John Orman was more than just a professor. He was an icon on campus who helped many not only learn about politics, but also about life. Orman could often be seen on the basketball court, playing the game he loved. He was a great father and a great friend. Orman will always be missed (see editorial, p. 9). The following are memories submitted by his students, fellow professors and administrators. If you want to submit your own thoughts on Orman, visit www.fairfieldmirror.com and click on the article on the front page.
“He was a man of great enthusiasm and passion who never waivered from what he believed in; who encouraged his students to be active participants in their government, not just observers.”
—University President Father Jeffrey von Arx
“John had a gift for engaging students by adding a theoretical framework to such real-life visits [trips to meet Connecticut legislators]. He also would tap his wealth of real-life stories and experience to flesh out discussions in class about political theory. By graduation day, literally dozens of Fairfield students told me he was one of the biggest influences on their careers here.”
—James Simon, chair of
English department
“The College of Arts & Sciences feels the loss of Dr. Orman intensely. Not only was he a popular teacher, he was a department chair, he was always of good humor and collegial spirit.”
—Robbin Crabtree, dean of College of Arts and Sciences
“There aren’t many people in politics who are truly respected by both their political allies and their political adversaries. A few are respected, but not liked. Doc O is the only person I knew who was adored by people across the political spectrum. His teaching style — taking lessons outside the classroom by shaking up the Connecticut political landscape and exposing the absurdity of certain politicians — should be emulated by every politics professor in America.”
—Ben Doody ’07, former Mirror editor in chief
“His energy was contagious. Whether he was on the basketball court or in the class room, he was having fun and it showed!”
—Spencer Thibodeau ’10
“Scholar-teacher-friend. Teacher of the Year. Captain of the Doctors of Dunk. An example of the best faculty members at Fairfield University. He had ‘it’ all and his students got ‘it’ because of him. [He] was someone who understood the Magis and lived it in all parts of his life. [He was] a man who understood community in the real sense of the concept and knew how to improve every community he was a part of. Many of us are better off in a significant way because of John.”
—Phil Lane, chair of economics department
“Dr. Orman was one of the first professors I have met at Fairfield University though my high school history teacher. Dr. Orman inspired me to challenge the status quo and to be pro-active in the political sphere. If it was not for Dr. Orman I would not have grown to be as politically active as I am today and for that I am forever grateful. Lastly having taken Dr. Orman’s course four times I know I will never forget one of his most favorite people in history Alice Paul. Thank you Dr. Orman for all that you have done.”
-Darryl Brackeen Jr. ’10
“During senior year when I was afraid I was not going to graduate, he pulled me aside and asked what I wanted, needed and how he could help. I told him I didn’t think I could do it, and not a lot of people did. He told me that he knew I had the talent to graduate, and I said to him, sometimes I just wanted to graduate to say I told you so. May 17th, 2009, walking back from the podium he smiled at me, laughed and said, ‘I told you so.'”
-Dave Cuthbertson ’09
“Dr. Orman is one of Fairfield’s ‘greats’ and always will be remembered that way.”
—Mark Reed, Vice President
for Student Services and Administrative Affairs
“I’m willing to bet very few students outside the Fairfield bubble have experienced pop culture sports-style brackets, mock Congressional hearings and the freedom to liberally mold your final project — all from a politics professor who once hopelessly dove into a Senatorial race. Dr. Orman had a unique ability to transform mundane topics into absurdly entertaining lessons while still managing to not only educate, but educate effectively. Dr. Orman was a gem.”
—Ali Bart ’08, former Mirror news editor
“Dr. John Orman was an advocate of embracing one’s heritage. He took both me and Zhenya (Ukranian exchange student) to a local Ukranian festival. It was such a beautiful program! And because of Dr. Orman and his wife Reenie, we were able to experience it. Dr. Orman was a kind man, who was determined to educate, to inspire and to motivate. He is greatly missed, for he inspired so many students to discover where they came from and where they are going.”
—Aliya Roginiel ’07
“I will always remember Dr. Orman’s enthusiasm in and out of class, as well as his unconventional teaching methods. I was fortunate to work with him over the course of my four years at Fairfield, as a student, an advisee and as editor of the student newspaper. Although he was a popular professor and taught many students, Dr. Orman always took time out to speak with me and remember past comments I made in class, papers I had written or activities of which I was involved. I still remain in disbelief over his passing, but know that Dr. Orman will be remembered fondly as an extremely intelligent, kind and humorous individual who contributed so much to the Fairfield community.”
—Alexandra Gross ’09,
former Mirror editor in chief
“As one of the few conservatives on campus, Dr. Orman and I rarely agreed (actually, never) on politics. But in and out of his classroom, he was ‘fair and balanced’ (to use a modern phrase) and he was a model for how to conduct yourself in political life. After graduation, I ran into him at various FU events and he was always warm, with a great sense of humor and magnificent demeanor. John Orman truly made his part of the world better, whether you agreed with him or not, and he will be missed. RIP.”
—Michael Guarnieri ’84
“I had the honor of having Dr. Orman for three different classes, most notably the last course he taught at Fairfield this past June. Dr. Orman instilled in me a spirit of activism and service that will stay with me forever. I believe it is my duty to live out these values every day that I am alive so that Dr. Orman’s spirit will live on. I sincerely hope that all of his students commit to doing the same.”
—Jeff Seiser ’10, FUSA President
“For me, a few notable memories of John Orman include: his impression of President Ford (one of our most athletic presidents, as John would note) tripping down the steps of Air Force One with media flash bulbs ablaze; his mentoring of students before we knew what, or how important, mentoring was; keeping a sense of humor and perspective; someone you could always count to turn his head and catch your eye as you walked by him so that he could say “hi” or “how you doing?” and as true gym rat with an impressive jump shot.”
—Tom Pellegrino, Dean of Students
“Dr. Orman was someone that my brother introduced me to … When I transferred to Fairfield he strongly suggested I take his class … He made politics and history exciting for me, a feat that no-one was able to do before … I am saddened that I will not get to have an interesting, in depth, sometimes heated conversation with him again … it will not be the same to walk around that campus without the hopes of running into him … I wish his family a beautiful life and I hope they can recover and celebrate in his life everyday … God bless.”
—Colin May ’06
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