Fairfield On The Move Events A Success
The University has been on tour of 13 campaign events held all around the country, called Fairfield On The Move, and the most recent events were held in California and Florida. The events, special gatherings hosted by alumni in their homes, private clubs, at their corporations – one event was on a private yacht – were well attended and inspired a strong sense of alumni community across the country.
“Fairfield and the experience there have been an important part of my life,” said Lisa Cowell Shams '87, an executive vice president of Government Affairs for Westfield Corporation, who hosted an event with her husband Ray Shams at their Bel Air home in February.
“It is a not just a community in the sense of a physical place, but also the Jesuit traditions and method of educating the whole person creates a community of shared values,” she continued, talking too, about how fun it was to be able to catch up with the University community.
There were three events in California: in L.A. at the Shams’ home; in San Francisco at the McKesson Vision Center hosted by Jorge Figueredo '82, executive vice president of Human Resources at McKesson Corporation; and in Los Gatos at Campo di Bocce.
John De Santis '78, CEO and chairman of HyTrust, Inc., who hosted the Campo di Bocce event said: “I’m proud of the school and its mission. I’m proud of Los Gatos and its many charms, and any opportunity to be an 'ambassador' and a 'connector' for the University is a privilege – and I find it easy to do.” De Santis, who even had President von Arx, S.J. trying his hand at Bocce, also said that meeting the older alumni was “a hoot” and meeting the younger alumni was “great - as they are just starting out on their journeys, it was exciting to learn about their ambitions.” 
In late February and early March, there were three more events in Florida: in Naples at the home of Alan and Betsey Harris, GP’18; in Ft. Lauderdale on the private yacht of University Trustee, Ceasar N. Anquillare ’78; and in Palm Beach at the private club of University Trustee, Christopher C. Quick ’79.
“Walking into the room, I immediately felt at home, even though I didn't know anyone else there,” Marissa DeBellis ’08 said about the Palm Beach reception, and continued, “having just moved to Florida in December, I was excited to have the opportunity to connect with some new Stags.” DeBellis, an associate attorney at Elder and Estate Planning Attorneys PA, also said she’s excited to help generate more of a Fairfield presence in Florida.
More Fairfield On The Move events are planned for this spring with New Jersey (April 13) and Philadelphia (April 14) as the next stops. For more information, to RSVP to these events or for photo galleries of past events, visit the Fairfield Rising events page .
If you would like to get involved with the new San Francisco alumni chapter, please contact: Charlie Knights ’12 .
To learn more about how to get involved with all other alumni chapters visit the alumni regional chapters page .
Pictured: Top left, Bel Air reception (l-r) Meredith Bocklet ’08, Dave Grazynski ’04, Brian McAllister ’06 and his spouse Rebecca Haber McAllister.
Right, Palm Beach reception (l-r) Marissa DeBellis ’08 and Marissa Lanteri '04
