With every milestone comes reflection: a remembrance of the past, an honoring of the present, and a hope for the future. With a milestone also comes celebration, and throughout the 2020-21 academic year at Fairfield, the University will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of not only the arrival of its first female undergraduate students in 1970, but all the women who have made their mark on our community over the past 50 years.

Fairfield’s celebration of women falls within the same year as the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed and protected American women’s constitutional right to vote.

A variety of programming has been scheduled to mark this important anniversary at Fairfield, starting with the first installment of the provost’s "50th Anniversary of Women at Fairfield" webinar series, hosted by Provost Christine Siegel, PhD, which took place on Wednesday, September 9; additional installments will continue throughout the fall.

The first webinar installment featured conversations with three Fairfield graduates who have each experienced the University at different points over the past 50 years: University Trustee Rosellen Schnurr ’74, Vice President of Student Life Karen Donoghue ’03, and Alumni Board Member Claretta Mills ’16. 

Upcoming anniversary events will include additional panels and lectures, as well as performance and fine arts programming by the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts and the Fairfield University Art Museum. Highlights include the October 2 Open VISIONS Forum lecture, "Finding the Moral High Ground/Challenges for USA's Reboot" featuring author and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Wall Street Journal, Peggy Noonan, and the museum's new Ruby Sky Stiler exhibition which opened on September 11. All virtual events will be open to Fairfield students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and friends.

Also part of Fairfield’s 50th anniversary celebration is this year's launch of the Women’s Leadership Council. With a mission of optimizing the undergraduate experience of our female students while strengthening the connections alumnae and other women have with each other and the University, the Council will provide volunteer, network, and philanthropic opportunities starting virtually this fall.

Additional social opportunities on campus and across the country will also be part of the Council’s programming. The Council is a gift society and membership will be open to all women – alumnae, parents, and friends of the University. Information on how to join and upcoming activities will be announced in the coming weeks.

With more lectures, events, and conversations still taking shape for the entire University community, we hope you will join us in celebrating this important anniversary in Fairfield’s history. For more information on upcoming events, visit fairfield.edu/alumnievents.