This year’s Lord of the Manor, Jay Izzo, followed tradition by delivering a satiric sendup of all things Fordham, along with a few gentle jabs at Fordham College at Lincoln Center and a heartfelt goodbye to his fellow classmates.

“Fordham has always been a very welcoming place,” Izzo said, referencing a welcoming ceremony for first-year students that left him petrified.

“Let me paint the scene for you: We’re all standing there by Keating, this tall gothic building bathed in a deep red light,” he recalled. “What could be more welcoming to a group of freshmen who just left mommy and daddy for their first night away from home?”

In her remarks to classmates, co-valedictorian Maja Soto recalled a similarly harrowing first night.

“I was curled up in bed in Martyrs crying on the phone to my mom and asking her if I could transfer. I just felt so far from home,” she said, adding that she’d probably be crying that evening, though for different reasons.

“Tonight is my very last night at Fordham and after tonight, you’ll probably find me exactly where I started, curled up in bed crying on the phone to my mom, but this time I’ll be telling her I never want to leave.”

Soto’s co-valedictorian, Molly Henschke, recalled that the initial stages of the pandemic, noting that they “felt as daunting and unknown as the virus itself.”

“I found myself missing the home I had built here at Fordham with all of you, the people who had made that home feel full,” she said.

Even when she returned, she said, the situation was far from normal.

“We logged on to courses at Eddies and had freezing outdoor picnics in February,” said. “Needless to say, a very different New York than expected became our campus.”

She said that it wasn’t until this school year that the class returned to a full-fledged campus experience.

“We have had the unique opportunity to experience a premature homecoming,” she said, adding that the experiences have prepared her and her classmates. “The world we are entering into is very different than when we started. There will be countless challenges, tests, and tribulations waiting for us, but there will also be moments of joy, accomplishments, and pride.”

In her dean’s valedictory address, Maura Mast, Ph.D., gave students some final homework that directly addressed the challenge that lie ahead.=

“My assignment is simple. I ask that you do good and be well.”

She then clarified the distinctions between doing great, doing good, and being well.

“Doing great is all well and good, but doing good is what’s really great. And here’s why. When you focus on doing great things, you focus on yourself, not others. But when you focus on others that’s when you do good.”

She said that by caring for their community, students will find ways big and small to work with others to do good, such as being an anti-racist.

“I challenge you to think of what you can do every day to disrupt racism in our society, in our country, in our world,” she said to great applause.

She then cited four apostolic preferences put forth by the Society of Jesus in 2019 as a roadmap for students to do good, saving the first preference for last in her presentation.

First, in her order, was to walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice.

“Justice comes from love, not the other way around,” she said. “Walk with them learn their truth and walk with them to do good.”

The second preference she noted was “to accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future.” But as they themselves are still somewhat young, she charged the students to promote the dignity of young people, by lifting up their own voices, finding ways to build community, and expanding opportunities for those with less.

The third preference, she told them, was to “collaborate in the care of our Common Home.”

“When we harm the Earth we jeopardize the future of young people,” she said. “Climate change is violence. It is destructive to the Earth and its people. Care for creation with little actions,” she said.

She closed with the first of the preferences: “To show the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment.” She said that by way of discernment students can make sure that they are well.

“Be well,” she said. “You need to be well if you want to do good,” she said.

She began with advice from a 2011 award ceremony address in which she told students to mind how they treat colleagues. 

“What really matters in business is the way you treat people, because the way you treat people is what creates trust and what creates relationships,” she said. 

In 2016, she stressed the importance of humility, she said. 

“People often misunderstand humility, it doesn’t mean hiding your accomplishments or being a doormat,” she said. “Humility really involves being open to others’ opinions, reflecting on your experiences, embracing your success, but also admitting your mistakes.”

She said that she remains proud of the many changes she helped facilitate and bring to fruition during her tenure, from the renovations of two buildings that house the school at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center to the naming of the school for one of the University’s most generous donors. However, she said that her legacy will not be found in bricks and mortar. 

 “You are my legacy, so thank you for that,” she told the graduates, before offering a parting bit of advice. “I want every business student to be a compassionate leader who contributes to society and lives a balanced life … Reach high, care about others, be an innovator and creative thinking, make your community and the planet better.”

‘Put Me In Coach’

Graduate Andrew Pace was, along with Brandon Aptilon, the class’s co-valedictorian. He echoed Rapaccioli’s remarks on cultivating relationships. In his speech, he said that there are two characteristics that mark all Fordham students. One is that they are“expert excellent relationship builders,” he said. The second is grit. 

“For Fordham students there’s not a sense of entitlement, there’s just a sense of ‘Put me in the game coach; let me show you what I can do,’” he said.

For his part, Aptilon echoed the importance of humility. He said that when he was in high school he did not get many awards, but Fordham changed all that. 

“I don’t say that [I won awards] to boast, rather I say it to encourage all of you who are entering this new stage of our lives where nothing that came before really matters,” he said. “I challenge all of you to make the most of it and be who you want to be. If there’s something you want, let that be your driving force.”

Jake Braithwaite, S.J., GABELLI ‘11, GSAS ‘15, who was selected as the Alumnus of the Year, harmonized with Brandon’s observation that who they were before graduation is not who they were about to become. He had no designs on becoming a priest after graduating from business school, he said. Though, much to his surprise, his education revealed itself to be incredibly useful in his chosen trade. 

While teaching math at a local Bronx grade school, he helped the school balance spreadsheets to pave the way for a school lunch program. Braithwaite said his business education has served him in ways he never expected, particularly after taking a vow of poverty–something his students have picked up on. Using the Bronx vernacular for money, i.e.-”bread,” the young people have taken to calling him “Jake-no-bread” behind his back. 

He said he has embraced his new name. 

“You’re all going to be called to new names,” he said. “For some of you that name is going to be Madame President and for some of you it’s going to be dad and for some of you it’s going to be in some crypto language that hasn’t been invented yet,” he said.  “But that true name is the way you are going to be remembered for all time how you will be remembered, perhaps for all time.”

He told the students that from this day forward their Fordham experience is their backstory. 

“I want you to hold on to today as a way that God is planting seeds so that that new name can bear beautiful flowers and will grow into history. I know it because I’ve seen it happen to me and I’ve seen it happen to my classmates from Fordham,” he said. So, Know that I worship the way that God is already at work in you and I pray for the ways that God will continue to work in utterly surprising ways in you.” 

The FCLC Alumni Chair Award was given to graduating senior Lindsey Fritz, who was lauded as a “phenomenal ambassador for the Fordham community,” an energetic mentor for first-year students, and an enthusiastic team member at alumni events.

Awards were also given to students who’d excelled in disciplines ranging from the arts and sciences to the social sciences and the humanities. Four of them shared their thoughts about what their field meant to them.

Back On Stage

Marley Poku-Kankam, a junior enrolled in the Ailey/Fordham BFA program in dance who was asked to speak about the arts, said she was honored to be part of a community that has persevered, grown, and thrived. Attending the annual BFA benefit concert when it returned for in-person performances on May 2 after a three-year hiatus brought it all home for her.

“My heart lit up when I saw my friends and colleagues dance on the stage again. I was a volunteer at the event, and I was beyond amazed and inspired by the dancers,” she said.

“Cheering on my fellow artists reminded me how lucky we are to be doing what we love on one of the most unique college campuses in one of the most creative cities in the world.”

Shannon Rao, who would graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature, talked about how the humanities gave her the ability to read with a critical eye and communicate effectively with specific audiences.

“The humanities have given me the skills to interact with the world, to understand it, and to, in my own small way, work to change it,” she said.

“I wanted to deeply examine this world that we live in, in my case through the lens of literature.”

‘Something Slightly Magical and Incongruous’

Batool Adelhafez, an anthropology and psychology major who was asked to speak about the social sciences, said she was grateful that her professors addressed fundamental issues of neocolonialism, capitalism, and stubborn barriers to mental health access. As a queer Arab woman, she noted that her identities naturally intersected with her studies.

“In one semester, I had a class on psychopathology, and I had another class on global South megacities. Within these two classes, I drew connections between mental health disparities among the displaced, dispossessed, and marginalized communities,” she said.

“One of the most persistent lessons that FCLC has taught me is that no matter what I should do in life, I should do good for others and help those who need it.”

Vincenzo Harty, an integrated neuroscience and French studies major, joked that he was surprised to be asked to speak about the sciences, as he was “possibly the least science-y of science people,” and spent as much time around the arts as he did the science lab.

He credited Jason Morris, Ph.D., professor of biology, for introducing him both to Fordham and to integrated neuroscience.

“The science department here at Lincoln Center is unique and wonderful. It’s a great group of faculty and students who all feel like a family,” he said.

“There’s something slightly magical, and perhaps incongruous as well, in undertaking biology experiments in labs on the eighth floor of a Manhattan skyscraper with a view of the performing arts capital of the world outside the window.”

A First for FCLC

It was the first time FCLC held an awards ceremony prior to Commencement. When Laura Auricchio, Ph.D., became dean of the school in 2019, she learned that, unlike Fordham’s other undergraduate schools, FCLC’s awards had been presented at their diploma ceremony. She vowed to change that—starting in June 2020.

“Apparently, COVID had other plans for all of us,” Auricchio said to laughs from the crowd. “But after multiple false starts, here we are, three years later, belatedly fulfilling that promise.”

Keynote speaker Daejah Woolery, a creative writing and film major, drew parallels between college and a four-season television show.

“Though each of our foundations is different, altered by our backgrounds and our hearts, they all have something in common. We chose Fordham, and with that foundation, we built a series one day, month, and semester at a time,” she said.

Awards vs. Rewards

She encouraged her classmates to consider the difference between an award and a reward.

“An award is given in recognition of an achievement. A reward happens as a result of passion. Sometimes it’s given, and other times it’s completely intrinsic to the experience. Each of the awards given here tonight detail an achievement we should be proud of, remember, and celebrate,” she said.

The joy of making it to the end of “the season” and recalling how they made it, she said, is also a reward in and of itself.

“This intangible celebration, the electricity in the air as graduation nears, the reasons we never stopped going. … We did it. We did it. We won.”

“Thank you for making this finale as rewarding as it was exciting.”

The ceremony, which brought family and friends to the McNally Amphitheatre, was the first held in person since 2019. The awards given out included those for admittance to honors societies, outstanding senior thesis, and the Dean’s Award, which was given to Stephanie Polakoski.

Polakoski, a Fordham Founder’s Scholar who was a member of the Dean’s Council and an orientation leader, was lauded for her good cheer, friendly manner, care for others, and enthusiasm.

Rapaccioli noted in her remarks that the students, all of whom were earning a Bachelor of Science in Global Business, were part of a program that has grown at a remarkable clip, from around 50 when it debuted in 2017, to 156 this year. What’s more, three of the students also earned second degrees in philosophy, psychology, and history, and 30 completed minors in the humanities.

“You really showed that Gabelli School of Business students are both well-rounded and globally oriented,” she said.

Reflecting back on her 15 years as dean, she said that for all the changes that have happened since 2007, one thing that hasn’t changed has been the feeling of pride in her heart for the students.

“I wanted my legacy to be that every Fordham business student graduates prepared to be a compassionate leader who contributes to society and also lives a balanced life,” she said.

“I’m so grateful that when I look at you, I have a great legacy.”

Alia Benabdeljalil, a member of the class of 2022 who was chosen to speak on behalf of the class, addressed the gathering via a taped greeting from Dallas, where she recently moved to accept a position with McKinsey & Company.

“For the first time in 18 years, our primary label of ‘student’ is going to fade, and we will have to reinvent ourselves. Some as analysts, some as associates, some as marketers. The list goes on,” she said.

“As we embark on this new challenging and thrilling adventure, please note that you have a village of people supporting you and rooting for you.”

The message delivered by Benabdeljalil—who was also the recipient of the school’s Alumni Chair award—was one that was echoed by Sihien Goh, GABELLI ’13, who was presented the 2022 Gabelli School of Business Alumni Inspiration Award.

Currently a vice president at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Goh spoke candidly about how to achieve professional success.

“For me, a kid that grew up in a fishing village in Singapore in a family that didn’t speak any English and barely even wrote in Chinese, having any job after graduation was a dream,” he said.

“Most would agree that to achieve success, you need to be hungry, driven, and willing to work hard. Most of you who are here today likely have those traits. That’s why you’re at Fordham. But today I want to add one more factor for you to consider, and that is that relationships matter.”

Although he has found success in the banking world, Goh said that when he graduated in 2013, he had no prospects, and as an international student, he had a visa that would expire if he didn’t find employment. Fortunately, a friend from Fordham who was a junior intern at JPMorgan Chase connected him to his manager in July and landed him a job there. Time and time again, he said, it was someone from Fordham that extended a helping hand and got him in front of the right people.

“Relationships matter because they open the right doors for you, but they also matter because they give you the foundation to stand on when you get knocked down once in a while,” he said.

“More importantly, your ability to empathize, your ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and your ability to relate to someone else allows you to build real and lasting relationships, whether it is with your friends, your co-workers, or your family. Those are some of the intangible things that I learned in my four years at Fordham, that I now know are a big part of the reason why I’m here today in front of you.”