Media Contact: Susan Cipollaro, scipollaro@fairfield.edu, 203-254-4000 x2726

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (June 24, 2019)—Forty-two students from public, private, and parochial high schools throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties were honored by Fairfield University’s School of Engineering and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation at the 23rd annual STEM Awards Luncheon held at Fairfield University on Tuesday, June 4. 

The 11^th grade students were nominated by their respective principals and teachers for their excellence in the study of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math). In recognizing these exemplary scholars — tomorrow’s potential engineers, scientists, and start-up founders — the University hopes to inspire young people to study and pursue STEM careers.

In his opening remarks, Richard Heist, PhD, dean of the School of Engineering, described how the convergence of engineering with disciplines such as physics, biology, and data science has resulted in major technological and scientific advances. Dr. Heist told the students, “When the scientists and the engineers put their heads together, very interesting, useful, and important ‘service to humanity’ things happen.”

Dr. Heist was joined by Mr. Chris Speights, director of Systems Engineering at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Conn., to present the students with medals and certificates. In his keynote address, Speights described company founder Igor Sikorsky’s vision to use a helicopter’s vertical landing technology to save lives, and encouraged the young scholars in attendance to realize their potential to be the next generation’s leaders in heroic innovation. When it comes to medical, social, and environmental issues, he told them, “It’s not going to be the media or the politicians who solve the world’s challenges; it’s going to be the engineers.” 

The following students were award recipients at the 23^rd annual STEM Awards Luncheon at Fairfield University: 

Leslie Guerra of Stamford, Conn.(Academy of Info, Tech & Engineering), Phuc Tran Nguyen Do of Bridgeport, Conn. (Aerospace/Hydrospace Engr & Phy), Danielle Lee of Orange, Conn. (Amity Regional High School), Danielle DaSilva of Bethel, Conn. (Bethel High School), Madelyn Cardenas of Bridgeport, Conn. (Bridge Academy), Alejandro Ramos of Bridgeport, Conn. (Bridgeport International Academy), Shouri Akarapu of Norwalk, Conn. (Brien McMahon High School), Emily Torres of Bridgeport, Conn. (Bullard Havens Tech. High School), Colin Grib of Stratford, Conn. (Bunnell High School), Le (Louis) Cai of Derby, Conn. (Christian Heritage School), Faith Thomas of Danbury, Conn. (Danbury High School), Hudson Lazzara of Darien, Conn. (Darien High School), Kali Katz of Fairfield, Conn. (Fairfield Ludlowe High School), Kevin Miller of Fairfield, Conn. (Fairfield College Preparatory School), Philip Michael Hogan of Fairfield, Conn. (Fairfield Warde High School), Ethan Lior of Fairfield, Conn. (Greens Farms Academy), Tyler Fox of Cos Cob, Conn. (Greenwich High School), Marisa Shiland of Sherman, Conn. (Henry Abbott Voc. Tech.), Keelan Doherty of Danbury, Conn. (Immaculate High School), John Broadbin of Easton, Conn. (Information Tech & Software Engr), Zachary Shortt of Easton, Conn. (Joel Barlow High School), Arunika Shee of Milford, Conn. (Jonathan Law High School), Andre Jin of Milford, Conn. (Joseph A. Foran High School), Harry Amadeo of Wilton, Conn. (King School), Joshua Fuller of Bridgeport, Conn. (Kolbe-Cathedral High School), Raaga Subramanian of Ridgefield, Conn. (Lauralton Hall), Rebecca Young of Monroe, Conn. (Masuk High School), Jackson Hebner of Newtown, Conn. (Newtown High School), John Fassett of Norwalk, Conn. (Notre Dame High School), Ethan Feldman of Milford, Conn. (Platt Technical High School), Questin McQuilkin of Ridgefield, Conn. (Ridgefield High School), Valentina Grether of Riverside, Conn. (Sacred Heart Greenwich), Brian Dahdal of Shelton, Conn. (Shelton High School), Thomas Smith of Stratford, Conn. (St. Joseph High School), Charlie Effman of Westport, Conn. (Staples High School), Claire Noccioli of Stratford, Conn. (Stratford High School), Fiona Willette of Stamford, Conn. (Trinity Catholic High School), Cyrus Asgari of Trumbull, Conn. (Trumbull High School), Natalique Quesada Lopez of Ansonia, Conn. (Wilbur Cross High School), Riley Damiano of Patterson, N.Y. (Wooster School).

View photos of the June 4, 2019 STEM Awards Luncheon here. For more information about Fairfield University School of Engineering, visit www.fairfield.edu/soe.

Posted On: June 24, 2019

Volume: 51 Number: 108

Fairfield University is a modern Jesuit Catholic university rooted in one of the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. More than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe are pursuing degrees in the University’s five schools. Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values. The University is located on a stunning 200-acre campus on the scenic Connecticut coast just an hour from New York City.