Dr. Lynn M. Babington, PhD, RN was named Interim President of Fairfield University on Dec. 1. Babington, who will replace Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx S.J., will begin her appointment on Jan. 1, 2017 and will hold the position until June 2017 until Fairfield announces who will take on the permanent role next fall.
Babington has played a significant role at the University for more than three years. Beginning in 2012, she held the role of Dean of the School of Nursing at Fairfield until she made the transition to Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2014.
Babington discussed how being a nurse has shaped her for the upcoming position at Fairfield.
“I think being a nurse helps one relate and translate complex health care information to patients and families, and then transfers the needs of patients and families to physicians and other health care providers on the team,” said Babington. “And I think that role of listening and translating has served me very well in all of my roles, particularly as a leader. It has helped me translate the bigger picture of what’s going on in higher education to the faculty and staff, and really translate the importance and uniqueness of our education system here at Fairfield.”
During the next semester, Babington will continue to guide Fairfield through its largest capital campaign in the University’s history. According to News@Fairfield, the campaign, Fairfield Rising is in its final stages and is expected to reach its goal of $160 million by its conclusion.
Across campus, students, staff and faculty have become well aware of the changes taking place through the newly renovated Leslie C. Quick Recreational Complex, as well as the expansion and renovation of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies.
In addition, Babington is looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the student body given her newly-appointed position.
“I’ve been around, and available, and very engaged with faculty and staff and somewhat with students. I plan on increasing my engagement with students and attending and participating in activities like sporting events,” said Babington. “I have visited some student classrooms, of course, but not as much with all of the student activities.”
Alumna Katie Sirna ‘16 graduated from the Egan School of Nursing and spoke highly of Babington while she was still the dean, noting her significant involvement with the students back in 2013.
“I met with her about trying to get an internship as a rising junior, which is unheard of, and she met with me and gave me tips that were super helpful to prepare me for things like that,” said Sirna. “She even wrote me a recommendation letter.”
Babington is hopeful that by engaging with the student body, she will be able to achieve her goal of uniting the Fairfield faculty, staff, students and surrounding community to understand the special academic institution that is Fairfield.
Senior Kelly Alberti is hopeful that Babington will be able to connect better with the student body than she feels Fr. von Arx did.
“I feel that the president of our University should have a much more personal connection with the students. This will allow us to build great relationships and could strengthen the sense of community on campus,” said Alberti. “I personally don’t feel that I know much of anything about our current president because he is so distant from the student body.”
When asked what Babington would like to improve on campus, Babington talked about how her research studies in nursing have influenced what she wants to improve.
“All of my research as a nurse has been working with immigrant groups and increasing access, and culturally appropriate health care, to wide varieties of population and that same is true in academics,” said Babington. “As a University community, I think we need to continue to grow in our multi-cultural competencies and we have to really grow in our pride for who we are as an institution.”
Diversifying campus is constantly an obstacle for Fairfield, as only 14 percent of students here are minorities, according to Fairfield’s website.
The appointment of Babington will mark the first time in Fairfield history that the University has not only a female president, but also a non-clergy member. The news was well-received by many students.
“The Nursing School here is a great program; it’s No. 7 in the country. She obviously knows what she’s doing,” said Tracy Lebeau ‘18. “She made the nursing school great, so I’m sure she’ll help Fairfield out.”
Junior Liam Cahill echoed similar statements.
“I know that traditionally, for the Jesuit values, it helps to have a Jesuit in that position, but I think it’s also important that we test out the options too, since that has been such a priority in the past years,” said Cahill. “It’s kind of good that we get a perspective from a lay person and see how that works for us rather than just going with business as usual.”
During the next sixth months, according to Babington, the University will continue the search for a new president as well as “continue growth in the areas of graduate and continuing studies here.”
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