Fairfield University
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational university located in
Fairfield,
Connecticut. It was founded by the
Society of Jesus in
1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Over 3,500 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students study in Fairfield's six schools and colleges:
The College of Arts and Sciences,
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.
Fairfield's
Charles F. Dolan School of Business, offers fully accredited graduate and undergraduate programs, according to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (
AACSB). The Dolan School is known for its innovative teaching methods, its aggressive placement of undergraduates into internship programs in
New York City and surrounding
Fairfield County, Connecticut, and its high faculty to student ratio.
The school is situated on a pastoral campus with views of
Long Island Sound, which allows many of the upperclassmen to live in beach houses. The campus offers 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. Fairfield University is also home to
Fairfield College Preparatory School, commonly known as Fairfield Prep.
Money Magazine rated the
Town of Fairfield a Top Ten Best Place to Live in 2006 recognizing the great beaches and 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.
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.
The history of Fairfield University began in the 1942 with acquisition of two contiguous estates of the Jennings and Lashar families by the Jesuits and the appointment of Rev.
John J. McEleney, S.J. as the first President by Rev.
James H. Dolan, S.J. who was the
Provincial Superior of the
New England Jesuit Province and soon to be the second President. Today, the Fairfield campus is 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 McAuliffe, who sanctioned the creation of Fairfield University; and David J. Dolan House, Lawrence Jenning's 'Larribee', dedicated to honor the uncle of the donor who made the 1989 acquisition of Dolan Campus possible.
The Jesuits in Fairfield
A brief history of
The Jesuits in Fairfield can be found on
The Fairfield Jesuit Community website.
If these Stones Could Speak
Rev. Joseph MacDonnell, S.J. wrote a detailed account of the history of Fairfield University in his book entitled
If these Stones Could Speak. Excerpts of this account can be found at his website entitled
Fairfield University's Ur-History.Fairfield is first and foremost a Catholic and Jesuit UniversityFairfield University's
Roman Catholic and
Jesuit tradition and history reach back nearly 500 years to the life, teachings and insights of
Saint Ignatius 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*Dedication to human dignity from a Catholic and Jesuit faith perspective
*Reverence for and an ongoing reflection on human experience
*Creative companionship with colleagues
*Focused care for students
*Well-educated justice and solidarity
Rankings and Ratings
*For the last 14 years, Fairfield has been ranked fourth or higher among the top 36 regional universities in the North (with a master's degree program) by
U.S. News & World Report. During those 14 years, Fairfield ranked fourth four times, third eight times, and second two times. In the 2006 edition of America 's Best Colleges, Fairfield ranked fourth.
*The Princeton Review lists Fairfield among
"The Best 361 Colleges." And the
Charles F.Dolan School of Business was named to The Princeton Review's
"Best 237 Business Schools" in 2006.
*Fairfield University is the only Connecticut school among 77 nationwide to make The Princeton Review publication,
"2005 Edition of America's Best Value Colleges." Phi Beta Kappa
*Fairfield University is the second youngest institution to gain membership in
Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. When the
Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was chartered at Fairfield University in 1994, Fairfield joined an elect company of 262 colleges and universities. Nationwide, only one percent of college seniors are invited to join Phi Beta Kappa annually.
Fulbright Scholars
*Since 1993-94,
39 Fairfield students were awarded highly prestigious
Fulbright Program Scholarships from the flagship international educational program sponsored by the U.S. government. For 2004-05, out of the 14 Fairfield University students initially recommended by the Institute of International Education (IIE) National Screening Committee, four students received the award and seven more were listed as alternates.
*In the last nine years, eight faculty members have been awarded
Fulbright Program Scholar Grants for postdoctoral research. Fairfield faculty members have published hundreds of scholarly articles and books in the past two years.
*Fairfield University has ranked #1 among universities that grant master's degrees in the
Fulbright Program's list of colleges and universities that produced 2004-05 U.S. Fulbright Fellows. Besting 55 other schools in the category, Fairfield was selected by the
Institute of International Education, the non-profit agency which administers the
Fulbright Program and the
Chronicle of Higher Education, for this ranking.
Undergraduate Awards
*In recent years, Fairfield University undergraduate students have earned:
**Thirty-nine
Fulbright Scholarships**Three
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships for excellence in mathematics and science research;
**Five
Clare Boothe Luce Scholarships for women who excel in the sciences;
**One
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship;
**One
Morris K. Udall Scholarship in Environmental Policy and Science;
**Six
Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid for research;
**Ten
Freeman-Asia Awards for Study in Asia.
**Two
Council of Undergraduate Research Fellowships;
**Seven Pfizer Corporation Fellowships for summer research (since 1991);
**One
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship for doctoral studies in humanities;
**Eight
National Security Education Program (NSEP) Fellowships for study abroad outside Western Europe;
**Three
Gates Millennium Scholarships;
**One National Institute of Health Scholarship for Graduate Studies in Health Science;
**Twelve
William G. McGowan Scholarships for business students; and
**One Sophomore Book Award from Phi Beta Kappa, Zeta Chapter.
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. 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.
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The College of Arts and Sciences*
The Charles F. Dolan School of Business*
The School of Engineering*
The School of Nursing*
The Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions*
The University College*
Centers and Special Programs*
Honors SocietiesBuilt in 1968, the
DiMenna-Nyselius Library recently underwent major renovation and expansion. 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.
Quick Center For the Arts
The major center of theatre and the arts at Fairfield University is the Quick Center. The Regina A. 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 Center has become known as one of the finest concert halls in the country.
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Quick Center For the ArtsOpen VISIONS Forum
The Open VISIONS Forum is a public outreach program of University College engaging the 'life of the mind' with the Connecticut community. Its Mission is to integrate the academic perspective of the University's students and faculty with the wide general interests of our regional audience. Through an ongoing series of lively and informative lectures, these 'public conversations' present eminent opinion-makers, artists, authors, learned contributors to the humanities and sciences and civic and political commentators to engage our University audience with topical issues facing a global and national agenda.
*
Open VISIONS ForumPepsico 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 Theatre Fairfield, our 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.
*
Theater FairfieldFairfield University is a member of the
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and is classified as Division 1-A in the
National Collegiate Athletic Association for its athletic programs. Fairfield annually boasts among the best student-athlete graduation rates in the nation. 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.
The Stags most notable success in athletics has come from the basketball,
lacrosse and soccer programs. The women's basketball head coach, Diane Nolan, achieved her milestone 500th career win in 2005-06 while the men won a berth to the 2003 Postseason
National Invitation Tournament and
Deng Gai '05 was the nation's top shot blocker in 2004-05. The men's lacrosse team won berths to the 2003 and 2005 NCAA Tournaments and the women won the 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003 MAAC Regular Season Titles. And the women's soccer team won a berth to the 2005 NCAA Tournament and the men won the 2005 MAAC Regular Season Title and were ranked nationally in 2001 and 2005.
Club Sports
Club sports 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, and men's and women's volleyball. The
Equestrian Club was Regional Champions in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, & 2003. The
Men's Hockey Club fell just a game short of the MCHC championship in 2006. The
Men's Rugby Football Club was established in 1963 and is the longest continuously running sport club at Fairfield University. And the
Men's Volleyball Club won the 2006 New England Collegiate Volleyball League Division II Championship.
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 proudly 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, the Chief Judge of the
Connecticut Appellate Court, the
Connecticut Senate Majority Leader, a former President of the
Medical College of Georgia, an
Emmy Award-winning news anchor and leaders of several major
Fortune 500 corporations and
Wall Street financial institutions.
:::::
Fairfield! See the stag with cross of Gold:::::
Rears once more its undefeated head.:::::
Fair out 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!Dr. John Orman (Professor, Politics)
Student Publications and Media
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Fairfield Mirror - The Independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University
*
WVOF 88.5 - The Voice of Fairfield University
*
The HAM Channel - The Student Television Station of Fairfield University
University Publications and Media
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1073 North Benson - A Publication for Fairfield University Alumni
*
Campus Currents - The Official News Publication of Fairfield University
*
Dogwood - A Journal of Poetry and Prose
*
Fairfield Now - The Magazine of Fairfield University,
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Fairfield Mobile Satellite Uplink |
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Parent Ties - A Publication for Fairfield University Families
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Press Room - Fairfield University's Electronic News Room
Media Center
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Media Center*
Award-Winning Programs*
Multimedia Presentations*
Fairfield Prep*
Fairfield University*
The Fairfield Jesuit Community*
The Fairfield University Disc Golf Course*
The Unofficial Fairfield Stags Message Board*
The Unofficial Stags Sports Forums*
Aerial View of Fairfield University
