Fairfield University

Fairfield University, a prominent private institution, embodies a rich Jesuit tradition that has guided its growth since its founding in 1942. As the 26th Jesuit college/university in the United States, Fairfield has consistently focused on educating the whole person, fostering intellectual rigor, ethical leadership, and a commitment to service. This foundational ethos continues to shape a vibrant academic community in southwestern Connecticut, attracting 6,864 students to its diverse programs.

From admitting its first class of 303 male students in 1947 to the College of Arts and Sciences, Fairfield underwent a significant transformation, becoming co-educational in 1970. This period of expansion also saw the formation of its School of Nursing and later the School of Business, building a diverse academic portfolio. A landmark legal victory in the 1971 Tilton vs. Richardson Supreme Court case, affirming federal grants for religious institutions, further fueled its infrastructure development, including the Nyselius Library and Bannow Science Center.

The university truly blossomed under the 25-year tenure of President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., witnessing an explosion in campus facilities, new degree programs across undergraduate and graduate levels, and a substantial increase in its endowment. The acquisition of Bridgeport Engineering Institute in 1994 led to the formation of the School of Engineering, and the university's academic prestige was further cemented by its acceptance into Phi Beta Kappa in 1995. Today, under its first lay president, Mark R. Nemec, Fairfield continues to build on this legacy, offering a dynamic and engaging educational experience across its well-established professional schools and a comprehensive College of Arts and Sciences.