Spring has Spung at Fordham

Keating and a beautiful blue sky

On Wednesday, the sun peeked out and the clouds cleared to make way for blue skies. For current students, as well as prospective students and their parents visiting Fordham on Admitted Students Day, the weather could not be more beautiful. 

In fact, Fordham's beautiful Rose Hill campus has been undergoing many landscaping measures and beautification projects to get our school spring ready! Among some of the various visible measures being taken include the beautiful flowers planted around both the fountain and outside of McGinley Center. For me, as well as many of my friends, the planting of these flowers signify the first signs of spring. Soon, the tulips and daffodils planted on various hills throughout Fordham's campus will be breaking ground and blossoming. The grass on Eddie's is a bright green, after being nourished by showers and melted snow. Yesterday, students speckled Eddie's, playing Frisbee, studying homework, and basking in the delightful 60 degree weather.

Colorful spring flowers and the fountain

Also, as the New York Botanical Gardens are right across the street from Fordham, students can look for signs of spring in the park as well. Each week, I go for a walk through the gardens, looking at the progress of all the plant life. On Daffodil Hill, the flowers are being to develop buds; soon, they will be flowering and the path will be lined by hundreds upon hundreds of daffodils...truly a sight to behold.Although Thursday brings more showers, Fordham is beginning to feel a spring fever budding on campus. 

Fordham students sitting on Eddie's enjoying the sun

So Long Snow and Hello Students!

A change of seasons. Not quite literally, thought. We are moving out from the snowy days or winter and towards the cheerful, lively days of Admitted Students season! It was only but the other week that Fordham students geared up to trek around campus in the snowy wonderland of Fordham. Yet, the freezing temperatures did not stop Fordham students from spending hours out on Eddie's, building architecturally sound igloos that were over six feet tall and making snow angels. Personally, coming from California, I was bundled head to toe, resembling either a mummy or a yeti with my bulk and various wrappings. In fact, I finally invested in a long down winter coat, thinking that I must need it in the event that we get struck by another snow storm.

Much to my chagrin, the snow did not return. In fact, I slowly watched as it melted off the roofs of the buildings and exposed the sodden grass. So much for my use of a winter coat! Yet, with the absence of cold weather, the sun came out, giving Fordham students a hope for the spring time. With the weekend boasting temperatures in the high 60's, students took to Eddie's to lay out and throw about a frisbee, attempt to catch some meager UV rays while tanning, or simply to enjoy the warmth of this unusually warm February. It seems as if life is blossoming at Fordham, as students yearn for the spring time. 

With the weather expected to be stunning on Thursday, both students and those visiting Fordham should be in high spirits. With an outstanding turnout of over 600 students for the President's Day Open House, we are in full swing with Admitted Student Days and tours for both prospective and accepted students. Throughout the week, let alone on Friday, over 400 students will descend upon Fordham's campus to see first-hand the beauty and comradery of the #Ramily. I, as a member of RHS, could not be more excited for the start of this new "season." Getting to show around individuals interested in Fordham and share my own experience has me reminisce upon my high school experience and realize how choosing Fordham has been a truly defining moment for me that has shaped my college experience for the better. 

Keating Through the Seasons

If you've visited Fordham you know that no matter what time of year it is, the campus looks beautiful.  From summer nights to blustery winter days, students are always snapping photos of the most picturesque spots on campus, especially Keating Hall.

Home to the infamous bell tower, Keating is placed at the center of campus behind Edward's Parade (the old football field and popular spot for students to hang out on during warm days and during New Student Orientation).  Keating also houses academic classrooms, deans offices, dance studios, WFUV- Fordham's the student run radio network, a beautiful blue chapel, and so much more!  Odds are, as a Fordham student you will have a couple of classes in Keating during your years here.

Here are some pictures of Keating Hall through the seasons, just another reason why you should come to Fordham and check it out yourself!

Keating Hall during the January 2015 Snowstorm Juno

Keating Hall on a warm day in Spring 2015, featuring students enjoying the nice weather on Eddie's!

Keating Hall in the Summer of 2016, preparing to celebrate 175 Years of Fordham, the Dodransbicentenial

Keating Hall in the Fall of 2016 at sunset

Life is Good on Eddie's

Enjoying Fall at Fordham

It's a warm, sunny day on the Rose Hill Campus; golden leaves dance downwards to earth and rich rays of the setting sun illuminate the sky like watercolors. Laying on a blanket on Edward’s Parade (referred to by students as Eddie’s), surrounded by various textbooks and class notes, I can almost forget the impending stress of my midterms. During each season, Eddie’s large grass area features its boundless beauty. In the spring months, the lawn is peppered with hundreds of students, eating lunch, studying for class, or simply playing music and tossing around a frisbee. 

Eddie's blanketed in snow; Keating Hall in the background

When autumn comes, the fall photo shoots ensue; surrounded by trees that are turning their leaves, Eddie’s become a sight for all. Keating Hall, bathed in the afternoon sun and framed perfectly by trees with deep orange leaves, could not be more beautiful. Even in the winter, when the cold sets in, Eddie’s offers a playful snowfield. Coming from California, I had never woken up and walked out to see such a winter wonderland before me. The untouched, level snow blanketing Eddie’s provided a space for building snowmen and crafting the perfect snowball. As the seasons change, 
my love for Eddie’s stays unwavering.

The lush, green lawn of Eddie's during the spring

Eddie's in an essential part of Fordham's campus, providing a large healthy stretch of grass for all to enjoy. Although Fordham is situated close to the bustling city of Manhattan, we have our own growing, natural paradise just twenty minutes away from the concrete jungle. Seated on Eddie’s expansive green lawn, students have a prime location for watching the world go by and relaxing in one of the most beautiful spots on Fordham’s campus. 

Finally Fall at Fordham!

Blog by Jane Mackowiak

There is always a moment about a month into the first semester when I walk outside my residence hall and I know it's finally Fall. The air smells crisper and the leaves start to accumulate on the sidewalks during my walks to class. As much as I love spending afternoons on Eddie’s in the hot sun, there is something about Autumn at Fordham that just feels right.

Central Park offers a peaceful escape from the city and a good opportunity to stroll and people watch.

When the temperatures start to drop, campus starts to buzz with excitement. You can see joy radiate from the faces of students wearing their Patagonias for the first time of the season. You feel more alert with all the caffeine from one too many pumpkin spice lattes. On the weekends, you join the migration of students outside the city for apple picking, pumpkin patches, and hayrides.

The trees change color and make Keating look even more gorgeous in the Fall

The excitement of the season cannot be ignored when you are in such a beautiful place like Fordham. The changing colors of the leaves and the sun beaming through the trees just can't be beat. When you're here, the thrill of sweater weather is infectious!