In recognition of his remarkable impact and enduring support of the University, Fairfield will name its College of Arts & Sciences in honor of John Charles Meditz ’70, effective July 1.
Fairfield University celebrates the remarkable generosity of alumnus and University Trustee John Charles Meditz ’70, whose extraordinary $50 million gift will create a lasting impact and advance the University’s mission to expand student learning and continuously enhance the quality of its Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts and sciences education.
Meditz’s gift represents the largest single donation by an individual in the history of the University and comes at an opportune time as the transformational value of its arts and sciences education becomes ever more critical to form students as thoughtful, compassionate, values-driven leaders in an ever more complex world.
The gift also endorses the significance of empowering students with a broad, comprehensive understanding of the world through our Magis Core Curriculum, the importance of interdisciplinary learning for personal and professional development, and the vital role of the sciences and humanities in shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
“Fairfield has always been and continues to be an institution that is guided by and embraces the liberal arts as the cornerstones of life-long intellectual engagement and discovery,” said Meditz. “My gift is a reflection of my deep personal belief in the power of a liberal arts education to inspire and equip students with the tools and experiences they need to become thoughtful, engaged citizens of our world.”
In recognition of Meditz’s generosity, President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, announced that Fairfield University’s College of Arts & Sciences will be renamed the John Charles Meditz College of Arts & Sciences, effective July 1.
“Meditz College will continue to serve as a vital foundation of our dedication to be stewards of our more than 500-year-old Jesuit Catholic educational tradition, forming men and women for and with others in service of the greater good,” said President Nemec. “Announcing the gift today is especially meaningful as it commemorates the 83rd anniversary of Fairfield’s founding in 1942, further celebrating John’s extraordinary impact as Fairfield is called to do more for our students.”
A graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, where he earned a bachelor of arts in economics, and Rutgers University, where he earned MBA in finance, Meditz has spent decades building a legacy of service and leadership. He co-founded Horizon Kinetics, LLC (now Horizon Kinetics Holding Corp.) in 1994 and currently serves as managing director and senior portfolio manager. Throughout his professional career, Meditz has exemplified a commitment to excellence in every role, from his early teaching career at William Patterson College to his significant contributions in the finance industry, including at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, and Bankers Trust Company.
Meditz’s connection to Fairfield University has been profound and far-reaching. For nearly 30 years, he has been a trusted member of the University’s Board of Trustees, actively engaging in various leadership capacities, including serving as the honorary chair of the Fairfield Rising Campaign steering committee. His long history of support includes both financial contributions and service on key committees such as the Fairfield Awards Dinner and Our Promise Capital Campaign. In recognition of his dedication, Meditz was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in 2015 and received the Alumni Service Award in 2011.
Through his philanthropic support, Meditz has made an enduring impact on Fairfield's academic and cultural landscape. With his generous $50 million gift, his total lifetime giving to the University now exceeds $75 million. This includes his landmark donation in 2008, which laid the foundation for the Fairfield University Art Museum, along with an additional gift endowing the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director Chair, named in honor of his parents. His continued commitment to the arts has helped fund important initiatives such as the Arthur Szyk and Gesù exhibitions. Additionally, Meditz’s support has extended to various campus priorities, including the Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Recreation Complex, the John C. Meditz ’70 Scholarship established in 1989, and the Fairfield Awards Dinner’s scholarship fund. These contributions have played a pivotal role in advancing Fairfield’s growth and continued success, ensuring that generations of students benefit from the resources and opportunities available at the University.
“The naming of the College in honor of John Charles Meditz speaks to his enduring legacy of leadership, service, and commitment to academic excellence that he embodies,” said Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Richard Greenwald, PhD. “Fairfield will forever be grateful of his recognition of the importance of the arts and sciences, and the foundation for which we provide our students with the critical skills they need to succeed in today’s world, while grounding them in the Jesuit tradition of academic rigor and personal reflection. I am honored to be a part of this historic moment in the University’s history, and to serve as the dean of Meditz College.”
Meditz’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond Fairfield University to his community. He has served on numerous boards, chair committees, and foundations, including as chairman of the Weehawken Planning Board; trustee of John Cabot University in Rome, Italy; treasurer of the Weehawken Public Library; and as a trustee for organizations such as the former Palisades Medical Center, now part of the Hackensack Meridian Health Network, and his alma mater Xavier High School in New York.
