Fairfield University to graduate inaugural Fairfield Bellarmine class at 75th commencement

Fairfield University will celebrate its 75th Commencement by conferring associate’s degrees upon the inaugural Fairfield Bellarmine Class of 2025 —a historic milestone in the University’s mission to expand access to Jesuit higher education

The inaugural Fairfield Bellarmine Class of 2025 will graduate on Thursday, May 15, at 4 p.m. at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The event will be accessible via livestream and marks a significant milestone in Fairfield’s commitment to serving students in the Greater Bridgeport area and beyond.

Launched in summer 2023, Fairfield Bellarmine is a two-year associate’s degree program offering a rigorous core curriculum in the humanities and sciences, and major tracks in business, computer science, health studies, and liberal studies—designed to prepare students for continued undergraduate study or immediate career entry. The program provides comprehensive academic, financial, and personal development support to help students succeed.

Fairfield Bellarmine was established in collaboration with the Diocese of Bridgeport, whose early partnership helped shape the vision for the program—an effort rooted in the Jesuit tradition of serving urban communities and expanding access to high-quality education for underrepresented students.

“Just five years after the first meeting to imagine our new degree program, we are proud to
graduate our first class,” said Fairfield Bellarmine Vice Provost and Executive Director Fr.
Kevin O’Brien, S.J. “These amazing young people came to us as we were building our school
in Bridgeport from the ground up. This included hiring faculty and staff, crafting the
curriculum, and renovating four buildings. As they are our inaugural class, they helped us
co-create what Fairfield Bellarmine has become: an innovative, rigorous two-year degree
program in a supportive and collaborative environment. Together, we have significantly
expanded access to Jesuit higher education and are making significant contributions to the
Greater Bridgeport area.”
This shared effort is already yielding results. Fairfield Bellarmine has achieved an 80% two-
year graduation rate—a strong outcome, compared to the statewide three-year graduation
rate of under 20% for community colleges in Connecticut.

The Class of 2025 includes 35 graduates, with approximately 90% continuing their studies
at Fairfield University toward a bachelor’s degree. One student will be attending Williams
College in the fall.

Members of Fairfield Bellarmine’s Class of 2025 are also being honored for academic
excellence and leadership:
• Twelve students were inducted into the Tri-Alpha National Honor Society (Alpha
Alpha Alpha), recognizing high-achieving first-generation college students:
Alejandro Garcia-Barajas; Katherin Garcia Flores; Scarllet E. Lopez; Francisco G.
Martinez; Jaheim Kash-Wayne McKie; Kayanna Alesha Mills; Matthew Robles;
Andreza Victoria Santos; Marissa Amaya Shanley; Daniel Gion Tarazona; Santiago
Tarazona; and Jennifer Daniela Velasquez.
• Ana Catalina Aguirre and Jaheim Kash-Wayne McKie are the inaugural recipients of
Fairfield University’s Romero Award, which honors associate’s degree students who
embody the values of a Catholic, Jesuit education through academic achievement,
leadership, and service.
• Francisco G. Martinez will receive the Kay Pierce Award, which recognizes a
graduating Fairfield Bellarmine student for dedication to community service and
academic achievement.
• The Bellarmine Medal, awarded to the student(s) with the highest academic average
over two years, will be presented to Catherine Erol and Trinity Santiago.
• The Commencement ceremony will feature student speaker Scarllet E. Lopez.

Fairfield Bellarmine Commencement Exercises
Thursday, May 15, 2025 • 4:00 p.m.
Fairfield University, Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Livestream available at: https://vimeo.com/event/5049131

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Fairfield University to graduate inaugural Fairfield Bellarmine class at 75th commencement