2023 Commencement Issue

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.

Website

TheFordhamRam.com

Email Address theram@fordham.edu

Editor in Chief

Isabel Danzis

Managing Editor

Sebastian Diaz

Editorial Director

Jamison Rodgers

Production Editor

Michael Sluck

Multimedia Director

Frances Schnepff

Business Director

Matthew Colucci

Copy Chief

Hannah Boring

Assistant Copy Chief

Sophia Forlenza

News Editor

Emma Kim

Features Editor

Samantha Minear

Assistant News Editors

Sofia Donohue

Grace Galbreath

Opinion Editor

Nicole Braun

Assistant Opinion Editors

Evan McManus

Olivia Teare

Culture Editors

Kari White

Ilaina Kim

Assistant Culture Editor

Lauren Lombardi

Sports Editors

Nick Guzman

Maddie Bimonte

Assistant Sports Editor

Lou Orlando

Social Media Director

Rory Donahue

Digital Producers

Ava Carreiro

Julia Ocello

Grace Campbell

Claire Krieger

Visual Director

Lily Poorman

Photo Editor

Alexandra Antonov

Advertising Directors

Kathleen Hollinger

Grace Miller

Faculty Advisor

Beth Knobel

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 The Fordham Ram may be reproduced without written consent.

COMMENCEMENT

RA Letter to the Class of 2023 From the Editor

Dear 2023 Graduates,

First and foremost, congratulations to all who are graduating this year. Graduating is no small accomplishment. To get to this point, obstacles were overcome and goals were met, especially in the face of what the class of 2023 faced during their tenure at Fordham University.

From a first year interrupted by COVID-19, a second year that was filled with the challenges of navigating online classes and campus life, a junior year that dealt with the difficulties of transitioning back to life before the pandemic and then finally a senior year that handled being the first true year of the “new normal,” challenges have certainly been tackled. However, while the pandemic has

been an undeniable presence in the class of 2023’s time at Fordham, it does not define it. The class of 2023 has created a prominent legacy at the university that is defined by athletic achievements, research, leadership, innovation and determination. We at The Fordham Ram congratulate each and every one of you on your accomplishments. We look forward to hearing about this exciting next chapter of all of your lives and celebrating you on closing this one. Because of this, we dedicate this edition of the Ram to this year’s commencement ceremony and the class of 2023. Congratulations again to all! Wishing you the very best, Isabel Danzis, Editor in Chief

Commencement 2023 Schedule

Friday, May 19, 2023

Encaenia (Fordham College at Rose Hill Awards Ceremony), 1 p.m., Rose Hill Gymnasium

Gabelli School of Business Rose Hill Awards Ceremony, 3 p.m., Fordham Prep Theatre

Veterans Bell Ringing Ceremony, 4 p.m., Keating First Auditorium

Rose Hill Baccalaureate Mass, 6 p.m. (music starts at 5:30 p.m.), Rose Hill Gymnasium

Saturday, May 20, 2023

University Commencement Ceremony, 10 a.m., Edward’s Parade

Fordham College at Rose Hill Diploma Ceremony, following University Commencement, Edward’s Parade

Fordham College at Lincoln Center Diploma Ceremony, following University Commencement, Walsh Family Library

Gabelli School of Business Diploma Ceremony for Bachelor’s Candidates, following University Commencement, Coffey Field

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Diploma Ceremony, following University Commencement, Fordham Prep Theatre

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Diploma Ceremony, following University Commencement, University Church Lawn

Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education Diploma Ceremony, following University Commencement, Keating First Auditorium

Monday, May 22, 2023

School of Law Ceremony, 10 a.m., Edward’s Parade

Graduate School of Education, 3 p.m., Walsh Family Library

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Graduate School of Social Service Diploma Ceremony, 10 a.m., Edward’s Parade

Gabelli School of Business Diploma Ceremony for master’s and doctoral candidates, 3 p.m., Walsh Family Library

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2023 Honorary Degree Recipients

By SEBASTIAN DIAZ MANAGING EDITOR

This year’s commencement ceremony will celebrate seven subjects with honorary degrees.

Among those receiving honorary degrees is famed musician Stevie Wonder, who is also scheduled to speak to the graduating class of 2023 during the commencement ceremony. Wonder will be awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters. In speaking about Wonder’s award and as reported by Fordham News, President Tania Tetlow said:

“His music has charmed us, consoled us, elevated us, and entertained us for more than six decades. He is a shining example of an artist’s ability to stir the soul.”

Wonder has been hailed as an incredibly influential musician since he began as a child prodigy, working with Motown Record at age 11. In the six decades of his career, Wonder has earned 25 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, induction into various musical Halls of Fame (including Rock & Roll) and eight honorary degrees. His musical work claims dozens of Top 40 singles, with 32 claiming the #1 spot, and spans over 100 million records sold across the globe.

Aside from Wonder, Fordham has not yet announced what subject of honorary degrees the remaining awardees will receive or why they will receive them.

Jennifer Jones Austin, a graduate of Fordham Law School in 1993, will also receive an honorary degree. Since graduating with a Juris Doctor degree, Austin went on to become the

Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA), an organization which describes itself in its mission statement as promoting “the social and economic wellbeing of greater New York’s most vulnerable by advocating for just public policies and strengthening human services organizations.” Austin continues to be the CEO of FPWA.

In her decades of humanitarian work, Austin has worked to propel the interconnectivity of social justice and religion. This can be seen in her history of working with the City of New York in various capacities, including serving as the first Family Services Coordinator, the Deputy Commissioner for the NYC Administration for Child Services and her current position as a chair of the NYC Racial Justice Commission.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., is also set to receive an honorary degree during the 2023 commencement ceremony. For the past year, Czerny has worked as the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, a dicastery of the Roman Curia established under Pope Francis that combined the tenants of justice, peace, care of migrants and care for healthcare workers to support issues surrounding migrants who are impoverished or displaced due to conflicts or disasters.

Czerny is a second-generation immigrant as his parents fled from post-World War II Germany to Canada, where Czerny joined the Society of Jesus in 1964. As

a Jesuit, Czerny worked to help found the Jesuit Centre for Social Faith and Justice in Toronto, spent time in Rome serving in the Social Justice Secretariat at the Jesuit general Curia and founded the African Jesuit AIDS Network, all before becoming the prefect of the aforementioned dicastery. Czerny was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in October 2019.

Norman Francis, former president of Xavier University of Louisiana, is set to receive an honorary degree. Francis served as Xavier’s president for 47 years between 1968 and 2015 as both the university’s first Black and lay president. Francis is widely recognized in academic, community service and faith circles for his participation in the Civil Rights Movement, recovery from Hurricane Katrina and his expansion of Xavier University. During Francis’ presidency, the university expanded immensely, with enrollment more than doubling and the campus itself increasing in size and facilities.

Francis has been highly awarded throughout his lifetime, even earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006, during which then-President George W. Bush referred to Francis as “a man of deep intellect, compassion and character.” An honorary degree from Fordham University will be another in a long list of 39 honorary degrees Francis has received from various universities since 1969.

Next on the list of honorary

degree awardees is Sharon Greenberger, current president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, placing her in the service of over 600,000 New Yorkers. Greenberger has served in this role since 2015.

Prior to the role, Greenberg has worked in urban development for decades, with experience as the SVP, Facilities and Real Estate at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the Chief Operations Officer for the New York City Department of Education and the president and CEO of the New York City School Construction Authority.

Greenberger’s experience in public service also reaches organizations like the Charles H. Revson Foundation (an organization serving “the Jewish community, medical institutions, and schools and universities in New York”), where she works as secretary. Greenberger also serves as the Vice Chair for the New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and is a Board Member for the Prospect Park Alliance.

Jeh Johnson, the former United States Secretary of Homeland Security from 2013 to 2017, is also set to receive an honorary degree during the 2023 commencement ceremony. Johnson entered the sphere of civil service in 1989, when he served as an assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Almost 10 years later, Johnson was appointed in the general counsel of the Department of the Air Force during the Clinton administration for three years between 1998

and 2001.

Johnson exited civil service at the end of Clinton’s presidency, but returned after being nominated as the Department of Defense General Counsel by President Barack Obama in 2009.

Under Obama, Johnson would become the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security in 2013. Johnson left public office to pursue private practice in New York City. The final honorary degree awardee is Regina Pitaro, FCRH ’76, who has worked as a philanthropist, author, Fordham trustee fellow and managing director of GAMCO Investors, an investment advisory firm. Pitaro’s wide-ranging career has led her to a variety of opportunities, working as everything from an investment analyst at Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb to working under the federal government as an archaeologist. Pitaro is perhaps best known for her book “Deals, Deals and More Deals,” a financial self-help book to advise readers on risk arbitrage.

After earning a degree in anthropology at Fordham, Pitaro continued her academic career by attending the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, where she earned an M.B.A. in finance, and Loyola University of Chicago, earning an M.A. in anthropology. Pitaro’s work also includes previously serving as a board member of Futures in Education for Brooklyn and Queens, providing financial assistance to underprivileged students seeking Catholic education.

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Stevie Wonder

Sharon Greenberger

Norman Francis Jennifer Jones Austin

Jeh Johnson

Cardinal Michael Czerny

Regina Pitaro

Love for the Neighborhood that Surrounds Fordham

By AVA ERICKSON EDITOR IN CHIEF EMERITA

Recently, one of my roommates found a giant map of the Bronx on the sidewalk on Arthur Ave. The map, which is well over five feet tall, now sits in our living room, and everytime I look at it I can’t help but marvel at the sheer number of people who live in this borough (1,427,056 to be exact). Belmont, the neighborhood I’ve had the privilege of spending the last four years in, only takes up a few inches on this map, yet it is so full of life — it doesn’t seem right to see it so small. While I’ve explored other parts of the Bronx, other boroughs and even ventured into New Jersey a few times, I’ve spent the vast majority of my time in college in that little two-inch square, yet I’ve never run out of things to do. So I’ve decided to dedicate my commencement reflection (and my final article in the Ram) to Belmont, the neighborhood that made me fall in love with New York.

Four years ago when I first started telling my friends and family I was moving from Denver to the Bronx, practically everyone I spoke to said I would hate it, or at least that they were certain I would move back after college. Well,

after living here for four years, I can confidently say that the neighborhood of Belmont proved them wrong. Actually, I think I could have told you that after I visited Fordham for the first time, when a lovely woman near the D Train on Fordham Road pointed a lost-looking family in the right direction.

On any given day in Belmont, you can hear the sound of cars driving by with their radios blasting, children playing, people congregating on their stoops and students gathering at their favorite bars, restaurants and coffee shops after class. These sounds are a testament to the vibrance of this neighborhood, and I want to acknowledge how lucky I am to have spent the past four years living in a place that is home to so many people with unique stories, dreams and experiences. In Belmont, you can encounter someone from Mexico City, someone else from rural West Virginia and someone whose family has lived right here in Belmont for the past three generations all in one day. While it’s cliché, it really is true that New York is a mosaic, and Belmont is a beautiful piece of that.

It would be impossible to write an article about Belmont without mentioning the food. My freshman year on Labor

Day weekend I discovered that the university closes all of its on-campus restaurants for long weekends. Realizing I would need to head off campus for dinner, I walked out of the Metro North gate and stumbled upon the Bronx Night Market, an event that has now become a staple of my time in college. Fordham Plaza was packed with people, music was playing and the most delicious aromas emanated from the various tents lined up around the perimeter.

At the Night Market, you can get practically every cuisine imaginable from Jamaican to Brazilian, although my personal favorite dish to buy is the arepas from MozzArepas. (I know my friends are sick of hearing my talk about how much I’m craving them.)

Additionally, living in the Little Italy of the Bronx has allowed me to visit some of the most amazing Italian restaurants and bakeries, and going to local shops for things like bread and coffee quickly became an essential part of my grocery shopping in college. I will miss the midnight trips to Rams and Pugsley’s, and packing into Estrellita’s with friends, stuffing myself with the tacos and chips and salsa.

After graduation I will certainly miss the easy access to the food it-

self, but it is really the community, experiences and stories created around these places that make them so special.

There are a million more things I could write about Belmont (the Botans, the cats, the flower shops, etc.), but I don’t think my editors

would be very happy with me if I kept going.

So, I will leave it at this: It’s pretty cool to live in a place where you never run out of things to do, and it isn’t that crazy to find a five-foot-tall map on the side of the road.

Stevie Wonder to Speak at Commencement

By ISABEL DANZIS EDITOR IN CHIEF

In addition to being awarded an honorary degree at Fordham University, Stevie Wonder will speak at the university’s 178th annual commencement ceremony.

In the announcement of Wonder’s degrees, Fordham News claimed that Wonder “will offer the Class of 2023 some words of heartfelt gratitude to be counted among its members.” President Tania Tetlow also offered words of excitement about Wonder’s

acceptance into the Fordham community.

“It is an honor and a thrill to welcome Stevie Wonder to Fordham,” said Tetlow to Fordham News. “His music has charmed us, consoled us, elevated us, and entertained us for more than six decades. He is a shining example of an artist’s ability to stir the soul.”

Wonder, an American singer-songwriter, is considered a pioneer in the music industry, specifically in the soul and R&B genre. Many credit his use of synthesizers in mainstream

music as one of his career’s most defining aspects.

Wonder is also known for his music, with his most famous songs being the 1972 hit “Superstition,” 1973’s “Living for The City” and 1976’s “As.” However, despite Wonder’s fame coming later in his professional career, he started at a very young age. He was considered a child prodigy, learning to play the drums, piano and harmonica by age nine. He originally released his first album at age 12 in the 1960s. In fact, his name, Stevie Wonder,

came from his early days in the music industry. Born Stevland Hardaway Morris, he was given the nickname Stevie Wonder by Berry Gordy Jr., the president of Motown Records, when he was just a child. Stevie Wonder then blossomed into his professional name.

During his career, Wonder has been the recipient of many musical awards. He won 25 Grammy awards between 1973 and 2010. In 1996, he also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1984, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2002, Wonder found a home in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Continuing his award tour, in 2004, he was awarded the Johnny Mercer Award in recognition of a lifetime full of excellent work.

A portion of Wonder’s fame also stems from his advocacy and philanthropic work that he has done. He was born blind and has become a symbol within the community. He was honored by the United States President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and Junior Blind of America for his philanthropic contributions to the community. However, his charitable actions are not just limited to the blind community. He has performed songs to benefit people with AIDS,

disabilities, cancer, hunger, homelessness and domestic abuse. In 2009, he was made a Messenger of Peace by the United Nations, specifically targeting people with disabilities. Messengers of Peace are bestowed by the U.N. SecretaryGeneral, making it a declaration of the highest honor.

Due to his charity work, Wonder has also been involved in political, social-justice initiatives. Most notably, he spearheaded the movement to nationally recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In 2014, Wonder was also honored in the United States by President Barack Obama. He was one of the 18 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“For more than 50 years, Stevie has channeled his inner visions into messages of hope, healing and becoming one of the most influential musicians in American history. A musical prodigy. An electrifying voice,” said Obama in the ceremony about Wonder. In the past, Wonder has been a recipient of an honorary degree at Wayne State University in 2022.

Prior to that, he received an honorary degree from Northwestern University in 2014. In 2011, he was honored with an honorary degree from Tulane. He was also given one in 1978 from Howard University.

Wonder received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work with charities and in the music industry.

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COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM Belmont is a special neighborhood that helps make Fordham unique.

Pieces of Advice from the Class of 2023

By GRACE GALBREATH ASST. NEWS EDITOR

As the Fordham class of 2023 prepares to graduate, The Fordham Ram reached out to seniors to see what advice they would give to undergraduates.

Miguel Sutedjo, FCRH ’23, is from Paramus, N.J. Sutedjo is a music and international political economy double major with minors in English and Mandarin.

He is the business manager of the Mimes and Mummers and the music director of the Fordham Ramblers.

He is also a member of the Fordham Honors Program, a dancer in the Fordham Jetés and a pianist in Jazz Ensemble. After graduation, Sutedjo will be teaching English in Taiwan.

“I recommend getting involved with Undergraduate Research! Through their program

and funding, I’ve studied Asian/ Asian American jazz, traveled to Italy for a composition program and mounted a staged reading of an original musical. If you have an idea for an original project, creative or academic, there is definitely a way to do it at Fordham,” said Sutedjo.

He added, “Don’t be afraid to share your aspirations and life goals with others, including your professors. Chances are, someone can lead you on the right path, and if not, someone could connect you with someone else that knows how to get on that path!”

Tania Tan, FCRH ’23, is from Saipan, a commonwealth of the United States that is part of the Northern Mariana Islands. She is double majoring in anthropology and digital technologies & emerging media. Tan is a member of the Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field

teams. She is also a member of the club tennis team and Asian Cultural Exchange. After graduation, she is pursuing a master’s degree in communication.

Tan said, “I recommend joining clubs! Join clubs that you are interested in. Transitioning from living back home to college can be tough, and building friendships may be hard, so I feel that joining clubs is a great way to make new friends with people who have the same interests as you. It is how I made some of my closest friends here at Fordham.”

“When times get tough, just know it will pass. Keep persevering and don’t be afraid to embrace change. Get out of your comfort zone and do something that you’ve never done before. It will help you grow and shape you into a bigger and better person,” added Tan.

Keegan Roeder, FCRH ’23, is a double major in political science and communication and culture from

East Brunswick, N.J. Roeder is one of the United Student Government’s class of 2023 student senators. He is also a member of Rodrigue’s Coffee House, Urban Plunge, Senior Week Volunteering and Lambda Pi Eta. After graduation, Roeder will be interning at Kasirer while he looks for full-time employment.

Roeder said, “I recommend getting out of the Fordham bubble. Work off-campus or get involved with organizations outside of Fordham.”

Alani Scheel, FCRH ’23, is a political science major with a double minor in communication and culture and marketing. Scheel is a commuter student from Washington Heights, N.Y. At Fordham, she is an active member of the Commuting Students Association. She was

also a USG senator, the programing head of the Diversity Action Coalition and a participant in a Global Outreach trip to Alaska. After graduation, she is pursuing a Master’s of Science in marketing intelligence with the Fordham Gabelli School of Business.

Scheel said, “I would recommend that everyone do anything Fordham has to offer. I realized this year that I had never been on a campus ministry trip, and so I went on one.

That was one of my most favorite things that I have done at Fordham. There are so many different offerings that Fordham has. Try every little thing, so that you leave here with no regrets. So that you leave here saying that you tried everything that you possibly could.”

“Get good grades, do everything possible and just have fun,” added Scheel.

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KEEGAN ROEDER FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

OF ALANI SCHEEL FOR THE FORDHAM RAM

Tania Tan Miguel Sutedjo

Keegan Roeder Alani Scheel

Four Years in Review...

2019-2020 Academic Year

May 1, 2019: Class of 2023 Shows High Academic Calibre

“According to Patricia Peek, dean of Undergraduate Admissions Fordham’s class of 2023 is shaping up to be academically stronger than those which preceded it. As of 8 p.m. on April 30 about 80% of students who committed to the university had put down their deposits.”

Oct. 8, 2019: McShane Discusses McGinley Construction

“The once-green grass in front of the McGinley Student Center has been replaced with large, green panels obstructing the space from pedestrian view. In a little less than two years’ time, a four-story extension purposed for student use will emerge above the walls.”

Jan. 22, 2020: Students March with Thousands for Gender Equality

“Thousands of people gathered at Columbus Circle and Foley Square to participate in the fourth annual Women’s March on Saturday, Jan. 18. The Columbus Circle march was organized by the Women’s March Alliance, as it has been since the first annual march in 2017. The original Women’s March organization organized Foley Square’s march.”

March 9, 2020: Fordham Suspends Face-to-Face Classes Following NY State of Emergency

“Classes on all Fordham University New York-area campuses have been suspended effective 1 p.m. Monday, March 9, through Tuesday, March 10, according to an email from Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university. The cancellations come in light of reports on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York. As of this morning there are no confirmed cases of the virus at Fordham.”

July 16, 2020: Administration Releases Anti-Racism Action Plan

“Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, sent an email to the Fordham community on June 29 addressing the demand for Fordham’s response to racism and injustice at the university. This follows multiple campaigns on social media and other platforms bringing attention to cases of racism at Fordham and demanding change.”

2020-2021 Academic Year

Sept. 9, 2020: Fordham Curriculum Moves to Address Racism Amidst Waves of Protest

“As the school year begins, we find ourselves in the wake of our nation’s largest civil rights movement. The Black Lives Matter movement is calling for reform in the criminal justice system as well as confronting the repercussions of systemic racism in this country.”

Oct. 28, 2020: Clubs Plan Halloween Celebrations Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

“If there is one thing that is for certain this year, it is that Halloween will be different from any Halloween experienced in years past. Many Fordham clubs have adapted to the pandemic and still plan to give Fordham students a COVID-19 safe Halloween to remember.”

Nov. 7, 2020: Biden Wins 2020 Election

“The Democratic candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden, won the 2020 presidential election against incumbent President Donald Trump. Biden is projected to be the 46th president of the United States and his running mate, Kamala Harris, will be the first woman and biracial woman of color to be the vice president of the United States.”

Jan. 7, 2021: University Comments on D.C. Capitol Riot

“The U.S Capitol building had to be evacuated on Wednesday after supporters of President Donald Trump breached police lines and stormed the building. They were there in protest of the ceremonial count of electoral college votes taking place in Congress.”

April 21, 2021: Fordham Students Begin to Receive Vaccinations Against COVID-19 on Campus

“On April 6, New York state permitted residents over the age of 16 to make appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. With the increase in the number of people eligible for vaccination, as well the increase in the number of doses New York state has received recently, Fordham acquired doses of the vaccine on campus for students.”

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Construction of the McShane Campus Center was announced in 2019

Students marched in January 2020 to show support for women’s rights.

Joe Biden won the presidential election in the fall of 2020, replacing Donald Trump.

Fordham hosted a tent for on-campus COVID-19 testing during the 2020-21 school year.

... A Look Back at Headlines

2021-2022 Academic Year

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. ‘It’s time to step aside and allow someone else to have the great joy of leading Fordham into the future,’ McShane wrote in his official statement.”

Oct. 20, 2021: In-Person Homecoming Weekend Returns to Rose Hill

“After nearly two years, Fordham University was able to welcome alumni, families, students and friends back to campus to celebrate Homecoming Weekend in person at the Rose Hill campus.”

Jan 26, 2022: Fordham Community Returns to Fully InPerson Semester

“On Jan. 10, in a message to the university, Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, announced that Fordham would resume with in-person instruction for the spring 2022 semester.”

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 29, 2022: Fordham Hosts Ceremony to Officially Dedicate New Campus Center to McShane

“On April 28, a ceremony was held in front of the new campus center to officially dedicate the building to Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university. The new McShane Campus Center was officially opened in fall 2021 and represents the first completed part of the McGinley Student Center renovation.”

2022-2023 Academic Year

Sept. 21, 2022: Walsh Library Turns 25

“Rose Hill’s William D. Walsh Family Library celebrated its 25th birthday this year. The library opened on May 27, 1997, for the summer session courses, as reported by Courtney McGrath in The Fordham Ram archives.”

Sept. 28, 2022: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” Comes to Fordham’s Campus

“On Sept. 22 and 23, Fordham acted as the background of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The show’s cast and crew set up on Edward’s Parade along with cameras, microphones, monitors and other necessary equipment.”

Oct. 26, 2022: Fordham Hosts Inauguration of President Tetlow

“On Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, Tania Tetlow was officially inaugurated as Fordham University’s 33rd president. Tetlow was announced as the replacement of Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president emeritus, on Feb. 10, 2022, and her tenure officially started on July 1.”

Feb. 15, 2023: Updates on Phase 2 of the McShane Campus Center Construction

“This past spring, many Fordham students were excited to witness the grand opening of the McShane Campus Center. Six months before the COVID-19 pandemic, Fordham began to take down what was originally the McGinley Center in order to make space for the new McShane Campus Center. In all, the new space is planned to contain a gym, pool, restaurants as well as various study spaces for students.”

April 19, 2023: Goose Takes Up Residence Near Martyrs’ Court Jogues

“Numerous reports have indicated the presence of a particularly belligerent goose on campus, specifically on the corner of Martyrs’ Lawn in between Martyrs’ Court Jogues and Collins Hall. While no students have sustained serious injuries from their encounters with the goose, there have been individuals who have suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands — rather, wings — of the creature.”

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McShane announced his plans to leave the university in September 2021.

For the first time since 2020, the 2022 spring semester was fully in-person.

President Tania Tetlow was inaugurated during the fall of 2022.

Walsh Library celebrated its 25th birthday with events for students, faculty and staff.

Fordham’s Annual Senior Week Approaches

By AVA CARREIRO DIGITAL PRODUCER

As the spring 2023 semester concludes, Fordham’s annual Senior Week approaches. Every year, the Senior Week Committee and Office of Student Involvement (OSI) puts on a variety of events leading up to commencement for Fordham’s graduating seniors.

The Senior Week Kickoff Event will be held on Tuesday, May 16 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. under the Coffey field bleachers. Tickets are $15 each, which includes entry and food. Seniors who are above 21 years old can purchase up to four drink tickets for $5 each.

The Senior Ball will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan. Tickets cost $100 each, which includes an open bar, full Cipriani buffet and a night of dancing. There is also a split-pay option available.

On Thursday, May 18, seniors can join President Tania Tetlow at the Always a Ram Celebration Barbeque from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., where the Class of 2023 photo will be taken. The event is free to attend, but seniors must RSVP ahead of time in order to receive their Class of 2023 memento: a customized 2023 Fordham pilsner glass.

On their final night as undergraduates, seniors have the option to join their families for the Parent Appreciation Dinner Dance (PADD) which will be held on May 19. The event will take place on Martyrs’ Lawn, and go from 7:15 p.m. to 12 a.m. Tickets cost $65 each, with each student being able to purchase up to four tickets. There is also a waitlist for up to two additional tickets per person. The celebration will include a buffet, a live band and an open bar.

Seniors looking to attend any of these events can purchase tickets through University Tickets. Typically, all Senior Week events sell out.

Each year, a group of students from their graduating class come together to form the Senior Week Committee, which is responsible for organizing activities to celebrate the senior class’s final year. This year, the co-chairs of the committee are Maya Bentovim, GSB ’23, and Jonathan Eng, FCRH ’23.

When asked what Senior Week event she is looking forward to the most, Bentovim said that she is “definitely most excited about our Parent Appreciation Dinner Dance, which will be a bittersweet event as it’s our last night together as undergraduates. Not only is it our largest event, with a massive tent on Martyrs’ Lawn

and a live band, but it is also a chance to celebrate all our hard work and achievements with our families.”

On the other hand, Eng said he is most excited for the Senior Ball. He explained that he “had the opportunity to volunteer last year and can’t wait to go back, but this time as a senior surrounded by friends. The venue, food and music combined with the tuxedos and gowns really make the event feel like the final celebration of being a senior.”

Before Senior Week begins, the Senior Week Committee is holding events for the Class of 2023 to participate in.

On Thursday, April 20, the committee hosted a “Senior Night.” The theme for April’s Senior Night was “Name Game” and seniors were encouraged to come dressed up as anything that starts with the first letter of their first name. Entry was free and seniors who are above the age of 21 could have purchased up to four drink tickets.

Additionally, on Wednesday, April 26, a “Moving Mental Spaces: First Year and First Career” took place in collaboration with Alumni Relations and the Career Center. The event featured alumni from BGB Group, Pharos Academy,

Priceline & Agoda, Hunter, KPMG and Understood.org to answer questions and share their advice on the mental challenges of entering post-graduation life.

The Senior Week Committee is also selling Fordham Class of 2023 crewneck sweatshirts, which can be purchased online.

To stay up-to-date on all things Senior Week, updates will be posted on the Senior Week Instagram: @fordhamseniorweekrh.

This article originally ran in Issue 10 of Volume 105

Letter to the Fordham Community from USG

By SANTIAGO VIDAL & AVA COOGAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dear members of the Fordham community,

It is with great pleasure that we address you in our last days as Fordham University United Student Government’s (USG) Executive Administration of 2022-23.

When we took office, we knew our job this year was going to require higher levels of dedication and responsibility. We started the year with a new university president, uncertainty on the national political stage, financial uphills at the university level and a lack of trust and transparency with the student body. However, we are glad to report that the state of the university student body is better than ever.

During our administration, we broke records of attendance for both the fall and spring club fairs, we have seen an increase in membership across all clubs and organizations and we have continued to approve and fund even more clubs. Furthermore, we started the process of reviewing the current Student Activities Fee for the first time in 10 years, with the hopes of closing the gap between the requested amount of funding from clubs and organizations and the actual available funds. At the level of student experience, we were able to continue many of the traditions and events that USG had before the pandemic,

like Keating Steps and the Beacon Exemplar Award. Additionally, we recognize that it is our responsibility as student representatives to be fair and pragmatic opinionators of the student body’s feelings. Therefore, we passed a record level of statements ranging from university-wide issues to national and international crises.

In regards to policy-making, we broke a record for the number of proposals passed with notable examples like the Proposal for the Reintroduction of Personal Cups at On-Campus Dining Locations, Proposal to Expand Free Speech on Campus, Proposal for the Introduction of Composting at the Rose Hill Campus, the Green Rooftop/Garden Proposal, Proposal to Extend the Operating

Hours of the Marketplace, Proposal to Recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the University Calendar, a Proposal to Cancel Classes Annually on Election Days, the Proposal to Expand Opportunities for Middle Eastern and Northern African Students and a Proposal to Include Spanish Speaking Tour Groups to Prospective Student Events

At the beginning of the year, we had a deep understanding that our organization was due for an administrative rehaul, which led to the passing of the reform of the USG Bylaws, Constitution and Election Code, all in the same year. Apart from that, our Operations Committee led a review of the Club Constitution, impacting the 172 clubs present on campus for the better. All

of these legislative changes occurred with the hopes of better representing the student body but also learning from the past to become the student government Fordham needs.

During our efforts of looking for better representation of the student body, we implemented the USG Strategic Plan, which outlines all of the events, meetings, policy-making and event progress of all of the organization. Apart from that, we inaugurated the Executive Committee of Facilities and Dining, as well as officially made International Integration an Executive Committee.

To better understand how to conduct outreach to the student body, we organized our communicational priorities by

reforming the Communications Committee, raising our follower count on Instagram by 1,500 users, as well as restarting the USG LinkedIn, TikTok and other social media outreach platforms. We are glad to announce that from our original campaign platform, we achieved most of the goals proposed at the beginning of our term and made great strides in the areas we couldn’t complete.

It was a pleasure to have served as USG Administration for the 2022-23 academic year. In the words of a university administrator that works closely with us: “We have been one of the most caring and diligent administrations they have seen in their time at the university.”

We are happy to be carrying that legacy, and we are confident that our positive impact will be felt for years to come!

With High Hopes, Santiago Vidal and Ava Coogan 55th Executive President and Vice-President of the United Student Government at Rose Hill

Every year, the Senior Week Committee and Office of Student Involvement host a variety of events.

COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM

Vidal and Coogan were elected into office in the spring 2022 semester to serve for the 2022-23 year.

COMMENCEMENT

By ALEX ANTONOV PHOTO EDITOR

Fordham’s Exceptional Graduating Athletes

By NICK GUZMAN & MADDIE BIMONTE SPORTS EDITORS

TIM DeMORAT Football Quarterback

DeMorat set just about every record in the Fordham and Patriot League history books with his amazing 2022 season. He set both the Fordham and Patriot League single-season and all-time records for passing yards and passing touchdowns, while also being named the Patriot League Player of the Year. And this week, DeMorat was signed by the Washington Commanders of the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

VALERIYA DEMINOVA Women’s Tennis 1st Position

Coming to Fordham as a sophomore, Deminova has dazzled the tennis court, leading her team to a big Atlantic 10 Championship win this year as a graduate student. Deminova came into college ranked no. 71 in juniors in the world and only continued to improve every year she attended Fordham. In her final year, she earned All-Atlantic 10 honors and was named team MVP.

ASIAH DINGLE Women’s Basketball Guard

Dingle has been a driving force for the Ram’s success over the last two years. Starting 28 out of 29 games in her first year at Fordham, she led her team in assists and steals, finishing the year ranked 59th nationally in total steals and 60th in total steals per game. In her final year at Fordham, she only turned up the heat, being named A-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference and All-Defensive. She also set the longstanding program single-season record of steals with 105.

JULIA MARTINE Softball

Third Baseman

Consistent and a hard worker, Martine has been there day in and day out for her team across her five years at Fordham. As a freshman, she came in clutch with two RBI singles during the Atlantic 10 Championship games. Her offensive skills have improved steadily over the course of her tenure, slashing .312/.389/.567 her junior year and being only one of two Rams to start all 52 games in her senior year. Martine has been named three times as an Easton/ NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete.

ZALEN NELSON Track and Field Mid-Distance

During his time at Fordham, Nelson has twice set the school record in the indoor 1000M while placing high for the Rams nearly every week. He was named outdoor team MVP in 2021 and indoor team MVP in 2022. Nelson has spent his entire five-year collegiate career at Fordham and was a highlight of the team’s effort at the indoor Atlantic 10 Championships this past March, bringing home a bronze medal in the 1000M.

DARIUS QUISENBERRY Men’s Basketball Guard

Quisenberry may have only spent two seasons as a Ram, but his arrival as a transfer from Youngstown State University signified a major shift for Fordham Men’s Basketball. He averaged 16.9 points per game this past season, and was named Second Team All-Atlantic 10 as the men’s basketball team had their most successful year since 1991. Quisenberry’s scoring and leadership played a large role in Fordham’s 25 wins this season.

A Letter To Our Ram Seniors

By SEBASTIAN DIAZ MANAGING EDITOR

To our Fordham Ram Seniors,

We are immensely proud to be able to give you a farewell and see you off into the next stage of your lives. The Fordham Ram is incredibly lucky to have had you serve as staff for a full year (if not more) of your undergraduate career to ensure that the Fordham community receives their newspaper every week without fail. You’ve been there for some of the messiest and craziest moments in Ram history — moments we might not have been able to make it through were it not for your dedication and commitment to the Ram.

AVA ERICKSON

Our Editor in Chief emerita: we are deeply grateful for the hours you put into the Ram, giving it more than what was required or expected of you. The progress you made and innovations in our production cycle will carry forward into future generations of the paper — we’re barely half a year beyond your tenure and your impact is already recognizable. The Ram truly wouldn’t be the same without you.

PIA FISCHETTI

Our Multimedia Director: you were instrumental in making sure that the Ram’s legacy lived beyond weekly newspapers. Between the website, social media and the email briefings, I still don’t know how you managed to juggle all of it perfectly. Countless people had the Ram delivered directly to their inboxes, computers, phones, etc.; people who would not have known otherwise. If not for you, who knows how many people would be reading the Ram?

OUR OPINION TEAM

I truly do not know what we would have done without you. Ever since I was barely an Assistant News Editor, I was able to recognize how essential the three of you were in running the Opinion section like an incredibly well-oiled machine for Volume 103 and how your efficiency inspired every other section of the Ram. I remember how disappointing it was to hear that none of you intended to return to the positions for Volume 104. However, I also remember how relieving it was to hear that you both stepped up to join 104’s Opinion section following rapid changes early into the year. You kept the Ram alive.

THOMAS

Our Assistant Sports Editor: thank you. Really, thank you for the infectious smile and delightful energy you brought to the Ram. Not only did you make your dedication to the Sports section (and, generally, sports journalism) incredibly apparent, but it was just as apparent how easy it was for you to make people smile simply by walking into a room. I’m sad we kept you locked away in the Sports dungeon, but I’m glad you made your way over to the main room as often as you did.

JUSTIN CHARLES

Our Digital Producer: you were a vital part in making sure our social media presence is as consistent, reliable and accurate as it is.

Our Culture Editor: every time you walked into B-52, you carried with you a fierce spirit that was able to stoke the flames of any conversation held in the room. Your contributions to our weekly philosophical discussions were something to look forward to, and many of them have remained in our memories.

I need to commend you for how committed the both of you were to improving the photographic leg of the Ram. Nicoleta, all of us at the newspaper have nothing but admiration for your decision to save us from terribly-lit staff headshots and bring us to beautiful portraits taken on the Keating steps. Nick, I’ll never forget how often I bumped into you taking photos for the Ram all over campus.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK!

WE WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

YOU WILL BE MISSED DEARLY.

SINCERELY, THE FORDHAM RAM

ELISABETH MURRAY

TAYLOR HERZLICH EMMA LIPKIND MICHELA FAHY

AIELLO

NICOLETA PAPAVASILAKIS NICK DESILVA

OUR PHOTO TEAM