Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honors society, partnered with campus ministry to host the spring “Living the Mission” panel on Feb. 20, breaking with a four-year-long tradition by hosting two panels in the same academic year. The other one that took place this year was in October and was co-hosted by Smart Women Securities.
The panel featured four panelists: Kay Turner, Esq., Vice President for Human Resources (HR); Father Thomas Massaro, S.J.; Alex Gruber, a second-year theology Ph.D. student and Kajsa Friberg, GSB ’27. The discussion was moderated by Father John Cecero, vice president for Mission Integration and Ministry.
Vanessa Rotondo, current deputy chief of staff in the president’s office, described the panelist selection process as being intentional.
“[It aims to provide] a broad selection of panelists who could each offer their unique perspectives on what it means to carry out Fordham’s mission,” she said.
According to Fordham’s website, the panel’s mission is a commitment to “the discovery of Wisdom and the transmission of Learning” through research and education and to prepare students for future leadership
For each of the panelists, however, the mission has evolved beyond this and has grown to be part of their identity.
Cecero identified the mission’s five core values — impact, relationships, community, faith and belonging — within each of the panelists.
“[Impact is] a pursuit of doing things that matter and truly asking, ‘Am I making a difference?’” said Cecero.
As an educator, the mission manifests in Massaro’s teachings.
“As a teacher [I don’t] intend to brainwash my students, rather I plant seeds in their minds,” he said. “If Fordham can make a difference, if the graduates of Fordham improve things for the least among us, then this Fordham education would have succeeded.”
Turner had the time not only to reflect on cura personalis but also to consider, cura apostolica, while stressing the second core value: relationships. As vice president of HR, living the mission depends on maintaining a mindful balance between the two.
“Cura personalis, care of the people in this community who touch and concern students [is balanced] against the Cura Apostolica, the care of the entity,” said Turner. “We want to make sure that people [are] in the best position to do their best work every day.”
The third value was community.
“[Community is the belief that] we don’t exist as solitary creatures, we exist as a community, a faith, intellectual, and social community,” explained Cecero.
This value radiated through Gruber’s panel, where he pointed out how intrinsic community is to the formation of an individual. “We are formed for others by being formed with others; we are formed as whole people in relationship with others,” Gruber explained.
He shared his experience of existing in multiple communities: the theology department, the Fordham graduate community and the Fordham Graduate Student Workers (FGSW) union.
Faith was the fourth value.
“[Faith is] looking for God in all things, persons, and circumstances,” said Cecero.
It could be in food or in having the confidence that you are loved by God, as Friberg does. Friberg shared the comfort that knowing she is loved has brought her, allowing her to transform herself.
“[That love] truly [allowed me to] live a life of selflessness and be a man or woman for others,” said Friberg. She explained that rest is a key aspect of understanding God’s love and acknowledging it.
“[I know] it might be hard to rest, especially when you are chasing a specific goal,” she said. “[At those moments] it is important to take a moment to acknowledge that you are loved and truly secure yourself.”
The final value, belonging, could be found not only in the panelists but also in the audience, according to Cecero.
“We come from different places, but this should be a place of belonging where everyone feels that they are at home,” said Cecero.
