (RACC). During his time at Fairfield, he served as president of RACC, was a senior resident assistant, and interned at KPMG's Metro New York audit practice. He was also the recipient of this year's Alumni Multicultural Scholarship and has served as the fundraising chair of Fairfield University's chapter of Be the Match.

Claire Monahan ’20, a politics major, won for her contributions to FUSA and the University community. She is a Magis scholar and a member of the Honors Program and Alpha Sigma Nu. Monahan served as the 2019-20 FUSA student body president, 2018-19 chief justice of FUSA Court, 2017-18 associate chief justice of FUSA Court, and executive editor of The Fairfield Mirror. She was also a research assistant for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and a research associate for St. Vincent Hospital's Emergency Department.

Fallon Sullivan ’20, a visual and performing arts/theatre major, won for her contributions to Theatre Fairfield. Sullivan has performed in many campus theatre productions, and served as a dramaturgy production intern, an interfaith peer leader, a new student leader, and a Fairfield Challenge leader.

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