Traditions and Signature Events

The Orientation program provides an opportunity for incoming first year students to get acquainted with Fairfield University, other classmates and campus! Students may choose to attend one of two Orientation sessions in June.

As part of Fairfield’s First Year Experience (FYE) program, all new undergraduate students enroll in a non-credited FYE seminar for their fall semester. Co-facilitated by a faculty or staff member and a student mentor, the seminar teaches Fairfield’s core Jesuit values and discusses topics — such as campus life and resources — to help first-year students acclimate to college.

Since 1988, this annual event has been a true celebration of Fairfield and has raised more than $20 million for the Alumni Multicultural Scholarship Fund and other endowment scholarships.

STAGiving Day is one day, every year when alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends come together for 24 hours to support and celebrate the people and programs that make Fairfield University a special place to be a part of. STAGiving Day has raised more than $17 million since our first event in 2015 to enhance the Fairfield experience for every student who joins our Stag family.

The Fairfield StartUp Showcase is the University’s annual entrepreneurship competition and part of the Fairfield StartUp program. At the Showcase select teams, made up of student entrepreneurs, make their business pitches to a panel of investors to compete for seed money in front of a live audience.

Celebrate research at Fairfield as students showcase the research projects they've developed in collaboration with faculty mentors to develop projects that extend from the classroom to the world.

Winter Fest is an annual series of events that takes place in early December to celebrate the end of the semester! FUSA, the Office of Student Engagement, the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, and other offices collaborate to host a series of exciting series of events for students.

The Student Leadership Conference is an exciting time for student leaders to attain the knowledge, skills, and resources to be effective change agents for the upcoming year, while cultivating a sense of community among the many different groups and positions represented.

They say singing is praying twice and the two singing groups that canter the Sunday evening masses are as good as it gets. The Praise Project and Lord’s Chords make mass rousing and fun with singers, guitars, percussion and more! What a way to end the weekend! Join the Praise Project at the 6 PM and the Lords Chords at the 9 PM weekly Sunday masses.

Campus Ministry has a long tradition of offering students the opportunity to spend time in other countries through international and domestic service trips to learn about the realities, hopes, and struggles of those living in situations of economic, political or social marginalization. During these trips, students are challenged to engage in critical awareness of the historical, social, economic, and political realities impacting global locations and communities that we serve. This is also a great opportunity for students to engage in elements of Ignatian spirituality with daily reflective activities and prayer.

Fairfield on Fire is an annual fall event engaging students across the campus in a day of service. Groups work together at sites in the Greater Bridgeport area in a one day effort to transform the community around us through hands on engagement. Inspired by the words of Saint Ignatius to “go forth and set the world on fire”, we harness the mission of Fairfield University community to set forth a wave of good!

Sharpen your career focus, network with alumni in your area of interest, enhance your confidence, spend a day with a Fairfield alum, and see what your future could hold! The Alumni Job Shadow Program is designed to do just that by giving students a unique and up-close look at the work required in industries they are considering. Students also receive helpful career advice from fellow Stags who have been in their shoes. With this insight, students often feel better able to plan for the types of careers they want after Fairfield.

The Career Center hosts two career fairs each year where students meet with employers and learn about a wide range of internship and employment opportunities available to them.

Teams of students, mostly first-years and sophomores, put their “Fundamentals of Engineering” course skills to the test with this kinetic, project-based design work that has them build a contraption that must “walk on water” or rather, align with engineering principles to get them efficiently across the pool in record time.

The Ceremony fosters a sense of community amongst our student leaders by honoring and recognizing those students who have gone above and beyond in service to their peers and to the Fairfield University campus community, and who have exemplified the Jesuit values that we hold dear.

In partnership with the New York Yankees, students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to attend a game for Fairfield University Night at Yankee Stadium.

During Fairfield's annual Siblings Weekend, siblings of current students are invited to spend time experiencing the fun and excitement of life as a college student. Weekend activities have included movie and game nights, meals in the Tully Dining Commons, tie-dye social, off campus trips to a local trampoline park, and more!

Stagathon is Fairfield University's official Children's Miracle Network Dance Marathon. Stagathon benefits the children of Fairfield County by raising money for Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. This annual event allows Fairfield students to stand up for the kids and help make miracles happen with their motto, FTK, “for the kids!”

The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Their annual Brave the Shave event is their largest annual fundraiser where students, staff and community members shave their head to walk in solidarity with those children affected by cancer.

Relay for Life is a 12 hour event attended by over 500 students in April. Students form teams and take turns walking laps around a track all night in the RecPlex Fieldhouse to support cancer patients in their fight. The night celebrates survivors and what they’ve overcome, remembering those lost to the disease, and honoring those who are fighting cancer.

Celebrate the arrival of spring with Holi! Similar to the Color Run, wear white and leave in color!

Santa’s Workshop follows the official Christmas Tree Lighting, by inviting students to stop by the Barone Campus Lower Level to really get in the Christmas Spirit. Not only are they provided with Santa Hats, but they have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa, decorate a stocking, and enjoy holiday treats, including hot chocolate and cookies while jamming to live Christmas music!

This annual event celebrates the fall season and the holiday of Halloween. Students are invited to paint or carve their own pumpkin, sip apple cider and celebrate being half way through the fall semester!