Charles F. Dolan P ’86, ’85, GP ’16, Trustee Emeritus of Fairfield University and visionary philanthropist, passed away on Dec. 28, 2024 at the age of 98. His death marks the end of a remarkable journey that transformed the media industry and left an indelible mark on Fairfield University, where his contributions shaped the future of students, faculty and the community.
Dolan’s relationship with Fairfield University spanned over 25 years, during which he served on the Board of Trustees from 1981 to 2006. His dedication to the university did not end with his board service—he was named Trustee Emeritus and continued to be actively involved in the life of the institution, ensuring his enduring influence.
In a statement, Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, said, “Charles Dolan’s generosity and vision elevated the school to national prominence, establishing it as one of the best business schools in the country. His enduring legacy is not only evident in the excellence of our business programs but also in the many scholarships that have made a Fairfield education accessible to students from around the world.”
In 2000, Fairfield University’s School of Business was officially named the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, a lasting tribute to Dolan’s extraordinary generosity and foresight. The 80,500-square-foot Dolan School stands as a beacon of excellence in business education, offering both undergraduate and graduate programs that consistently rank among the nation’s best.
Dean Zhan Li, DBA, noted to Fairfield News, “We have all witnessed the transformative impact of Chuck Dolan’s inspiring vision and enduring generosity on Fairfield Dolan and beyond.”
His contributions to the school’s national rankings, academically impressive student body and prestigious faculty have laid the foundation for the school’s continued success.
Dolan was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 16, 1926, and was of Irish Catholic descent. His father was an inventor who sold a patent to the Ford Motor Company. He served in the United States Army Air Forces at the end of World War II and studied at John Carroll University before dropping out and entering the telecommunications field.
Charles Dolan made his name in the telecommunications industry as the founder of Cablevision Systems and later, as the driving force behind the Home Box Office (HBO) television network. His innovations in cable television were groundbreaking, and he was instrumental in changing how the world consumed media. By bringing premium television services like HBO into homes across the country, Dolan played a crucial role in the modern television industry.
In his personal life, Dolan and his wife Helen Ann Dolan resided in Oyster Bay, New York, where they had six children. They were married from 1951 until she died in 2023.
Their children include James L. Dolan, who is the executive chairman of the Madison Square Garden Sports and its professional sports teams, the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, and Patrick Dolan, principal owner and publisher of Newsday.
Dolan’s younger brother, Larry Dolan, and his nephew, Paul Dolan, own the Cleveland Guardians. His other nephew, Matt Dolan, is a Republican politician currently serving in the Ohio Senate. During Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2020, Dolan and his wife contributed $125,000 in donations.
Dolan donated $66 million to his alma mater John Carroll University for its science departments, including Mathematics and Computer Science, as well as a showcase building completed in 2003 named The Dolan Center for Science and Technology.
Dolan’s family has remained deeply involved in his philanthropic and academic legacy at Fairfield University. Marianne Dolan Weber P’16, his daughter, served on Fairfield’s Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2018 and was named Trustee Emerita by the Board in 2018. His granddaughter, Marianne Rose Driscoll ’16, a graduate of the Dolan School of Business, is actively engaged in the Fairfield University community, continuing her grandfather’s legacy of service.
“He was not only a businessman,” Dean Zhan Li reflected, “but also someone who believed in empowering others, especially students, to succeed. His philanthropy and vision continue to shape Fairfield Dolan and the broader business community.”
Dolan’s legacy will continue to inspire all who pass through the doors of the Dolan School of Business, forever standing as a testament to the power of vision, leadership and generosity.
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