| Fairfield University |
Article Index for Fairfield University |
Website Links For Fairfield University |
Information AboutFairfield University |
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level university located in , The Charles F. Dolan School Of Business , The School Of Engineering , The School Of Nursing , The Graduate School Of Education And Allied Professions , and The University College . In total, the student body hails from 34 states, 45 countries, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In July 2004, the Rev. Jeffrey P. Von Arx , S.J. became the eighth Jesuit President of Fairfield University succeeding the Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley , S.J., the longest tenured and most accomplished President. HISTORY - 1st President]] Fairfield University was founded in 1942 by Society Of Jesus when the Jesuits acquired the two contiguous estates of the Jennings and Lashar families and the Rev. James H. Dolan, S.J. , the Provincial Superior of the New England Jesuit Province appointed the Rev. John J. McEleney, S.J. the first President of the Fairfield University of Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J. and Vicar of the Fairfield College Preparatory School . In 1944, the Rev. James H. Dolan, S.J. became the second President. During his tenure, Fairfield University was chartered by the State of Connecticut to grant degrees in 1945; the first class of 303 male students was admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences in 1947; the College of Arts and Sciences was accredited by the State of Connecticut and the first summer session of undergraduate courses was held in 1949. If these Stones Could Speak A detailed account of the history of Fairfield University was written by the late Rev. Joseph MacDonnell, S.J. in his book entitled If these Stones Could Speak. Excerpts of this account can be found on his website beginning with Fairfield University's Ur-History. The Jesuits in Fairfield A brief history of The Jesuits in Fairfield can be found on The Fairfield Jesuit Community website. CAMPUS Fairfield University is situated on a pastoral campus offering scenic views of Long Island Sound and all the amenities of a major, comprehensive university in a setting of rolling hills, sprawling lawns, picturesque ponds, and bucolic wooded areas-a setting ideal for education. Today, Fairfield's 200 acre campus consists of 35 buildings anchored by the three manor homes of the original estates: Bellarmine Hall (1921), formerly the Lashar's 'Hearthstone Hall', re-named to honor Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J, ; McAuliffe Hall (1896), originally O.G. Jennings' 'Mailands', re-named for Bishop Maurice F. McAuliffe , who sanctioned the creation of Fairfield University; and David J. Dolan House, Lawrence Jenning's 'Larribee', dedicated to honor the uncle of Charles F. Dolan who made the 1989 acquisition of Dolan Campus possible. Buildings Names Along with Bellarmine Hall, named in honor of Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J, , many of the buildings on the campus of Fairfield University are named in honor of Jesuit priests. Behind each building name is a story of a Jesuit priest who was an exemplar of the Jesuit mission and their pursuit of educational and intellectual contributions, human rights and social justice.http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/fu/deadjes.htm See Also: List of Fairfield University buildings Town of Fairfield Money Magazine rated the Town Of Fairfield a Top Ten Best Place to Live in 2006 recognizing the great beaches along the scenic shoreline of Long Island Sound and the vibrant downtown area which are located just 5 minutes from campus. The University runs a shuttle between campus and downtown where students can catch a dinner and a Movie or a Metro-North Train bound for Grand Central Station in New York City . SEAL OF THE UNIVERSITY Fairfield's seal combines elements of its several traditions. The gold pinecones come from the coat of arms of the family of Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J. , for whom the University was originally named. Superimposed on the cones is the badge of the Society Of Jesus - the letters IHS surmounted by the cross and surrounded by the instruments of Christ's passion - to indicate that the University is in the care of members of the same religious family. There are three compartments in the upper portion of the shield, because "the school is dedicated and exists in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit." The central compartment portrays a hart crossing a ford, a part of the coat of arms of the Diocese Of Hartford , whose boundaries encompassed the Town Of Fairfield , when the University was founded. Finally, the two outer compartments show clusters of grapes, charges taken from the town seal and symbolic of the fertility of the verdant fields of the Town and County of Fairfield. When the University was founded in 1942, the official name of the University was "Fairfield University of St. Robert Bellarmine". Three of the original seals with this name still exist on campus - in the main lobby of Alumni Hall, on the exterior of the Barone Campus Center, and on the glass front of Regis Hall facing the Quad. CATHOLIC AND JESUIT IDENTITY Fairfield is first and foremost a Catholic and Jesuit University Fairfield University's Roman Catholic and Jesuit tradition and history reach back nearly 500 years to the life, teachings and insights of Saint Ignatius Of Loyola (1491-1556). As one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, Fairfield belongs to an elite group that continues Ignatius' dedication to developing the whole person. Fairfield's nurturing environment invites students of all traditions to a maturing of faith, self knowledge, respect for the dignity of themselves and others, a devotion to justice, a commitment to serving the poor, and a passion for truth, reflection, and lifelong learning. Characteristics of Jesuit Higher Education
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS See Also: Fairfield University - Academic Programs Fairfield's Jesuit ethos trains students in scholarship; prepares students for leadership; encourages students to engage in service projects; and develops students with strong social concerns for the common good. Fairfield University is an intellectual, social, spiritual, and cultural destination of choice for students and faculty from a rich diversity of backgrounds. Everyone in the University commits to excellence in educating, serving, inspiring and training students in various disciplines and fields. Fairfield University offers 33 undergraduate majors and 30 graduate degree programs, as well as more than 350 credit and 250 non-credit courses in University College. The Fiske Guide to Colleges recognized Fairfield's Strongest Programs to include Biology, International Studies, Art History, Religious Studies, Sociology, Accounting and Finance, and Mechanical Engineering. The innovative New Media major is the first of its kind among Jesuit universities and features CineFest Fairfield, an annual film festival showcasing student work created in production courses.
ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS Rankings And Ratings Barron's Educational Series
Fiske Guide to Colleges
The Princeton Review
Fulbright Scholars
Phi Beta Kappa
Fellows and Scholars
DIMENNA-NYSELIUS LIBRARY Built in 1968, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library originally was named the Nyselius Library in honor of benefactors Gustav and Dagmar Nyselius. They were Swedish immigrants who had settled in Stamford and wanted to make a donation to Fairfield University to repay in part the kindness of their adoptive country. In 2001, the Library underwent a major renovation and expansion and was renamed the DiMenna-Nyselius Library in recognition of a generous donation from alumnus Joseph A. DiMenna, Jr. '80 and his wife Maureen. It’s warm and inviting Arts and Crafts details blends in beautifully with Fairfield's New England campus. At present, the Library contains an extensive and carefully selected collection of print and electronic resources which include over 300,000 bound volumes, 1800 journals and newspapers, over 11,000 audiovisual items and the equivalent of 92,000 volumes in microform. Its electronic resources, provide online access to a wide variety of World Wide Web subscription databases that bring full text journals and statistical information to the desktop anywhere on campus. Throughout the Library, wireless access is available in designated areas. The Library also contains two open access computer labs featuring Macintosh and Dell computers (one with 24-hour access for students), two dozen multimedia workstations, an electronic classroom, a 90-seat multimedia auditorium, and study rooms. The Book of Kells Among its valuable collection, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library is home to a rare facsimile of The Book Of Kells which was donated by The Wild Geese organization. The Book of Kells is an ornately illustrated Manuscript , produced by Celtic Monk s around AD 800 in the style known as Insular Art . It is one of the more lavishly Illuminated Manuscript s to survive from the Middle Ages and has been described as the zenith of Western Calligraphy and illumination. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Kress Foundation Art Collection The DiMenna-Nyselius Library is also currently home to a Kress Study Collection of 10 old master paintings that date from the mid-14th through the early 18th centuries and are representative of the major schools of Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting. The paintings represent a spectrum of religious and secular images generally attributed to the followers or the studio workshops of some of the noteworthy major painters of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art. This collection was a gift to Fairfield University by the Discovery Museum And Planetarium in Bridgeport, CT and arranged by Dr. Philip Eliasoph. The paintings were originally given to The Discovery Museum by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation whose mission is to promote the understanding and appreciation of European Art in the United States. Fairfield is one of only 23 colleges and universities to maintain a collection from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Quick Center For the Arts The Regina A. Quick Center For The Arts is the major center of theatre and the arts at Fairfield University and recognized as the "cultural epicenter of Fairfield County" by Westport Magazine . The Quick Center opened in 1990 and includes events such as popular and classical music, dance, theatre, and programs for young audiences. It houses the 740-seat Kelley Theatre, the 150-seat Lawrence A. Wien Experimental (Black Box) Theatre, and the Thomas J. Walsh, Jr. Art Gallery. The Quick Center has become known as one of the finest concert halls in the country. Pepsico Theater The PepsiCo Theatre, a renovated 1922 carriage house, is the home to the Theatre Program of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and Theater Fairfield , the resident production company. The facility includes a 70-seat flexible black box theatre, coffeehouse, dance studio, design studio, and costume shop/dressing room. This theatre is the primary rehearsal space for all Theatre Fairfield productions, and the performance space for at least two productions a season. CineFest Fairfield CineFest Fairfield is an annual film festival held in association with the Fairfield Community Theatre featuring short films by students, alumni and faculty. The film festival is sponsored by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and showcases its innovative New Media major. "CineFest Fairfield will become a notable annual event for the University and for Fairfield County," Fr. James Mayzik, S.J., Director of the New Media major and Media Center said. "Fairfield students will emerge as leaders within the region and the nation for their creativity and talent in film, television and radio within this exciting new program." ATHLETICS See Also: Fairfield Stags ]] Fairfield University is a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and is classified as Division 1 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its athletic programs. Fairfield sponsors 19 varsity sports - baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's crew, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, and women's volleyball. Men's varsity hockey and football were eliminated in 2003 due to financial reasons. The division 1-AA football team had a short history (first season 1996), but much success (MAAC title in 1998). Fairfield annually boasts one of the best student-athlete graduation rates in the nation. The men's and women's golf programs are both ranked among the best in the nation for academics, according to the Golf Digest's Second Annual College Golf Guide . Notable Success The Stags most notable success in athletics has come from the basketball, Lacrosse and soccer programs. The men's basketball team held a half time lead over the number 1 seed University of North Carolina Tarheels before falling short in the 1997 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship tournament. Deng Gai '05 was the nation's top shot blocker in 2004-05. The women's basketball head coach, Diane Nolan, achieved her milestone 500th career win in 2005-06 and led the Stags to four post-season bids to the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 1988, 1991, 1998 and 2001. The men's lacrosse team won berths to the 2003 and 2005 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship tournaments while the women won the 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003 MAAC Regular Season Titles. The men's soccer team won the 2006 MAAC Championship, earned a first round victory in the 2006 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship over in-state rival, the University of Connecticut Huskies, and was ranked nationally in 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2006. The women's soccer team won a berth to the 2005 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship tournament. STUDENT LIFE Student Clubs & Organizations All student clubs and organizations comprise the Student Organization Board of Governors (SOBOG), which is governed by a board of governors and administered by a chairperson selected by members of student organizations. SOBOG exists to encourage student involvement and participation in over 50 clubs and organizations each year including the Glee Club, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Dance Team, Stag in the Stands, Habitat for Humanity, mission volunteer trips, and Theater Fairfield. The oldest club on campus is the Fairfield University Glee Club which is celebrating it's 60th anniversary in 2007. Fairfield University Student Association The Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA) is the official student association for full-time undergraduate students and is the largest student organization on campus. The association exists to represent student issues and concerns to the faculty and administration and to sponsor a multitude of student programs and activities. All full-time undergraduate students are members of FUSA. FUSA is organized into three branches – ''legislative'', ''executive'', and ''judicial''. The ''legislative branch'' consists of the '''Student Senate''', comprising 40 elected representatives (10 from each undergraduate class year). The ''executive branch'' is headed by the popularly-elected '''President''' of FUSA, who serves as the official spokesperson for undergraduate students in addition to administering the student association on a daily basis. The FUSA President is assisted by a popularly-elected Vice President, elected class officers, and a number of other appointed officers, including the Executive Director of Programming and the Executive Director of Clubs & Organizations. The ''judicial branch'' is known as the '''Student Court''', which serves as a hearing body in certain student conduct cases, as well as performing the judicial functions required for the student association.http://www.fairfield.edu/documents/StLife_Athletics/studenthandbook06.pdf Sport Clubs Sport Clubs offer a competitive athletic opportunity for students including men's crew, equestrian, men's and women's ice hockey, karate, men's and women's rugby, sailing, men's and women's skiing and snowboarding, men's and women's track and men's and women's volleyball. The Equestrian Club was Regional Champions in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, & 2003 and in 2007 seven Fairfield riders were invited to the elite Tournament of Champions, a horse show for the nation's top collegiate . And the Men's Volleyball Club won the 2006 and 2007 New England Collegiate Volleyball League Division II Championship. Student Media
Traditions Student life at the Fairfield is marked by a number of unique traditions and celebrations:
RESIDENTIAL LIFE Residence Halls Fairfield University guarantees first year students four years of campus housing and provides several housing options depending on their class. Most underclassman live on campus and live the typical Residence Hall life in the Quad or '''The village''' sections of campus. '''The Quad''' is located in the northwest corner of campus and consists of Campion Hall, Joques Hall, Gonzaga Hall, Loyola Hall, and Regis Hall. Students typically choose to live in The Quad in order to be close to the classroom buildings and to enjoy the annual battle of dorms water fights; and frisbee and wiffleball games during the warm weather. '''The Village''' is located in the southeast corner of campus and consists of Kostka Hall and Claver Hall which is suite style living, and also the apartments, the newest on campus housing. This section earned its name due to its woodsy seclusion from the main area of campus. '''Dolan Hall''' is located in the northeast corner of campus is the primary residence hall for students who request to live in singles housing. This building also holds some freshman doubles. Ignatian Residential College Loyola Hall is home to the Ignatian Residential College , which offers a unique Residential College experience for sophomores giving students the opportunity to truly experience the Jesuit ideal of “cura personalis” or the care of the whole person. The Ignatian Residential College, funded by a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment , provides an integrative learning experience that stretches across not only students’ academic course work, but also into their direct lived experience. Upperclassmen Alternatives Upperclassmen are able to choose between living at the Townhouse Complex, '''Apartment Village''' or the '''Beach'''. The 10 unit Townhouse Complex is a series of 104 two-story student townhouses for 469 juniors and seniors. There are between five and seven students living in each townhouse which has two or three bedrooms upstairs, a living and dining area, a kitchen and two bathrooms. During the colder weather the townhouse basements serve as a unique gathering place for students to socialize and catch a live performance by their favorite student band. And during the warmer weather students enjoy their back porches and lawns with an occasional barbecue and wiffleball game. The ''' Apartment Village''' is at the southeast corner of campus and was opened in September of 2000. These apartment-style residences house 192 juniors and seniors. Each apartment contains four single bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room. Finally, the '''Beach''' is truly a unique Fairfield living experience for 200 eligible students to rent beach houses along the Long Island Sound. The Beach historically has been the center of off-campus social life hosting such Fairfield traditions as the Clam Jam and Mock Weddings. However, as the Fairfield beach community has evolved from a part-time summer beach community into a more permanent residential community, the Beach has become a source of strain on town-gown relations leading to great controls over student social life at the Beach. ALMA MATER ::::::''Fairfield! See the stag with cross of Gold'' ::::::''Rears once more its undefeated head.'' ::::::''Fair our field, as any field of old,'' ::::::''Bids our banners, like our blood, be red.'' ::::::''"Through faith, unto total truth," our cry'' ::::::''Swells from the sea to spire and sky;'' ::::::''Hear, Alma Mater, hear! Fairfield, hail!'' ::::::''Mem'ries fold away the thought of thee:'' ::::::''Autumn roses crimson on the bough,'' ::::::''Bright snow breaking to the dogwood tree'' ::::::''Keeps spring singing, then as now.'' ::::::''"Through faith, unto total truth," our cry'' ::::::''Swells from the sea to spire and sky;'' ::::::''Hear, Alma Mater, hear! Fairfield, hail!''
PEOPLE Notable Alumni See Also: List of Fairfield University people Despite the relative youth of the institution Fairfield University alumni are achieving considerable success and making significant contributions in the fields of business, law, medicine, education, social justice and athletics. Fairfield University counts amongst its alumni a former President of the Federal Reserve Bank Of New York , a former Dean of the Georgetown University Law Center , a President of a mission helping Haitian street children, a former Law Clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger ; the Chief Judges of the United States District Court For The Eastern District Of New York and Connecticut Appellate Court , the Connecticut Senate Majority Leader ; a former President of the Medical College Of Georgia , an Edward R. Murrow Award and Emmy Award -winning news anchor; a world renowned cancer researcher; and leaders of several major Fortune 1000 corporations and Wall Street financial institutions. University Presidents PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA
Academic Journals
Media Center The Media Center is a 15,000-square foot facility located on the ground floor of Xavier Hall that houses the New Media: Film, Television, and Radio major, the Campus Television Network and the student run HAM Channel. The Media Center also operates a 32-foot television production Satellite Uplink truck that can transmit and receive digitally encoded television signals from Geostationary domestic Satellites . Fairfield University is one of few colleges in the nation to have this technology allowing campus programming and international news organizations including CNN , MSNBC , Fox News and Bloomberg Television to be broadcast world-wide from the University. The Media Center Staff has won national recognition for its Award-Winning Programs and production of Multimedia Presentations for the University. Some of the most recent honors have included the Crystal Award of Distinction from the Communicator Awards 2005 Print Competition; two Awards of Excellence from the Videographer 2005 Awards; and the Platinum BEST of Show from The Aurora 2005 Awards. TRIVIA Fairfield in Presidential Elections
Other Notes
SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
REFERENCES MAP LINKS |
|
|