Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. certainly kept himself busy during his 25 year tenure as Fairfield’s president. The Fairfield of 2003 is a different institution from the Fairfield of 1979.

Since then, Fairfield has seen a huge expansion and renovation of school buildings and facilities. The Quick Center for the Arts, The Egan Chapel, the Walsh Athletic Center and the Dolan School of Business were all constructed under Kelley’s stewardship.

The DiMenna-Nyselius Library, the Barone Campus Center and the Bannow Science Center were also renovated during his tenure. Only four years ago these buildings couldn’t even be toured by prospective students because of construction. Now they are three of the most attractive and valuable buildings on campus.

Besides the growth on campus, Fairfield’s financial status increased dramatically from an endowment of $2 million in 1979 to an astounding $131 million currently.

More importantly, however, is the academic success Fairfield has achieved over the years. Fairfield became a member of the prestigious academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa, the Dolan School of Business became accredited and the Ignatian Residential College was established all during Kelley’s term.

Fairfield University is also pulling from a much more competitive pool of students. With each incoming freshman class we hear constantly that it is academically the best class Fairfield has welcomed so far.

That being said, the man behind the success of Fairfield is still a mystery to the student body. An encounter with Kelley is so rare that students have taken to calling chance meetings “sightings.”

The number of students who have actually gotten to know Kelley or had a substantive conversation with him is surprisingly small, especially considering how small and close-knit a school Fairfield is.

Still, after 25 years, Fairfield owes its financial security, academic success and prestige to Kelley. He has proved beyond a doubt that you do not need to be visible to the student body to be a great president.

Farewell Father Kelley, we hardly knew you, but we are forever grateful to you for making Fairfield University what it is today.

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