Though the events were virtual, the unique contributions, talents, and personal dedication of the honorees came through in the citations that were read aloud. Attendees also got to hear personal anecdotes about the award recipients, learn more about their families, and hear about the kindness they’ve shown to colleagues over the years.

At the University Convocation ceremony, Fordham deans Maura Mast, Ph.D., of Fordham College at Rose Hill, and Laura Auricchio, Ph.D., of Fordham College at Lincoln Center, read the citations for faculty who received Bene Merenti medals in celebration of 20 and 40 years of teaching. Administrators celebrating those anniversaries were honored with the Archbishop Hughes medal, and their citations were read aloud by Vice Provost Jonathan Crystal, Ph.D.; Chief Financial Officer Martha Hirst; and Jeff Gray, senior vice president for student affairs.

In his invocation, Michael McCarthy, S.J., vice president for mission integration and planning, took note of the challenges and tragedies brought by the pandemic and asked God to “deepen our gratitude” for the honorees.

“Give us gratitude. For our lives, for our breath. For our common mission for each other. Deepen our gratitude for those we are honoring today,” he prayed. “Who have set down roots in this place for some 20 or 40 years. And give them the gift of personal satisfaction in the fruits of their labors.”

At the 1841 awards, which celebrate the University’s longtime support staff, the honoree’s citations were read by members of Fordham’s senior leadership, including John Buckley, vice president for admission and student financial services; Marco Valera, vice president of administration; and Gray. The ceremony was originally scheduled for fall 2020, but was rescheduled due to the pandemic.

In his closing remarks, Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, said that despite the remote format, “this gives us an opportunity to be welcomed into your homes.”

He told the honorees how grateful he was to them for being the University’s “frontline workers” in a difficult year.

“Every year you do great things. Every day you do great things. But this year, I have to say, you outdid yourselves.”

The names of all the honorees are below.

Convocation

Bene Merenti Medal | Forty Years
Mary E. Procidano • Robert Wharton

Bene Merenti Medal | Twenty Years
Eva D. Badowska • Jane Bolgatz • Dennis Cappello
Jeannine Hill Fletcher • Esther Lomas Sampedro
Elizabeth Maresca • Dana B. Marlowe • Dawn Akemi Saito
David Storey • Eileen van Buren • An Yan

Archbishop Hughes Medal | Forty Years 
Roberta B. Willim

Archbishop Hughes Medal | Twenty Years 
Javed Ahamad • Yevgeniya Alkayeva • George Bodarky
Russell Borris • Stephen G. Brown • Brendan H. Cahill
Alexander Del Rosario De La Cruz  • Jose A. Deleon
Charles D. Elwood • Scott J. Kwiatkowski • Richard Miranda
Mary Nolan • Kate O’Brien-Nicholson • Catherine A. O’Hara
Laura Gibney O’Shea • Edward Palermo • Midge Quinn
Janeen Shaitelman • Dawn M. Silvestri • Christian P. Steriti
Carolyn Velazquez-Atis

Sursum Corda Award
Anthony Fata • Maureen Keown • Gil Severiano

1841 Awards

Twenty Year Medalists
Roberto P. Acebo | Custodial Services, Rose Hill
Gilbert Arocho | Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center
William J. Bandiera | University Libraries
Carlos M. Beltre | Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center
Napoleon R. Canete | Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center
Melissa Cintron | Development and University Relations
Angela L. Flynn | Office for Student Involvement
Antonio Gomez Jr. | Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center
Thomas J. Iaccarino | Grounds & Transportation
Carmen Jimenez | Custodial Services, Rose Hill
William Milite | University Libraries
Karl M. Mitchell | Facilities Operations, Rose Hill
Carmen Ortiz | Custodial Services, Rose Hill
Kathleen K. Piekarski | Enrollment Services Operations
Gerard P. Rafferty | Facilities Operations, Rose Hill
Diane L. Roche | Academic Summer Session
Ramiz Rugovac | Custodial Services, Rose Hill

Forty Year Medalists
File Gazivoda | Custodial Services, Rose Hill
Nikolla Zadrima | Facilities Operations, Rose Hill

Photos were contributed by the award recipients.

In 1989, the physics department had a sudden opening.

“Her transfer to the physics department has an interesting background,” Vice Provost Jonathan Crystal, Ph.D., said. “The introduction of computers on the secretary’s desk scared the daylights out of the physics department’s then-secretary, who immediately retired.”

Since then, Morgan, who also earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1995 from the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, and a master’s degree in social work in 2003 from GSS, which she has used to provide counseling services for children at a community center after-school program in Stamford, Connecticut, has never left.

“It’s the longest tenure I’ve had and I like all the faculty and hopefully they like me,” she said. “They really keep me going. It’s like home away from home. I always tell people, ‘I’m leaving home to go home.’”

Morgan was one of 12 members of Fordham’s support staff, facilities team, and custodial staff who were honored at the 1841 Awards ceremony on Nov. 18. The awards, which got their name from the year Fordham was founded, aim to recognize the day-to-day operations employees who have worked at the University for 20 or 40 years. This year, which had 16 award winners, was the 37th year of the celebration.

“You are the men and women who for 20 or 40 years—I can’t believe the 40—have really been the strength of the university, the people who do the jobs behind the scenes that make it possible for our students to grow, our faculty to shine,” Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, told the award recipients.

Father McShane said people often ask him, “What is Fordham?”

“I say, ‘wrong question.’ Fordham is not a what. It’s a who,” he said. And today, every year, this time of year, we get a chance to tell the world who Fordham is and you are Fordham.”

This year’s recipients included staff members who had earned their Ph.D., those who started at the University when they were just teenagers, and those who were ready to embark on their next chapters.

Awardee Edward Matthews runs the Fordham Law mailroom. According to his children, Matthews takes skills from his home life and brings them to work.

“He does treat Fordham like his second family, the care and love he gives to his family, I think he applies it at work,” said his son, Bernard Matthews, executive director and chief technology officer at Fordham Law School. “He tries never to miss a day and he really is dedicated. Even on the weekends, holidays, he gives his time to come in because he doesn’t want to return to a deluge of mail piling up for him. He knows how important it is for faculty members that are publishing, the law clinic which is a 24-7 operation, he understands the mission’s important.”

Matthew Diller, dean of the law school, said that Matthews is known for his dedication and commitment.

“No amount of schedule change, room adjustment, mechanical failure, or crisis, real or imagined, altered his dedication to competence, hard work, and professionalism,” he said. “He is a true joy to work with.”

Jose Brea, a Rose Hill custodian, got his start at Walsh Family Library, where he spent years cleaning the study lounges and the lobby’s floors, according to Marco Valera, vice president for administration.

Valera said Brea earned the title “El Capitan” because of his unmatched floor-polishing skills.

“Each year, when we start our preparation for Commencement in Keating, José steps up to help us prep the building to perfection. He takes charge and always ensures that the floors are flawless.”

Father McShane said all of the recipients had unique talents and dedicated them to the University to help make it a special place.

“You really are the people who make the University who it is, what it is, and you make it shine,” he said.

The 1841 Award Recipients for 2019:

Twenty-Year Medalists:

Jose E. Brea—Custodial Services, Rose Hill
Lartha Bridgett—School of Law
Isabelle Brown—Custodial Services, Rose Hill
Dorcas Cabrera—Custodial Services, Rose Hill
Ferdinand T. Cano—Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center
Bertha H. Conte—Custodial Services, Rose Hill
Thomas Giangreco—University Libraries
George Grannum—Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center
Christopher J. Lyons—University Libraries
Edward R. Matthews—School of Law
Herbert L. Mayner Jr.—School of Law
Miriam Rivera—Graduate School of Social Service
Carlos Ruiz—Custodial Services, Rose Hill
Monica A. Wilson—Graduate School of Social Service

Forty-Year Medalists:

Richard Mastropietro—Facilities Operations, Rose Hill
Esther Morgan—Physics Department

These are the words that Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, spoke to 10 members of the University’s support staff, facilities workers, and custodial crew at the 36th anniversary celebration of the 1841 Awards. The awards ceremony, named after the year Fordham was founded, was held on Nov. 29 in Bepler Commons. It recognizes the day-to-day operations employees who have worked at the University for either two or four decades. This year, there were 15 award recipients. (Five of them were unable to attend the ceremony.)

They are the ones who sort mail, plow snow from sidewalks, preserve Rose Hill’s historic woodwork, and give behind-the-scenes support to the University’s students and faculty. Many of them are also the proud parents of Fordham alumni and current students.

Among this year’s recipients were immigrants from Poland, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and the island of Barbados. One awardee—Saul Morales—is a custodian who informally taught Spanish to other Fordham employees and has been known to sing while polishing the floor, unknowingly serenading nearby staff. But as a whole, said Father McShane, they are Fordham’s keystone—the pieces that keep the University together.

“Everyone relies on you. Without you, the great arch of Fordham would not be able to stand,”  Father McShane told them.

Jonathan Crystal, Ph.D., interim provost, lauded one employee—Anne-Marie Sweeney, executive secretary in the theology department—for her commitment in coming to work last summer despite nursing a fractured knee.

“Anne-Marie returned to work as speedily as possible, using crutches to navigate the halls and sitting at her desk with one leg up on her guest chair,” he said. “The image was emblematic of her career at Fordham, which over her 20 years, has also become the alma mater of her beloved daughter Katie and son Jimmy.”

Peter A. Stace, senior vice president for enrollment and strategy, complimented another awardee—Lorraine Prainito, senior enrollment operations representative—for her diligence, frankness, and sense of style.

“Lorraine always comes to work in high heels, looking her best,” Stace said, gesturing toward her black stiletto boots. “Colleagues look up to her for her much-needed advice on work, as well as fashion, health, and dieting tips. We think of her as the office therapist.”

The anecdotes were tinged with both humor and humility. One awardee, a Rose Hill custodian named Cesar Merejo, was reluctant to receive thanks for his decades of service.

“He felt it was he who should be thanking the University for offering him this opportunity,” Marco A. Valera, vice president for facilities management, told the audience. “He says—and I quote—‘I always tried to pass this message to my coworkers, especially the new ones: to appreciate and understand what it means to work in a great place such as Fordham.’” A few seats away, another awardee, foreman-turned-postal clerk Carlos A. Mendoza, nodded his head.

Mendoza’s 20-year-old stepson, Genssey Paula, applauded his stepfather. He said Mendoza taught him that no matter where you’re from and what you experience, you can still succeed in life.

“I’m proud that he’s been here for 20 years, supporting the community,” Paula said.

As administrators praised them from the podium, the awardees stood and listened a few paces away. Before them were their family members and friends, who rose from their seats and snapped photos with their smartphones. Beside them was Father McShane, who shook their hands and hung gold medallions around their heads. But once in a while, Father McShane would murmur something to each person—perhaps a question or joke—and the two would laugh together quietly.

As Father McShane thanked each employee at the end of the ceremony, one award recipient—John Borrelli Jr., who works in the mail room at Lincoln Center campus—swiped tears from his cheeks. He said he was grateful that his mother Candida Borrelli, who has cancer, was able to watch him win the 1841 Award.

“I’ve met so many people over the years—staff, students. I have wonderful coworkers, a great supervisor … I’m blessed to have this job I’ve had here [for 20 years],” he said. “It’s been beautiful here at Fordham.”

The 1841 Award Recipients for 2018

Twenty-Year Medalists

John Borrelli Jr.—Lincoln Center Mail Room

Kazimierz Gorski—Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center

Emma Lostumbo—Custodial Services, Rose Hill

Anthony Matthews—Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center

Carlos A. Mendoza—Rose Hill Post Office

Cesar Merejo—Custodial Services, Rose Hill

Nanette Michel—Graduate School of Education

Saul Morales—Grounds and Transportation

Helen A. Norgard—Grounds and Transportation

Diane Pinero—School of Law

Lorraine Prainito—Enrollment Services

Daniel M. Reilly—Facilities Operations, Rose Hill

Winston Rose—Facilities Operations, Lincoln Center

Anne-Marie Sweeney—Theology

Forty Year-Medalist

Michael Cioffi—Custodial Services, Rose Hill

Though Margaret Noonan officially began working at Fordham in 1977 as a stack attendant in Duane Library, she said she was introduced to the community before she even learned to talk.

“This was the first place my parents took me after I was born,” said Noonan, whose mother, father, and aunt worked at the Rose Hill campus. “I remember running down the halls as a kid when my parents worked in the building that is now Cunniffe House. I grew up on this campus.” 

As the years passed, Noonan began to build new memories—this time at Fordham University Press, where she served as a receptionist in 1978 before being promoted to business manager of the publishing house.

“The press has grown so much, and I’ve enjoyed working for every single member of its leadership,” she said.

Similar stories of pride were expressed at the 35^th anniversary celebration of the 1841 Awards. The Nov. 28 ceremony honored Noonan and 16 other longtime support staff on their 20^th or 40^th anniversary of service at Fordham.

“These are our brothers and sisters who support us and make it possible to do the work of the University every day,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, who described the recipients as humble, hardworking, and selfless “heroes and saints.” He continued, “We look up to them because they inspire us.”

It’s a message that was also echoed by Fordham College at Rose Hill junior Erick Almachi, whose father Milton Domenech, a driver for grounds and transportation, was awarded a 20-year medal for his service.

“He always thinks about other people rather than thinking of himself, and that’s something that shows even in his work at Fordham,” he said.

Domenech, who brought his wife and two other sons along for the celebration, said his love of the Fordham community goes beyond his groundskeeping work. For the past 7 years, he has organized a fishing trip to Cape Cod during Memorial Day weekend with his friends, family, and other staff members across the University.

“We’re all family,” he said.

While showing appreciation to some of the University’s hardest workers, the 1841 Awards also reminded support staff of some of the University’s charms.

Joseph Manganello, who began working at Fordham as a switchboard operator 42 years ago, recalled working the graveyard shift in Cunniffe House, formerly the Administration Building. During those late nights, he’d hear ghostlike sounds coming from the dark walkways.

“I’d call security and they’d say, no one is here, Joe. You’re the only one in the building!” recalled Manganello, who has served during the tenure of three presidents—Father Finlay, Father O’Hare, and Father McShane.

Forty-two years later, Manganello, who now works in the University Post Office, is still not entirely convinced, but counts these quirks as one of the many reasons why Fordham remains a special place to him and many others.

“I can’t believe how fast the years went by,” he said.

Recipients of the 1841 Awards include:

Twenty year medalists

Carlos N. Cintron— Custodial Services
Darrell DeSilva—Facilities Operations
Milton Domenech—Grounds and Transportation
Maura E. Fitton—University Libraries
Linda I. Garcia—Custodial Services
Michael F. Gialanella—Facilities Operations
Ursula Gregory—Enrollment Services
Emelinda Gregory—School of Law
Eleazar Irizarry Jr.— Grounds and Transportation
Francesca Manzo—University Libraries
Paulina Paulino—Custodial Services
Nancy Perri—Controller’s Office
Rosa Pugliese—Enrollment Services
Santos Reyes— Custodial Services
Jose M. Soto—Lombardi Memorial Center

Forty year medalists 

Joseph Manganello—Post Office (42 years)
Margaret Noonan—University Press

“I told him to reconsider because I didn’t want him to be away from us in the evening, but he felt it was his responsibility to take care of his family,” she said, referring to the couple’s five children.

Today, Duverge’s daughter is a freshman at Rose Hill and Cesar is finishing up his senior year at Fordham at the School of Professional and Continuing Studies.

On Nov. 30, the couple celebrated Cesar’s 20th anniversary at the University’s annual 1841 Awards ceremony, which recognized support staff members who have been with Fordham for 20 years.

Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, called this year’s 16 recognized employees the “secret strength and heart of the University.”

“You do everything in a hidden way to bring life, light, and happiness,” said Father McShane. “When I see you in the halls or in offices, you make my heart sing because I know you love Fordham, you love the students, and you love the mission.”

For the Duverge family, the commitment to the University required a commitment by the entire family. Cesar’s son Daniel said that even though his dad worked nights through most of his childhood, he was always there for them.

“He made it to all of our events and he lost a lot of sleep for it, but he got it done,” he said.

Yvette agreed, and made the point that the focus on their children’s education has been the “fruit of his labor.” Now, with his own education nearing completion, Cesar holds very clear ideas about Fordham and his family.

“A place like Fordham opens their minds. It keeps them from viewing the world one specific way,” he said. “It allows them to see the big picture, and that’s something.”

It took Cesar a couple of years to adjust to working the day shift—and he wasn’t the only one. Awardee Freddy Martinez likewise worked the night shift for several years and he said it took him three years to adjust to the daytime schedule.

Like Cesar, his nighttime schedule required a commitment from the entire family.

“I used to cry when he left for work,” said his daughter Carmen, who is one of four children. “We were so happy when he came home; we were all running to him.”

Freddy said that he and his wife Elizabeth met nearby at Lehman College, where they both worked. He got the idea of working for Fordham while he was waiting for the bus on Fordham Road and saw the new Walsh Library being built. He applied and got the job. Eventually, Elizabeth joined him at Rose Hill; she now works in operations.

Again and again, stories of families and Fordham melded at the event.

Moira Linnehan was joined by her “best friend,” i.e. – her mom.

And while awardee Sally Ann Trinagli’s “babies,” a Jack Russell terrier and two beagles, weren’t at the event, they were in her thoughts—Tringali is enrolled in the Graduate School of Social Service’s Nonprofit Leadership program, and will be using her education to lobby New York State for animal welfare.

Awardee and Bronx resident Florencio Baez Jr. was joined by his family— wife Ana and his sons Angelo and Kevin. Kevin graduated from the Gabelli School of Business last spring.

“He chose Fordham to be close to us,” said Baez, of his son Kevin.

The 1841 Award Recipients for 2016

Anthony Aviles – Post office, Rose Hill

Florencio Baez, Jr. – Facilities Operations

Maria Bernardi – Enrollment Services

Fibia Corona – Custodial Services

Cesar Duverge – Custodial Services

George Elias – Lombardi Center Operations

Anthony R. Fata, Jr. – Facilities Operations

Julio Garcia – Facilities Operations

Ann Marie N. Gavinelli – School of Law

Moira E. Linnehan – School of Law

Freddy Martinez – Custodial Services

Maria E. Mira – Facilities Operations

Stephen Savidge – Facilities Operations

Ismael Torres, Jr. – Enrollment Services

SallyAnn Tringali – Graduate School of Social Service

The annual 1841 Awards ceremony recognized those support staff members who have been at Fordham for 20 or 40 years. Those in attendance were lauded by their supervisors and presented with medals by Joseph M. McShane, SJ, president of Fordham.

With a collective 260 years of services, this years awardees are:

40 years:

• Lorene Pasciotty, Fordham College at Rose Hill

20 years

• Jason Cruz, Grounds and Transportation
• Matthew Delgado, Fordham Libraries
• Roman Makowicz, Physical Plant
• Jose Monegro, Custodial Services
• Gillian Navarro, Enrollment Services
• Victoria Raphael, Custodial Services
• Joe Rosado, Custodial Services
• William T. Slade, Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education
• Kathleen Ungar, Fordham Libraries
• John Yonko, Facilities Operations

The 1841 Award was established in 1982 by former president James C. Finlay, SJ, in honor of the year Fordham was founded by Archbishop John Hughes.

The event was followed by a reception that welcomed family members and co-workers.

Hinkle began at Fordham in 1986 as a shelver, but ultimately spent the majority of his Fordham career as manager of the photocopy and scan center, first in Duane Library and then Walsh Library.

“Bob Hinkle was a particularly beloved member of the library staff,” said Linda LoSchiavo, director of libraries. “A gentle, friendly man, Bob was our resident sage and savant on any number of subjects. His love for Fordham was deep and genuine. We will truly miss this gentleman extraordinaire.”

A wake and funeral Mass will be held Friday, Feb. 27, at Our Lady of Refuge Church (290 East 196th Street, Bronx, NY 10458). Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. and Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m.

A reception in the O’Hare Special Collections Room in the Walsh Library will be held following the Mass.

Before coming to Fordham, Hinkle worked at the Firestone Library at Princeton, the Movielab film library in New York City, and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Peter’s College and a master’s degree from Queens College, and had also pursued graduate studies at SUNY Binghamton.

In 2006 he received Fordham University’s 1841 Award, which is given to Fordham staff members who have served the University for 20 years.

“I was on the subway searching for a job when someone flashed a Fordham University book cover,” Hinkle wrote in his award citation regarding his beginnings at the University. “It was a cold day in January of 1986. I had just been laid off as a circulation clerk at the Borough of Manhattan Community College Library… I called the Fordham personnel office and they said come on up. I have been here ever since.”

In addition to his work in the library, Hinkle was an avid painter (he was featured several years ago in an exhibit at The Art Students League in Manhattan) and an aficionado of French language, striped bass fishing, and history. He also had a deep interest in politics—national and international alike—and possessed an almost encyclopedic knowledge of local politics, LoSchiavo said.

“Bob’s greatest impact was in his individual interactions with students and faculty in the library,” she said. “Always ready to help, always eager to discuss whatever subject a student or faculty member was working on, and always cheerful, Bob was considered a friend to decades of library users.”

Cards may be sent to the family via a memorial page created for Robert through Gleason Funeral Home.

Linda Popovic beamed at her husband Paule, a Rose Hill custodian, as Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, ribbed him for rooting for New York’s underdog teams: the Jets, the Nets, and the Mets.

She nodded knowingly when Marco Valera, vice president for Facilities Management, said that in Paule’s 20-years at Fordham he never once called in sick or was late.

Paule was one of 14 Fordham employees recognized on Dec. 11 at the 32^nd 1841 Awards ceremony, honoring contributions of workers from facilities and custodial operations and the support staff on the occasion of their 20^th and 40^th anniversaries.

“You make the place run,” Father McShane said to Paule and the other honorees. “You do it with grace, humor, quiet strength, and staunch devotion to your colleagues. You make us a true family.”

For Popovic, his time at Rose Hill began after his arrival from Montenegro. Linda joined him shortly thereafter, leaving the then war-torn Albania. Together the couple raised two children. Their son is now a Rose Hill campus freshman and they hope to send their daughter to Fordham in 2016.

“You can’t beat that,” said Paule.

The personal journeys of the 14 honorees, many of who came from other nations, could likely fill several books. But when asked for specifics, discretion wins the day. Custodian Jorge Yanez deflected the question.

“It’s like a family,” he said.

Indeed, family was a word repeated throughout the ceremony. Several of the honorees raised their kids on campus—many of whom were at the ceremony.

“When I started here my daughter was nine months old,” said Rosa Giglio, an executive secretary in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. “Who would’ve thought I’d last here long enough to see her become a senior here?”

For Ruth Gibson, the lone 40-year medalist, both her daughter and granddaughter have fond memories of playing on Eddies Parade. As a switchboard operator, Gibson has been the first point of contact for anyone calling the University for the past four decades. One could say she is, essentially, the voice of Fordham.

Her daughter Melissa Hill said she remembers sitting on her mom’s lap learning how to plug in switchboard cords, while her granddaughter Jazmin Sheppard said she remembers pushing buttons. Today, Gibson uses a computer system.

But besides taking adept leaps in technology, Gibson said she has also calmed parental jitters over the decades. More than once she’s left the office to comfort a student when a worried parent called the University. And more than once she’s handed out change from her purse when a student’s “meal swipe” didn’t work.

“After all, a child has to eat!” she said.

For some honorees, Fordham students become their charge—and the students return the honor. For Melba Diaz, a senior secretary for the ROTC, yesterday was an honorary Mother’s Day, as dozens of cadets turned out to recognize the woman fondly known as “The General.”

“I haven’t always been at ROTC, but for the last eight years the reward for me has been for me to see these men and women become responsible soldiers,” she said, her eyes welling up. “At their commissioning I always cry, because I feel like they’re my children.”

At the annual 1841 Awards ceremony, Fordham employees with at least 20 years of service are honored with medals.

They are lauded in decorative citations for their exemplary work and dedication to the University. But it is personal anecdotes that are revealed at the ceremony that tell their real stories.

For instance, Jose Benitez of Accounts Payable visits his 94-year-old mother every day after work and stays with her until she falls asleep.

Frederica Roberts from the Office of the Controller is a cancer survivor known for her naturally sunny disposition. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Fordham while working full-time and raising a daughter, who is now a junior at the University, and a son.

Nickola Kinaj, better known as “Nicky Doughnuts,” began his career in Custodial Services as a young man who wore a baseball cap with a “long bang of curly hair flowing from it” and whose humor and easygoing personality are admired by colleagues.

The 28th annual ceremony was held on Dec. 15 at Duane Library on the Rose Hill campus. There, Fordham honored 15 employees with a collective 300 years of service. The event was followed by a reception that was full of laughs, tears of joy and buckets of pride. The festive gathering included family members, former 1841 Award recipients, coworkers and many children.

“This is what Fordham is all about,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University. “Fordham is a community bound together by love and able to move forward precisely because it is bound by love. It is our great fortune to have you—the ministers the Lord has sent to us to give life to this community. You minister to us with enthusiasm, humor, great devotion and extraordinary professionalism, generosity beyond measure and with great love.

“On behalf of all here at Fordham, I thank you for all that you have done. I praise you for the life that you have given to the community and I beg you to stay at least 20 more years,” Father McShane said.

The 1841 Award was established in 1982 by former president James C. Finlay, S.J., in honor of the year Fordham was founded by Archbishop John Hughes.

Honored at this year’s 1841 Awards ceremony were:

• Maria Assaro    Custodial Services
• Jose Benitez    Controller’s Office
• Marlo Coates    Graduate School of Business Administration
• Pamela Cook    Law Library
• Georgia Edwards    Custodial Services
• Mary Lou Elias Pena    University Press
• Nickola Kinaj    Custodial Services
• Ulises Negron    Facilities Operations
• Lynette Osborne    Graduate School of Social Service
• Maria Pignataro    Controller’s Office
• Antonietta Pomilla    Custodial Services
• Michael Raucci    Facilities Operations
• Fredrica Roberts    Controller’s Office
• Anna Romain    Facilities Operations
• Michael Smith    Facilities Operations