The Suffolk University Alumni Association will honor four graduates with the 2007 Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award at a special dinner during Reunion Weekend on Saturday, June 2.

This year's recipients from the College of Arts & Sciences are Dr. Karen DeSalvo BA '88 for achievement and Richard D. Tranfaglia BA '73 for service. The Sawyer Business School is recognizing Nique Fajors BSBA '89 for achievement and William M. Fonte, BSBA ’83, MBA ‘89 for service. 

Alumni Achievement Award, College of Arts & Sciences 

Dr. Karen DeSalvo BA ‘88 
Chief of General Internal Medicine, Tulane University 

Karen DeSalvo typifies the Suffolk experience. She is a tremendously hard worker who persists in reaching her end goal no matter the obstacles. Her efforts to restore the medical system in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina are chronicled in the Winter 2007 edition of the Suffolk Alumni Magazine, but her work on behalf of the disadvantaged goes as far back as her first days in medical school. She is driven by a lifelong desire to see equal access to healthcare in this country, regardless of one’s financial standing. In this, our Centennial year, Karen’s work and her efforts on behalf of the less fortunate in her community speak volumes about a Suffolk education and the true power of Gleason Archer’s legacy. 

Alumni Service Award, College of Arts & Sciences 

Richard D. Tranfaglia BA ‘73 
Director, Personnel Department, City of Somerville 

Rich Tranfaglia has been a tireless supporter of Suffolk University. Rich’s presence on the CAS Alumni Board has moved the board forward and his leadership as past alumni board president continued to heighten the quality of the board. Rich also participates in the Alumni Admissions programs, encouraging students to attend this great University. This enthusiasm even extends to Rich’s own family, as his son is a 2006 graduate from Suffolk. His pride for the University will continue to inspire future generations of Suffolk students. 

Alumni Achievement Award, Sawyer Business School 

Nique Fajors BSBA ‘89 
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Atari, Inc. 

Nique Fajors attended Suffolk on a Trustee Scholarship and was a former co-op student. He told the Suffolk Journal in 1999, “I came to Suffolk a confused teenager with not a lot of self-confidence or self-love. The people I met at Suffolk were responsible for my growth and development as a person.” 

His growth and development includes a career that started at Procter & Gamble in brand management, and went on to leadership positions at Schumberger, Snyder Communications, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and The White House. While at Synder Communications he was President of Consumer Marketing Services of a $50 million division. Nique co-founding two companies, launched more than two dozen consumer and entertainment products into various global markets, published a book, and developed and produced an educational video. 

Currently, Nique holds the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Atari, Inc., at $395 million company. In addition to his prestigious professional career, Nique is an active member of the community. He is a member of the board of trustees for the National Childhood Obesity Foundation and formerly served on the board of directors for the Cuban Charitable Basketball Class in Boston. He’s also a valued part of our Suffolk community, speaking at numerous alumni events. In September 2006 was the keynote speaker at the inaugural BSBA Alumni/Student Networking Event. 

Alumni Service Award, Sawyer Business School 

William M. Fonte, BSBA ’83, MBA ‘89 
Assistant Vice President, State Street Corporation 

In 1999, a handful of runners took part in the first Suffolk University 5K Road Race and Family Walk and Barbecue. From that modest beginning has grown one of the University's most popular traditions attended by hundreds of people from the University community—current students, faculty, staff, friends, and alumni from all schools and programs. 

This fall, the 9th Annual race will be held in September thanks to the hard work and dedication of a core group of volunteers. No one captures the generous qualities of these volunteers as much as Race Director William Fonte. Bill is an energetic leader whose dedication makes everything run smoothly, from preparing for race logistics six months prior to the event to coordinating volunteers to handle all aspects of the race, walk, and party on the day of the race. 

Bill's gracious leadership is much admired and appreciated by all. Bill is constantly promoting the special qualities of his alma mater to a wide audience be it the race, alumni ice hockey and basketball games, or any of the other alumni-sponsored events throughout the academic year.