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More than 600 alumni, parents, students, and friends of ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City and raised over $1.35 million to support student scholarships while honoring six exceptional members of the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ community.

On Wednesday, April 12, more than 600 ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ alumni, parents, friends, corporate partners, and student scholarship recipients gathered for the 34th annual ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ Awards Dinner, to celebrate six remarkable individuals for their professional achievements, outstanding leadership, and volunteer commitment to the University, and to raise funds for the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund and other student scholarships. This generous community contributed more than $1.35 million through table sponsorships, journal advertisements, tickets, and fundraising contributions in support of student scholarships at ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ, making this the most successful ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ Awards Dinner in the University’s history! Since 1988, the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ Awards Dinner has raised more than $20 million for the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund and other endowment scholarships.

“We cannot thank our community enough for their commitment to making a ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ education accessible for students whose families may not have the resources to support their academic pursuits,” said Wally Halas, vice president for university advancement. “These donors are making a tremendous difference in the lives of current and future students.” 

Scholarship recipient Kwahmyre Barbour ’23, this year’s Awards Dinner student speaker, shared how he has used the access and opportunity provided by ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ to find himself and shape his future. "From connecting with [Andrew Watt] in this room to beginning my full-time role as a credit program analyst [with S&P Global Ratings] this fall, I can truly say that this is where access and opportunity lead,” Barbour shared. “Due to the generosity and unwavering support of donors like yourselves, I’ve been fortunate enough to inspire others and use my strengths to make a difference.”

The Awards Dinner began with a cocktail reception and was followed by a gathering in the main dining room for dinner and the awards presentation. Rev. Gerald Blaszczak, S.J., alumni chaplain and special assistant to the President, commenced the ceremony by welcoming attendees and introducing The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, who delivered the invocation before honorees were recognized for their achievements.

This year’s honorees were Andrew J. McMahon ’89, P’19,’13, chief executive officer and president of Guardian Life Insurance; Shannon Siwinski ’92, P'16, director and senior trader at BofA Securities, Inc.; Philip J. Lane, PhD, P’10, former ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ University associate professor and chair of the Economics Department; John Thompson III, P’23, vice president of player development and engagement for Monumental Basketball’s Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go, and Wizards District Gaming, and Monica Moore Thompson, P’23, co-founder and executive director of the John Thompson III Foundation; and Deacon Patrick Toole, chancellor and secretary of the Curia, Diocese of Bridgeport.

“There are three things we can all give generously – time, talent, and treasure,” said Siwinski during her acceptance speech for the Alumni Service Award. “While I didn’t have treasure at first, I made time and offered my talent. I volunteered at admission fairs and Cath Borgman in Career Services helped me mentor students. One thing led to another as I continued to give to my connections. My ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ foundation gave me strength to step forward and it gave me happiness in return.”

In its 34th year, the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ Awards Dinner continues to be a celebration of service, leadership, scholarship, and providing access to a ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ education.  

Learn more about the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ Awards Dinner at fairfield.edu/awardsdinner.

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