New Annual Parent Leadership Award
This year’s Fairfield Awards Dinner (FAD) will honor parents for the first time in the history of the dinner with the Parent Leadership Award. The now annual award will be given to a parent or parents of a current student or alumni to recognize outstanding dedication to and support for ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp.
“Parents have been a very special part of the ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp community over the years. FAD, one of our most important traditions, is a good time to recognize and thank them for their support,” said Wally Halas, vice president for University Advancement.
The inaugural recipients selected for the award are William and Margaret Atwell, P’08. The parents of Christopher Atwell ’08, a business major and lacrosse player, the Atwells believe their son’s education was transformative.
Since their son’s time on campus, they have both been actively involved in the vision for Fairfield’s future. Together, they created the Margaret M. Atwell Scholarship dedicated to female students at the Dolan School of Business. William, managing director at Atwell Partners LLC, served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees from 2012-15.
President of the Alumni Association Shannon (Barry) Siwinski '92, P'16 who attended last year’s dinner with her husband Steven Siwinski '92, P'16 and their daughter Sarah ’16 , said she believes the dinner is about welcoming the next generation while celebrating the Fairfield legacy.
“I first attended the dinner as a guest of an older, prestigious alumnus. Now, it’s something we like to do as a family. We’re proud to carry the torch.”
Eleven parents are also serving on the committee that will rally support for the dinner this year.
“Parents are essential to the fabric of the University, both by the commitment they make to the institution and the support they provide to their college student during his/her four years at Fairfield,” said Carla Sullivan ’88, P’19, director of the Fairfield Awards Dinner. “I’m thrilled to have their volunteer support and hope other parents will join us in NYC on March 31!”
Pictured: (l-r) William and Margaret Atwell, P’08, the inaugural recipients of the Parent Leadership Award.
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