Director to screen award-winning film about nuns at Fairfield University

Fairfield University will host a free screening of the film "A Question of Habit," a lively look at contemporary depictions of nuns, followed by a Q&A with director Bren Ortega Murphy at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the University's DiMenna-Nyselius Library multimedia room. Light refreshments will be provided.

The screening is sponsored by The Humanities Institute in the College of Arts and Sciences; the Program in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Reel Women; and the departments of Religious Studies and Film, Television and Media Arts. It is part of Fairfield's slate of events marking Women's History Month.

"A Question of Habit" is a full-length documentary narrated by actress Susan Sarandon, who won an Oscar for her role as Sister Helen Prejean in "Dead Man Walking." The film, which was a Remi Winner at the 44th annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival and won an award of excellence from the Broadcast Education Association, examines depictions of Catholic nuns in contemporary U.S. popular culture. It contrasts these images with the lives of actual women religious, both historical and current. For instance, although most Roman Catholic women religious in the U.S. have not worn the full habits of their orders for more than 40 years, images of nuns and sisters in such habits can be found across pop culture.

Murphy, a professor of communication studies and women's studies/gender studies at Loyola University Chicago, and fellow filmmaker Mike Whalen interviewed more than 30 women religious, cultural critics, historians and artists for the film, including Prejean, Tom Fontana ("Oz," "Homicide") and Robert Orsi ("Madonna of 115th Street").

"Loved the film!" raved the Rev. James Martin, S.J., author of "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything" and "Between Heaven and Mirth." "'A Question of Habit' is a provocative, funny, thoughtful, entertaining and inspiring new documentary that reveals the largely unheralded and often unknown contributions of sisters and nuns to our world. If your image of women religious is still 'The Flying Nun' or 'Sister Act,' be prepared for a surprise."

For more information on the screening and other Women's History Month events, visit www.fairfield.edu/wgs.

Media Contact: Meredith Guinness, (203) 254-4000, ext. 2950, mguinness@fairfield.edu

Posted on March 14, 2013

Vol. 45, No. 217

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Stage and screen superstar and author Julie Andrews appears at Fairfield University Bookstore signing with co-author and daughter Emma Walton Hamilton

3 p.m., Thursday, February 7, 2013

One of the most recognized and beloved figures in the world of entertainment, Julie Andrews, and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, will make a special appearance at the Fairfield University Bookstore in downtown Fairfield, CT, at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, autographing copies of their latest children's book, "The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart" (Little Brown).

There will be a limited number of books available for signing. Beginning at 9 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, the Fairfield University Bookstore will begin issuing tickets to the event to those purchasing "The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart." One ticket per book will be issued. The Fairfield University Bookstore is located at 1499 Post Road, in Fairfield, CT. Store hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Call (203) 255-7756, or visit www.fairfieldbooks.bkstr.com.

With "The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart," Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton present another charming adventure in the #1 New York Times bestselling Very Fairy Princess series, which follows the adventures of Geraldine, a fairy princess. Gerry may not look like your average fairy princess because of her skinned knees and sneakers, but she is. In "The Very Fairy Princess Follow Her Heart," with illustrations by Christine Davenier, it's Valentine's Day, Gerry's favorite day of the year, and she must find the perfect Very Fairy Princess way to celebrate what makes each of her friends sparkle.

Julie Andrew's dedication to children has been steadfast throughout her career. She began writing books for young readers over thirty-five years ago, and her first two novels - "Mandy" and "The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles" - remain in print and in high demand. Her other books include the Little Bo series and a collection of picture books, novels and early readers co-authored with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. Her memoir, "Home," was #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In the world of entertainment, Julie Andrews is an international star, best known for her performances in "The Sound of Music," "Mary Poppins," and "The Princess Diaries." Her legendary career encompasses the Broadway and London stages, blockbuster Hollywood films, award-winning television shows, multiple album releases and concert tours, and, of course, her bestselling children's books. In 2000, she was honored with the title of Dame Julie Andrews by Queen Elizabeth II for lifetime achievements in the arts and humanities. Her many other honors include being named "One of the 100 Greatest Britons" by the British Broadcasting Corporation, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations' UNIFEM program, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, ambassadorships for literacy programs for the American Library Association, and a prestigious Kennedy Center honor.

Emma Walton Hamilton is an author, editor, and arts educator. She and her mother have coauthored many books for young readers, including the Very Fairy Princess series, the Dumpy the Dump Truck series (illustrated by her father, Tony Walton), "The Great American Mousical," "Thanks to You: Wisdom from Mother to Child" (another #1 New York Times bestseller), and "Simeon's Gift," which was also adapted for the stage. Their first anthology, "Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies," was a New York Times bestseller, and the mother-daughter's audio recording went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children. A second poetry collection, "Julie Andrews' Treasury for all Seasons: Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year," arrives in October 2013. An arts and literacy advocate, Ms. Hamilton also wrote "Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment," which won a Parent's Choice Gold Medal. She is one of the founders of Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor and is currently a faculty member of Stony Brook Southhampton's MFA Program in Writing and Literature. She is also the Editorial Director of the Julie Andrews Collection, a publishing program dedicated to producing quality books for young readers that nurture the imagination and celebrate a sense of wonder.

For more information on The Very Fairy Princess series and the Julie Andrews Collection, visit www.theveryfairyprincess.com or www.julieandrewscollection.com.

The Fairfield University Bookstore, located at 1499 Post Road in the center of Fairfield, CT, serves not only the needs of the university community but also the greater Town of Fairfield and region and serves as a place for the university to offer its resources and educational programs to the entire community in a downtown setting. Operated by Follett, Inc., the Fairfield University Bookstore features titles from bestseller lists, University textbooks, magazines, technology peripherals and supplies, athletic wear and emblematic items of Fairfield University and regional high schools, clothing, novelty and gift items, and a wide choice of convenience and stationery items, gifts and accessories. A variety of merchandise, including textbooks, apparel, and other items can be purchased online at www.fairfield.edu/bookstore.

Media Contact: Mike Horyczun, (203) 254-4000 ext. 2647, mhoryczun@fairfield.edu

Posted on January 25, 2013

Vol. 45, No. 160

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