Charles F. Dolan Receives Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree

Fairfield University has proudly bestowed a degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon Charles F. Dolan, longtime University Trustee, founder of HBO and Cablevision, part-owner of Madison Square Garden and a leader in business.

The ceremony , held Wednesday, November 2, brought to the campus influential community members, University faculty and staff, and University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., who praised the entrepreneur, credited as a pioneer in expansion of the television industry. Dolan is also the founder of the Lustgarten Foundation, the largest private foundation that supports research into pancreatic cancer.

“What Charles Dolan has accomplished is nothing less than to have dramatically expanded the imagination of our culture—and in doing so, expand the reach of information and education to many who might otherwise have been denied what that culture has to offer,” Fr. von Arx said.

In 2000, the University’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business was named in his honor after Dolan donated $25 million to the school.

“Fairfield University has been extraordinarily fortunate to have benefited from Charles Dolan’s example, support and inspiration,” said Fr. von Arx. “Thanks to his support, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business is one of the premier business schools in the nation — and one with a reputation that is rising all the time."

Fr. von Arx continued, "Our graduates are sought after in financial industry, media, marketing, accounting and so on — and they are particularly sought after because of their entrepreneurial spirit, anchored to a strong ethical foundation. In many respects, they have been formed in the tradition and example of Charles Dolan.”

Pictured (L-R): Charles F. Dolan, Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.