Kevin Donohue, of Scranton, was honored with a Fairfield University Alumni Association Student Achievement Award on April 16 for his dedication to Fairfield University's Students for Social Justice club, which he helped found. The award is presented annually to a senior whose commitment has resulted in their activity attaining a new level of achievement which would not have been possible without the student's participation.

Students for Social Justice aims to raise awareness about injustices and poverty in the United States and abroad. The organization has hosted a number of successful events, including the Students for Social Justice Day of Silence, held last December to raise awareness about the genocide occurring in Darfur. The club has conducted clothing drives, organized a Social Justice Bazaar, featuring socially responsible businesses, and hosted a fashion show with clothing made by people working under sound labor practices

Donohue said, "The experiences I have had at Fairfield and the breadth of my studies have given me a better perspective on justice in the world and on understanding it politically, historically and economically."

In addition to his work in the Students for Social Justice club, Donohue is also chapter president of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society. He was a Kairos Retreat leader and has been a resident assistant for three years. Donohue has participated in service trips to Appalachia and Duran, Ecuador while a Fairfield student, and also took part in the University's service-oriented Urban Plunge program in Bridgeport, Conn.

Donohue plans to work with a service volunteer organization and hopes to eventually start a socially responsible business.

Posted On: 05-09-2007 10:05 AM

Volume: 39 Number: 222