Instagram 2015: Fordham Staff’s Top Pics for the Year

Patrick Verel — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 10:00:29 +0000

This year, we shared nearly 400 pictures and videos on the Fordham Instagram account, and we could have easily shared double that, what with the number of picture-worthy locales and events that take place throughout the Fordham community.

As the year comes to a close, here are a few of our favorites, in no particular order.

Patrick Verel

I have no idea why I thought it’d be fun to make Edwards’ Parade look like Hoth. I guess I was thinking about Stars Wars even back in February.

Crocuses are far and away my favorite flower, because they show up way before anything else is hardy enough to make a go of it.

I just love this kids’ attitude. She’s got future Ram written all over her.

Rachel Roman

Okay, technically NOT a picture, but the drone footage was awesome.

Everything about this photo is beautiful. The fog, the snow, even the bare tree branches. And I usually hate bare tree branches, because they look sad =(

Because who doesn’t love a Pope doll in a Fordham jacket. Can I get one of these for my desk?

Tom Stoelker

I love this shot from Mission and Ministry’s John Gownley. At 1600 likes it was one of the most popular posts of the year and reminded us that Keating isn’t Rose Hill’s only iconic tower.

This shot by Patick Verel is a stunner of Duane Library. We’ve all seen the light stream like this and it never fails to impress.

Love, love, love the pizza nuns shot! Joanna Mercuri tells us that the nuns were singing while waiting in line to see the pope at Madison Square Garden, but when they finally paused for a bite to eat Joanna captured a moment of community both large and small.

Chris Gosier

Somehow, the Ram seems to be standing a little taller for his usual backdrop being blotted out by a snowstorm.

I like this cool angle; you can almost see the flowers pushing upward because of the odd angle with the statue of Dagger John.

Love this shot of Cunniffe House. The photographer seems to have caught it at just the right time of day.

Joanna Mercuri

Because can we ever get enough of fall beauty shots?

Fordham students abroad at our London Centre campus.

Our new home in Martino Hall gives us some pretty awesome views of the Lincoln Center campus.

Gina Vergel

Father Joseph M. McShane, S.J., our president, is a tremendous speaker – in public or in casual conversation. Joanna Mercuri caught him during Move-in Day 2015 and it was great.

This beautiful shot of the candle-lighting ceremony on Edwards Parade during orientation/Move-In weekend garnered more than 800 likes, and shows the sense of community welcome new students receive.

A beautiful shot of a commute so many in the Fordham family know so well.

Biology Labs Get Upgrade During Summer Break

Patrick Verel — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:15:47 +0000

Workers in one of the main biology labs at Freeman Hall. Photo by Patrick Verel

The crawfish and hermit crabs that call the Freeman Hall biology lab home have lots of company this summer.

On the other side of plastic sheeting hung in the hall to keep dust at bay, workers have gutted older facilities on the east side of the third floor, and are in the process of replacing them with state of the art new ones.

The construction, which will be completed in time for the start of the fall semester, encompasses six teaching laboratories, several prep laboratories, offices and storage spaces, the main corridor, and the stairwells.

While the labs on the west side of the 82-year-old building won’t be renovated until next summer, as part of this project, they are getting upgraded infrastructure and utilities, including improved ventilation.

Donna Heald, Ph.D., associate dean for science education, said the construction is part of a $10 million project aimed at upgrading all science facilities at Fordham over the next five years. It follows a similar, recently completed project in the chemistry labs.

“Science and technology are rapidly developing areas. To provide the best education to our students, we must provide opportunities to gain hands on laboratory experience in modern facilities, with modern instrumentation,” she said.

A view from the central area shows a view of one of the main labs through an interior window, as sunlight streams through an opening in the ceiling where new ventilation equipment is being installed. Photo by Patrick Verel

The layout of the new space will change too, with a central area set aside for preparation and instrument storage. This will make it easier to use the main labs for different subjects, as they won’t be dedicated to one particular subject. Interior windows have also been added, to allow viewing between labs.

“The great thing about interior windows in a science lab is that they allow all to see and be inspired by the lab activity. You may not be in the same physical perimeter, but it’s exciting because you see that there’s scientific exploration occurring in that space,” Heald said.

“So it’s helpful for the instructor, but it’s also very motivational for the student.”

In addition to biology, the computer science department is also seeing some physical changes, as space in John Mulcahy Hall is being expanded to accommodate research projects in robotics and cell phones. The push to renovate all the science facilities is especially important given that the number of incoming freshmen who intend to major in math, science or the pre-health program, is expected to top last years’ 300.

“Enrollment has been steadily increasing, so that’s a reason why I think it’s critically important that we’re moving forward on these renovations on multiple fronts,” Heald said.

Freeman Hall – Fordham Now

Instagram 2015: Fordham Staff’s Top Pics for the Year

Biology Labs Get Upgrade During Summer Break