The new book chronicles the remarkable history of Connecticut's only Jesuit university, from its founding to its rise to national prominence
Fairfield University announces an engaging panel discussion and book signing to be held on October 17 at 5:30 p.m., at the downtown Fairfield University Store, located at 1499 Post Road in Fairfield, Conn. This special evening will celebrate the release of Success on the Sound: A History of Fairfield University, a new book that chronicles the remarkable journey of Connecticut’s only Jesuit university from its founding to its rise as a nationally prominent institution.
Fairfield University Provost Christine Siegel, PhD, will introduce Dean of the Library and University Librarian Christina McGowan, MSLIS, who will lead the conversation with the book’s authors —University Archivist Elise Bochinski, Professor Emeritus Paul Lakeland, PhD, and Professor Emeritus Kurt Schlichting, PhD.
“Success on the Sound is a celebration of the vision, perseverance, and commitment to excellence that have shaped our institution into the nationally recognized university it is today,” said Dr. Siegel. “It captures the spirit of our Jesuit mission and the transformative impact that Fairfield has had on the lives of its students and the broader community.”
Drawing from interviews, statistical data, and archival sources from Fairfield University and the Jesuit Archives and Research Center in St. Louis, the authors—each with deep ties to the University – bring their unique perspectives to this historical narrative. Bochinski, Dr. Lakeland, and Dr. Schlichting recount the stories of the Fairfield community, offer insights into the evolving nature of the University's Jesuit mission and identity, and highlight the school's role within the larger landscape of Catholic higher education in the U.S.
Elise Bochinski has been the University archivist and special collections librarian at Fairfield University since 2003. A certified archivist with a BA in anthropology from New York University and an MS from Southern Connecticut State University, she also studied acting at RADA in London and the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York City. Bochinski is a member of the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of College and Research Libraries (Rare Book and Manuscripts Division), the New England Archivists (NEA), and the Society of American Archivists (SAA). Success on the Sound is her first publication.
Professor Emeritus Paul Lakeland, PhD served as the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., Chair of Catholic Studies and was the founding director of Fairfield's Center for Catholic Studies until his retirement in 2023. A distinguished scholar and author of ten books, Dr. Lakeland’s academic and research interests include the Catholic Church, the Papacy, religion and literature, and the relations between religious commitment and progressive politics. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Catholic Theological Society of America (President, 2018-19), the College Theology Society, and the American Theological Association.
A member of Fairfield's Class of 1970, Professor Emeritus Kurt Schlichting, PhD, taught at Fairfield for more than 40 years and served as the E. Gerald Corrigan ’63 Chair in Humanities & Social Science. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Schlichting received his MA and his PhD from New York University. He is the author of three books: Grand Central Terminal: Railroads, Architecture, and Engineering in New York (2001); Grand Central’s Engineer: William Wilgus & The Planning of Modern Manhattan (2012); and Waterfront Manhattan: From Henry Hudson to the High Line (2018). Dr. Schlichting’s research on Grand Central Terminal laid the groundwork for the award-winning PBS: American Experience documentary, Grand Central.
Copies of Success on the Sound are now available for purchase at the Fairfield University Store.
To register and for more information click here.
