When asked what inspires them to remain engaged with Fairfield, young alumni share stories of their deep friendships with fellow Stags and the mentors who have made all the difference professionally. For StagMates Kaila (Anderson ’13) and Doug Freeman ’12, those special people continue to play important roles in their lives.

Take the Freemans’ June 2021 wedding, for instance. It was attended by 30 alumni, including five who served as bridesmaids and four as groomsmen. “It’s funny, because we didn’t meet at Fairfield,” said Kaila, a psychology major from Long Island, N.Y. “Looking back, we actually have pictures together at college events.”

Mutual pal Erik Kremheller ’13 introduced the newlyweds after graduation. “Our closest friends today are the friends we made at Fairfield,” said Doug, an economics major from West Caldwell, N.J. who minored in German and marketing.

Fellow young alumna Marissa Fitzgerald ’20 also understands those close-knit ties. As a firstyear, she applied for a position with Fairfield Phonathon, and through the program found dear friends who still connect through the same group chat. Her subsequent involvement with the Student Alumni Association and the Senior Class Gift Committee further widened her circle of friends.

“All the friends I made through those programs are super-engaged alumni, because they saw how crucial the programs are for Fairfield to succeed,” said Marissa, a marketing major and graphic design minor from Guilford, Conn. She learned that without alumni donations and support, some students wouldn’t be able to attend Fairfield. “I got a generous scholarship, and I can say 100 percent, if I hadn’t received it, I wouldn’t have gone to Fairfield,” she shared.

Gratefulness for their experiences has prompted these young alumni to turn around and give back in many ways. They volunteer their time by organizing events, making annual donations, attending festivities, and mentoring students, among other efforts.

Doug, a director at UBS Investment Bank, recently helped organize a campus event for students interested in careers in finance. While an undergrad, he was motivated by lessons learned from Associate Professor Phil Lane, PhD, of the Economics department. Dr. Lane made the alumni introductions that led Doug to a pivotal internship at UBS. “Fairfield has really given me a ton of opportunities that I feel I need to pay forward,” said Doug. “I have learned how much difference you can make by just picking up the phone, answering a student’s email, or making annual contributions.”

Psychology professors Linda Henkel, PhD, Michael Andreychik, PhD, and Judy Primavera, PhD, helped Kaila excel. She’s now a school psychologist for the Westport Public Schools. “Doug and I want other people to have those same positive experiences,” noted Kaila.

The Freemans are members of The President’s Circle — a gift society of Fairfield’s leadership donors who give $1,000 or more annually to shape every aspect of our University. They regularly attend Alumni Family Weekend events and Friends of Fairfield Men’s Soccer gatherings. Doug’s four seasons on the men’s soccer team included two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships.

Their campus visits also include catching up with Kaila’s cousin, Katie Allen ’24. “I tell my cousin and current students to take advantage of all the opportunities here,” Kaila said. Part of a legacy family, Kaila’s mom, Eileen Koneck Anderson ’85, is also a proud Stag alumna.

Marissa Fitzgerald feels a kinship to students too. Her passion for Stag Country led to her fulltime employment in Fairfield’s Development office. She’s the manager of Young Alumni and Student Philanthropy where she works closely to educate and encourage students and recent grads to give back through annual gifts and volunteerism. This position also involves leading 20 Phonathon student callers.

“No matter what year you graduated, one year or 50 years ago, everyone has that special bond with fellow alumni,” she observed. “There is this common love for the University.”

The Freemans understand. “Never underestimate the depth of the Fairfield network,” Doug said. “There are truly tons of alumni willing to engage and get involved. There is a real recognition of a shared bond.”

Kaila added, “It feels like a family.”