Fabiani honored by Trine as Pillar of Success

James Fabiani, part of three generations of the Fabiani family that have served on the Trine University Board of Trustees, was named Trine University’s Pillar of Success during the university’s Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Sept. 27.

Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president, presented the award to Fabiani, founder of the Fabiani & Company government relations firm, following a video presentation featuring images of Fabiani throughout his lifetime.

The event was held in the Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Inc. Athletic and Recreation Center.

Reflecting on his family’s 90-year history since his father first started classes at what was then Tri-State College in 1934, Fabiani said he hopes the family will continue to be involved for many years to come.

“Our family has had opportunities that we could never have imagined, but for what Tri-State did for my father and for my mother. They both loved this institution until the day they died,” he said. “I'm very, very honored to be part of this community, and I'm honored for this tonight.”

About James Fabiani

James Fabiani’s father, Dr. Dante C. Fabiani, was a 1938 accounting graduate of Tri-State College. Dante became president of the Crane Company and was the first alumnus to serve as chair of the university Board of Trustees, a position he held from 1976-1979.

James’s mother Virginia continued to support the university after Dante passed away.

James graduated from Andover Phillips Academy and then from Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in government and international relations. His experiences at Harvard included regular meetings with distinguished professor Dr. Henry Kissinger.

He taught American History at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts for nine years, including three where he served as dean.

By 1979, James was ready for a new experience and a new challenge. Having attended college during the challenges of the late 1960s, he decided to enter government and was hired by Congress to be the Minority Staff Director of the House Appropriations Committee. In addition to the budgets of the departments of Defense, Transportation and Agriculture, the Committee Staff was responsible for analysis of the budgets and spending of the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, more than $330 billion total.

Three years later he joined Cassidy & Associates, a government relations firm, eventually becoming Chairman and CEO. During his tenure, Cassidy & Associates grew from three employees to more than 300 and from less than $1 million to more than $60 million in annual revenue.

He then founded Fabiani & Company, continuing what has become a 35-year career of lobbying for universities and medical centers.

He joined the Trine University Board of Trustees in 2001 after being asked by Dr. Brooks. His daughter Elizabeth Fabiani Rooney joined in 2014.

His tenure on the board has included serving as vice chair from 2008-2012, during which the university experienced tremendous enrollment and fundraising growth, and completed and launched several major building projects.

James donated an art collection that graces the walls of the C.W. Sponsel Administration Center. Fabiani Hall pays tribute to the family’s many contributions and the Fabiani Theatre inside the Rick L. and Vicki L. James University Center is named in Virginia’s honor. The family also has established endowed scholarships in Dante’s name and in the name of Virginia’s mother, Ola Parnham.