THE MIRR R Independent student newspaper
Week of April 27, 2022
Vol. 48 Iss. 20
Charlie Capalbo ‘22 Leaves Lasting Legacy on Fairfield Community
“Out of the Darkness” Event Spreads Message of Hope to Community By Max Limric Assistant News Editor By Anne Tomosivitch Assistant News Editor The Psychology Club at Fairfield University emphasizes the message “you are meant to be here and you are so incredibly loved” for those battling with suicidal thoughts. Students, staff, volunteers and members of the Fairfield Community came together and echoed this sentiment the morning of Sunday, April 24, when Fairfield University’s Psychology Club partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to host the annual Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention on campus.
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You are meant to be here and you are so incredibly loved.” - The Psychology Club
Illustrated by Peyton Perry Photos Courtesy of @capalbocrushescancer Instagram
Fairfield student Charlie Capalbo ‘22 smiles in his hockey gear. Capalbo was a beloved member of the Fairfield community who passed away on April 24 after a five-year battle with cancer, having inspired many with his strength and grace. By Julia Lanzilotta Executive Editor Emeritus
Fairfield community member and Fairfield Stag Charlie Capalbo passed away on Sunday, April 24 after a five-year long battle with cancer. Charlie’s first diagnosis came in 2017 during the hockey season of his senior year of high school. After treatment, he enrolled in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University and later faced three additional bouts of cancer. Charlie inspired the University and the town of Fairfield with his strength, sparking the “Capalbo Strong” movement and raising over $500,000 for
his treatment and other expenses through a Go Fund Me page. Countless people across the country rallied to show their support for Charlie over the last five years, from professional athletes, to local firefighters, to young hockey players. Thousands have posted positive messages and words of encouragement, flooding social media with the hashtag #CapalboStrong. Through the unimaginable, Charlie pushed through with grit, grace and a smile on his face. This is what it means to be Capalbo Strong. Just one month shy of 24 years old, the legacy Charlie leaves behind is immeasurable.
“‘Lean on me, and I’ll lean on you. And together we’ll get through… we always do”, said Charlie’s aunt, Rebecca Jarit, in a Facebook post to Charlie’s supporters quoting Ray LaMontagne’s “We’ll Make It Through.” In the wake of this impactful loss, University students will have access to resources such as Campus Ministry and Counseling and Psychological Services. Charlie’s legacy will continue to live on through the countless number of individuals his strength and story have touched. He will be dearly missed by the Fairfield community and his fellow Stags.
Students and Faculty Participate in ‘Black Stags Matter’ Walk By Madeline West Editor-in-Chief
INSIDE
Fairfield University’s Health & Wellness Committee hosted the Black Stags Matter Wellness Walk on Wednesday, April 20 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Students and faculty gathered for the event and were able to listen to different speakers while visiting eight different spots across campus “that have connections to promoting racial equity at Fairfield,” according to an email sent by HealthyU@Fairfield. The walk began outside of the Barone Campus Center nearby the Stagbus shuttle stop. The different spots attendees visited included the Stag Statue, Wellness Center, Canisius Hall, Egan Chapel of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, DiMenna-Nyselius Library/Charles F. Dolan School of Business, Fairfield Jesuit Community Residence and Bellarmine Hall. The Health & Wellness Committee is made up of different University departments within Student Life including Counseling and Psychological Services, Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex, Campus Ministry, The Student Health Center, Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, and the Office of the Dean of Students, etc.) as well as Human Resources,
Public Safety, The Kelley Center, The Murphy Center, Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, just to name a few. Va r i o u s m e m b e r s w h o attended the event shared their thoughts and reflections on their experience. Susan Birge, associate vice president for Health and Wellness and director of Counseling & Psychological Services, stated that the walk had “approximately 100 members of the campus community” in attendance. Birge continued that the intention of the walk was “to continue to raise awareness that Black Lives Matter and that Fairfield University, through its mission and Jesuit values, calls on the community to work for social justice.” Clinesha D. Johnson, associate director for student support through the Office of the Dean of Students Psy.D says, “the march was amazing.” Johnson continues, “the delivery of words expressed through song, poetry and from the heart really elevated and intensified the experience of walking for the purpose of uplifting Black lives within our campus community.” Johnson shares her biggest takeaway from the event is that “there are people who really care and value Black lives on campus.” Johnson states “our student body,
faculty/staff are open to experiencing ways that we can make our campus more inclusive, which will only lead to more dynamic and enriching experiences here at Fairfield.” It was salient for Johnson to attend because, “as a Black staff here at
The course was roughly one and a half miles long and looped around Fairfield’s campus, starting and ending at the Stag statue. Co-President of the Psychology Club Lauren Adams ‘23 stated that “This is an event for those who have lost someone to suicide, those who struggle with suicidal thoughts or ideations, or those who have family or friends who struggle with suicide.” Adams was ple as e d wit h t he tur nout of the event. She stated that just under 100 individuals registered for the event, and that even more people arrived on the day of the walk to show their support. This is the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that the club has been able to host the event in person, shared Treasurer of the Psychology Club Allie Mele ‘23. She further commented on the importance of the event being hosted in person, as opposed to being held virtually in recent years. “ I t ’s r e a l l y e x c i t i n g t h a t e v e r y one’s physic a l ly here to wa l k,” Mele s aid. “The power of physically walking together is really important, then carrying that message on after the event,” she continued. The significance of student support was also brought up, and how important it is that the University’s community gathers in support for good causes. “I’m so excited to see everyone coming out to support such an awesome cause on campus,” added Faith Waldron ‘23.“It's so awesome to see our school coming together for a really good cause. We don’t do this nearly enough,” she said. S ophomore Kierston Nicolosi followed Waldron’s comment by talking about the strength and unity of the Fairfield community. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
As a Black staff here at Fairfield University, it was important for me to stand in the gap for those students, faculty, and staff that look like me who feel that their voices are not being heard.”
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- Clinesha Johnson, Psy.D CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
News
Opinion
Vine
Sports
Students share positive response to Spring Concert.
Read about the importance of Autism Awareness.
New restaurant additons to Post Road!
Jake Noviello ‘22 pitches Fairfield’s first perfect game.
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