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Fairfield University Alumnus Gives $10 Million For Recreation Complex

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Fairfield University alumnus John C. Meditz recently donated $10 million to the university to expand and modernize the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex. 

John C. Meditz

John C. Meditz

Photo Credit: Courtesy Fairfield University

Meditz is a 1970 graduate of Fairfield and is a trustee on the university board. The $10 million will be used toward one of the university's current strategic priorities, representatives said in a press release. 

"The gift adds to other major contributions that Mr. Meditz has made in recent years, including gifts that enabled the University to construct and establish the Bellarmine Museum of Art, to endow the Directorship of the museum, and to create additional endowed student scholarships," representatives said in the release. 

The Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., university president, called the gift “historic and transformative,” according to the release.

“John has been a longtime, steadfast supporter of the University and his generosity has already had a profound impact on the University community and the learning environment that we have become," von Arx said. "At this moment in our history, we are committed to a number of facility enhancements that will help us to become an even more dynamic and state-of-the-art institution. John has a deep understanding of our mission as a Jesuit university and he has served that mission well. He has been a University trustee during all of my term as president, and I’m grateful for his leadership at this moment in our development.”

Meditz made known his gift intention in late March through a letter to fellow trustees presented during a  board meeting.

"Investing in strategically important facilities that either we lack or are in need of modernization is vital to Fairfield’s overall reputation for excellence and to how it is perceived among its various audiences, particularly prospective students," Meditz said in a letter to fellow trustees. "With the new Rafferty Stadium construction for Fairfield’s lacrosse programs underway, we need to accelerate the expansion and modernization of the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex. In making my commitment it is my sincere hope that it will encourage and inspire others to make exemplary donations by increasing current gifts or making new ones." 

The Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex, in the center of campus, serves more than 95 percent of the student body, as well as many faculty and staff. It was built in 1979 and houses the swimming pool, Birkenstock field house, racquetball courts, and fitness and weight area that support general recreation, intramural and club sports, and the varsity swimming and diving teams.

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