Congratulations to the 2025 Beacon Exemplar Award recipients, honored in the following categories organized by students:

Academic Affairs

Aniko DeLaney, Mathias Klang, Sara Wilkerson

Deans and Administrators

Rachel Annunziato, Michele Burris, Arielle Duran, Keith Eldredge, Omar Elnawawy, Angela Flynn, Cathy Gonzalez, Ashala Jones, Rachel Kartiganer, Mark Less, Maura Mast, Catharine A. McGlade, Esther Morgan, Brittany Perez, Christopher Rogers, Lexi Spera, Tania Tetlow

Dining Services

Emmanuel Acheampong, Juan Adames, Brandon Austin, Tyrone Beau, Udaya Bharatha Hettiarachchi, Estella Mile, Machin Mojica, Sheeka Wilson, Hongjun Wang

Facilities

Yodelka Salcedo

Faculty

Thomas Beck, Ernest Butcher, Rose Dara, Diane Detournay, Sandra Eerhart, Diane Fariello, Kaare Gjaldbaek, Michael (Zhe) Guo, M. Gaby Hurtarte Leon, Peter Johnson, Beth Knobel, Gage Krause, Hill Krishnan, Mohammad Nejad, Michael Peppard, Justin Pool, Marie-Ange Rakotoniaina, Vicente Rubio, Lise Schreier, Dawn Silvestri, Meg Stapleton Smith, Angelina Tallaj, Nicholas Tampio, Barry Wilner, Tim Wood

Have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Fill out this form to be featured in the next edition of Fordham’s Achievements and Recognition.

Mark Conrad, Ph.D., GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, professor of law and ethics, published the article “Stopping the Spread of the World’s Oldest Hatred: What U.S. Sports Stakeholders Can Do to Combat Antisemitism” in the Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal.

Judith M. Green, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of philosophy, delivered a talk titled “Actively Pursuing Positive Peace,” at the 2025 annual meeting of the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy at Howard University on March 15.

Erick Rengifo Minaya, Ph.D., GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, professor of finance and business economics, coauthored the article “Can Digital Transformation Enhance Firms’ Export Technological Sophistication? Evidence from China,” published in Applied Economics Letters on Jan. 4. 

Dana Roberson, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, adjunct professor in the public media M.A. program, was recently appointed general manager of THIRTEEN and production operations, effective April 1.

Joshua Schrier, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, Kim B. & Stephen E. Bepler Chair Professor of Chemistry, presented two talks, “Large Language Models for Solid-State Synthesis Predictions and Explanations” and “Can You Help ChatGPT Get an ‘A’ in Organic Chemistry?: Teaching Patterns of Effective Use of Large Language Models for Modeling Reactions,” at the American Chemical Society Spring 2025 National Meeting in San Diego, held from March 23 – 27.

Here are five things worth checking out this month—only in NYC.

1. Cherry Blossom Trees in Central Park

How lucky are we to have stunning cherry blossom trees just steps from our Lincoln Center campus? Central Park’s blooms are a springtime must-see. Grab your friends, bring a picnic blanket, and soak in all the beauty of the season.

All throughout April. The best places to view cherry blossom trees in Central Park are around the Reservoir, Cherry Hill, Pilgrim Hill, the Great Lawn, Cedar Hill, and the area just south of Cedar Hill between 74th and 77th streets. 

2. Yankees Game

The crack of the bat, the smell of Cracker Jacks, the energy of the crowd—it’s irresistible. Nothing screams the start of spring like a good old baseball game. With our Rose Hill campus situated in the Bronx, catching a Yankees game is basically a rite of passage at Fordham. Go cheer on the Yankees—or grab tickets when your hometown team is here! 

Multiple dates throughout April, Yankee Stadium, Bronx 

3. JAPAN Fes

Now that the weather is warming up, there’s nothing better than a food festival. Japan Fes, the world’s largest Japanese food fest, is back—so come hungry and celebrate Japanese culture with plenty of delicious food, sweets, and good vibes.

Various dates throughout April, various locations around Manhattan

4. Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival

A tradition dating back to the 1800s, this whimsical parade is all about over-the-top bonnets, bold spring fashion, and classic New York flair. Whether you’re rocking your own hat or just there to people-watch, it’s a must-see.

Sunday, April 20, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The parade will move north on Fifth Avenue, from 49th Street to 57th Street, Manhattan 

5. Broadway Celebrates Earth Day 

Only in New York City can you celebrate Earth Day with performances from Broadway stars. Check out this free outdoor concert featuring cast members from Kinky Boots, Suffs, Moulin Rouge!, and more—plus eco-friendly activities and giveaways. It’s Broadway meets sustainability, NYC style.

Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Times Square’s Pedestrian Plaza, Manhattan  

Have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Fill out this form to be featured in the next edition of Fordham’s Achievements and Recognition.

Danielle Daschner, MALONEY LAW LIBRARY, Head of Instructional Services, published “’Restating’ the Record: Evaluating ALI’s Aided-by-Agency Disclaimer” in Law Library Journal on Feb. 13. 

Anne Fernald, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of English, gave a talk titled “Looking Differently: Mrs. Dalloway at 100” at the English Research Seminar Series at Hong Kong University on March 20.

Sertan Kabadayi, Ph.D., GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, professor of marketing, was named co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Service Management on March 1. 

Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, Ph.D., CURRAN CENTER FOR AMERICAN CATHOLIC STUDIES, associate director, was the 2025 speaker in the Valente-Blihar Families Distinguished Poet Series at St. Peter’s University in New Jersey on March 13. 

Have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Fill out this form to be featured in the next edition of Fordham’s Achievements and Recognition.

Aaron Hollander, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, adjunct professor of theology, has been promoted to become the first lay director of the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. 

Carey Kasten, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, associate professor of Spanish and director of the Initiative on Migrants, Migration and Human Dignity, was a coauthor of “Accompaniment as Institutional Practice: A Transdisciplinary Initiative Bridging Fordham University and the US-Mexico Border” in Best Practices in Jesuit Education published in February. 

She also published “A Ruined Peace: Memorials, Youth and the Francoist Celebration of XXV Años de Paz” in the Journal of Spanish Cultural Studies on Feb. 17. 

Kelly Roberts, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, adjunct professor of English, was invited to serve as a resident writing mentor in Lambda Literary’s LGBTQ+ Writers in Schools Program. From March to April, she will lead a writing workshop for LGBTQ+ high schoolers, supporting them as they develop an original piece to be included in a city-wide anthology of student writing. 

Lance Strate, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of communication and media studies, was a guest on the podcast Your Undivided Attention, episode 105, “The Man Who Predicted the Downfall of Thinking,” on March 6.

He also published the article, “The Shield of Perseus” in the journal ETC: A Review of General Semantics, Vol. 81, No. 1.

Larry Welborn, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of theology, published “To Repoliticize Paul: 1 Corinthians 11:19 and a Subterranean Stream of Greek Political Thought,” in the journal Novum Testamentum on March 6.

Have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Fill out this form to be featured in the next edition of Fordham’s Achievements and Recognition.

Dean McKay, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of psychology, published the chapters “Anxiety Disorders” and “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” in the book Science-Based Therapy: Raising the Bar for Empirically Supported Treatments, published by Cambridge University Press on Jan. 10.

He also testified before the Washington State Senate on Feb. 13 in opposition to a bill to permit psychologists to prescribe medications, a result of a critical commentary paper he lead-authored titled “Suicide Risk, Psychosocial Interventions, and the Proper Role of Psychopharmacological Agents: A Comment on Hughes et al.” (2023) to be published in Professional Psychology: Research & Practice.

Michele Prettyman, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, assistant professor of communication and media studies, published her article “Woman, Alone? Camille Billops, Self-Possession, and Older Women and Love (1987)” in the winter issue of the Feminist Media Histories Journal on Jan.1. 

Samantha Stone, ARTS AND SCIENCES, adjunct professor of English, published a children’s picture book, The Kitchen Magician, on Jan. 30.

Here are our recommendations for five things to do in March in NYC.

1. Free Friday Nights and Second Sundays at the Whitney 

Free admission at the Whitney Museum of American Art is the perfect way to kick off or end the weekend. You’ll have access to current exhibits, music, artist-led programs, artmaking activities, and more. Admission is free but make sure to register beforehand to save your spot!

Every Friday, 5 – 10 p.m. and second Sunday of the month 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St., New York, NY

2. The Knockouts Women’s Comedy Festival

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the impact of women in every field—including comedy. The Knockouts Women’s Comedy Festival returns for its second year, showcasing the talents of female and nonbinary comedians in Manhattan and Brooklyn. If you’re a student, use code STUDENT5 for $5 tickets to panels on March 8 and 9. Grab your friends and get ready for a night full of laughs! 

Through March 9; Various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn

3. Garden Highlights Walk at Wave Hill

As we welcome warmer days ahead, a scenic walk through nature is the perfect mood booster. Visit beautiful Wave Hill and immerse yourself in its tranquil beauty and take in insights about the grounds from a knowledgeable guide.

Every Sunday in March, 1 – 2 p.m.; Wave Hill, Bronx

4. Holi Celebration at the Seaport 

Holi is a celebration of joy, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness. Head to the Seaport to celebrate with lively dancing, music, storytelling, delicious food, and a burst of color as we welcome the arrival of spring. 

Saturday, March 15, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; The Seaport, Manhattan

5. St. Patrick’s Day Parade

It’s not only a New York City tradition, it’s a Fordham tradition! Head to Fifth Avenue to cheer on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade participants, and you might even spot some proud Fordham Rams marching. Soak in the energy, the music, and the sea of green as the city comes alive to celebrate Irish heritage.

Monday, March 17, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Fifth Avenue, Manhattan

Have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Fill out this form to be featured in the next edition of Fordham’s Achievements and Recognition. 

Sameena Azhar, Ph.D., GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, associate professor of social work, had her article, “‘I Would Prefer to Be Dead Than to Live This Way’: Lived Experiences of Stigma and Discrimination Against Khwaja Sira in Swat, Pakistan” highlighted in Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health as one of 10 noteworthy articles in its 10th anniversary special collection. 

Christopher Koenigsmann, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, associate professor of chemistry, is a co-author on the 12th edition of General Chemistry by Ebbing, Gammon, Koenigsmann, and Wu. The book will be published by Cengage on March 7.

Joshua Schrier, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of chemistry and Kim B. and Stephen E. Bepler Chair in Chemistry, co-authored the research paper “Explainable Synthesizability Prediction of Inorganic Crystal Polymorphs Using Large Language Models,” published in Angewandte Chemie on Feb. 13. 

Nicholas Tampio, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of political science, became an associate editor of the Journal of Politics on Jan. 1.

Have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Fill out this form to be featured in the next edition of Fordham’s Achievements and Recognition. 

Rufus Burnett, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, associate professor of theology, provided the introduction for the lecture Faith Seeking Liberation: Xavier University of Louisiana’s Contribution to Theology at Xavier University on Jan. 30.

Elaine Congress, Ph.D., GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, professor and associate dean for special programs, published a new chapter titled “The Role of the Culturagram in Medical Education: Emphasis on Documented and Undocumented Migrant Families” in a Teaching Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility in Medical Education: A Practical Guide.

She also presented at the UN NGO Committee on the Status of Women. The title of her presentation was “Indigenous Women: Education and Poverty.”

Dora Galacatos, LAW ’96, FORDHAM SCHOOL OF LAW, adjunct professor of law and executive director of the Feerick Center for Social Justice, was one of two Fordham Law professors honored at the 2025 Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Annual Meeting, held last month in San Francisco. In recognition of her commitment to public service, Galacatos received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the AALS Section on Pro Bono and Access to Justice.

Susanne Hafner, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, assistant professor of German, recently taught a workshop on codicology, the study of manuscrips, for the New York Classical Club Winter Conference at NYU on Feb. 1.

Sertan Kabadayi, Ph.D., GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, professor of marketing, coauthored the research paper “From Theory to Practice: A Collaborative Approach to Social Impact Measurement and Communication,” published in the European Journal of Marketing on Feb. 10.

Ela Lesham, FORDHAM SCHOOL OF LAW, associate professor of law, won the 2025 Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Section on Aging and the Law Emerging Scholar Award at the AALS conference.

Lance Strate, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of communication and media studies, published the book Not A, Not Be, &c, (Institute of General Semantics, 2024). 

He also published the book chapter, “Imagining a New Ashkenazi Motherland: Alternate History in Simone Zelitch’s Judenstaat” in Jewish Women Science Fiction Writers Create Future Females: Gender, Temporality—and Yentas, edited by Marleen Barr.

Akane Zusho, Ph.D., GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, professor of school psychology, was recently appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Experimental Education (JXE). JXE is a highly regarded journal that publishes articles focused on expanding the understanding of how instructional, motivational, and social processes affect education outcomes for all students in the United States and beyond.

1. Winter Dance at the Bryant Park Lodge

Pull up with your partner or a friend, or just vibe solo—either way, it’s time to head to the dance floor and get lost in the music. From bachata to Latin mix, get ready to learn new steps from NYC’s top dance instructors and dance the night away. It’s the perfect way to add some fun festivities to your Valentine’s week. 

Wednesday, Feb. 12 and 19, 6 – 8 p.m.; Bryant Park, Manhattan

2. Harlem Chamber Players 17th Annual Black History Month Celebration

Celebrate Black History Month with an unforgettable night of music! Join the Harlem Chamber Players for a powerful performance featuring cellist-composer Akua Dixon, soprano Candice Hoyes, and other incredible artists.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; 515 Malcolm X Blvd., Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manhattan

3.  Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival 

2025 marks the Year of the Snake, a time of transformation, wisdom, and personal growth. What better way to welcome the Lunar New Year than with a dazzling parade, good food, and nonstop celebrations in Chinatown? 

Sunday, Feb. 16, 1 p.m.; Bayard Street between Mulberry and Mott streets, Manhattan

4. NYC Parks Winter Carnival

Spend a fun-filled day at the Winter Carnival with games, winter sports, and more. Grab your family and friends, bundle up, and join the festivities—there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Friday, Feb. 21, 12 – 3 p.m.; Morrison Avenue and Lafayette Avenue, Bronx

5.  Fordham’s Sculpture Walk 

Did you hear? There’s a sculpture oasis in Midtown. This exhibit brings 11 pieces by world-renowned artists to Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, including Bjørn Skaarup’s Hippo Ballerina and Jim Rennert’s Inner Dialogue and Timing. These temporary installations complement the 10 sculptures on permanent display, like Chris Vilardi’s statue of St. Ignatius and Harry M. Stierwalt Jr.’s Ram.

Through spring 2025, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Lincoln Center Campus, Manhattan

Have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Fill out this form to be featured in the next edition of Fordham’s Achievements and Recognition. 

Orit Avishai, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of sociology, hosted a webinar, “Holy Rebellion or Religious Egoism? The Achievements of Religious Zionist Feminism and the Rabbinic Illiberal Backlash in Israel” on Jan. 23 with her co-authors Tanya Zion-Waldoks and Ronit Irshai. They discussed their groundbreaking research and their new book, Holy Rebellion: Religious Feminism and the Transformation of Judaism and Women’s Rights in Israel (Brandeis, 2024).

G. Lawrence Farmer, Ph.D., GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, professor of social work and Doctoral Program Director, was named a Society for Social Work and Research Fellow. He attended the SSWR Annual Conference held from Jan. 15 – 19 in Seattle, Washington.

James Fisher, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor emeritus of theology, won the 2024 Distinguished Teaching Award at the American Catholic Historical Society Annual Meeting, held from Jan. 3 through 5 in New York City. 

In addition, he presented the paper “Saving St. Peter’s: Parochial Education and Irish South Brooklyn, 1875–90” on the “Catholic Education in the Diocese of Brooklyn” panel and served on the panel titled “Haunted by the Ghost: An(other) Irish Turn in Catholic Studies.”

Jeannine Hill Fletcher, Th.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of theology, served as a panelist on the “Warp Catholicism: Fantastic Voyages in Space and Time” panel at the American Catholic Historical Society Annual Meeting held from Jan. 3 through 5 in New York City. 

Lauri Goldkind, Ph.D., GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, professor of social work, had her article, “Introducing Generative Artificial Intelligence Into the MSW Curriculum: A Proposal for the 2029 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards,” named a top article of 2024 by the Council on Social Work Education. The list was released on Dec. 26.

Yuliya Komarova, Ph.D., GABELLI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, associate professor of marketing, co-authored the paper “Lighting the Fire of Curiosity: How Agents of Transformation Can Ignite and Sustain Transformative Consumer Journeys,” published in the Academy of Marketing Science Review on Jan. 14.

Jenn Lilly, Ph.D., GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, assistant professor of social work, won the 2024 Best Early Career Scholar Article award from the journal Families in Society for her article “‘I Learned to Bottle Up My Feelings From a Young Age’: A Narrative Analysis of Latina Young People’s Family Mental Health Socialization.” 

Jim McCartin, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, associate professor of theology, chaired and presented as a commenter on the panel titled “American Catholicisms: New Directions for Religious History” at the American Catholic Historical Society Annual Meeting held from Jan. 3 through 5 in New York City. 

Brenna Moore, Th.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, professor of theology, chaired the “Reimagining Catholic History” panel at the American Catholic Historical Society Annual Meeting held from Jan. 3 through 5 in New York City. 

John Seitz, Ph.D., ARTS AND SCIENCES, associate professor of theology, chaired the “Beyond Archival Silences: Clergy Abuse and Catholic History” panel at the American Catholic Historical Society Annual Meeting held from Jan. 3 through 5 in New York City.