We believe that the truest way to define a university is by the quality of the students who attend it and the dedication of the faculty and staff who run it. Without a doubt, this year saw more changes in the administration than any in recent memory, and Fairfield will undoubtedly be a very different place in a few very short years.
Of the many changes made this year, a few may prove to be particularly interesting.
Former Dean of Students Mark Reed is now running the Student Affairs division, and former Director of Residence Life Tom Pellegrino took Reed’s place as Dean of Students. In their first full academic year in their new positions, which begins in September, we’ll see if the youthful enthusiasm of the duo outweighs their relative inexperience.
The Department of Residence Life has seen two dramatic changes in the last two years in the resignations of former Director of Residence Life Fran Koerting and former Assistant Director of Residence Life Laura Cantrell. Koerting and Cantrell oversaw one of the most influential departments for current students. We are eager how this overhaul will impact students’ lives.
In addition, two beloved preachers are leaving Campus Ministry, University Chaplain Fr. Paul Carrier and Fr. Terry Devino are both leaving Fairfield. Both Carrier and Devino were hugely popular with students and the Fairfield community, and their replacements – if they are even replaced – have big shoes to fill.
To top it off, the athletics department saw the exit of basketball Head Coach Tim O’Toole and the hiring of former BC Assistant Coach Ed Cooley to fill his shoes. The basketball team did not have a winning season this year (9-19). Cooley brings a fresh new face and some new enthusiasm, but only time can tell if that will be enough.
As students, our experience at Fairfield has been defined by our spirit for the school and by the collective program that these people create for us. These administrators and leaders of the faculty and staff are charged with molding the Fairfield experience. Whether these personnel changes will be for better or worse remains to be seen.
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