We stand on the cusp of our 50th Reunion, just a few months away from commemorating a milestone in our Fairfield journey while representing the pioneering Class of 1974 on our Reunion Committee. We were — and are — proud to have been among the 234 women who joined the campus community as a part of the freshman class of 1970, making the Class of ’74 the first with full, four-year women graduates at Fairfield.

Spring 2024 marks a little more than a half-century of women at Fairfield University. We note this not just to mark the passage of time, but to celebrate the unstoppable spirit of those who blazed a trail for future generations.

The Class of 1974 left an indelible mark on the University. Despite navigating through the turbulent 1970s, we formed lasting bonds with our peers through academics, sports, and lively celebrations. After all, who could forget Orientation’s greased pole climb? Or the spirited “Take a Co-ed to Dinner” campaign? Or cheering on the men’s basketball team’s remarkable journey to the NIT. We proved our mettle by changing the culture on campus, we joined clubs and activities, and we were taken seriously despite our small numbers. It has also been rumored that a few of us are still proudly holding on to our iconic red and white freshman beanies. Now, we eagerly await the celebration that honors the enduring laughter and friendships that have thrived for five decades.

Grateful for our Fairfield journey, we are proud to stay engaged and give back to the institution that has been integral to our lives. By volunteering our time on the Reunion Committee, we see Fairfield continuing to provide an exceptional education and experience for each student, fostering a unique blend of mind, body, and spirit. It’s a
legacy we carry into our lives as active alumni so we can honor Fairfield’s present while shaping its future.

In addition, each of us contributes our treasure and feels privileged to be able to mark this milestone by paying our good fortune forward with a gift to Fairfield. We hope that you feel the same. This year and every year, know that your support ensures that Fairfield can recruit and educate the next generation of trailblazing Stags. The University is passionate about cultivating forward thinking, creative individuals who are prepared and motivated to better our world. It’s the gift that each of us received as students and the gift we can continue to give as alumni.

As we approach this milestone Reunion, we ask you to remember the impact that Fairfield has made on your life and to consider ways you can pay it forward so the next generation of eager Stags can thrive.

Go Stags!