‘Inextricably Linked to Lawrenceville’

As Paul Fitzgerald ’67 P’03 describes it, his life has been inextricably linked to Lawrenceville, first as one-half of the Fitzgerald twins and later as parent of Kelly Fitzgerald Lorenzo’03, whose wedding in Edith Memorial Chapel to Timon Lorenzo ’03 was officiated by the Rev. Will Wauters ’67 H’03 P’01, a classmate and the former School chaplain. Paul’s twin, Joe Fitzgerald ’67 P’99 ’03, was his co-class agent until Joe’s passing in 2019.

But for Fitzgerald, the link to Lawrenceville goes beyond his family. A class agent since 1994 who has served as member of his 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, and 55th Reunion Committees, as well as on the Alumni Association Executive Council since 2021, he has made “giving back” to Lawrenceville a priority and favorite pastime.

Fitzgerald shared his recollections at Alumni Reunion Weekend 2024 when he was honored with the School’s Distinguished Alumnus Award at a ceremony inside the Kirby Arts Center. The prestigious accolade is conferred annually by the Lawrenceville School Alumni Association to a Lawrentian in recognition of exceptional efforts to promote the best interests of the School.

“As class agent, I am so lucky to be in the Class of ’67,” Fitzgerald says, noting the relationships among classmates and their ties to the School. “We’ve had two trustees, an Aldo Leopold
Award winner, a Harkness Award winner, a School chaplain, the head of Buildings & Grounds, a writer-in-residence, and multiple [alumni trustee] electors.” His class does remain tight-knit, and Fitzgerald cites frequent mini-reunions, including an annual gathering at the Jersey shore, and a recent trip to see “The Heart of Rock and Roll” on Broadway with classmate Hugh Cregg ’67, featuring Hugh’s music as lead singer for Huey Lewis and the News. This enduring bond is what Fitzgerald means when he mentions his good fortune to be associated with such a strong class.

“Just calling someone every five years to ask for money isn’t going to be successful,” he says. “Events that bring the class together when you don’t have to ask for a check make it easier when you do need to ask.

“Having been a scholarship student myself, I like to make sure our class does its part for The Lawrenceville Fund,” Fitzgerald adds. “Helping students have the chance to come to Lawrenceville is the most important part of my role.”

A resident of central New Jersey, Fitzgerald is a frequent presence at alumni and School events, cheering on the sports teams and serving on the AAEC Nominating Committee, among his other volunteer roles.

Both Paul and Joe Fitzgerald were dedicated Big Red athletes, playing football, basketball, and baseball, with Paul captaining the football team. As a twin, he likes to tell a story about the time basketball coach Ed Megna H’50 ’85 P’64 ’67 ’70 ’76 cautioned him for receiving four fouls before halftime. Following Paul’s correction, Megna had to get the count revised to reflect two fouls for each brother, who were nearly identical in appearance.

After leaving Lawrenceville, Fitzgerald earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton and an M.B.A. from Rutgers before a successful career in banking. Now mostly retired, he enjoys golfing and spending time and with his grandchildren.