Spring Events at Fordham

There is never a dull moment at Fordham, and every season has its perks.  But with the spring in full bloom, campus has been especially busy.  Friday evening the Autism Speaks club held their annual Light it Up Blue event to help raise autism awareness.  It took place in O’Keefe Commons from 6pm-10pm, with food and entertainment all night.  There were live performances by The Fordham Dance Team and The Ramblers, as well as raffle prizes including gift certificates to several different local eateries.  There were hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, dessert and more.  Students were encouraged to wear blue clothes, and temporary tattoos were available at the door.  There was a great turnout!

Spring at Fordham

On Saturday Eddie’s Parade was packed all day long, with people playing different sports and just relaxing on blankets.  Relay for Life took place from 2pm-10pm, which brought an extra excitement to campus.  The walk took place around the perimeter of Eddie’s, and there were games, food, and performances all day long.  Later, Fordham’s Hellenic Society held their annual Greek Night at 7pm in the McGinley Ballroom to celebrate their culture.  The night included a dance performance by club members, catered traditional Greek food, a DJ and dance floor, raffle prizes, and drinks for those 21 and over.  All students are welcome and I will definitely be returning next year!

Eddie's was packed all weekend!

Undergrads Doing Research!

Before it gets too crowded, presenters check out other students' work. 

Last Wednesday, the weather was beautiful at Fordham. Eddie’s Parade looked like a beach with the number of people lounging and sunbathing. On Wednesdays, a lot of students don't have classes, so it was the perfect day to just kick back and relax. It was glorious. I, however, staying inside most of the day doing something else fantastic: the 8^th Annual Fordham Undergraduate Research Symposium. Now before you think I am being sarcastic, hear me out.

One of my favorite posters is a thesis that will
take the form of a stand-up comedy routine. 

Some of the tote bags being handed out, with copies of the
Fordham Undergraduate Research Journal in the background. 

There were 322 undergraduate students presenting research at the symposium. Some did independent research using grants, and others submitted research papers they had done for a class or their theses. Students gave oral presentations as well as poster presentations to peers, alumni, professors, deans, and anyone else who cared to drop by the McGinley ballroom where it was held. Even the people who arrived for the free sandwiches and fruit (and cafeteria cookies!) stayed to learn more about research in all manner of disciplines. Students talked about HGH in diabetic patient treatments, raising Deaf children, nanoscale drug delivery systems, and how early New Amsterdam/New York became a melting pot among a multitude of other things. Watching classmates present on their work is a lot of fun because, oftentimes, you forget how brilliant the people surrounding you are.

Participants and their research mentors received fair trade tote bags as this year’s gift. Fordham has a working relationship with the Amani Project, and the bags helped pay for school fees for Tibetan children who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend. All in all, it was a great way to spend the day, and there was still time after to enjoy the great weather. 

On a personal note, this is my final blog entry. I have written for I Am a Fordham Ram since the very beginning of my sophomore year (September 24, 2012, to be exact). It's been a pleasure to talk about some of my favorite things at Fordham and to talk to students who reached out after finding my email on the profile pages. Most readers are probably in the midst of making their college decisions, which is really, really hard. Everyone writing for this blog remembers that and may be going through the same process with grad school and jobs, so please look at our profiles and send us emails if you have questions that haven't yet been answered. We would be glad to talk with you-- that's really why we are here. So long, good luck, and I hope to see you at an alumni event in 4-10 years. 

TL;DR - Spring is Pretty Cool...

Snow days are great – and we had quite a few of them this year – but I think we can all agree that Fordham’s so ready for spring to get here. For the past few days, we’ve had consistently warmer weather, which basically means spring’s right around the corner. And very few things in this world are as absolutely beautiful as Fordham in the springtime.

Saturday concert - Spring Weekend 2014

When I was visiting colleges, I made sure to visit all of my top choices during all of the season changes, just to see how different the atmosphere was between the fall, winter, and spring, and let me tell ya…. Nothing beats spring at Fordham. The campus is truly reawakened and reinvigorated. I went around and asked some of my friends about some of their favorite things about Fordham in the springtime; here’s a list of what everyone can agree on! 

1. Sitting on Eddie’s.

2. Eating lunch on Eddie’s.

3. Meeting friends after class on Eddie’s.

4. Playing Frisbee/football/WHATEVER on Eddie’s.

5. Tanning on Eddie’s.

6. Eddie’s. (Or Edward’s Parade – the large grassy area outside Keating. You can’t miss it.)

7. Attending Spring Weekend, the final weekend of the spring semester before the start of finals. There’s a DJ on Friday night, a concert on Martyr’s Lawn on Saturday afternoon, the Under the Tent dance on Saturday evening, and a comedian act on Sunday. Definitely a memorable weekend each year.

SPRING BREAK EXCITEMENT
Can't wait to see these palm trees again...

8. Being able to wear skirts and shorts to class after months of wearing 3 layers of heavy sweaters and still somehow managing being cold.

9. Opening the windows of your dorm/apartment after huddling in 3 layers of blankets and still somehow managing being cold.

10. That one tree in front of Queen’s Court that blooms pink flowers.

11. SPRING BREAK is NEXT WEEK. 

12. Fordham landscaping in general (it’s on point, you guys…).

13. ICED COFFEE.

14. Walking down Arthur Avenue and eating lunch or getting a cup of coffee and sitting OUTSIDE for a change.

15. Going to the city because it’s finally not sleeting anymore…

16. And finally: realizing that graduation for the seniors is only a few months away, which means we’ll be saying goodbye (for now but not forever) to some of our best friends while simultaneously saying hello to a new class of freshmen – the newest additions to our Ramily. 

Either the graduation tent going up or
the spring weekend tent coming down...

What do you love about springtime at Fordham? 

----

And... the not-so-fun part about spring:
early morning finals study sessions...

Looking Forward to Spring at Fordham

Winter in New York can be a wonderful time to enjoy the snow and the city.  However, this winter has been particularly brutal, so it has me looking forward to fun outdoor activities on and around the Rose Hill campus.  Fordham looks beautiful in every season, but spring looks especially great on this campus.   

One of the most popular things to do in the spring is to lounge around outside on Edward’s Parade (Eddie’s).  The snow and cold has me dreaming of when it’ll be warm enough to lie outside, read, play Frisbee, and chat with friends in between classes or on the weekend.  As the weather gets warmer, Eddie’s becomes increasingly more crowded with students. On sunny days, Eddie’s is the place to be!

Classic sitting on Eddie's in front of Keating Hall picture.

Right across the street from the Rose Hill campus is the New York Botanical Gardens.  This is free for Fordham students and is the perfect place to stroll or go for a run.  I love being so close to a quiet and beautiful space that allows me to relax and forget the stress and noise of the city.

Another park I enjoy spending time in is Van Cortland Park, which is only about a mile away from Fordham’s campus, so it is only an easy walk or short bus ride away.  This is a huge park (one of the biggest in New York City) with lots of trails, and scenery that’s perfect for a long run or spending the day outside enjoying the weather.

Van Cortlandt Park, a pretty place to be despite some snow!

While there is still plenty of fun to have at Fordham despite the snow and cold, I am definitely looking forward to spending time outdoors, sans jackets, mittens and boots and taking advantage of these beautiful places this spring during my last semester at Fordham!

Fun Activities for the New Semester

Imagine you've just come back to campus after winter break.  You are just starting your new classes and seeing your friends again after a few weeks away.  To help you get back in the swing of things, Fordham hosts a number of events that help returning students get ready for their new semester.

For students looking to become more involved with on-campus clubs or groups, there is a spring club fair that takes place during the first week of the new semester.  Various student groups gather in the McGinley Center, inviting other students to see what interests them and to join related clubs.  Additionally during the first few weeks, there are a number of auditions taking place for upcoming on-campus theatrical productions.

We weren't lucky enough to win Fordham blankets or a $200 Best Buy gift card this time,
but there's always next time!

If you're simply looking to spend a little time relaxing or unwinding during the beginning of the new semester, there are plenty of activities for that too!  From bingo to Cinevents movie showings (this week is Big Hero 6),  students can always find a way to enjoy their free time on campus.

Even though it's only the beginning of the semester, there's no shortage of ways to get involved or enjoy Fordham!