Everyone knows the ultimate paranormal sighting is the one accompanied by photographic evidence.
Fairfield students had the rare opportunity not only to experience an infamous “APK sighting,” but to also have their photo taken with the private president of the university Tuesday evening.
During the two-hour event sponsored by Global Outreach, Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. was on hand in the Oak Room for photographs. For the relatively inexpensive price of $3, students now have something to remember Kelley by, as he will be retiring in May.
Global Outreach, a student organization which runs service trips to places such as Mexico and Haiti, planned the evening as a fundraiser to help finance their trip to Mexico in January. There, the group will work with Mexican workers and children and help with construction projects and in soup kitchens.
Kelley, who is seldom seen on campus, was agreeable to the idea of the photo shoot.
“It’s a clever idea to raise money for the trip,” he said between the flashes of the camera.
While Kelley is available for pictures during senior week every spring, this was a unique opportunity for all students to have a picture taken and a time to chat with Fairfield’s long-time president. Noticeably social with the students, Kelley joked, laughed and made small talk with Global Outreach contributors between photo ops.
Representatives from Global Outreach were optimistic about the potential to raise money with this unusual charity event.
One representative also commented on Kelley’s willingness to take part in the event.
“He was very enthusiastic about it,” said Mike Conte ’03, a member of Global Outreach. “We’re hoping this will be successful.”
Within minutes, students were lined up outside the doors of the Oak Room of the Barone Campus Center. More males than females showed up, and it turned out that Kelley was not the only one dressed in black and white.
“I thought it would be funny to have a picture of me wearing a tux posing with APK. So I rented a tux,” said Chris Miller ’06.
Miller later admitted the tux was really for an orchestra concert.
Earlier in the day, some students speculated whether APK himself would show up or whether they might end up with photographs taken next to a cardboard cutout.
Other students felt it was a rare opportunity to see a so-called sighting of the university president. Some apparently joked it was a moment to verify his existence.
“I never knew he existed before,” said John Harder ’04 as to why he attended the event.
Other students thought the pictures would make decorative additions to their dorm rooms on campus.
“I needed a new background for my desktop,” said Anthony Kunz ’07.
Some had two or three photos taken, and many students decided on group photos.
“We’ll probably put it in our kitchen,” said Elissa DeRose ’04 of the photo she and her roommates had taken.
The event was well received and students credited Kelley for the success.
“Father Kelley rocks!” said Chrisine Carpino ’04 a housemate of DeRose’s and member of Global Outreach.
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