Timothy G. Dee, of Pembroke, Mass., was honored with the Saint Ignatius Loyola Medal at Fairfield University's 58th Commencement Ceremony for his outstanding commitment and service to the University.

Instituted in 1952, the Saint Ignatius Loyola Medal is presented annually by the Fairfield University Alumni Association to the senior who best exemplifies the true spirit of a Jesuit education and who best maximized opportunities for emotional, social and intellectual growth throughout his or her four years at Fairfield. The individual chosen for the award also has shown a commitment to the Jesuit ideals of maintaining high academic standards and involvement in community service and extracurricular activities.

Dee, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a minor in accounting, has lived the Jesuit ideal of men and women for others through service. He will continue his service in Jesuit education by working as a math teacher at Boston College High School, his alma mater, and he hopes to one day be a school administrator or principal. "What attracted me so much to work there is that it is a Jesuit school. I look forward to serving as a mentor to students and being a living role model of Jesuit values."

During his time at Fairfield, Dee dedicated himself to help others. He was involved in Campus Ministry, the First Year Experience, and the Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA), among other University organizations. He said, "Fairfield helped me develop as a person. The Jesuit ideal of educating the whole person is something I always will value. Giving back are words to live by."

Dee was an Arrupe Mission Volunteer on mission trips that brought groups of Fairfield students to Jamaica during winter break to help people in need. As part of his involvement in the First Year Experience, Dee was a mentor to incoming freshmen in the University's classes of 2009, 2010, and 2011. The position involved organizing icebreaker activities and social activities, and presenting informational sessions concerning adapting to college life, health, sexual abuse, alcohol, and exercise.

He felt drawn to the University's Campus Ministry, which strives to be a home for students of all faith traditions who are interested in exploring and enriching their spiritual lives and those of others. He was named Eucharistic Minister Coordinator in 2005, and served as a Eucharistic Minister co-leader for 2007-08. He was director of the Kairos XI Retreat and retreat leader of the Kairos VI Retreat, unique and sometimes life-changing opportunities for students to get to know themselves, their fellow students, and their God on a deeper level. From 2005 to 2006, he was a resident of Ignatian Residential College, which is designed to help sophomore students living in a unique residential and academic setting learn more about themselves and about their particular calling in life.

Dee put the lessons learned in his math and accounting classes to good use as FUSA's secretary of treasury. His responsibilities included planning, implementing and managing a $263,500 budget for the previous two academic years. He also was a very familiar face in the Barone Campus Center through his work as the building manager/office assistant in the University's Office of Student Activities and Facilities and as Senior Week committee chairman.

Dee is the son of Carol and Gregory Dee.

Posted On: 06-11-2008 10:06 AM

Volume: 40 Number: 284