A prominent prosecutor who found his start at Fairfield University and the founders of the advocacy organization Autism Speaks have been tapped to speak at this year’s 62nd Commencement ceremony.
On May 20, Joseph P. Russoniello ’63 and Bob and Suzanne Wright will speak to the graduating class of 2012.
Russoniello has made a name for himself in law. He has prosecuted criminal and civil cases involving espionage, money laundering and public corruption and is responsible for tightening laws on national security, gun ownership and child pornography.
Senior Richard Wolf says that he anticipates hearing the commencement speech from Russoniello. “My career goal is to become a prosecutor . . . and I’m interested to see how [Russoniello] transformed his Jesuit education into a life as an attorney,” he said.
The second commencement speakers, Bob and Suzanne Wright, stand as integral members of the local Fairfield community, reaching to make gains for the research of autism by fund raising through Autism Speaks.
Founded by the couple in 2005, Autism Speaks is the world’s largest advocacy organization for autism, which aims to spread awareness about the disorder that affects one in 88 American children.
The ceremony will also feature those bestowed with honorary degrees:
Jane E. Ferreira, president and chief executive officer of Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport, Conn., an institution that uplifts women in society; prolific author Fr. Richard J. Clifford, S.J., who is also an honored scholar of the Old Testament and founding dean of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry; Fairfield alumnus Dr. Joseph Timpone ’80, B.S., M.D., a medical researcher at Georgetown University Medical Center; and Sister Claire Fitzgerald, Ph.D., founding director of Fairfield’s American Studies Program and teacher of 64 years.
Last year, Honorable Maryanne Trump Barry delivered the commencement speech to the undergraduates.
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