2024 Commencement Issue

May 18, 2024

Fordham University 179th Commencement

The Fordham Ram

R

Serving the Fordham University campus and community since 1918

The Fordham Ram is the university journal of record. The mission of The Fordham Ram is to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of ideas in service to the community and to act as a student advocate. The Fordham Ram is published every Wednesday during the academic year to all campuses.

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Editor in Chief

Sofia Donohue

Managing Editor

Allison Schneider

Editorial Director

Evan McManus

Production Editor

Hannah Boring

Multimedia Director

Grace Campbell

Business Director

Grace Miller

Copy Chief

Cailee Zeraat

Assistant Copy Chief

Madelyn Gerth

News Editor

Nora Malone

Features Editor

Julianna Morales

Assistant News Editors

Cristina Stefanizzi

Adithi Vimalanathan

Opinion Editor

Saisha Islam

Assistant Opinion Editors

Zachary Badalamenti

Eleanor Smith

Culture Editors

Claire Krieger

Caleb Stine

Assistant Culture Editor

Isabella DeRosa

Sports Editor

Jonah Ring

Assistant Sports Editors

Griffin Stevenson

Noah Hoffman

Social Media Director

Alexis Hurchalla

Digital Producers

Sophie Maselli

Sarah Urbano

Haniyyah Usmani

Photo Editor

Mary Hawthorn

Advertising Directors

Katriina Fiedler

Kathleen Hollinger

Diana Juarez

Emily Roe

Faculty Advisor

Qun Wang

Editorial Policy

The Fordham Ram’s editorial reflects the editorial board’s opinions or views.

Opinion Policy

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of The Fordham Ram.

Submissions Policy

The Fordham Ram reserves the right to reject or edit any submission for any reason, without notice. Submissions become the exclusive property of The Fordham Ram. No part of The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

COMMENCEMENT

A Letter to the Class of 2024 From the Editor

Dear 2024 Graduates,

Congratulations on your graduation. Graduating is no small feat, and the class of 2024 has encountered its fair share of challenges throughout their past four years at Fordham University. The class of 2024 graduated high school in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, its first year at Fordham characterized by the unremitting pandemic: virtual orientation and classes, grab-and-go meals and VitalCheck. The pandemic’s standstill on student life extended through the fall of 2021 when masks were still required and students received regular emails alerting them of a COVID-19 close contact in one of their classes. Despite a welcome to Fordham that was anything but

conventional, the class of 2024 persevered — embracing the abnormality of it all and creating an enduring legacy nonetheless. The class of 2024’s time at Fordham has consisted of strong leadership, outstanding athletic achievements, innovation, the inauguration of a new university president and, most importantly, tenacity. We at The Fordham Ram congratulate you all on your outstanding achievements, and we look forward to watching you continue to flourish in the years to come. It’s because of your successes that we dedicate the final edition of the Ram to this year’s commencement ceremony and the class of 2024. Once again, congratulations!

Wishing you the best of luck, Sofia Donohue, Editor-in-Chief

2024 Commencement Schedule

FRIDAY MAY 17

ENCAENIA (FORDHAM COLLEGE AT ROSE HILL AWARDS CEREMONY)

GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ROSE HILL AWARDS CEREMONY

VETERANS BELL RINGING CEREMONY

1 P.M.

ROSE HILL GYMNASIUM

3 P.M. FORDHAM PREP THEATRE

4 P.M. ROSE HILL ROSE HILL BACCALAUREATE MASS

6 P.M. ROSE HILL GYMNASIUM

SATURDAY MAY 18

UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL AND CONTINUING STUDIES DIPLOMA CEREMONY

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DIPLOMA CEREMONY

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DIPLOMA CEREMONY

MONDAY MAY 20

SCHOOL OF LAW

DIPLOMA CEREMONY

1 P.M. ROSE HILL GYMNASIUM

TUESDAY MAY 21

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SERVICE

DIPLOMA CEREMONY

GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS DIPLOMA

CEREMONY — MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL

10 A.M. EDWARD’S PARADE

4 P.M.

EDWARD’S PARADE

10 A.M. EDWARD’S PARADE

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

FORDHAM PREP THEATRE

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

FORDHAM PREP THEATRE

6 P.M. ROSE HILL GYMNASIUM

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM Seniors celebrated the beginning of the year at Senior Toast this fall.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

2024 Honorary Degree Recipients

By ALLISON SCHNEIDER MANAGING EDITOR

At the 2024 Commencement Ceremony, three individuals will receive honorary degrees from Fordham University in acknowledgment of their contributions to Fordham and to the public at large.

The first to receive an honorary doctorate of laws is the commencement speaker, Joseph Patrick Kennedy III. Kennedy, a grandnephew of former President John F. Kennedy, will be the third member of his family to speak at Fordham and the fourth to receive an honorary degree from the university. His grandfather, Robert F. Kennedy, addressed the Fordham University class of 1967, where he famously told graduating students that they were entering “a world aflame with the desires and hatreds of multitudes.” The 1967 speech was delivered amid increasing national resistance to the Vietnam War and the rising student protest movement that marked the end of the ’60s and the early ’70s.

This year’s ceremony takes place amidst similar resistance to the United States’

involvement in the IsraelPalestine conflict. Joseph P. Kennedy III told The Fordham Ram, “It’s an honor to be able to celebrate the graduating class of 2024.” He also remarked, “Fordham has a rich history of being a diverse and welcoming community that centers justice and fighting for those most vulnerable. It is in that spirit my grandfather lived his life, so it’s incredibly meaningful to have the opportunity to address Fordham’s graduating students almost 60 years after he did the same.”

Like other members of the Kennedy family, Joseph P. Kennedy III has led a successful career in public service. After attending Stanford University to study management science and engineering, Kennedy joined the Peace Corps in 2003. After that, he attended Harvard Law School and became more involved in American politics, winning a seat as a U.S. House of Representatives member from Massachusetts. Now, Kennedy serves as the U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs. Next among the honorary

degree recipients is Sister Helen Prejean who is set to receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Prejean is the author of the bestselling memoir “Dead Man Walking,” which, since its publication in 1993, has been made into an Academy Award-winning film and was adapted into an opera in 2000. The opera was recently performed at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center last fall. In her memoir, Prejean relates her experience as a spiritual advisor to a convicted murderer on death row in a Louisiana state prison and the complicated moral and spiritual questions that she faced as a result of her experience.

Prejean, driven by her strong Catholic faith, is a fierce opponent of the death penalty and advocates for the end of capital punishment across the country. Since the publication of “Dead Man Walking,” she has also written about her experience being an activist and her own spiritual journey. Today, Prejean continues her advocacy work by writing to and visiting prisoners on death

row and encouraging others to do the same. Her website, www.sisterhelen.org, raises awareness about current prisoners facing the death penalty and how to get involved with her advocacy work.

In bestowing an honorary degree, Fordham is recognizing Prejean’s important contributions to the death penalty abolition movement, her direct non-profit work with prisoners and her inspiring testimony and dedication to the Catholic Church.

Also receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters is Robert D. Daleo, GSB ’72. Daleo is a former chairman of the Fordham University Board of Trustees. As one of Fordham’s greatest longtime supporters, Daleo has sponsored the renovation of Hughes Hall and the Joseph M. McShane, S.J. Campus Center project. Daleo and his wife, Linda Daleo, also donate to Fordham’s scholarship fund annually. They have even created their own scholarship fund named the Paul Daleo Memorial Endowed Scholarship in honor of Daleo’s

brother, Paul Daleo, GSB ’68 and ’75.

Daleo began serving on the Fordham University Board of Trustees in 2008 before taking over as chair in 2012. Before that, he was the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Canadian media conglomerate Thomson Reuters. His Fordham undergraduate education and his M.B.A. from Baruch College prepared him for a successful career in publishing and media. During his time as chairman, the Board of Trustees introduced a newly renamed and revamped Mission and Social Justice Committee. In 2020, Daleo spearheaded the board’s anti-racism campaign and worked closely with the Mission and Social Justice Committee.

While no longer chair of the university’s board, Daleo is still a committed member of the Fordham community. In gratitude for all of his hard work and generous contributions to the university and its students, Daleo will receive his honorary doctorate at the 2024 Commencement Ceremony.

Fordham to Celebrate Graduates at Senior Week

By JULIANNA MORALES FEATURES EDITOR

At the end of each academic year, the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) works alongside the Senior Week Committee to host an array of events for graduating seniors as commencement approaches. As the end of the spring 2024 semester approaches, so does the start of the Senior Week festivities.

The first event detailed on the Rose Hill Senior Week webpage is the Senior Leadership Award ceremony held in the Great Hall of McShane Campus Center on May 13 at 6 p.m. However, the actual Kickoff Event, marking the beginning of the festivities, is under the bleachers on May 14 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Kickoff Event calls seniors to arrive in their Fordham gear for a night of dancing, food and, for students 21 and older, drinks.

Tickets are $15 and each drink ticket, with a maximum of four, is $5.

For a seventh year, the Senior Ball will be held at Cipriani 42nd Street. The landmark location is across the street from Grand Central Terminal and allows for an elegant night of dancing for the seniors. Tickets for the event cost $150 if purchased prior to 11:59 p.m. on April 28. There was also a split pay option where the senior could deposit half the ticket cost and pay the other half by May 13. Ticket prices have now increased to $175. The ticket covers entry, a full Cipriani buffet and an open bar (with valid ID).

Next, the graduating class can join President Tania Tetlow and the Senior Week Committee for the Class of 2024 photo and the “Always

a Ram” celebration on Keating Steps on May 16 from 5-7 p.m. Seniors are asked to wear maroon for the picture. The tickets are free and can be exchanged for a Fordham memento while supplies last.

Finally, on the night before their commencement ceremony, the Parent Appreciation Dinner Dance will be held for seniors to thank those in their lives who supported them throughout their time at Fordham. The dinner will be held May 17 at 7:15 p.m. on Martyrs’ Lawn. There will be a buffet, live band, dancing and an open bar for those of legal drinking age. The tickets are $75 per person with a limit of six tickets for each graduating senior, including their own.

Tickets for any of these events are available for seniors to purchase through

University Tickets. Limited tickets are available for each event; all Senior Week events typically sell out.

To help with the planning and organization of each year’s Senior Week, there is a group of students from the graduating class who work as the Senior Week Committee. Leading this committee are co-chairs Matthew Reese, GSB ’24, and Maribelle Gordon, FCRH ’25.

When asked what she was most looking forward to about Senior Week, Gordon replied, “I think we’re all just really excited to see all the committee’s hard work from throughout the year coming together in such an amazing way. We have put on some great events throughout the year, but this final week of programming is the ultimate celebration of the seniors, and it is amazing to see those

events come to life.”

Gordon also commented on how the Fordham Class of 2024 is made up of many students who were 2020 high school seniors and unfortunately missed out on numerous high school graduation activities due to COVID-19. “We hope that we can make up for that and give them a really special finale to their college career,” Gordon stated.

The Senior Week Committee is also selling Fordham Class of 2024 sweatshirts online. The sweatshirts are available in both gray and maroon and are sold for $40 each.

Underclassmen looking to be involved in Senior Week can sign up next fall to be volunteers. Class of 2025 students wishing to join the Senior Week Committee for their

graduating class can apply online by 11:59 p.m.

Sister Helen Prejean is the author of “Dead Man Walking.”

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Joseph P. Kennedy III will speak at commencement.

COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Robert Daleo, GSB ’72, poses with his wife, Linda Daleo.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM NEWS

Letter to the Fordham Community from USG

By BRIANA AL-OMOUSH & AVA COOGAN

Dear Fordham University,

We are excited to give our final address as executive president and executive vice president of Fordham’s United Student Government (USG) at Rose Hill for the 2023-24 academic year.

When we began our administration last August, we had pragmatic goals outlined in our campaign platform. However, two critical goals took center stage from start to finish: increased visibility amongst Fordham University students and bridging the gap between USG and the student body.

To tackle this, we enforced monthly senate tablings, which took place in high-visibility areas of the McShane Campus Center. Class senates tabled together and, on occasion, with committees to hear student concerns and share information about the current work of USG. We also encouraged class senates to create Instagram accounts to further communicate with the student body about our work throughout the year. In light of this effort, we sent out a newsletter to students, highlighting the work of each class senate.

Internally, we created informal class senate heads to streamline communication with each class senate about their work on various proposals and initiatives. These senate heads were responsible for scheduling monthly meetings with their fellow senators and gave reports on their work at weekly USG meetings.

Additionally, we increased visibility through new traditions, such as the beginning

of Town Halls twice per semester. These town halls differed from the Student Life Council, which combines students with administrators which can be more intimidating for students to attend as a first resort when they have an issue. In navigating the difficulties of the switch to Destination Dining beginning in September, Facilities and Dining committee led a town hall meeting in October to address student concerns.

Looking at the tangibles, USG completed a lot of work this year. In the fall semester, we passed the following proposals: A proposal to Improve Office of Disability Services (ODS) accommodations, which highlighted the need for improved communication with ODS, the creation of a feedback survey and a consultation service. We also passed a Native Plant Proposal to create a rain garden consisting of plants native to the Bronx and combat the university’s flooding issues. Additionally, we passed a Counseling and Psychological Services Syllabi Proposal, recommending that professors include the CPS resources on their course syllabi for easy student access.

In the ever-busy spring semester, numerous more proposals were passed as senators, vice presidents and committees were able to further initiatives they began brainstorming in the fall. These included a composting proposal to introduce composting on campus to be more sustainable, a proposal to expand airport transportation accessibility for international students, a proposal to make academic registration accommodations for long-distance

commuters, a proposal to expand accessibility resources and infrastructure and a proposal to adjust the absence policy in cases of inclement weather. Additionally, we relaunched the Fordham Friendly Program, working with the Belmont Business district to create more discounts for Fordham students and staff to local businesses, restaurants and various establishments.

Still ongoing, our Committee on Sexual Misconduct has created a proposal to implement the Survivor Advocate on the Public Safety team. This role would strengthen Fordham’s supportive practices when addressing the safety and well-being of all Fordham students. We hope the future student government leaders continue this great work.

Additionally, through the referendum process this March, we passed the first increase to the Student Activities Fee (SAF) in over 11 years. This $95 increase was extremely

necessary to allow clubs to continue programming to the same degree and to account for the increasing number and diversity of clubs added to our campus each semester through the Operations Committee. In tandem with the Budget Committee, which allocates funds from the SAF to all clubs and organizations, we led an active two-week campaign with over four hours of daily tabling to encourage students to make their voices heard through a paper ballot vote of either yes or no to this increase. In doing so, we polled over 15% of the student body, with just over 95% of these students voting yes to the increase. This monumental change will undoubtedly be reflected in the programming beginning next fall and in the semesters that will follow. We are incredibly proud of the concerted effort made by every member of USG, in addition to the outreach made to the over 1,000 students who voted.

It has been our honor and privilege to serve as your executive president and vice president for the 2023-24 academic year. Together, we have tackled challenges, celebrated victories and worked to better the experience for students at Fordham. We are proud of our work and even more proud of the hard work and dedication of our fellow senators, vice presidents, and committee members. We do not doubt that the great work of Fordham’s United Student Government will continue in the years to come. USG is an organization that works for the students and is brought to you by the students.

Thank you for believing in us and trusting us to do the job. We look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of USG.

With gratitude, Briana AlOmoush and Ava Coogan 56th Executive President and Executive Vice President of USG at Rose Hill.

Joseph P. Kennedy III Chosen for Graduation Speech

By JOSHUA FIORENTINO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fordham University announced on April 12 that former Massachusetts representative and current special envoy to Northern Ireland, Joseph Patrick Kennedy III, will be the speaker for the 179th Fordham Commencement. According to Bob Howe, the associate vice president for communications at Fordham, the process of choosing a speaker begins during the fall when the Commencement Committee

meets to discuss nominees. Contestants are nominated by students who fill out a form on the commencement’s website, and, as part of the form, the students describe why the chosen candidate deserves an Honorary Fordham Degree. Afterwards, the committee creates a list of the nominees that they send to the Board of Trustees, who then decide who will be the commencement speaker.

“Joe Kennedy III, special envoy to Northern Ireland, is a

world. He is a brilliant and engaging speaker... We could not be more fortunate to have him with us on Commencement Day,” said Howe.

Seniors had mixed reactions to this announcement. Christian DeJesús, FCRH ’24, said, “I don’t have too much knowledge of him as a person. Obviously, he has big family connections in a sense, so I’m definitely intrigued, and want to know more about him.”

Jake Verespy, FCRH ’24, stated, “I don’t have anything against him, so I’m excited to see what happens.”

Not every senior is absolutely thrilled about the choice, however. Leah Veneziano, GSB ’24, said that Kennedy was “probably not the person I had hoped [for].” Nathaniel Corven, FCRH ’24, said he felt more lukewarm on the choice: “I’m looking forward to the commencement as a whole, mostly the ceremony in general [but] I don’t have one strong opinion

on the commencement speech one way or another.” That said, some students said they were looking forward to the speech.

“I’m looking forward to hearing how he crafts his message,” Veneziano said. “He is a politician, and I’m sure he’ll be really well-spoken, but I’m not sure what to expect.”

After graduating from Harvard Law School and serving as an assistant district attorney, Kennedy began his political career in 2012 by running for the Massachusetts’ 4th District in the House. After winning with 59.3% of the vote, he won the seat that would remain his until his unsuccessful run for senator in 2020. While serving in the House, he helped pass certain bills that authorized research on Autism Spectrum Disorder, expanded educational programming for the Holocaust Museum and improved the monitoring of cancers in firefighters in a voluntary registry.

In 2020, Kennedy retired from the House to run for the Class II Massachusetts Senate seat against incumbent Ed Markey. He ended up losing to Markey in the primary for the seat by about 10%.

Joseph will be the third member of his family to speak at Fordham’s Commencement after his grandfather, Robert F. Kennedy spoke in 1967, just a year before his assassination, and his uncle, Ted Kennedy, who spoke two years after him.

“It’s an honor to be able to celebrate the graduating class of 2024,” Kennedy said of speaking at commencement. ”Fordham has a rich history of being a diverse and welcoming community that centers justice and fighting for those most vulnerable. It is in that spirit my grandfather lived his life. It’s incredibly meaningful to have the opportunity to address Fordham’s graduating students almost 60 years after he did the same.”

COURTESY OF BRIANA AL-OMOUSH AND AVA COOGAN FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Fordham USG’s President Briana Al-Omoush and Vice President Ava Coogan.

Joseph P. Kennedy III to address Fordham’s class of 2024.

Pieces of Advice From the Class of 2024

By ADITHI VIMALANATHAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Julia Parsenios, FCRH ’24, is an English major who describes her time at Fordham University as deeply fulfilling and educational. “I don’t know if I have a favorite moment, but I would definitely describe it as a big period of growth and development in my life. I feel like I learned so much about what direction I want to take in life and who I am as a person and the people I want to surround myself with.”

Her post-graduation plans involve an international move. “Right now, I’m moving to Mexico in May to work at an orphanage. I’m not exactly sure how long I’m staying, but after that, I’m definitely going back to school to pursue further education in literature.”

When asked about advice, Parsenios advised underclassmen to “get your core done as soon as possible so that you can take whatever classes you

want, and also be involved in as much as you can without stressing yourself out.”

Maura Mulvihill, FCRH ’24, is a Spanish and psychology double major who is the current president of Rodrigue’s Coffee House and is involved with Fordham Experimental Theater (FET)’s stand-up and sketch comedy groups and orientation. Mulvihill notes that her second-to-last week of classes was her most cherished time at Fordham. “I would say the entirety of the last week has been my favorite time at Fordham. I had my last Rod’s concert ever and my last stand-up show ever. And I think it’s just very representative of everything I’ve put my time and effort into over the last couple of years.”

Her post-graduate plans are to pursue a career in the music industry. When asked to give advice to underclassmen, Mulvihill said, “Live in the moment. Don’t worry about the future too much. But I

would say figure out what it is that you really, really love doing and dedicate your time to that. It could be the most crazy intense thing ever, but as long as you love doing it and you feel like you could spend every day for the rest of your life doing it, it’ll be worth it and it’s probably what you’re meant to be doing.”

Nicole Kilada, FCRH ’24, is a Spanish studies and history double major with a minor in biological sciences on the premed track. Kilada is currently Chief of Medical Staff for Fordham EMS (FUEMS) and is involved with the Honors program, Rose Hill Society and Fordham Political Review.

A key moment for Kilada was joining FUEMS, where she began as an EMT and eventually worked her way up to becoming chief of the organization.

“FUEMS has taught me how to be more out there and stand my ground. I think I’m like the fifth or sixth female chief in all of FUEMS history. Coming

into such a male dominated field, FUEMS really taught me how to stand my ground and not take the pushback from not being what they think the chief of FUEMS should look like.”

Kilada’s post-graduate plans are to attend medical school in the upcoming fall semester. Her advice to first-years: “Slow it down and just do things that pique your interest and explore different things because you never know where you’ll find your niche. So, just take a breath, relax and enjoy the ride.”

Alan Ventura, FCRH ’24, is an American studies major with minors in music and history. Ventura is currently president of El Grito de Lares, the Latine Student Alliance, and vice president of ASILI, Fordham’s Black Student Alliance.

Reflecting on his past four years, Ventura noted the importance of his Fordham community. “The last four years, just personally, have been crazy. How

that translates to my role here at Fordham, being a leader of a few organizations and taking on so many classes — it can be a struggle sometimes. But I think all in all, with the community that’s already here, with the friends I was able to make here and just the culture — that is the biggest thing about Fordham — that kind of got me through those four years.”

Ventura’s post-graduate plans involve working at his high school as an alumni mentor and completing a master’s in public media through Fordham’s 4+1 graduate program. Ventura advises underclassmen to find community at Fordham. “Find your group, and find it quick. If there’s something in the area that’s happening, go to it. If a group of people say ‘Hey, we’re gonna go eat some food, you want to come with us?’ Go with them. You want to build those connections quick, because those connections are the things that you’re going to most remember looking back four years ahead.”

COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANTHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANTHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANTHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANTHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

Julia Parsenios, FCRH ’24

Maura Mulvihill, FCRH ’24.

Alan Ventura, FCRH ’24

Nicole Kilada, FCRH ’24

The Last Four Years at Fordham...

2020-21 Academic Year

Sept. 9, 2020: University Announces New Chosen Name Policy

“Chief Diversity Officer, Rafael Zapata, sent an email on Aug. 30 announcing that Fordham students can now change to their chosen name on Fordham records.”

Sept. 9, 2020: Pandemic Causes Deferrals and Smaller Freshman Class

“Fordham welcomed a smaller freshman class and faced a stark increase in deferrals this year as the fall semester started amidst a pandemic.”

Nov. 18, 2020: Fordham Students Share Opinions About the 2020 Presidential Election

“Following this year’s election, The Fordham Ram conducted a survey of 161 Fordham students to see what their opinions were regarding the 2020 election.”

Feb. 24, 2021: Stanford Marriage Pact Service Comes to Fordham

“This Valentine’s Day, nearly 4,000 Fordham students received their ‘ideal match’ on campus over email thanks to the Fordham Marriage Pact. The Fordham Marriage Pact is an offshoot of the original Marriage Pact, a program created for Stanford students that went viral after its immense success and has spread to many universities across the country in the last year.”

2021-22 Academic Year

Sept. 15, 2021: Fordham Facilities Sustain Damage From Flash Flooding

“On Sept. 1, the first day of Fordham’s fall semester, heavy rain and floodwaters from Tropical Storm Ida damaged facilities across the university’s Rose Hill campus. The damage prompted university officials to cancel in-person classes for the rest of that week and temporarily close some areas on campus. ”

Sept. 15, 2021: Father McShane Announces His Departure from Fordham in June

“Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, announced in an email to the Fordham community on Sept. 2 that after 19 years he will be stepping down from this position at the end of the academic year.”

Feb. 10, 2022: Tania Tetlow, J.D., Announced as the New President of Fordham University

“In a post on the Fordham University Instagram, Fordham announced Tania Tetlow, J.D., as the 33rd president of Fordham University. Tetlow is currently the 17th president of Loyola University New Orleans, a private Jesuit university with a student population of 3,759.”

April 11, 2022: USG Fails to Disclose Prior Sanctions Against Candidates

“With United Student Government (USG) elections starting today, Monday, April 11, The Fordham Ram conducted an investigation into USG election processes which uncovered a lack of transparency about candidates who break the organization’s lengthy rules while campaigning, raising questions about why USG does not disclose important information to voters.”

2022-23 Academic Year

Sept. 7, 2022: Dagger John’s Reopens in Student Center

“Dagger John’s reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 31, in the basement of the McShane Campus Center with all new food options.”

Oct. 26, 2022: Fordham’s Faculty Union Holds Rally in Front of Inauguration

“On Oct. 14, members of Fordham’s Faculty Union (FFU) congregated outside of Edward’s Parade directly before the inauguration of President Tania Tetlow.”

March 22, 2023: Fordham Lifts Vaccine Requirement on All Campuses

“President Tania Tetlow sent an email to the Fordham community on March 20 announcing that the university will lift COVID-19 vaccination requirements for members of the Fordham community and visitors to campus starting on May 15, 2023.”

March 29, 2023: McShane Marketplace to Close for 2023-24 Academic Year

“The McShane Campus Center cafeteria will be closed and under renovation during the 2023-24 school year. Its closure will coincide with the start of ‘destination dining.’”

...Told Through the Ram’s Headlines

By HANNAH BORING PRODUCTION EDITOR

Since 1918, The Fordham Ram has reported on events close to home and around the world. The last four years have been no exception. On these two pages is a collection of the most important and interesting headlines from the class of 2024’s time at Fordham University. While a lot has happened in their four years in New York, their senior year has been a remarkably eventful one. The staff of The Fordham Ram invites the class of 2024 to read, remember and reflect on these special moments from the last four years.

2023-24 Academic Year

Nov. 8, 2023: University Responds to Security Breach

“On Nov. 3, an emotionally disturbed man entered campus through the Walsh Gate turnstiles and entered a suite in Walsh Hall. The man was subdued by Public Safety officers and then transported by NYPD to a local hospital where he was later arrested.”

Jan. 24, 2024: Fordham Awarded $50 Million EPA Grant Last December

“Fordham was awarded a $50 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency designed to serve underserved communities in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

Jan. 24, 2024: Office of Residential Life Prematurely Announces Change in Guest Policy

“The Office of Residential Life prematurely announced a new policy allowing residents to have overnight guests of the opposite gender beginning in the spring semester.”

Feb. 21, 2024: Fordham Named Top Producer of Fulbright Scholars

“Fordham University was recently named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars by the U.S. Department of State. Fordham’s Fulbright students are pursuing opportunities such as teaching, research and a year of graduate studies in countries such as Taiwan and Estonia.”

April 10, 2024: 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles the Northeast

“A 4.8 magnitude earthquake originating in New Jersey was felt in the New York City area on Friday, April 5. Students share their experiences of feeling an earthquake on campus.”

April 10, 2024: “Eclipsemania” Takes Over Rose Hill and Lincoln Center Campuses

“Fordham students gather to observe the solar eclipse on both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. The eclipse is a rare occurrence that will not be witnessed coast to coast again until 2045.”

April 22, 2024: Fordham Administration Comes to a Tentative Agreement with FGSW and FRA Unions

“On Monday, April 22, President Tania Tetlow shared that Fordham University has come to tentative agreements with both the Fordham Resident Assistants Union and the Fordham Graduate Student Workers Union.”

May 1, 2024: Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine Organize Encampment and Protest at LC

“On Wednesday, May 1, the Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine organized a Gaza Solidarity Encampment in the Leon Lowenstein Center lobby at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus to urge Fordham to divest from Israel. After several hours, the NYPD entered the encampment and arrested 11 students and four alumni.”

COURTESY OF NORA MALONE/THE FORDHAM RAM

COURTESY OF GRACE CAMPBELL/THE FORDHAM RAM

COURTESY OF ADITHI VIMALANATHAN/THE FORDHAM RAM

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

COURTESY OF MARY HAWTHORN/THE FORDHAM RAM

A Graduation Message from a Departing Senior

By ISABEL DANZIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

With graduation right around the corner, I and many other seniors face the ever-present topic of change. The change from existing in Fordham University to the “real world” is one that many people, including myself, feel intimidated by. The conversation surrounding graduation tends to be pessimistic and all about ending an era instead of starting a new one.

With the topic of change on my mind, walking around campus and in New York for the last few weeks, it has been hard not to notice the changes around us. On campus, I see the changes from when the class of 2024 started at this school to now. At the start of 2020, the McShane Campus Center was known as “McGinley” and was under construction. Students walked through scaffolding to enter, and half of the building was closed entirely. Ram Fit was half the size it is now, and you entered through the post office. Now, McShane is a sparkling new building waiting on a new Marketplace.

The start of the class of

2024’s time at Fordham was filled with COVID-19 precautions. No in-person classes, masks mandated everywhere, students not allowed in a residence hall they did not live in, mandatory quarantine, etc. Despite the weather, social gatherings occurred outside on Eddie’s, and finding an outdoor table was a hot commodity. Thinking about the start of our college experience, it is shocking how far restrictions have come and how much the world has progressed.

The administration at Fordham has changed. In 2022, President Tania Tetlow marked changes in Fordham’s history of all Jesuit presidents. As with any change in new leadership, Tetlow’s leadership has changed campus culture and protocols.

In Fordham’s neighborhood, the class of 2024 has watched businesses come and go. While many of the Arthur Avenue staples have stayed solid, new restaurants, businesses and buildings crop up, changing how the street looks.

New York City as a whole is constantly evolving. From my vantage point, I’ve seen the city struggle with the aftermath

of the COVID-19 pandemic. Things were shut down in 2020 (like the rest of the world). Restaurants on Arthur Avenue operated on outdoor dining, the subways empty and the city quieter. Now, it’s vibrant and full of life.

As for the class of 2024, every person I’ve talked to in the last few weeks has spoken about their transformation at Fordham. People have talked about changing majors and, thus, career paths. Some have said they joined a club they were unfamiliar with, and it changed their life. Others have said they came out of their shell in college and met their best friends. People have held impressive internships, made connections and entered their chosen industries. Most importantly, students have grown, evolved and become different versions of those who first stepped on campus in August 2020.

For myself, I stepped onto campus terrified. I knew no one and would count down the days until I could go home to my family. Now, I have made my best friends and changed my career path. These changes, ones that I’m happy to have happened, would not have been

possible without being a little uncomfortable in a new environment.

Reflecting on the changes that have already happened is important because they give hope for changes coming down the road. The next era of life will be stressful. Many things will change, and many of them may be challenging to deal with. But, like coming to Fordham in 2020, these changes can also be positive. Like coming to college, changes can force a person to grow and evolve.

Graduation and the next few years have been a constant source of conversation between my close friends and me for the past few weeks. These types

of conversations are often bittersweet, but we talk about the changes we’ve already gone through. Whether these changes are physical ones to the space around us or more personal, internal changes, they all contribute to the people we are today. So, as we move on from Fordham and into a new phase of life, I encourage everyone to view these next few years as a positive time to grow into better and stronger individuals. Moving on from Fordham is sad, but it is also exciting and the start of a new chapter — and going forward, adopting that attitude can help us harness all that this new phase of life has to offer.

Father Lito Says Farewell to Fordham

By MICHAEL SLUCK PRODUCTION EDITOR EMERITUS

The class of 2024 aren’t the only ones who will depart Fordham University in the coming weeks: Rev. Jose-Luis Salazar, S.J., known by students as Father Lito, will celebrate his last day at Fordham on June 30. Salazar has served as the executive director of Campus Ministry for the past eight years, as well as serving as the resident Jesuit in Loyola Hall. Following his departure from Fordham, Salazar is taking a six-month sabbatical, which he will split between New Jersey and the Philippines, visiting family and providing support for high school students. After his sabbatical ends, he will be working with students in secondary education. He says he is looking forward to “a new mission, and a new sense of challenge” in his new ministry.

Salazar served on Fordham’s campus from 2000-05, and then from 2015 onward. During that time, he has noticed multiple shifts in student culture. “When I returned in 2015, our attention was focused on… what sort of ministry can we extend to those who do not identify with any faith or religious tradition.” Following the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Salazar noticed another marked shift,

marked by new questions for Campus Ministry. “How do we attract them to continue with their religious traditions… if they had not experienced one-on-one?”

“I’ll certainly miss ministering to, or engaging with, young adults,” Salazar said of what he would miss about Fordham. “You’re at the place in your development where you’re exerting your independence from traditional authority figures, or traditional authority teachings. What I’ve done over my years at Campus Ministry is go out of my way to find ways to engage with people at this stage of development.”

Salazar also reflected on the challenges presented in running Campus Ministry. He noted the litany of services that Campus Ministry provides, including providing support for students who have lost family and organizing religious services. “Campus Ministry has always been and will always be the odd one out… it is easy not to see us. We become invisible. We can be put into a box of the services that we offer.” Salazar noted that he often felt like Campus Ministry was only called upon when they were needed, saying that he wished that the collaborators in the university “saw us as integral to the life of the university and integral enough for us to be invited to the table.”

“For graduating students — they have been through a lot,” Salazar said when asked to give advice to the class of 2024. “You need to reflect on this experience… There have been major disruptions to the flow of your life. Reflect on this: What did life teach you during the lockdown?”

Students on the Rose Hill campus recalled their memories with Salazar. James Haddad, FCRH ’25, recalled meeting Salazar as a firstyear at Fordham: “When Father Lito greeted me and

my family, I remember my anxious mom turning to me and saying, ‘I know you will be ok here.’ He has been a welcoming face for many in times of joy and trouble, and my Fordham experience would not have been what it has without him.”

“Father Lito is one of the most welcoming people on Fordham’s campus as he is able to connect with students regardless of religious identity or any other differences,” said Lauren Redelman, FCRH ’24. “His good nature and positivity will be

missed. He opened my eyes to a Jesuit Catholicism I hadn’t experienced at home which made me reconsider my faith journey.”

“I’m happy to be graduating with [the class of 2024],” Salazar said. “You started out with me post[COVID-19], when we had to hide behind masks… We went through a lot… but there was a camaraderie born out of shared difficulty. It brings a sense of cohesion.” It is clear to the Fordham community that Father Lito will be missed.

COURTESY OF CAMPUS MINISTRY BLOG

At the end of this academic year, Father Lito will be leaving Fordham University

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Isabel Danzis reflects on the experinces of Fordham’s class of 2024.

COMMENCEMENT

Fordham Is, Indeed, a Sports School

Water Polo Wins Third Straight MAWPC Championship

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Fordham’s 2023 Water Polo team came into the season as back-to-back Mid-Atlantic Champions, the first two in school history. During the championship years, the Rams went 52-15, including 27-1 in conference play, ending each season ranked 17 and 15 in the country. Early on in 2023, it looked like history would repeat itself once again. Fordham started 4-3 before winning 10 in a row, all against A-10 opponents. The Rams ended the regular season on another win streak, this time six,

heading into the playoffs with plenty of momentum. Fordham took care of Wagner College 23-12 in the semifinals, setting up a 2021 championship rematch against the United States Naval Academy. Heading into the final quarter of the game, it was all tied up at eight. After exchanging goals to begin the fourth, the Rams went up 10-9 and didn’t look back, eventually winning 12-10. Junior George Papanikolaou was selected as the Championship’s MVP. The Rams ended the season as the 12th-ranked team in the nation, their best finish during the three-peat.

(Nov. 19, 2023)

Softball Wins 2022 A-10 Championship (May 19, 2022)

By NOAH HOFFMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The 2022 Fordham Softball team proved it is not how you start that matters but how you finish. Through the first 11 games, they were 3-8. After a 3-1 Boerner Invitational, Fordham hit the ground running, going 21-10 the rest of the season, including a 15-7 conference record, good for a secondplace finish in the standings. Their 7-1 stretch to finish out the regular season, all against Atlantic 10 opponents, set them up for the A-10 Championships.

Two one-run victories to begin, 3-2 and 1-0, booked Fordham’s spot in the championship game for a rematch of the previous years against George Washington University. After a 3-6 loss in game one, the Rams turned the tables with a 6-3 win in the second, securing their ninth A-10 title. Current senior and then sophomore Bailey Enoch led the way for the Rams, slashing .556/.733/.889 with five hits, one home run, five walks, three RBIs, two runs and a stolen base, earning the title of the Championship’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Birth of Rose Thrill: Basketball vs. St. Louis (Jan. 31, 2023)

By JONAH RING SPORTS EDITOR

The night of Jan. 23, 2023, the legend of Rose Thrill was born. A sea of students decked out in maroon converged upon Rose Hill Gymnasium to break the prior stillness of the night with their raucous screams of support. The game that took place that night — an unforgettable clash with the Billikens of Saint Louis University — was everything for this graduating class of Fordham Basketball, as it was the moment that their years of

By JONAH RING SPORTS EDITOR

Rarely does an FCS-level team knock off an FBS-level program — it’s just one of those things that’s simply not supposed to happen. However, this conventional wisdom does not seem to bother Fordham Football in the slightest, as the Rams managed to pull off the feat of defeating a FBS squad this past season when they traveled upstate to the University of Buffalo, beating the Buffalos in an absolute thriller

hard work came to fruition. Not only did the Rams knock off the highlyranked Billikens to reach the previously elusive mark of 18 wins in a season for the first time since 2007, but they also picked up some major momentum that would carry them all the way to a second ever appearance in the Atlantic 10 semifinals. Most importantly, they set a new standard for Fordham Men’s Basketball in the process: one of greatness that demanded the attention of both the greater Fordham community and the national media.

by a score of 40-37. To be sure, the game was anything but a cakewalk (the Rams fell behind early by a whole 18 points and needed a goahead score in the dying embers of the game to prevail), but coach Joe Conlin’s squad showed a level of grit and skill that was built up through the years of tireless dedication that this senior class put in. That night, the senior class of Fordham Football truly left an indelible mark on the program, redefining and elevating what it means to put on the pads and that legendary maroon helmet.

Women’s Tennis Tastes A-10 Glory (April 30, 2023)

By GRIFFIN STEVENSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

It was a battle of the Rams in the women’s tennis Atlantic 10 tournament as top-seeded goliath Virginia Commonwealth University faced off against a Fordham squad more akin to David. The Rams from the Bronx came into the match against VCU on a sixgame winning streak. After getting off to a hot start, the Rams found themselves in a third doubles match where graduate student Carlota Casasampere Escoda

and senior Rachelle Yang fought hard in overtime to secure a 7-6(3) win. In singles play, Fordham picked up where they left off, with Escoda putting Fordham up 2-0; however, VCU still had some fight left in them. With the Rams’ lead now cut in half, senior Avery Aude put Fordham within just one point of victory before now-senior Eleni Fasoula capped off the game in a 6-3 victory in the third spot. As soon as Fasoula sealed the win, her teammates swarmed her, celebrating their first A-10 title in team history under the sweltering Florida sun.

Buzzer Beater at Barclays (Oct. 12, 2023)

By GRIFFIN STENVESON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

It was a Sunday afternoon at the Barclays Center. Fordham supporters flocked to the Brooklyn stadium to support a 4-5 Rams team as they faced their toughest opponent of the season: the reigning NIT champions, the University of North Texas. Fordham got off to a rough start, trailing by 12 at the half, but the Rams fought back. The Rams took the first 10 points of the second half before eventually taking a 3837 lead on a freshman Jahmere Tripp bucket. The game was close the rest of

the way, with senior Antrell Charlton’s 10 points leading the charge. With 3:44 left in the game, a Japhet Medor 3-point play gave the Rams the lead. Medor gave the Rams a lead once again with 1:58 left by way of a pair of made free throws just before the Mean Green capitalized on a Fordham mistake to take a 59-58 lead. With 10 seconds left on the clock, Fordham inbounded the ball to Medor, who drove down the lane before dumping the ball off to senior Abdou Tsimbila. The six-foot-nine senior from Cameroon hammered home a buzzer-beating dunk, underscored by the roar of the Fordham faithful.

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Basketball plays against the St. Louis University Billikens.

Water Polo celebrates their win at the Mid-Atlantic Championship.

Football Conquers University of Buffalo (Sept. 9, 2023)

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

Fordham Softball receives a hard-earned win the the 2022 A-10 Championship.

Fordham Football knocks off the Buffalo Bulls during an exciting match.

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

COURTESY

COURTESY OF JAMISON RODGERS

Congratulations to Our Ram Seniors

What is Your Favorite Memory at the Ram?

Sebastian Diaz: “Investigating USG corruption in the 2022 elections.”

Jamison Rodgers: “It was so fun to see everyone outside of the Ram office at our end of semester parties. These parties allowed us to become better friends in a more relaxed way. Another favorite memory was the escape room we did sophomore year.”

Michael Sluck: “My favorite memory at the Ram was covering President Tetlow’s inauguration. It was a big day, and it was exciting to get to

talk to so many people and feel like a part of Fordham’s history alongside my friends.”

Sam Minear: “Talking to Michael about The Wire; getting peach boba with Emma every night; playing Skribbl.io and God knows what else; harassing Nicole/ Kari/Nick for the front page headlines.”

Nicole Braun: “I loved the whole routine of being an editor, especially Production Nights. But my favorite part of the night was when we would all turn toward the copy table for our weekly philosophical

debates. Waxing poetic and laughing uncontrollably in the Ram office at 1 a.m. are memories I will always cherish.”

Kari White: “I remember sitting on Eddie’s, talking about pop culture, books, Starbucks’ new iced matcha lemonade and our favorite memories from the semester. Coming to college, I had been worried about “finding my people,” and that was a moment when I felt like I really had.”

Maddie Bimonte: “I honestly can’t pinpoint one memory. Truly every single week

we’d all get together for either budget or for putting the paper together on Tuesdays became synonymous with my college experience. I only spent two semesters throughout college not doing the Ram. I feel like I practically moved into B-52 by the second year.”

Nora Leach: “During one of our Monday copy nights, we decided to listen to the ‘Hamilton’ soundtrack. Two hours later, Michael, Sophia, Hannah and I could sing almost all of the lyrics — much to Cailee’s dismay. I barely edited any articles that night,

but I think that’s just proof of how The Fordham Ram is more than just a newspaper, as cheesy as that sounds. I’ll always be grateful to the Ram for the friends I’ve made here and for reactivating my ‘Hamilton’ phase.”

Amanda Yarolin: “The takes (and bloopers) for our production video were all so fun to shoot, but the best was having all of the sections come together to watch it during production. The video itself, and the memories it captured, will always be with me!”

Isabel Danzis Sebastian Diaz Jamison Rodgers

Michael Sluck

Sophia Forlenza Samantha Minear

Nicole Braun Kari White

Iliana Kim

Maddie Bimonte

Nora Leach Skylar Harris

Ava Carreiro

Hanif Amanullah Amanda Yarolin

Congratulations Class of 2024 Congratulations WITH LOVE, The Fordham Ram