After nearly two years, Fordham University was able to welcome alumni, families, students and friends back to campus to celebrate Homecoming Weekend in person at the Rose Hill campus.

Homecoming Weekend 2021 began on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, by honoring the class of 1971 for their 50th reunion celebration. Due to a lack of in-person university events during the 2020-21 academic year, the class of 1970 was also honored at this year’s celebration.

With COVID-19 in mind, university administrators took extra precautions to ensure the safety of both guests and students while on campus. All visitors were required to be fully vaccinated to attend the weekend’s events and for children 12 or under, proof of a negative COVID-19 test was required to attend on-campus events. In addition, Fordham continues to require all students and guests to wear masks while indoors and to practice social distancing when possible.

To kick off the weekend, alumni from the classes of 1970 and 1971 were invited back to campus for the Golden Rams Reception, a time to take in a new Rose Hill and reconnect with one another over food and drinks underneath the homecoming tent on Edward’s Parade. Young alumni from the classes of 2011 through 2021 were not forgotten, as they took part in an evening yacht cruise featuring views of the Manhattan skyline.

Both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center undergraduate students came together that same night to take part in a Fordham time-honored tradition: the President’s Ball. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and with the safety of students in mind, the ball, which is usually in the Lombardi Field House, took place outside underneath the homecoming tent on Edward’s Parade.

Michael Trerotola, assistant university secretary, who contributed to the ball’s planning, said, “There are quite a number of logistics that I coordinate including bringing in sound, lighting, catering, as well as transportation to bring Lincoln Center students to Rose Hill. I also work with my colleagues in Student Affairs, Facilities and Public Safety to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

The 10th annual 5K Ram Run kicked off a busy day of events and celebrations on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 9, as alumni, students, families and friends laced up their shoes and raced around the Rose Hill campus.

Following the run, a breakfast and briefing conversation with FCLC Dean Laura Auricchio and FCRH Dean Maura Mast highlighted how the university has been able to foster internship program collaboration between the two campuses, improving students’ experiences at both Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.

The Fordham University Alumni Association (FUAA) hosted an advisory board meet and greet, where guests were given a chance to hear from the executive board, as well as the Board Chair Sally Benner, FCRH ’84, about their dedication to the school community.

Following the meet and greet, former Fordham Law School Assistant Dean Robert J. Reilly, FCRH ’72, FLS ’75, hosted a walking tour of Rose Hill, highlighting the continuing Jesuit presence on campus. Additional events were listed on the website forever.fordham.edu, under Homecoming 2021.

The homecoming tent, operated by the Fordham Alumni Association, provided a space for alumni and their friends and families to reconnect and spend time with familiar faces in the Fordham community. In addition to food and drink, guests were able to take part in numerous activities, including a new Alumni Association program, the Fordham Alumni book club. As outlined in the weekend’s events on Fordham’s alumni webpage, Mary Bly, department chair of the Fordham University English department and author of the newly-published romance novel “Lizzie & Dante,” hosted a book signing for all in attendance to promote her book.

The Fordham football team returned to the Jack Coffey Field Saturday afternoon to take on the Wagner College Seahawks for the annual homecoming football game. The Rams pushed ahead early on, leading them to defeat the Seahawks with a final score of 56–7.

For an alternative to the football game, alumni and their families were able to take part in a New York Botanical Gardens group visit for a discounted price. Following the game’s completion, a special homecoming mass was held at the university church, concluding the weekend’s events.
Although homecoming weekend focuses on alumni and their families, there is so much for students to enjoy on campus as well. With the cancellation of on-campus events last year, this year’s homecoming weekend was extra special for everyone, especially seniors, as it will be their last year as undergraduates.

“Experiencing homecoming as a senior this semester was so great because it reminded me just how vibrant and energetic our campus community is,” said Audrey Felton, FCRH ’22. “It was so fun seeing students, alumni and administrators come together to celebrate Fordham.”