As soon as Lilly Lashar '24 stepped foot onto Fairfield University’s North Benson campus, the Hingham, Massachusetts native had an “aha moment” in which she knew she wanted to a part of the community and its resources.

Lashar’s family connection to Fairfield University dates back to 1921, when the campus building we know today as Bellarmine Hall was originally built to serve as the residence of Mr. Walter B. Lashar, president of the American Chain and Cable Company, and his wife. The English-style manor boasted of 44 rooms and was initially named Hearthstone Hall, a nod to its numerous fireplaces. Following the economic downturn of the Depression era, ownership of the mansion transferred to the Town of Fairfield. In 1942, the New England Province of the Society of Jesus, which later evolved into Fairfield University, acquired Hearthstone Hall and its land. It was then that the property was renamed Bellarmine Hall.

Lilly Lashar, the great-great-granddaughter of the Hearthstone Hall Lashars, will honor her family's legacy as former proprietors of Bellarmine Hall when she graduates this weekend at the undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Bellarmine Lawn.

Reflecting on her transformative four-year journey at Fairfield University, Lashar emphasized the supportive relationships she has cultivated within the campus community. A finance major with a minor in marketing in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, Lashar said she thrives in environments that support her growth personally and professionally, such as the one she found here at Fairfield. This year, she was among the Dolan students named as inaugural Dolan School 30 under 30 awardees, in recognition of her "whole person achievements."

As a type one diabetic (T1D) and co-founder of The Lillylulu Foundation, Lashar is deeply committed to advancing research towards a cure for diabetes and advocating for those who lack access to adequate medical care. Despite grappling with significant challenges posed by T1D, she has emerged stronger, embracing her condition as a catalyst for positive change both within herself and in the lives of others. This resilience positions her as a valuable team player, poised for success in future endeavors. Following graduation, she will embark on her career journey with AEW Capital Management as a commercial real estate asset management analyst in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Reflecting on her experience, Lashar's favorite aspect of her four years at Fairfield is the people she has met. “I'm very fortunate; our friend group has kind of stayed together and grown since freshman year. They are my family. My friends, as well as my professors and all the deans will be in my life forever.”