Photos by Argenis Apolinario

Graduating seniors celebrated their heritage and culture at four diversity graduation ceremonies held from April 30 to May 6.

“I am so proud of what each and every one of you has achieved,” Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham, said in a video message to students. 

“Take a moment to give yourself a hug and to revel in everything that you’ve achieved because it is an extraordinary thing, these years of hard work and determination and talent, and glorious love of learning.”

In total, more than 300 students were recognized at the Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American (APIDA); Black; Latine; and Lavender (LGBTQ+) graduation celebrations. 

Held at both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses, the celebrations were sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, Office of the President, and the 2024 Senior Week committees. 

Remember, on the evening of May 18, New York’s Empire State Building will be illuminated in Fordham maroon for our graduates.

Below are the award winners for each graduation.

Lavender Graduation

George Takei Arts & Media Award – LC Recipient: Maura Johnston

George Takei Arts & Media Award – RH Recipient: Julia Patterson

Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera LGBTQ+ Activism Award – RH Recipient: Dorothy Bogen

Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera LGBTQ+ Activism Award – LC Recipient: Kenneth Tang

Audre Lorde LGBTQ+ Research Award – RH Recipients: Fareea Khan and Tarchithaa Chandra Sekharan

Fr. Bryan N. Massingale Faculty/Staff LGBTQ+ Award – LC Recipient: Joe Corcoran

Fr. Bryan N. Massingale Faculty/Staff LGBTQ+ Award – RH Recipient: Juan Carlos Matos

Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contributions to the Office of Multicultural Affairs: Dorothy Bogen

Latine Graduation

Sonrisa Award – LC Recipient: Katelyn Figueroa

Sonrisa Award – RH Recipient: Alan Ventura

Estrella Award – LC Recipient: Ernesto Perez

Estrella Award – RH Recipient: Caitlin Asper

Pa’Lante Award – LC Recipient: Andy Cuzco

Pa’Lante Award – RH Recipient: Hector Cruz

Black Graduation

Black Leadership Award – RH Recipients: Tamia Chaney, Chelsea Usiomwanta, Alan Ventura

Black Leadership Award – LC Recipients: Katelyn Figueroa, Rebecca Richmond, Mary Bookman

Black Leadership Award in Athletics – RH Recipient: Skylar Harris

Black Leadership Award in the Fine Arts – LC Recipient: Kierstin Oliver

Black Leadership Award in the Fine Arts – RH Recipient: Zhane Coleman

Black Excellence in STEM Award – RH Recipients: Kennedy Jeter and Kiara Pile

Black Excellence in Business Award – RH Recipient: Janel Codjoe

APIDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American) Graduation

Lotus Leadership Award – RH Recipients: Tarchithaa Chandra Sekharan and Elena Roden

Lotus Leadership Award – LC Recipient: Kenneth Tang

Most Likely to Sell Out a Lincoln Center Concert: Marie Isabelle Antendido

Most Likely to be on the Cover of Vogue, GQ, Elle, and/or Harper’s Bazaar: Meilin Renee Morefield

Most Likely to Start a Successful Youtube Channel: Julie Kae Trohan

Most Likely to Become Tik Tok Famous: Genesis Yi

Most Likely to Survive the Last of Us: Stacey Dana Zaragoza Cajita

Most Likely to Win Physical: 100: Alexander Joel Lang Hom

Most Likely to be the CEO/Director of their own Company: Yoshimi Pualani Eder

Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contributions to the Office of Multicultural Affairs: Kenneth Tang

“We are so happy that you joined our community, that you brought your blazing talent to Fordham, and that you worked incredibly hard,” Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham, said in a video message to students. “All of it has led to this moment.” 

In total, more than 200 students were recognized at the third annual Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Latine, and Lavender (LGBTQ+) graduations. 

Si Se Puede: Yes You Can

The series of ceremonies began with the Latine graduation, which honored more than 80 students from both campuses. Each student was given an aqua blue stole, a color selected by students because it reminded them of the Caribbean. From a banquet table, they collected colorful patches stitched with the flags of Latin American countries, as well as stickers with slogans like “Si Se Puede,” which translates to “Yes You Can.” At the end of the evening, they ate empanadas, plantains, and rice and beans while listening to an eclectic group of Latinx artists that included Bad Bunny, Celia Cruz, and Rosalía. 

Juan Carlos Matos, assistant vice president for student affairs for diversity and inclusion, set the scene for the Latine graduation. 

“Tonight, let’s take in all of the joy in our ability to celebrate Latinidad in all its forms, from those born in Latin America, to those born in the States,” Matos said. “To those who are native Spanish speakers, to those who get along with their Spanglish … and everyone in between.” 

Finding A ‘Family’ at Fordham

In a heartfelt speech, student Maya Dominguez shared how her life changed after joining the Latine club at Rose Hill, El Grito De Lares, where she found a community of people who understood and embraced her culture. 

“Finding a community where you can share your struggles, laughter, and success is finding a family,” said Dominguez, who earlier that evening won a Sonrisa Award, given to two graduating seniors who demonstrate dedication to Fordham’s Latinx community. 

Arthur Ze An Liu, a senior who won the Lotus Award at the AAPI ceremony, said he found a similar community at Asian Cultural Exchange. He joined the student club during his first year at Fordham and rose in the ranks, from freshman representative, to treasurer, and finally president. He recalled their inaugural lunar year celebration, hosted by their club last year. 

“We were able to bring one of the most significant cultural holidays for the Asian community to Fordham,” said Liu, who was born and raised in Hong Kong and is of Chinese descent. “I’m glad that I represented my heritage and happy to have seen other people interact with my culture.” 

The celebrations, which were held at both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses, were sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, Office of the President, and the 2023 Senior Week committees. 

Below are the award winners for each graduation:

AAPI Graduation:

• Lotus Leadership Award: Naimal Chisti (Lincoln Center) and Arthur Ze An Liu (Rose Hill)
• Most Likely to Sell Out a Lincoln Center Concert (Superlative Award): Liz Shim (Rose Hill)
• Most Likely to Start a Successful Youtube Channel (Superlative Award): Maleiya Lorenzo (Rose Hill)
• Most Likely to Survive the Last of Us (Superlative Award): Jonathan DeFelipe (Rose Hill)
• Most Likely to Open a Michelin-Star Restaurant (Superlative Award): Ishrat Soha (Lincoln Center) 

 

Black Graduation:

• Black Leadership Award: Chanelle Dortch, Kiya Brown, Sophia Henderson (Lincoln Center) and Aminata Konateh, K.D. Spencer Roman, Alvin Feliz Varona (Rose Hill) 

 

Latine Graduation:

• Sonrisa Award: Annabel Filpo (Lincoln Center) and Maya Dominguez (Rose Hill)
• Pa’Lante Award: Daniella Lopez (Lincoln Center) and Alexander Chavez Sanchez (Rose Hill)

 

Lavender Graduation:

• George Takei Arts and Media Award: Adah Unachukwu (Lincoln Center) and Chloe McGee (Rose Hill)
• Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera LGBTQ+ Activism Award: Trystan Edwards (Lincoln Center) and Santiago Plaza (Rose Hill)
• Audre Lorde LGBTQ+ Research Award: Caridad Kinsella (Lincoln Center) and Benedict Reilly, Lillian Gieseke, Ethan Hammett (Rose Hill)
• Fr. Bryan N. Massingale Faculty LGBTQ+ Award: Karina Hogan (Lincoln Center) and Jennifer Moorman, Ph.D. (Rose Hill) 

 

The celebrations took place from May 2–6 at the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses, honoring students from the Black, Latinx, LGBTQ, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Seniors received colored stoles, certificates, and other items that symbolized their identity.

Juan Carlos Matos, assistant vice president for student affairs for diversity and inclusion, said the events drew a lot of excitement this year, with students buzzing about the celebrations beforehand and younger classmates leading the planning process.

“I think being able to create a tradition that folks look forward to and a culminating experience that connects back to people’s identity and culture is an important thing for the Fordham community,” he said.

Dorothy Bogen is a Fordham College of Rose Hill sophomore who served as a programming coordinator for the LGBTQ History Month committee of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which ran the Diversity Graduations.

In her role she also led the planning for other events, including the Lavender graduation ceremony for LGBTQ seniors, which featured an appearance from theology Professor Patrick Hornbeck, Ph.D.

“Professor Hornbeck gave an inspiring speech (even with a fire drill interruption!) and it was awesome to feel the joy and the energy in the room as students were called up to receive their stoles,” said Bogen, an American Studies and Film and Television major from Cleveland. “We also got to connect with the Rainbow Rams (the alumni group for Fordham LGBTQ graduates), and their representatives also gave great speeches on both campuses.”

Arianna Chen, a Fordham College at Rose Hill senior from Wayne, New Jersey, attended the AAPI ceremony. She said she was grateful that the Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted these events and took the time to “acknowledge and celebrate the unique experiences held by students of varying identities.”

“It was important for me to participate in the Diversity Graduation ceremony because my identity has been a key part of my Fordham experience, not only as a DEI student activist, but also just a student of color navigating a predominantly white institution,” she said.

Chen received an AAPI stole and ACE (Asian Cultural Exchange) pin that she said she is “so looking forward to proudly donning at [her]Commencement ceremony.”

Matos said there was a “mix of support, love, and joy” at the events, each of which featured a recorded greeting from Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham.

“Students being able to celebrate with their peers and be celebrated was a huge deal,” he said.

When their names were called, graduates were honored with special stoles, pins, and other items celebrating their culture. Faculty and staff offered words of praise and encouragement, both virtually and in person. Speakers included Chief Diversity Officer Rafael Zapata, political science professor Christina Greer, and Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham.

Celebrations were held at both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses. They were sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer in conjunction with the President’s Office and Senior Week.