Weekend Update

The rain couldn't dampen our school spirit!

Teresa Swindal

This weekend at Fordham was especially exciting because it was both Halloween and Parent's Weekend. Even though I live far away and my parents weren't able to visit, it was still really fun to see all the Fordham pride and maroon from family members all over campus! The football game was especially fun, and the Rams absolutely crushed Colgate 37-13. Afterwards, we went out to dinner on Arthur Avenue, which is always delicious. It was nice to take advantage of the beautiful Fall weather this weekend before winter comes!

Great desserts and even better company!

Jessica Timko

This weekend my friends and I went to Serendipity, a restaurant famous for their indulgent desserts, on the East Side of Manhattan.  While we were waiting for a table, we decided to take advantage of a beautiful day and walked over to the scenic East River.  This walk turned out to be a great way to burn off some of the calories from our decadent dinner of chocolate cake and ice cream sundaes.

Freddy, Jason, and Wednesday looking for some spooks!

Yuliana Veyberman

Halloween's the one day a year where we can be something totally unlike ourselves. This year, my roommates and I chose to embrace the spirit of the holiday - which came on a Friday! - and dressed up as our favorite horror characters. We were Jason Voorhees (with axe, not machete - oops?), Wednesday from the Addams Family (looking uncharacteristically terrified), and Freddy Krueger (just in case you're wondering, that claw made me the hit of every party...). I hope you all had super spooky Halloweens as well!

Great Eats in NYC: PJ Clarke's

Family Weekend was a few weeks ago, and I was excited to take my parents to one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan, PJ Clarke's. Located just down the street from Fordham's Lincoln Center campus, PJ Clarke's has been frequented by many famous New Yorkers, whose pictures can be viewed all over the restaurant. I first dined there while on a trip to the opera with my high school; when I began my college career, it turned into my go-to place whenever I am looking for a delicious burger in the Lincoln Center area.

My parents have heard a lot about the restaurant (my dad was drawn to it because he read that Mickey Mantle from the Yankees used to dine there often) and were definitely not disappointed! We were seated immediately at a great table near the window that faced the Lincoln Center for the Arts. After browsing the American-style menu, we opted to start by sharing two appetizers: the braised short rib spring rolls (a strong recommendation from me, as my boyfriend and I always order these) and the parmesan-crusted tater tots. The spring rolls were, as always, to die for! The meat just melts in your melt, and the horseradish dipping sauce adds another burst of flavor. The tater tots were also addicting!

                                    Short-rib spring rolls--do not leave without ordering these!
                                       
For the main course, my mom and I had one of their famous bacon cheeseburgers. We both agreed that we had just tasted one of the most delicious burgers in NYC! The meat and bacon were both cooked perfectly and were so fresh. My dad opted for the chicken pot pie, which he also raved about (so much that I didn't snag a bite!).

All in all, I highly recommend PJ Clarke's to anyone looking for a great restaurant near Lincoln Center. WIth good service, delicious food, and prices that won't break a college student's bank completely, you cannot go wrong!

A Celebration of Hard Work

Last Sunday, October 6, I had the honor of attending the Fordham College at Rose Hill Dean’s List Ceremony for students who achieved a GPA of 3.6 or higher during the previous academic year. The ceremony took place on campus and began with a celebration of the Eucharist at Fordham’s historic, Gothic-style University Church.

University Church

Rev. Patrick J. Ryan, S.J. celebrated the liturgy before a full crowd – it was standing room only all along the sides and the back of the church as every pew was packed shoulder to shoulder. The mass was enriched with the angelic voices of the Fordham University Schola Cantorum, one of Fordham’s Rose Hill choirs, and the church’s almost year-old custom-made organ. Dr. Michael Latham, dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, also gave a welcome address to the honorees and their parents and families. After the celebration of the Eucharist, the sophomore, junior, and senior classes dispersed to different locations for the Academic Convocations. My parents and I made our way to Leonard Theatre at Fordham Preparatory School, the Jesuit, all-male, college preparatory school on Fordham’s campus, alongside other members of the class of 2015 and their families.

Academic Convocations: The FCRH Class of 2015 honorees gather in Leonard Theatre

Rev. Thomas J. Scirghi, S.J., associate professor of theology, offered some advice about “credibility of depth” and saying “no” to the superficiality of today’s consumer culture to the 194 members of the junior class being recognized. The class’s respective assistant dean then presented the awards. The ceremony ended with the Dean’s Reception in O’Keefe Commons of O’Hare Hall. Despite the rainy and gloomy weather, spirits were high throughout the day as peers and families gathered to celebrate the hard work of the Fordham College at Rose Hill Dean’s List honorees.

Hail Men of Fordham Hail!!!

6-0!!!!! The Fordham Rams are now 6-0 after their Family Weekend win Saturday versus the now 4-1 Lehigh!!!  With the win, we are now #9 in the FCS rankings and #1 in the Patriot League! This is the best start in Rams history since 1988. To put that in prospective, in 1988 the Soviet Union was still in power and Microsoft just released Windows 2.1. Quite a bit has happened since then. And next week the Rams of the gridiron will try to increase it to 7-0 with a win against fellow Jesuit and Patriot Leaguer, Georgetown. This hasn’t happened since 1930. Do I really need to say anything about the history of that? Didn’t think so. But, in 1930, Vince Lombardi was still in high school. Yup, the Fordham great, member of Fordham’s Seven Blocks of Granite, future NFL Hall of Famer, and the namesake of the Super Bowl trophy wasn’t even enrolled at Fordham yet. Even Lombardi couldn’t help the Rams to a 7-0 start. So, this is a very exciting season for everyone at Fordham, to say the least!! Games are so popular that only $5 standing room tickets are available to the general public.

Ramsey cheering on the crowd

WR Sam Ajala pumping up the fans

Sold out stadium

At this past game on Saturday, I was able to go onto the field and take pictures for our newspaper, The Fordham Ram. While on the field, I could sense the excitement everywhere; from the players, students, alumni, and our president, Fr. McShane. After each touchdown, even Fr. McShane was contributing to the cheerleader’s push-up celebration. We are all extremely excited about the next games and are sure to wear our “Ram Fan” shirts, sport our “Game On Fordham” signs, and “sing our battle song ‘till we do or die!!!”

Fr. McShane counting the cheerleader's push-ups

The football team running off the field after their 52-34 win

Sideline note: there is also a Buzzfeed about this great and historical season here.