NYC Views: Top of the Freedom Tower

Twin Tower Memorial Pools

As you all know, 14 years and a month ago the Twin Towers were suddenly struck as a part of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America.  The tragic event affected many people throughout the country and world.  As an honor to all those who lost their lives, the 9/11 museum was set up on the grounds of the original Twin Towers, and One World Trade Center (more commonly known as the Freedom Tower) was constructed as a symbol for looking to the future and not letting an attack keep our morale low; we rise with the challenges put upon us. 

Being in New York City, Fordham loves when students venture into other parts of the city to learn about our history and culture.  This past weekend I was able to do just that.  With a club I am apart of, ACT, we all went to the observatory level of the Freedom Tower. One of ACT’s missions is to organize programs and trips that add to student life on and around campus during their tenure at Fordham. 

Sunset looking west onto New Jersey

We had an appointment to take the elevators up to the 102 floor at 6:15pm – in other words, the critical sunset opportunity.  The view from the top was breathtaking, especially when the sky turned the picture perfect orange-red we all love.  One aspect of the Freedom Tower that I found interesting was they didn’t mention the 9/11 attacks.  The idea behind One World Trade Center was a way for New Yorkers, Americans, and visitors to look to the future and rise from the low points in our history.  Even the architecture embodies this mantra.  The façade is made up of large interconnecting triangles that stretch from the base to the top.  When looking at the top from the street level, the triangles give the perception that the Freedom Tower continues to an infinite height. 

Looking north onto the rest of Manhattan

On our way down from the Freedom Tower experience, we were all in awe of the view and history.  Memorials did not line the top level, but we saw the same view that many of those who lost their lives gazed upon everyday. Excursions like this are one of the many reasons I love Fordham’s philosophy for student life; they want us to experience the entire city, which includes the history, arts, and culture.

New York Is My Campus, The Rest Of The World Is A Step Away

Newark-Liberty Int'l Airport is a short trip from Fordham

Happy Easter future rams! While this blog has provided an abundance of information on life in New York City, although NYC is the greatest city in the world, as they say it is possible to have too much of a good thing. What's great about Fordham and our location in New York City, however, is that when you do want to get away for a weekend or Easter break it's very easy. 

My Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

If you come from a family like mine, holidays are meant for family time and any opportunity to take a vacation is soaked up to it's fullest. With much of my family in the Great Lakes and the South, driving home isn't such an attractive option when it comes time to go away for breaks like Easter. Luckily for us, Fordham is located in the midst of the biggest transportation hub on the east coast. NYC's 3 airports (JFK, Laguardia, and Newark-Liberty) make up the busiest airport system in the US, so finding a direct flight is never a challenge. The Ram Van even operates as a shuttle between the Rose Hill campus and LaGuardia and JFK during busy travel seasons such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring break. If you're like myself and typically fly through Newark Liberty (the east coast hub for United), getting there is a breeze. The cheapest way is to take the D train from Fordham Road down to 34th street, and walk one block over to Penn Station where you catch an NJ Transit train to the airport. The subway stretch takes about 30-45 minutes and will cost you just $2.75 and the NJT takes about 15-20 and costs $12.50. Substituting the D train with Metro-North is also a popular, but more expensive option, as are taxis and car services like Uber.

Cumberland Falls in Cumberland Gap National Park

This Easter, I was lucky enough to go visit my family in Cincinnati, and meet a friend in Tennessee for the day. I flew in direct from Newark-Liberty to Cincinnati (oddly enough the main airport is in Kentucky) and drove a few hours down to the beautiful Cumberland Gap National Park to spend a day with my friend. The best part of my flight is that it was completely free, including my checked bag! 

If there's any recommendation I have for future or current Fordham students who live outside the Northeast Corridor, it's to enroll in a frequent flier program. I've been racking up miles with United since the airline was called Continental, and my flights to New Orleans and Charleston over Christmas and Thanksgiving have allowed me to fly for free between NYC, Cincinnati, and really anywhere I'd like to go.

I love being able to visit my family in Charleston, SC

For those of you who live close-by to Fordham, or are afraid of flying; you're in luck too! Fordham has it's own stop on the Harlem and New Haven lines of Metro-North that serve downstate New York and coastal Connecticut. To avoid back-tracking through Penn Station, Metro-North is also a convenient way to get to Stamford Connecticut and transfer to Amtrak trains to Providence and Boston. From Penn, New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Railroad serve the rest of the NYC area and Amtrak has numerous routes stretching across the country.

Senior Spotlight: Nick Lopresto

     Name: Nicholas Lopresto

     Hometown: Jericho, Long Island (Nassau County)

     Major: Psychology/Pre-Med

     Graduation date: May 2015

     Why did you choose Fordham? I was actually between Fordham and Northeastern as my last two schools. I had gotten into NYU with some scholarship, but I hated that there was no campus feeling there and everyone basically commuted to class. I was planning on seeing Fordham and Northeastern in the same weekend, but I came to tour Fordham first because it was closer to my house. The second I stepped onto campus, I knew that this was my new home. I didn’t even end up going to the Northeastern tour! Fordham’s campus is so beautiful, and it’s amazing because you get the best of both worlds. Not only do you get the amazing trees and grass on campus, but also Manhattan is a short subway ride away. Also, the student body here at Fordham is so giving and compassionate, and it showed a lot in the way the students interacted with each other when I was on my tour.

     What clubs/organizations/internships have you been involved in? What has been your favorite experience? (Please explain!)

I have been involved in a lot here at Fordham. I would say the two biggest time commitments I have been involved in were the Ramblers and Mimes and Mummers. The Ramblers is Fordham’s only all male acapella group. We competed in ICCAs, got to sing at prestigious events all around NYC, and were even on TV to sing for the Columbus Day parade. I quit Ramblers about a year ago so that I could focus on my studies and eventually landed an internship at Bellevue Hospital called PAVERS. One of the reasons I love Fordham is it’s close proximity to the city. I go to the hospital once a week from 8pm-12 am and I get to see so much in the emergency room at Bellevue. When I’m not volunteering at the hospital, I am usually doing research in the Neuroscience department under the supervision of Amy Roy. Finally, I was recently cast as “Angel” in the Mimes and Mummers’ production of RENT which will open February 26^th and run through March 1^st.  All the clubs I have been involved in at Fordham have been so unique and enriching. The people here are truly motivated and passionate about what they’re doing, and I don’t think that necessarily holds true for other colleges.

     What do you think is the best resource available to students on campus

      I think the library here is fantastic. First of all, it is so beautiful and whenever I am in it I never feel like studying is that much of a chore. The librarians are very helpful and I often frequent the library to print papers, take out books, and make copies.

     What is your favorite personal memory at Fordham?

I think my favorite Fordham memory is probably when 3LAU came for Spring Weekend two years ago. I just remember feeling so amazing when everyone was together dancing in the parking lot, and it was right after my Ramblers concert so there were good vibes going all around. I think Spring Weekends in general are my favorite Fordham memories.

     Where is your favorite place to hang out at Fordham or in NYC? (Keep appropriate).

As I said before, Fordham has so much to offer. Not only do you have all of the Bronx to conquer, but you are so close to NYC that there are endless options. In the Bronx, I love to go to Arthur Avenue with my friends for dinner and go to the countless bakeries for their amazing coffee and Italian pastries. In the city, I love to see Broadway shows or I usually like to go shopping in SOHO.

     What are your plans/goals/aspirations for post-graduation?

     After graduation, I intend on taking a gap year before applying to medical school. I have already completed my MCAT and my Fordham Committee application, so now it’s just a matter of applying to medical schools and waiting to hear back! Fordham has been so helpful with my application and I really feel like I am ready to conquer medical school and succeed as a future physician.

Fun Fearless Life

Hanging out in the Hearst Tower with a
fantastic view!

Last weekend, Cosmopolitan Magazine hosted the Fun Fearless Life conference in David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The event was a two day conferences which hosted a variety of speakers, panels, networking events, and meet and greets with the editors of Cosmo. The speakers gave tips on amping up your morning beauty routine, managing money, finding your voice, staying healthy and many other things inspiring people to make the best of their lives. 



Getting ready backstage!

Our big performance!

The Fordham cheerleading team was invited to help kick off Day 2 of the conference. The night before our big performance, we were attended the special VIP party in the Hearst Tower where the Cosmo offices are located. We were able to meet many of the editors and hang out in the company of celebrities like Kelly Osbourne, Chrissy Teigen, and Perez Hilton!

On Sunday morning, a few of my teammates and I arrived at Lincoln Center to prepare to open the conference. We were escorted to a dressing room and given clothes from Express’s new active wear line to model while we performed. The best part was that we got to keep the clothes! Right before we took the stage, we had the honor of meeting and chatting with Editor-in-Chief, Joanna Coles. Following our performance we were able to stay and watch some of the speakers for the day, one being Jillian Michaels! The entire weekend was incredible and the advice we received was inspiring. Definitely a memory I will never forget!

Arthur Avenue: Not Your Average Cappuccino

Cute little puppy coffee!

Blue Mediterranean has amazing seafood dishes.

Academics are incredibly important here at Fordham, but when we want to unwind from class and catch up with friends, Arthur Avenue is the place to go. 

I still remember my first time going to Bronx’s Little Italy after visiting Fordham during my junior year of high school. I had never been in such a neighborhood before, and it was fascinating seeing all of the quaint Italian restaurants and cafes.

Quick Tino's veggie
lasagna lunch
before class.

Umai Sushi's
specialty rolls.

I’ve made it my mission to visit every eatery on Arthur Avenue by the time I graduate. However, as I’m in the midst of my junior year, I’m slowly realizing that this might not be possible to accomplish in my remaining time at Fordham. 

There are so many options in Bronx’s Little Italy that are essential to try out; some have been around for years, and now ones open all the time. Inevitably, I’ve found my personal favorites, and I suggest them to every visiting family and prospective student I meet on campus.

A common misconception about Little Italy is that it’s only good for dinner, but Fordham students will tell you otherwise. There are plenty of dinner options for sure, but it’s just as easy to go out and grab a breakfast sandwich after a long night of studying, indulge in a quick cup of coffee and pastry between classes, meet friends for frozen yogurt when the weather’s nice, or grab a delicious slice of pizza – just because!

My favorite: taco salad from Estrellita's!

Coffee and
croissant
breakfast
from De Lillo's.

Not only that, but the area is also particularly affordable – especially since many of its patrons are very budget-concerned college students – and offers all different types of cuisines, not solely Italian (even though the Italian food here is second to none…). The area exudes a very family-friendly vibe, and the school spirit lives on in the neighborhood, even more so after homecoming and big football games when the streets fill with crowds of Fordham families and proud alumni.

Weekend Update!

The dining area in my dorm in Walsh!

Jessica Timko

This weekend was the first weekend that everyone was back on campus, and this is also the first year that my roommates and I are living in Walsh, an apartment style residence hall.  My roommates and I love to cook, so this Saturday we hosted a "Ramily" dinner for our friends who live down the hall from us.  We made a pasta dinner and enjoyed a fun night filled with good friends and good food.

The NYC skyline from the Hudson River!

Yuliana Veyberman

Even though I grew up in the city, it's still lots of fun to act like a tourist once in a while. My friends and I took advantage of the beautiful weather on Friday to take an evening cruise around the Hudson - we got the prettiest photos of the NYC skyline (and yes, we Instagrammed them all).

Collage of my Sunday activities!

Teresa Swindal

On Sunday, my friends and I took the ram van into Lincoln Center to get Sunday brunch. We ate at Le Pain Quotidien, a restaurant and bakery right by Columbus Circle. It was pretty affordable and the food was great! After that, we walked over to New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. Although we did not go to a show, we were able to see all the crazy and unique outfits of people walking around, which was awesome!

The quaint inside of Freemans.

Emily Tanner

This weekend I went into the city to do some exploring, and of course get some yummy food! I explored SoHo and the surrounding areas and was SO happy to be back in the city. I went to this amazing restaurant hidden at the end of an alley called Freemans. It was delicious, I got the 5 cheese macaroni! There's nothing like a Saturday spent in the city with the people you love, finding new and interesting places in areas you'd never expect!