Spring 2025 was a time of big change at Fordham University. New hires, academic restructuring and student visa revocations marked the semester.
Fr. Thomas Massaro, S.J., was appointed as the Laurence J. McGinley Chair in Religion and Society in early January. The position was first created in 1985 “to attract distinguished scholars interested in the interaction of religion with the legal, political and cultural forces in our pluralistic American society,” according to Fordham University.
The Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education (GRE) merged with the Graduate School of Education (GSE) on August 15. “A year and a half ago, the university decided that GRE was no longer viable as a free-standing school within the university,” said Fr. Francis X. McAloon, S.J., acting dean of GRE, in an interview with The Fordham Ram in late January. McAloon said the university was committed to ensuring all GRE students in good academic standing were accommodated so they could finish their degrees.
Fordham hired a new Title IX coordinator, Elizabeth Fanelli, to handle the university’s compliance with non-discrimination laws. Fanelli was appointed in January to oversee the university’s handling of sexual misconduct and harassment cases based on local and federal legislation.
Congestion pricing in New York City began on January 5. Yet, University Transportation adapted so students using Fordham’s Ram Van service did not face an increased charge. Director of University Transportation Plinio Gonzalez, GSB ’08, said the rush hour commute on the Ram Van decreased following the beginning of congestion pricing.
Fordham announced it will be adding a Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA) studies in the coming semesters. According to Anthony Davidson, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, the program is currently in its developing stages, and administration is in the process of hiring a program director.
The Office of Student Employment enforced reduced working hours for student workers in February due to university budget constraints. Students are now only permitted to work up to 10 hours per week on campus, a reduction from the previous 15. Decreases in federal funding, as well as an increase in the minimum wage in New York City, influenced this change.
Fordham Dance Marathon (FDM) and the B+ foundation hosted its annual auction supporting families battling cancer. FDM is a fundraising organization with a goal of raising awareness for pediatric cancer. FDM raised a total of $40,000 throughout the school year, with the auction pulling in 25% of those donations in a single night.
On March 5, Fordham was given a $100 million donation from Maurice Cunniffe, FCRH ’54, and Carolyn Dursi Cunniffe, Ph.D., GSAS ’71, to improve STEM programming. This donation will be put towards the construction of a state of the art STEM building at the current site of the outdoor parking lot, adjacent to the parking garage. This comes as the university plans to realign its curriculum to cater to STEM careers.
The U.S. Department of State named Fordham University a top producer of Fulbright scholars for a second consecutive year. Fulbright recipients typically apply for a year of graduate study or research abroad, or they can work as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) under sponsorship of the program.
On April 4, the first Fordham student had their visa revoked, with a total of four students having their visas revoked over the following week. Joining with other universities, Fordham signed an amicus brief challenging the Trump administration’s executive orders. On April 27, all four students had their visas reinstated. However, on May 13, the University shared that two more student visas had been revoked.
Lucas Hjertberg and Andrew McDonald won the United Student Government (USG) executive ticket on April 8, being elected executive president and executive vice president of USG, respectively. Their campaign promised transparency from university administrators and USG.
The Catholic Church mourned the loss of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, who died on April 21 at the age of 88. Pope Francis was recognized throughout the world for his compassion and care for those on the margins. Fordham University honored his legacy with a mass memorial in late April. Pope Francis was succeeded by Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States.
Award-winning actress and producer Regina Hall, FCRH ’92, delivered the Class of 2025 commencement address on May 17. Hall was presented with an honorary doctorate in fine arts. “College is a stepping stone to building independence and testing the limits of your moral compass,” Hall said in her address.
More is to come at Fordham this fall, with the launch of Fordham’s updated brand identity and the potential for more visa revocations. Updates can be found on The Fordham Ram’s website.
