Compiled by Aislinn Keely and Victor ordonez
Fordham Hosts Public Discussion of Sesame Street
On Tuesday, Jan. 24, Doctor Rosemarie Truglio, senior vice president of curriculum and content at Sesame Workshop, visited Fordham’s Lincoln Center Campus to have a public conversation with Doctor William Baker, the Claudio Acquaviva Chair at the Graduate School of Education. The conversation revolved around the long-standing educational program, Sesame Street, and the keys to the show’s success. Truglio spoke on the evolution of the program and how the show is ever-changing along with arising media platforms. The purpose behind continuously evolving the show on a season-to-season basis is to meet new educational standards based on developing research, according to Truglio. Truglio’s workshop found that more children today watch shows on devices like iPads, which is platform Truglio believes to excite children and encourage a desire to learn. Truglio’s appearance was part of a series of lectures celebrating the GSE’s centennial anniversary.
Students Receive Email Reporting Influenza Cases
Monday, Jan. 30, Fordham Students received an email from health services regarding high numbers of reported influenza cases in New York City. “The latest report from the New York City Department of Health indicates that influenza (flu) activity remains elevated,” said the email. The email was sent from Kathleen M. Malara, Executive Director of University health services. In her email, Malara defined influenza as “a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses.” It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.” She also supplied a detailed list of symptoms to students. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, headaches and fatigue. Malara also noted that symptoms of the flu would come on suddenly. In special cases persons infected may experience vomiting and/or diarrhea. Students with influenza symptoms should visit the University Health Center at their campus.
Experts Gather For Workshop On Blockchain
Jan. 26th saw experts in fields such as law, economics, business, enforcement, and technology gather at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus for a workshop on the emerging Blockchain technology. With the rise of Bitcoin, the digital currency, its framework of Blockchain has risen in importance as well. The next year is a crucial growth period for Blockchain according to Dan Ramsden, GSB ’90, a lecturer at the Gabelli School of Business and managing director at Oberon Securities. Keynote speaker Bridget McDermott, vice president of Blockchain Business Development at IBM, spoke about IBM’s design of Blockchain technology. Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., President of the university opened the event by speaking on the similarities between the secure Blockchain ledger system and Jesuit’s 16th century use of ciphers. The security of Blockchain is a major factor in its projected rise in use.
Denzel Washington Nominated For Best Actor
Denzel Washington, FCLC ’77 garnered an opportunity to take home third his Oscar this year with an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. His role as Troy Maxson in the film Fences brought him this year’s Oscar nomination, but in 2010 he portrayed Maxson on the stage in the revival. He won the Tony for Best Actor for his performance. In the event of a win, Washington will be the tenth man to win both the best actor Oscar and Tony for the portrayal of the same role on film and stage. Washington is not the only Oscar nominee from the film. Viola Davis received a nomination in the best supporting actress category for her portrayal of Rose, the wife of Maxson. August Wilson received a posthumous nomination for his screenplay adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Co-star Stephen McKinley Henderson served as Fordham University’s Denzel Washington Chair in Theatre before joining Washington in Fences.
