No Fear Alumni & Family Weekend 2015 is Almost Here!
Alumni & Family Weekend is a Fairfield tradition that offers a variety of fun activities and special events for students, alumni and families alike for one weekend every fall.
But this year, from October 23-25, there will be new and expanded programming for alumni in particular that will make the weekend a big splash, celebrating Fairfield’s proud past while offering a glimpse into a promising future. The event will also celebrate the public launch of the campaign and tickets are nearly sold-out.
“This year’s event is especially exciting because it will offer something for everyone,” said Maria Bolis, director of Reunions, of this year’s effort to grasp a wider audience of alumni and friends. “We’ll include some alumni favorites like the Taste of Fairfield Food Trucks, a craft beer garden and the Glee Club concert. But, there’s much more on the docket.”
Fairfield’s campus departments have pulled together to invent a unique schedule that offers alumni more chances to network and reconnect, current students more time to share their experiences with their parents, and for everyone to gather together at one culminating, blowout concert.
Rev. Charles H. Allen, S.J., special assistant to the President and University Chaplain, said that alumni and family weekend is a unique opportunity for the entire University community to deepen their relationship to the institution: “Each of the three groups – the students on campus, the graduates and the parents – brings their own unique identity and enthusiasm and it is a joy to see it all come together, especially at the Mass on Saturday afternoon.”
When alumni do return to campus from far and wide, Fr. Allen said they tend to fall back in love with the grounds and feel a real enthusiasm for the changes. “They delight in the existence of a new lacrosse stadium, in work on the RecPlex renovation and in plans for the enlargement of the School of Nursing,” he said.
Another new addition to the weekend is a partnership with the ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp Student Association (FUSA) that will co-sponsor the free concert featuring Matt and Kim and The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards. Anif McDonald ’16, FUSA President, explained he’s excited to collaborate with campus partners to attract a more diverse audience to Fairfield events.
“This will be a special year for Alumni & Family Weekend,” he said, “It will be a full day for alumni and current students to network. Plus, both concert artists are universal and high profile.”
Matt and Kim is an American alternative dance duo from Brooklyn, N.Y. and the group is composed of Matt Johnson (vocals/keyboards) and Kim Schifino (drums/backing vocals/vocals). Formed in 2004, they are known for their “do it yourself” attitude toward music.
Co-headlining the afternoon concert will be The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, arguably one of the most successful groups in music history; The Temptations are a vocal group known for their success with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards continues to perform The Temptations’ hits like “My Girl,” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” with former lead singer, Dennis Edwards, still in the lineup. Both groups will play on Saturday, October 24 at Rafferty Stadium.
The event will be a distinctive way for the Fairfield community to celebrate and enjoy the positive transformations at the University.
“I am excited about all of the improvements to what we offer educationally, spiritually and athletically to our students,” Fr. Allen continued. “I can remember when the library, the student center and the science building were all half of their present size. I also remember when there were fewer residence halls and apartment complexes, fewer classrooms and fewer administrative offices. Is it any wonder that I can hardly wait to see what will come next?”
Check out the full schedule for Alumni & Family Weekend 2015 at
