Dodransbicen-what? Fordham Celebrates 175 Years!

2017 marks the 175th year of Fordham University's existence; in other words, Fordham celebrates its Dodransbicentennial! Everyone is in on the celebrations with the university providing students and staff with a year of special events, programs, and exhibits that highlight Fordham's history and influence as the Jesuit University of New York.

Even the Empire State Building showed its colors for Fordham last night in honor of the 175th anniversary!

Here's to another 175 years, Fordham! So that would be a... Semiseptcentennial? Have fun trying to say that in speeches! 

Meet the Bloggers: the Rose Hill Society Ambassadors!

Reading through the “I Am A Fordham Ram” blog posts is a great way to catch a glimpse of all of the amazing opportunities and experiences Fordham has to offer its students, but those who are scrolling through this treasure trove of a website might be a little confused as to who, exactly, is writing the posts--paid students? Administration? A street-savvy robot that the technology department whipped up one day? The answer is, actually, none of the above!

RHS ambassadors pose with Father McShane during an admissions event!

All of these posts are written by Fordham students who are part of the Rose Hill Society, which is just a fancy way of saying that we are unpaid volunteer students who love Fordham and want to help prospective students learn more about the campus. We have to apply and interview to join the Rose Hill Society, and once we’re in we become committed to helping out the people Fordham cares about the most--students just like you! Whether it’s leading tours or writing up blog posts, hosting student panels or snapping photos to put on the RHS Instagram, us RHS ambassadors are passionate about celebrating Fordham and all of its students.

Admitted Student's Day is just one event that RHS ambassadors help with at Fordham

If you want to get in touch with a RHS student representative, just check out the sidebar on the “I Am A Fordham Ram” blogsite and check out our Facebook, Twitter, Insta, or email! If you want to get in contact with a specific student, you can find our emails on the sidebar as well. Happy exploring, and GO RAMS!

Our mascot Ramses (both the real and the cartoon version) are much loved by RHS ambassadors!

Fordham's Performing Arts: Theatrical Outreach Program

The performing arts are an integral part of the campus culture at Rose Hill. This past weekend, I had the pleasure of directing my first feature length production on campus through the Theatrical Outreach Program (TOP). TOP is one of three student theatre clubs on the Rose Hill campus, and strives to perform works of classical and educational theatre for students at local middle schools and high schools in the Bronx. After the performance we have a question and answer session with the students and play some theatre games to get them up and interacting with the stage and the actors. TOP is the perfect blend of performing arts and community service!

 The play we put on was called Kindertransport by Diane Samuels, and focused on the refugee experience of a young Jewish girl during World War II. Admission was totally free, and there was a donation box for the refugee relief organization ActionAid USA, for which we raised nearly $300.  Later this semester, TOP will be putting on William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

At Fordham, there are opportunities for students to get involved in theatre in any way they may be interested: acting, directing, writing, stage managing, budgeting, costuming, or simply just watching! Usually, I am onstage performing, so it was interesting and fun to have a chance to be the one calling the shots and making my creative vision manifest on stage. If you have any interest in theatre at all, there is room for you to exercise your creative muscles at Rose Hill!

Views: The Empire State Building

View of the ESB from the Flatiron Building.

There is no better symbol to represent New York City than one of the tallest buildings making up the skyline itself: the Empire State Building. People come from all over to both see the Empire State Building from below and climb it to see the view of Manhattan from 102 stories. When you're a Fordham student, there's no shortage on amount of times you'll get to see the Empire State Building, but it heeds the same amazing feeling each time - and from each place!

View of the ESB from MSG - unreal.

The Flatiron District, located surrounding 23rd Street, is home to Shake Shack, Argo Tea, and the Flatiron Building itself.  But, it also provides a stellar view of the Empire State Building.  Eating your Shake Shack while gazing up at one of the most famous buildings in the world is an experience that never gets old.

One of New York's other major selling points is Madison Square Garden, home to so many performances over the years by Billy Joel, Radiohead, Justin Bieber... pretty much anyone you can name! Going to a concert or a Ranger game at Madison Square Garden is somewhat of a right of passage for living in New York, and the view that hits you as soon as you exit a Madison Square Garden event is unparalleled.

There are so many other great places to see the Empire State Building, whether up close or far away, but my personal favorite view will always be from right here in O'Hare Hall on the Rose Hill Campus.  I always have to take a moment when I walk by the 5th Floor Lounge to appreciate how lucky I am to go to Fordham, so close to so much opportunity.

NYC view from O'Hare Hall at Fordham Rose Hill.

Rams Deli Plus: A Fordham Favorite

Coming from the suburban Midwest, I had never been to or experienced a bodega. The closest I have to them at home are gas station convenience stores, where the food is subpar at best. However, when I came to Fordham, I was suddenly introduced to the wonders of bodega food, satisfying my hungers at all times of the day. Enter Rams Deli Plus, the premier bodega in the Belmont neighborhood. Located on Fordham Road between Hoffman Street and Arthur Avenue, Rams Deli Plus, simply known as “Rams” or “RDP” to students, has been a Fordham staple for years, serving hungry students 24/7.

Starting with breakfast, you cannot go wrong with a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich from RDP. Whether you like it on a roll, wrap, bagel, or croissant, RDP will make you a breakfast sandwich you will write home about. If you are feeling a little more adventurous for breakfast, try the Hashtag, a bold creation boasting a chicken cutlet, hash brown, bacon, egg, and cheese. With so many options for breakfast being served at all times of the day, you can’t go wrong with a quick bite from Rams.

Rams Deli Plus’ options for lunch and dinner are even greater. Whether you want a sandwich, a burger, a wrap, or even halal food, Rams has it. A few of my personal favorites are the Calito’s Burger, which is a cheeseburger with avocado, bacon, ranch, and sriracha, and the California Wrap, sporting grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, ranch, avocado, lettuce, and tomato. If you want something that will fill you up for hours and for cheap, Rams is the place to go. With friendly staff, a welcoming atmosphere, and some of the best food close to campus, Rams Deli Plus is a most go for all Fordham students.

Summer Internship: Yale University Press

The library where I worked

This summer, I had the opportunity to work at Yale University Press in New Haven CT.  I was an intern in the Intellectual Property and Administration Department.  This program was a ten-week summer internship for college students to learn about the publishing process and gain experience in fields such as publicity, marketing, acquisitions, and art workshop.  As a communications major and marketing minor who plans to go to law school, I was able to learn a great deal from working at Yale Press.  Everyone who works there was friendly and knowledgeable, and took the time to teach me important skills.  I was also able to attend meetings, book launch, and editorial panels to get an idea of the behind-the-scenes work that takes place during the publishing process.  It was fascinating to see the way that each of the departments plays a role in the overall completion of a book. 

New Haven town green

The courtyard of Yale Press

I was able to obtain this internship because of valuable skills that I had learned at Fordham.  Working in Intellectual Property required a great deal of critical thinking and organization.  In addition, core classes that I had taken in my freshman and sophomore year had prepared me for the work environment and encouraged me to explore new fields to find topics that were interesting to me.  This internship proved just how many skills I was developing at Fordham, and was a great way to spend my summer.  After building great connections with many of the Yale Press employees, I worked in New Haven again over the winter break and was able to learn even more. The experience was a great way to challenge myself and make connections with other college students from all over the country.