Fairfield Bellarmine Students Receive Romero Award for Service & Leadership
Ana Aguirre FB’25 and Jaheim McKie FB’25, members of Fairfield Bellarmine’s first graduating class, were honored at this year’s Student Achievement Awards ceremony held at the Dolan School of Business on March 31
Ana Aguirre FB’25 and Jaheim McKie FB’25 are the first-ever recipients of Fairfield University’s Romero Award, which recognizes students in the associate’s degree program who exemplify the spirit of a Catholic, Jesuit education through academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to service. The award is named after St. Oscar Romero of El Salvador, a martyred hero of faith, justice, and peace who was canonized in 2018.
Aguirre and McKie were selected for the Romero Award from a remarkable pool of
Bellarmine classmates nominated by faculty, staff, and students. Aguirre was cited for her
high academic achievements while also serving as a Humanitarian Action fellow and a
Community-Engaged Research fellow in the Center for Social Impact. As the Fairfield
Bellarmine program launched, she played a key role in strengthening her classmates’ social
network while acting as a bridge-builder between Fairfield’s North Benson and Bellarmine
campuses. Active in volunteer projects and Campus Ministry, Aguirre described herself as a
spiritual person who felt called by God to Fairfield Bellarmine.
“At the time, I didn’t know why, but after seeing how beautiful the campus was and how
beautifully the faculty and administration treated everyone, I was inspired to pursue my
degree at Fairfield Bellarmine,” Aguirre said. “The dedication that the staff puts into their
work is incredibIe; I feel like receiving this award shows what they did for me — their
actions and their support — that’s what this award represents to me.”
McKie is the founder of Brothers of Bellarmine, a group that promotes mentorship, support,
and community among male students. He too demonstrated high academic commitment
while participating in campus leadership roles and club sports. Known for his vibrant
personality and his willingness to help others, McKie has been actively involved in the Black
Student Union, contributing to initiatives that amplify Black voices and support cultural
awareness. Among nominees for the Romero award, McKie stood out for creating spaces of
belonging and encouragement, embodying the spirit of service, leadership, and justice
celebrated by the Romero Award. “What makes receiving the award so meaningful is the
recognition of hard work and dedication,” said McKie. “It signifies that the time, effort, and
challenges I’ve faced have been worthwhile and it motivates me to continue striving for
excellence as I move forward in my academic and career journey.”
McKie and Aguirre will receive their associate’s degrees alongside their Fairfield Bellarmine
classmates at Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 15. In the fall, both students plan
to continue their Fairfield education towards bachelor’s degrees—in the Charles F. Dolan
School of Business for McKie, and in the College of Arts and Sciences for Aguirre, who has
chosen to major in psychology.
“I think that Bellarmine shaped my academic and career goals by forcing me to practice
more critical thinking and step out of my world, ‘my little box,’ to think more about other
cultures, other beliefs, and other ideas,” said Aguirre. “It’s what led me to have a greater
love for psychology and has inspired me to hopefully work toward my master’s and maybe
a PhD.”
Reflecting on his two years at Fairfield Bellarmine, McKie said, “As the first-ever graduating
class, we have witnessed the program’s growth and evolution, and it’s been an exciting
journey.” He noted the importance building strong relationships with professors and peers,
“because those connections will be invaluable throughout your academic and career
journey.”
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