Flashback Friday - Orientation Week

The week leading up to the first day of fall 2015 classes, I was running on sugar, smiles, and very little sleep. While that may sound concerning and probably unhealthy, it was one of the best weeks of my college career thus far. 

Vanessa was my orientation partner in crime that week,
we've been great friends ever since!.

Being selected as an orientation leader was what prompted this whirlwind of a week, so when the third week of August rolled around, I packed my bags and flew cross country for 3 days of training, 1 day to breathe, and 3 more days of welcoming the newest freshman class.

Between the team building activities and countless ice breakers we played during training, I realized why and how much I truly loved this school. 

Everyone in the 12th floor lounge was so driven and so passionate about Fordham that they, too, forwent sleep for a week. We all let our enthusiasm about this school be our collective source of energy that kept us going even on the last day. 

I beamed as I helped nervous parents unload they cars on move-in day. I frolicked as the club fair took place on the plaza, and I tried to espouse the same enthusiasm I had in the freshmen. I giggled as my orientation group cringed while playing ice breakers. 

Our orientation group was incredible and got along so well - can't you tell!!

I got to know so many wonderful people that week – other orientation leaders and captains, faculty, new freshmen – but I mostly got to know more about myself. I learned that I love helping people find what they're passionate and enthusiastic about. I learned that if I have an idea and want to see it through, others are there to support me. I learned all this because Fordham has fostered a beautiful environment for me to grow and figure out who I am and who I can be. 

What Fordham experience would be complete
without a selfie with Fordham President, Father McShane!

Holidays and Concerts at Fordham

Fordham has always been known for its holiday festivities. Every holiday season, both of Fordham’s campuses are decked out in lights, tinsel, and many kinds of holiday decorations. In addition to Fordham’s glorious holiday appearance, the university has many holiday festivities spread out through the month of December. My favorite way to get into the holiday spirit at Fordham is by attending the university’s annual Lessons and Carols Festival. This festival is comprised of two concerts held on both Fordham campuses. It features The Fordham University Choir, The Fordham University Women’s Choir, The Aily/Fordham B.F.A. in Dance Program, and The Bronx Arts Ensemble.

The Lessons and Carols Program Cover

I had the pleasure of attending The Lessons and Carols Festival on both the Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. I really enjoyed the choirs, the dancers, and the orchestra at both performances. The choirs sang beautiful holiday carols, and there were even opportunities for the audience to sing along! My roommate is in the Fordham University Women’s Choir, and seeing her and my other classmates perform was so much fun!

The Fordham University Women's Choir performing at
their Rose Hill Lessons and Carols concert

The Lessons and Carols Festival is one of many examples of the wonderful holiday spirit that Fordham embodies. Getting into the holiday spirit can be very difficult, especially during these stressful weeks before final exams. Going to holiday concerts like Lessons and Carols, and taking time to relax is very important for college students. Fordham does a great job encouraging students to relax, and to take time away from intense final exam studying to enjoy the holidays. I really enjoyed my time at The Lessons and Carols Festival, and I cannot wait to continue to celebrate my holidays at Fordham!

#FEARTHERAM

One of the coolest things about going to school at Fordham is the amount of school spirit we have on campus. Despite the fact that we are a medium sized school in the middle of a big city, Fordham is Division I for all of its varsity athletic teams, and students love supporting their fellow Rams at games and spirit events!

The gorgeous Rose Hill Gym is crowded with Rams! RAMTOWN2014!

Last night was a prime example of this: one of the biggest events of the fall semester is Ram Town, which kicks off the men’s and women’s basketball seasons. Think high school pep rally, but bigger and better! Students decked out in Fordham maroon pack the stands of the Rose Hill Gym, and have a great time cheering on their classmates.  There are also tons of games and competitions for fans to compete in, including a karaoke contest, relay races, shoot-outs, and dance-offs (Rams have some sick moves, fun fact!). In addition free tshirts for every person at the door, students are eligible for exciting prizes and giveaways, like iPads, TVs, and textbooks for a semester; this year one student won a free vacation in a free throw shooting contest!

Exciting athletics, crazy contests, and awesome prizes aside, fans attending Ram Town are also provided with an absurd amount of delicious, delicious food from Arthur Avenue (the Little Italy of the Bronx, which is right next door to Rose Hill’s campus), including pizza, pasta, wings, and desserts.  

Wasn't kidding about the free food - my friend Matt stocked up on
mozzarella sticks, wings - oh, and an entire box of pizza? Don't worry, he shared!

Ram Town is a great way to get pumped for the upcoming season, and a fantastic time is had by all in attendance! Go Rams!

Our mascot, the Fordham Ram!

Rams Rule! Sporting Events at Fordham

One of my favorite things about Fordham is the amount of school spirit we have on campus. Even though Fordham is in the middle of a city, all of our sports are Division I, and there are plenty of games and spirit events to go to on campus! I love going to games at Fordham. Fordham students can attend any game on campus for free, just by showing their students IDs. This is a great opportunity to dress in maroon and show some school spirit!

My roommate and I wore maroon to the football game to support our Rams!

Last weekend, my two friends and I went to Fordham Football’s game against Lafayette University. The stands were packed with students and alumni, and everyone was dressed to impress in Fordham gear. The game was very exciting, and I loved seeing our Rams play. Every time Fordham scored, the stands erupted with cheers. Fordham’s football team is very talented, and that talent definitely showed at the game. In the end, the Fordham Rams defeated Lafayette 42-18.

We got a free Fordham Football t-shirt when we went to the game 

My friends and I had a great time at the game last weekend, and I can’t wait to attend more sporting events as the year goes on. Seeing all of my friends cheering and supporting athletics at Fordham is amazing. I do not play sports at Fordham, but I love going to the games to cheer and support my fellow Rams! Fordham is a school filled with spirit. No matter what activities and clubs you choose to do at Fordham, there will always be Rams there to support you!

Coffey Field was filled with fans dressed in maroon. Go Rams!

WE LOVE FORDHAM

In the spirit of Valentine ’s Day, some current students have taken the time to share some of the things they love about Fordham! Enjoy!

I love the community that exists at Fordham; it truly is like one big family with big school opportunities but a small school feel! ~Emily Tanner

What I love most about Fordham is its beautiful campus and proximity to New York City. ~Marisa Diaz

I love that everyone is so friendly! ~Adam Pluchinsky

I love that I get the best of both worlds at Fordham; I enjoy all of the perks of living near Manhattan, but I still get to enjoy Rose Hill’s beautiful, green campus. ~Jessica Timko

I love that Fordham is in one of the biggest cities in the world, but we still live on a campus where we can throw a Frisbee around and have our own sense of community! ~Drew DiPane

I love how Fordham is a close-knit community! ~Laura Bellows

I love that Fordham offers me the opportunity to do things that never even crossed my mind until a professor or administrator or even classmate puts them out there. ~Megan McLaughlin

I love how Fordham just gets better and better each year. ~ Vanessa Agovida

What I love about Fordham is that we are in middle of a huge city, but we have our own quiet oasis in the middle of such chaos. I love that even though I'm living in the city, I still see bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons running around as if they were in my backyard from home, but unlike home, being at Fordham allows me to explore the world by simply exploring one city. ~Erica Restiano

I love that Fordham is small enough to have a great sense of community but still large enough to always be able to meet someone new! ~Deirdre Hynes

Our campus is beautiful and New York City has it all, but the thing about Fordham that I love the most is...the people! I have never met so many intelligent, funny, talented, and passionate individuals as I have in my 4 years here. They continuously inspire me to be better. ~Jill Diehl

I love the opportunities that Fordham gives its students...from internships to the liberal arts core to alumni networks and community service opportunities Fordham always challenges students to try something new and take advantage of unique opportunities! ~Shannon McKenna

Some Friendly Competition

One of my favorite experiences that I have had at Fordham so far is with my intramural soccer team. As many of you know, at Fordham there are three different levels of soccer: varsity, club, and intramural. Although intramural may be the lowest level, it is certainly the most fun! Our intramural team plays other Fordham intramural teams once a week on either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday nights. The games usually are between 8p.m. and 11p.m. and there are two 20-minute halves for each game. Although the games are late at night, I really enjoy them because it forces me to take a break from studying and homework!

A photo of the spring season's first place champions! 

The referees are also Fordham students who usually play club or varsity soccer. The environment of the games is very laid back, but at the same time there is a lot of team spirit. Some teams make t-shirts or jerseys to represent their teams, but this is not required. One requirement of intramural soccer is that there needs to be at least two girls from each team on the field at all times. I really like this because this forces equal playing time and no one really overtakes the field! At the end of every season there are playoffs and one first place champion team. Intramural sports are a great way to meet new people at Fordham, bond with friends, or to try out a sport that is new to you since it is not too serious or competitive. GO RAMS!

Ram Town!

The Fordham Football team is undefeated with a record of 8-0, so students are especially proud to be Rams this semester! As winter draws closer, students are also getting excited for basketball season. This past Friday night was “Ram Town,” a pep rally for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams located in the Rose Hill Gymnasium. Students filled the gym for the event, which included food from Arthur Avenue (the little Italy of the Bronx located near the Rose Hill campus), free T-shirts, a DJ, and awesome prizes! This year, students won iPads, TVs, and one student even won an all-inclusive trip to Cancun.

As a member of the club Right To Play (a non-profit organization that brings sports equipment to children in impoverished areas around the world) on campus, I had the opportunity to help serve food at the event. I helped hand out food from Michelangelo’s, an Italian restaurant located on Arthur Avenue. Afterwards, I was able to join in the fun and cheer on the basketball team with my friends. I will definitely be going back next year and can’t wait for the season to start! Let’s go Rams!

 A picture of the Rose Hill Gymnasium during Ram Town!!

Fordham Basketball's "Ram Town"!

Last Friday Fordham Men's & Women's Basketball kicked off their seasons at our first ever midnight madness open practice! Junior Theology and Social Work major Kristin Guerin shares her experience:

Campus Life: Fordham Basketball's "Ram Town"!: "Friday's 'Ram Town' was awesome! Fordham's atheletics department threw a huge celebration to kick off the basketball season.Thousands of st..."