Medway resident receives award for campus leadership | Press Releases

James Scholl, of Medway, was honored with the Fairfield University Alumni Association Student Achievement Award on April 16 for his exceptional dedication as a resident assistant at Fairfield University during his sophomore, junior, and senior years.

Scholl, who was named Resident Assistant of the Year in 2006, worked hard to create a welcoming environment for students. He made sure to remember each resident's birthday, and took the extra step of asking the students' parents and friends to send supportive letters. He then gave those letters to students during challenging weeks of the semester. He also encouraged residents to get involved with clubs and organizations on campus, and watched many shed their shyness and take on leadership roles.

Scholl's leadership skills and overall kindness made him a model for the students he supervises. His emphasis on building community embodies the Jesuit ideals valued at Fairfield University. In addition to being a resident assistant, Scholl also served as a Eucharistic Minister for the past three years, which he discovered further enhanced his experience of being part of a community.

Scholl said, "I try to abide by and live out the principles of a Jesuit education in the R.A. position and I think residents begin to understand them over time."

He will graduate in May with a degree in communication and a minor in English, and plans to enter graduate school to pursue a career in higher education or secondary education.