Study goals. || Photo by MSW student @beccakaitlyn_, via @fordhamgss . #fordham #fordhamlincolncenter #manhattan #springinnyc

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on Apr 26, 2018 at 9:04am PDT

Walkin’ on sunshine. || Photo by @rachzambernardi (@fordhamgsb ’18) . #fordham #fordhamrosehill #fordhamgsb #keating

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on Nov 29, 2017 at 4:28pm PST

Post move-in with some of the best orientation leaders #Fordham #LincolnCenter #fordham4me #wearefordham

A post shared by Victoria Cleveland (@toria_land) on Aug 30, 2015 at 8:54am PDT

Fall photos: Can’t stop. Won’t stop. Photo by @stephsapienza (GSB ’18) • #Fordham #fordhaminthefall #rosehill #hugheshall

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on Nov 16, 2016 at 5:53am PST

We made it! Enjoy your spring break, Rams. || Jubilant photo by @shalenaboca (GSAS ‘18) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . #fordham

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on Mar 23, 2018 at 7:51am PDT

Happy first day of the semester, Rams! We hope you’ve had a restful break and are ready take on the spring. || Photo by @astrangecharm, FCLC ’18, taken during her first week at Fordham in 2014. . #fordham #fordhamlincolncenter #manhattan #firstday

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on Jan 16, 2018 at 6:49am PST

@kat_falzon (FCRH ’18) met @louboutinanyc, the famous hugging dog of New York City. (She also wrote an article on Loubie and owner Cesar for @hercampusfordham — check it out!) Photo via @kat_falzon . #fordham #nyc #NewYorkIsMyCampus #louboutinanyc #loubie #thehuggingdog

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on May 15, 2017 at 7:20pm PDT

Campus in bloom Photo by @allaboutmeehan (FCRH ’18) . #fordham #rosehill #fordhamuniversity

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on May 9, 2017 at 8:58am PDT

First snow of the season || Photo by @liyakhali (GSAS ’18) . #fordham #fordhamrosehill #cunniffefountain #firstsnow

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on Dec 9, 2017 at 2:43pm PST

Daydreaming about being back at Fordham in a week

A post shared by Michael Theodore (@michael_theodore) on Jan 8, 2017 at 5:25pm PST

Saturdays at Fordham are my favorite (feat. Fr. McShane)

A post shared by madison koury (@madisonkoury) on Sep 26, 2015 at 1:53pm PDT

‪Sailing into graduation || #fordham2018 ‬ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ‪Repost @fordhamsailing: Seniors Katherine “KJ” Jones and Emma Archard cap off their spring semester with a sail in their Saturday best. Looking forward to Commencement this weekend followed by the ICSA Nationals.‬

A post shared by Fordham University (@fordhamuniversity) on May 15, 2018 at 12:02pm PDT

Happy new year, seniors!! Who else is excited to see what 2018 has in store? : @nicolefrancesca . . . #fordhamrams #fordham2018 #fordhamseniorweek

A post shared by Fordham Senior Week RH (@fordhamseniorweekrh) on Jan 1, 2018 at 6:16pm PST

WFUV’s third annual High Line Bash was a night of live music, delectable eats, and karaoke hits. The benefit, held at Milk Studios in New York City’s Meatpacking District, hosted over 500 attendees who spent the evening noshing on Mexican street food and Southern Comfort bites. The Bash’s silent auction raised over $47,000, and one lucky auction winner even got to sing some tunes with the night’s headlining act, Josh Ritter.

Photos by Gus Philippas and Neil Swanson.

A Tree City/Campus/Line Recognition Ceremony will take place on March 29 in Albany, New York.

The University earned the distinction by meeting five core standards for a sustainable campus: Establishment of a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.

“If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, and energy use,” said Lauren Weyers, program coordinator for the Arbor Day Foundation.

“As a result of your commitment to effective urban forest management, Fordham is helping to provide a solution to these global challenges.”

Related Articles:
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Fordham Honored for Tree Care

]]> 86756 https://now.fordham.edu/inside-fordham/lectures-and-events/spotlight-shines-longest-serving-faculty-staff/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 20:00:48 +0000 https://news.fordham.sitecare.pro/?p=86360

While Hollywood came together on March 4 to celebrate the Academy Awards, Fordham rolled out the red carpet in honor of its own stars: longtime faculty, administrators, and staff.

The 2018 Convocation, held in the McGinley Center Ballroom on the Rose Hill campus, recognized more than 40 employees with the Bene Merenti medal or the Archbishop Hughes medal. The honorees have dedicated 20 years or 40 years of service to the University. 

Three staff members, Elaine P. Congress, D.S.W, associate dean of the Graduate School of Social Service (GSS), Radek Kloucek, licensed electrician and foreman of the electrical shop, and Patricia Upton, deputy emergency manager of public safety, were honored with the Sursum Corda Award for their contributions to the life and mission of Fordham.

“Today we honor true stars who have been indications of grace and occasions of grace in our midst,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University. “[They are] men and women who have spent themselves in service of others and who have believed in, hoped for, and loved our students to a greatness they never knew they had.”

Father McShane took a moment to also reflect on the memories of four late faculty members: Ray Grontkowski, “a lion of the philosophy department” who was a staple at the University for 58 years; Kathy Schiaffino, associate professor of psychology; Edgar Tyson, assistant professor of social work; and Misha Zigelbaum, adjunct professor of mathematics.

“Together they devoted over 100 years of loving service to Fordham, and especially to their students and colleagues,” said Father McShane.

Among the recipients who were commended for being “visionary transformers” of the University was Spyros Efthimiades, Ph.D., associate professor of physics. As a physicist, the Bene Merenti medalist developed a theoretical model of weak interactions deprived of ultraviolet divergences. But his most extraordinary undertakings over the span of four decades happened inside the classroom, he said.

“I know that everything I share with my students doesn’t always appear in a visible way but it can transform their lives,” said Efthimiades. “[Mentoring] is a ritual that I will never get tired of doing.”

Congress, who was recently a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NYC), said she aims to incorporate social work values and ethics into her interactions with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

“The social work profession, as well as my personal and professional orientation, supports the values of promoting social justice and respecting the inherent worth and dignity of each individual,” she said.

A co-founder of the Fordham Center for Nonprofit Leaders, the Certificate Program for Executive Leadership, and the Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Leadership, Congress has been one of Fordham’s greatest champions.

“I am happy to report that a number of our graduates [from our programs]have moved into top leadership positions while continually demonstrating ongoing attention to social justice both in their internal activities with staff, as well as in their external relationships with communities, other agencies, and legislative bodies,” she said.

When they weren’t inspiring students with their hard work and dedication, recipients like Mathilde Fava, Ph.D., adjunct professor of communication, were blazing a trail at home. Favas’ daughters, Doreena, GSE ’96, Palmina, LAW ‘97, and Joanna, GSAS ‘13, said Fava’s passion for education was a fundamental factor in their success.

“Her passion for education motivated us to further our education and pursue Fordham,” said Dorenna.

“Fordham was a part of the fabric of our family,” added Palmina. “It was never an option that we weren’t going to get the highest degrees that we needed in our fields.”

An immigrant of Benevento, Italy, Fava described teaching as a childhood dream that was fully realized in her 40-year role at Fordham. She remembers commuting from Mount Vernon to Fordham’s Manhattan location, where she graduated in 1969 with a degree in education.

“It was not an easy task,” she said. “I was doing my homework on the subway. But if you have a dream or a goal, you have to have the determination and will to achieve it.”

Bene Merenti Medal | 40 Years

Diana Bray | Professor Emerita of Chemistry

Brian J. Byrne | Vice President for Lincoln Center

Spyros Efthimiades | Associate Professor of Physics

Matilde Fava | Adjunct Professor of Communication

Hugh C. Hansen | Professor of Law

Lawrence Kramer | Distinguished Professor of English and Professor of Music

Maria L. Marcus | Joseph M. McLaughlin Professor of Law Emerita

Ronald S. Méndez-Clark | Associate Professor of Spanish and Latin American Literature and Associate Chair of Modern Languages and Literatures

Philip Sicker | Professor of English

Larry Stempel | Professor of Music and American Studies

Harold Takooshian | Professor of Psychology, Urban Studies, and Organizational Leadership

Bene Merenti Medal | 20 Years

Michael Baur | Associate Professor of Philosophy

Mary C. Burke | Senior Lecturer of Economics

John J. Davenport | Professor of Philosophy

George W. Drance Jr., S.J. | Artist-in-Residence

Moshe Gold | Associate Professor of English

Paul Levinson | Professor of Communication and Media Studies

J.D. Lewis | Professor of Biological Sciences and Chair of Biological Sciences

Chad McArver | Assistant Professor of Theatre and Chair of Theatre and Visual Arts

Bartholomew Moore | Associate Professor of Economics

Wullianallur Raghupathi | Professor of Information Systems

Martha Grace Rayner | Clinical Associate Professor of Law

Stuart Sherman | Professor of English

William B. Thornhill | Professor of Biological Sciences

Cynthia Vich | Associate Professor of Spanish

Sevin Yaraman | Senior Lecturer of Art History and Music

Sarah M. Zimmerman | Professor of English

Archbishop Hughes Medal | 40 Years

Ginger Calder | Assistant General Manager, WFUV

Gerard Cariffe | Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Fordham IT

Gregory J. Pappas | Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Services

Archbishop Hughes Medal | 20 Years

Betty Butler | Director of IT Operations Management, Fordham IT

Ann Delaney Chillemi | Assistant Vice President for Lincoln Center

Linda Duhaime-Candeias | Office Manager and Executive Assistant, WFUV

Richard Eberhardt | Director of Innovation and Change Management, Fordham IT

Yvanne Grandoit | Technology Support Engineer, Gabelli School of Business

Michael S. Hayes | Payroll Manager

Lisa Kelly | Senior Assistant Director and Academic Skills Coordinator, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

Bernard Matthews | Director of Information Systems and Planning, School of Law

Michael Charles Mineo | Executive Director, Human Resource Management

Cesar Nau | Assistant Director of Network Operations, Fordham IT

Robert J. Parmach | Freshmen Dean, Fordham College at Rose Hill

Peter Patten | Reference and Instructional Services Librarian, University Libraries

Patricia Peek | Dean of Undergraduate Admission

Alissa Perrone | Assistant Director of the Louis Calder Center

Maritza Rivera-Garcia | Health Insurance Compliance Administrator

David Vassar | Reference Librarian, University Libraries

The Sursum Corda Award


Elaine P. Congress | Associate Dean, Graduate School of Social Service and Professor of Social Work

Radek Kloucek | Licensed Electrician and Foreman of the Electrical Shop

Patricia Upton | Deputy Emergency Manager, Public Safety

On Oct. 22, Fordham and the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) hosted the 2017 College Access Fair for African-American/Black and Hispanic/Latino Students, the only one of its kind in the State of New York. The event was made possible thanks to a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Held at the Rose Hill campus, the event attracted 52 independent colleges and universities and an estimated 870 students from nearly 250 schools from the greater New York City region. An additional six organizations were represented, including The College Board, College Goal New York, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Students and their families got a chance to talk with dozens of independent college and university admission and financial aid representatives, and to attend a series of workshops designed to aid in the admissions process. Among those workshops were How to Pay for College and Undocumented Students and the College Process.

“The event underscored for me the tenacity and support that some of these [students]need to make it through,” said Mary Beth Labate, president of CICU.

Fordham and CICU have worked together to sponsor the event since 2009 through various funding sources. Last year, Fordham received a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to support the annual event beginning with the 2016 fair and running through 2018. (Photo by Bruce Gilbert)

Related Article:

Fordham Hosts Latino College Fair

The parade drew nearly 400 members of the Fordham community, whose marching performance earned Fordham first place in the Universities category.

It was the second consecutive win for Fordham in the category. Accepting the award on the University’s behalf at the ceremony at Cathedral High School was Shannon Hirrel Quinn, FCRH ’10, assistant director of alumni relations, NYC programming.

Michael J. Dowling, GSS ‘74, president and chief executive officer of Northwell Health, served as Grand Marshall for the parade. A native of Limerick and a former professor of social policy and assistant dean at Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Services, Dowling is believed to be the first head of a hospital to lead the 255-year-old parade.

On Sunday, Sept. 10 at the University Church Mass of the Holy Spirit, Joseph M. McShane, S.J. president of Fordham, acted as principal celebrant and homilist. Father McShane again celebrated Mass at the Lincoln Center campus on Thursday, Sept. 14, in the McNally Amphitheatre.

On Thursday, Sept. 21, José Luis Salazar, S.J., executive director of Campus Ministry, celebrated Mass in the Westchester Campus courtyard.

(Photos by Ryan Brenizer)

Soler was one of a select group of students who attended the distinguished meeting. Stephen Freedman, Ph.D., provost of Fordham University, was a speaker at the summit and served on a panel about global citizenship.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, Fordham University, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the program consists of both a social science research study and a youth development program. Members are chosen from New York city area high schools, and tutors are supplied by the University.

“We are taking the kids out of the classroom and putting them into nature. They are able to see the complexity between nature and human behavior through Project True and we hope that that will get them thinking about how everything is intertwined and how the decisions they make are connected to so many other things,” said program director Jason Aloisio.

This year, its participants include 50 high school students (coming from all boroughs of New York City as well as Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey), 13 Fordham undergraduate students, and three graduate students from Fordham’s biology department. They will conduct research all around New York City, working heavily with teams that are stationed at the Prospect Park Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and the Bronx Zoo.

Lexie Neffinger, an undergraduate senior and environmental science major at Fordham College at Rose Hill, saw many benefits in joining Project TRUE for the younger students, as well as herself.

“I wanted to jump into the field aspect of research, since I’ve mostly been doing research in the lab,” she said. “I think it’s great for New York City kids [to]see the intricate and really diverse green spaces that actually exist in the city. It’s not something that should be foreign to them, because they are here.”

Michael Romero, a junior at Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, was excited for his future endeavors with Project TRUE.

“It’s as a great opportunity to learn and see how things work, especially in ecology. With the research I do here, I hope to contribute to society [and]to the science world.”

At the end of their seven weeks, the students will present their research at the annual Bronx Science Consortium Poster Symposium, hosted at the Bronx Zoo on Sept. 27.

–Veronika Kero