My GO! Experience

Earlier this semester, I interviewed for the opportunity to be on one of Fordham’s popular Global Outreach projects. I applied to GO! Navajo, New Orleans, and Alaska. Fortunately, I received my top project choice, and I am preparing with an incredible team to experience Bethel, Alaska from May 18^th to the 28^th.

The bear shirts we sold as a fundraiser in the Alaskan flag colors!

Global Outreach is a program at Fordham that allows students to travel to places they have likely never experienced on a cultural immersion and service trip. Students learn about problems pertaining to the specific area of their project including social justice, environmental, political, and economic issues. Each team consists of 10-15 students, and travel during either winter, spring, or summer break. Every project is unique in duration, focus, and dynamic, but GO! emphasizes its four pillars to provide the most meaningful experience possible; these include community, simple living, spirituality, and social justice. Now that you have a little background on GO! let me tell you about my own experience thus far.

My GO! team at GO! Olympics!

I am participating in the GO! Alaska project, which is one of the summer domestic trips. I have a team of 12 members, including my team leader and chaperone, none of whom I knew before accepting the project. Over the course of the semester, we have had meetings, outings, and other events that have allowed us to become a tight-knit community. These are people I likely never would have met if I had not participated in GO!, but now they are people that I can trust, grow from, and almost call my family. Between fundraisers, Campus Movie Fest, our team retreat, gym sessions, and Chipotle runs, we have bonded so much, and there is no one else I would rather venture into unknown territory with.

We are all so excited for our upcoming project. We have not only spent the semester getting to know each other, but we have also done a lot of research on Bethel and its social issues as well. Because in GO! the motto is "participate, don't anticipate," the team (besides the leader and chaperone) does not know what our activities and responsibilities will consist of when we are there. We, however, have each other to rely on and work with, and with open-minds, I think we will all really gain a lot from our experience in Alaska. 

Make A Wish!

Every year, Fashion for Philanthropy hosts their annual spring fashion show, which is coming up this Friday, April 8^th!  Fashion for Philanthropy, FFP, is an on-campus club that amplifies different aspects of the fashion world and hosts fundraising events that benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As an executive board member of FFP, I am proud to announce that this year’s theme is FFP Schwarz – Toys on the Runway. We chose this theme based on trends from various Fashion Week presentations that were a fusion of the relaxed 1970’s vibe and 1980’s retro lifestyle with bright Barbie inspired pop-culture accents. While the show itself is always an exciting event that both fundraises and fosters school spirit, the process of putting the show together is itself perhaps even more exciting.

Image for this year's show!

Preparation for the show is a yearlong process. Along with the rest of the executive-board, the club hosts different bake sales and food-runs during the first semester to raise money to purchase decorations and food for the fashion show. Mid-way through the first semester, we pick a theme, and once we have done so, we create an in-depth budget packet that we present to the Office of Student Life. This packet allots the necessary funds for the executive board to finance the entire show, which includes more decorations, hiring a DJ, purchasing raffle tickets, and necessary supplies for models and student designers.

 

Lollipops for a fall fundraiser

It is truly the second semester that everything comes together for the show. This, in my opinion is the most hectic, but the most exciting part of the year! One of the most important parts of the show is gathering sponsors and donors for the event. These companies, which span from accessories brands to couture fashion lines, will either donate items for our raffle or for the student models to wear during the show. Additionally, some pieces are put into our VIP gift bags, which are normally priced up to $125 a bag! Essentially, a general admissions ticket to the show is $6, and a VIP ticket is $12 – all if which benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year we are showcasing some New York designers as well as gifts from Bloomingdale’s, Pura Vida, and Donna Morgan Bridal! Our alumni network is key in assisting us with the sponsorship portion of the event since many are so willing to help us reach out to contacts in the fashion industry.

A sneak peak of some of the clothes donated for this year's show!

The week of the show, (which is this week!!,) is always a rush. Every night we have auditions for our student models, which we cast several weeks prior to the show. The male and female models are always an exciting group to work with since they are the face of the show and always promote spirit around campus to hype up the event! Additionally, this week we get together all of the baked goods and work on all the decorations that will be set up in the Rose Hill Gym for the event. We also receive all of the gifts from our sponsors that the club works so hard for all semester. The show itself is only an hour, but it feels like so much more time!

I always have felt that this is an event that captures Fordham's spirit of caring for the whole person while working for others – essentially the annual fashion show is a culminating moment on campus where spring is in full bloom and adds to the positive spirit towards the end of the school year. And the best part is, it’s all for a great cause!

Student-made flier that announced modeling auditions.

Back With a Bang: How Fordham Starts Off the New Semester Right

The first week of Spring Semester classes is officially over here at Fordham, and I’m so glad to be back in New York City with my friends and classmates. Beginning a new semester can be stressful at times, and at first I felt nervous about taking my Spring Semester courses at the Gabelli School of Business. However, as soon as I got to campus, I felt a lot better about beginning my new classes because of all of the fun, stress relieving activities that Fordham offered this past week.

Just as students jump back into their classes at the start of a new semester, they also have the opportunity to jump back into fun activities going on at the university. Starting during the very first week of this semester, students had the opportunity to attend promo dinners for fundraisers, club fairs, and Bingo! My personal favorite activity this week was the O’Hare Residence Hall Winter Carnival. Resident Assistants and Directors in O’Hare Hall organized a fun night of winter festivities, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, and even an ice skating rink! My friends and I had a great time at this event, and it was a fantastic way to welcome everyone back to Fordham.

The ice skating rink was right on the Rose Hill Campus for O'Hare's Winter Carnival! 

Here at Fordham, there is always something interesting going on. Even at the start of the new semester, Fordham Rams know how to hit the ground running and come back with a bang! Coming back to campus to start a new semester really feels like coming home for me. Every semester, I realize more and more that there truly is no place like Fordham. I am so happy to be back on campus again, and I am really looking forward to Spring Semester’s future Fordham activities!

My roommate and I strapped on some skates and hit the ice after we went to the gym! 

Fordham "Philramthropy"

Student Fundraisers at a typical work night.

One of the things I was most nervous about before coming to college was the typical stereotype of the “poor college kid.”  For the first time, I would be living without my parents and managing my own expenses, something that high school definitely does not prepare you for.  I know it's not the most romantic or hottest of topics to talk about while dreaming of future college plans, but it is definitely a concern for students and their parents.

After adjusting to college my freshman year and feeling like I had too much free time, I decided to apply to the Call Center just before my sophomore year.  At the time, I thought the job would be a stress-free way to make some extra money for weekends and city adventures.  I never could have fathomed what the call center has brought to me: newfound friendships, career advice, and learning experience. 

One of the highest paying jobs on campus, the Call Center requires Fordham undergraduates to work 3, three-hour shifts (a total of 9 hours a week – definitely manageable!).  Each evening, from 6-9, “Philramthropists” reach out to alumni, parents, and friends of the University, to fundraise for scholarships, financial aid, campus-wide programs, just to name a few things. At first glance, this seems pretty mindless, maybe even undesirable.  But that is definitely not the case.

Our "leadership board" of total dollars raised by callers. 

Since working at the Call Center, also known as the Ram Line, I have fostered new friendships with fellow student fundraisers, whom I may have never met before.  I have talked to different alumni about prospective career options and paths in order to build up rapport during our calls.  While some alumni are more generous than others, I can honestly say that their pride for Fordham is universal.  It is so inspiring to talk to graduates from the class of 1950 to the class of 2013 who are so passionate about Fordham.  Their tone of voice seems to be a mixture of reflection, nostalgia, and unequivocal energy while talking about their days at the University.  What continues to inspire me even more is that many of these alumni, whether residing in California or even in the Bronx, still manage to find their way back to Rose Hill, and still feel that strong connection to the University as if they were still 19 and heading off to Philosophy class.

I thoroughly enjoy working with my fellow “Philramthropists” on a daily basis.  The Call Center is constantly full of energy and driven students who want to share and discuss their love of Fordham.  I am proud to be a student fundraiser and recommend it to any student interested in working on campus!  Go Rams!

Fordham Walk for Breast Cancer

In honor of breast cancer awareness month every October, cities nationwide host “Making Strides” walks to raise money for breast cancer research. Here at Fordham, we have a club especially dedicated to the cause. The Fordham Walk for Breast Cancer Club consists of approximately forty-five students that help fundraise and promote breast cancer awareness on campus. Last year, the club raised over $18,000 for the cause and looks forward to beating their record this year!

Bake sales outside of dorms and at senior nights are a major part of the club’s fundraising efforts. Along with bake sales, the club hosts a special “Concert for a cure” featuring several performers including the Satin Dolls and Fordham Flava. Fordham students could purchase club t-shirts in the McGinley Center too. The cafeteria also became “pink” with decorations in support of breast cancer awareness and featured posters with important facts about those affected. By teaming up with our food service provider Sodexo, sweet “pink” treats were served up for donations throughout the month.

The highlight of the club's efforts is the actual walk in Central Park. Everyone wakes up early Sunday morning, eats breakfast together, and heads downtown in all-pink ensembles. At the walk, it is empowering to hear breast cancer survivors’ stories and see firsthand the strength of those who are currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. The sense of community and support for one another is inspiring and gives hope that someday scientists will find a cure.

For more information about Fordham’s Walk for Breast Cancer club, check out the team’s home page. Feel free to make a donation today!