Fairfield students probably hadn’t fully realized the contribution of the school’s longest-reigning president, Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., until he announced his retirement rather suddenly in October of 2003 after 25 years of service.
The Mirror chronicled Fairfield’s mixed reaction to the news in the October 9, 2003 issue, when one student said “The president has done great things for the school; too bad I’ve only seen him in person twice.”
Despite Kelley’s notorious behind-the-scenes approach, it’s difficult to go someplace on campus without feeling his influence. The Quick Center, Egan Chapel, Walsh Athletic Center, Apartment Village, Dolan School of Business, Townhouse Complex, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Barone Campus Center, Bannow Science Center and several other buildings were either built, modified, or improved during his tenure.
On top of the many physical changes at Fairfield, the university was accepted into Phi Beta Kappa and SAT scores increased from an average of 1065 to 1197. Also, the school’s endowment increased from $2 million to $131 million during Kelley’s tenure.
Following the announcement, the big question on everyone’s mind was brought to light in the article by Mary Albertson ’06 when she said “I’m anxious to see who replaces him.”
Her question would be answered several months later when Fairfield’s Board of Trustees announced that Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., a seasoned college administrator with experience at Fordham and Georgetown, would be stepping into Kelley’s shoes.
-Ryan Blair
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