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Now in its 26 ^th year, the 2013 Awards Dinner promises to be one of the most successful fundraising evenings in the University’s history as Fairfield alumni and friends gather on Wednesday, April 10, at the Grand Hyatt in New York City for the annual signature event. Serving as co-chairs of the Awards Dinner Committee this year are: Bill and Peggy Atwell, P’08; Frank ’89 and Susan Carroll; and Gavin and Marybeth O’Connor ’88.

The Honorees

Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Carlos M. Cardoso ’81
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kennametal Inc.

Named one of America’s “Best Chief Executive Officers” by Institutional Investor , Carlos Cardoso emigrated to the United States at the age of 17, and earned his undergraduate degree in business administration in 1981. Prior to joining Kennametal in 2002, he served as president of the Pump Division of Flowserve Corporation, and at Honeywell/AlliedSignal as a leader in the company’s aerospace business. Carlos is a member of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business Advisory Council.

Alumni Service Award
Robert L. Berchem ’62, P’92
Principal and President, Berchem, Moses & Devlin, P.C.

Bob Berchem graduated with a degree in politics in 1962, went to law school at Villanova University, and received a master of laws degree in 1967 from the University of Michigan. He then returned to his hometown of Milford, Conn., to establish one of Connecticut’s most prominent law firms. Bob has remained active as an alumnus, serving as a trustee, and representing the University pro bono in numerous special matters. Last year, he served as co-chair of the Class of 1963’s 50 ^th Reunion Gift Committee, assisting in raising the largest 50 ^th Reunion class gift in Fairfield’s history.

Distinguished Faculty/Administrator Award
Eugene Doris
Director of Athletics

Fairfield’s Athletics Program has flourished under the guidance of Gene Doris over the past 19 years. The University now boasts 20 varsity sports, a solid Division I standing, and a multi-million-dollar facility. The University has seen the Stags win the overall Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Commissioner’s Cup four times. Gene has garnered multiple awards for his skills as an athletic director, including Division I Northeast Athletic Director of the Year Award from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Special Recognitions
This year, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÊÓƵÎÞÏÞÖƹۿ´ is proud to present two special awards recognizing outstanding commitment to the University’s mission.

Honorary Alumna Award
Nancy Lynch, P’95

A dedicated volunteer for her entire adult life, Nancy Lynch has focused her time and energy for the past ten years on the field of healthcare. With her natural leadership qualities, Nancy played a significant role in recruiting and mentoring members of the first advisory board for the University’s School of Nursing, and served as board chair for two terms. The momentum she nurtured resulted in gifts of approximately $1 million to the School of Nursing’s Robin Kanarek Learning Resource Center.

The Fairfield Award
James P. and Linda C. Slattery, P’92
and the Slattery Family

When Chris Slattery ’92, a block equities trader at Cantor Fitzgerald, was killed in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, his parents, Jim and Linda Slattery, his brother Dan, and sister Erin established a foundation in his honor. The Slattery family also launched the Chris Slattery Golf Classic which, after ten years, has raised nearly a million dollars for scholarships for ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÊÓƵÎÞÏÞÖƹۿ´ students.

Keynote Speaker
Cynthia R. Bigelow
President & CEO, R.C. Bigelow, Inc.

Before assuming her current role as president and CEO of Bigelow Tea in 2005, Cindi Bigelow spent 20 years in virtually all areas of the company that her grandmother founded in 1945. Headquartered in Fairfield, Conn., Bigelow Tea is the national market leader of specialty teas and maker of the popular “Constant Comment” Tea. A passionate advocate for education, Cindi created the Eunice & David Bigelow Scholarship at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ÊÓƵÎÞÏÞÖƹۿ´.

Funds raised through the event support scholarships for the University’s Multicultural Scholarship Fund. Donors may also choose to designate to a scholarship of their choice. More than $14 million has been raised since the event’s inception in 1988.