I am thirty-five years old and still have all my teeth.”

—Flannery O’Connor, Letter to Betty Hester, April 2, 1960

On March 25, 2025, the late American Catholic fiction writer Flannery O’Connor would have reached 100, and though she is no longer among us bodily, her spirit of wit and wisdom was alive and well at the celebration hosted by the Curran Center for American Catholic Studies on her birthday in Tognino Hall.  

As the associate director of the Curran Center and the person who oversees the Flannery O’Connor endowment granted to the Center by the O’Connor Trust in 2018, I was delighted to welcome internationally-acclaimed director and founder of theater troupe Compagnia de Colombari, Karin Coonrod, and two of the company’s actors, KenYatta Rogers and Carlton Terrance Taylor, for a screening and panel discussion of their theatrical production of “Everything That Rises Must Converge,” O’Connor’s iconic story about race during the civil rights movement in the American South. Roughly 100 community members and Colombari fans joined us.

O’Connor wrote her story in 1961, just as desegregation was beginning in the South—though it would not be published until 1965, a year after Flannery’s premature death at the age of 39 from lupus. In the course of the story, O’Connor depicts a full spectrum of beliefs and behaviors with regard to race and civil rights, including characters who range from ignorant racists to exhausted and beleaguered victims of racism. 

As one reads the story and watches the play, it becomes painfully evident that O’Connor’s words speak uncomfortable truths and have much to say to us now about race in America a half-century after it was written. O’Connor holds up the mirror to our society, revealing the ways in which racism is still part of the social fabric, despite our best efforts to change. 

At the panel discussion, Fordham professor of African and African American Studies Mark Chapman, Coonrod, Rodgers, Taylor, and myself spoke of being moved by the story and astonished by O’Connor’s ability as a writer to see into the heart of the problem of race in America and portray it with courage and unflinching honesty. 

This is particularly remarkable, given the fact that, as recent scholarship, including my own book Radical Ambivalence, has revealed, there is evidence in O’Connor’s private letters that she herself was afflicted by the sin of racism. Having been born and raised in the Jim Crow South, Flannery breathed in the toxic animosities of racism from childhood onward and struggled against them. The conflict between her cultural upbringing, and her ingrained Catholic belief that all people are created in the image and likeness of God shows up in her writings in various ways. O’Connor’s fiction is the proving ground wherein these opposing ways of thinking about race play out and come into sometimes violent conflict.

And yet, despite the seriousness of the subject under consideration, the tenor of the evening was one of celebration and appreciation of O’Connor’s gifts as an artist and visionary. Those who read and study Catholic literature value O’Connor for her Catholic imagination, the uniquely Christ-centered perspective and worldview she brings to bear on human experience.

Even as her stories depict human frailty—often quite mercilessly—they also raise our gaze to the prophetic, holding open the possibility for conversion, forgiveness, and grace. 

Happy 100^th Birthday, Flannery—here’s to 100 more. 

Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Curran Center for American Catholic Studies

1. Tuesday, April 1, 1 – 2:30 p.m.:
Ghosts Between the Lines: Historical Fiction and the Haunted Page

Award-winning novelist and Fordham-NYPL Jewish Studies Research Fellow Rachel Kadish will discuss her writing process, as well as the power and challenges of bringing history to life through story. Room 109, McMahon Hall, Lincoln Center | Register here

2. Wednesday, April 2, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.:
One-Hour Retreat: Easter Hope

Take a pause with this guided reflection on hope during the Easter season. It’s open to students, staff, faculty, and alumni and a sandwich lunch is included. Room 109, McMahon Hall, Lincoln Center | Register here

3. Friday, April 4, 1 – 2:30 p.m.:
Lunch and Learn—Exploring Executive Authority: Legal Perspectives on Recent Developments

This FitzSimons Presidential Initiative on Civics and Civility series continues with Fordham Law professors discussing the legal and constitutional implications of the President’s early actions in office, and the challenges they face in the courts. Room 3-03, Fordham Law School, Lincoln Center | Register here

4. Thursday, April 3, 6 – 9 p.m.:
Films Worth Talking About Even if Difficult: Akira

Considered the most influential, feature-length anime film, Akira takes on challenging topics such as social unrest and political corruption that faculty and staff will discuss after the screening. Pizza will be served! Visual Arts Complex Screening Room, Lowenstein Center, Lincoln Center 

5. Monday, April 7, 4:30 – 7 p.m.:
TEDxFordhamUniversity: Propelling Humanity Forward

President Tania Tetlow, climate justice advocate Elizabeth Yeampierre, cancer researcher Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., and other Fordham alumni and faculty members will be delivering TEDx talks at Lincoln Center this month. Seats in McNally Amphitheatre have sold out but there are still tickets left for the in-person livestream watch party followed by a reception with refreshments. 140 W. 62nd St., Lincoln Center | Tickets: $15 general, $10 students | Register here

6. Tuesday, April 8, 1:15 – 6 p.m.:
Research Forum: Good Business That Comes from Good Business

Explore how companies can shape a more sustainable and equitable future while boosting the bottom line with faculty, students, and industry leaders at this half-day forum hosted by the Gabelli School’s Responsible Business Center. Bateman Room, Fordham Law School, Lincoln Center | Register here

7. Wednesday, April 9, 5 p.m.:
American Exceptionalism: Catholic Perspectives on a Troublesome Notion

Celebrate the installation of Thomas Massaro, S.J., as McGinley Chair with his inaugural lecture examining the troublesome notion of American exceptionalism through a Catholic lens. Keating First Auditorium, Rose Hill | Register Here

8. Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.:
Voices Up! Spring Concert

Fordham’s biannual music series, organized by Distinguished Professor of English and Music Lawrence Kramer, presents the vocal-instrumental ensemble Primavera, which will be performing works by Philip Glass, Samuel Barber, and more. 12th-Floor Lounge, Lowenstein Center, Lincoln Center 

9. Sunday, April 13 – Sunday, April 20:
Holy Week Services

Join Campus Ministry to celebrate the most sacred week in the Christian liturgical calendar, Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. University Church, Rose Hill

10. Tuesday, April 15, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.:
Lunch and Learn—Power of the Purse: How Congress Sets Law on Funding

This FitzSimons Presidential Initiative on Civics and Civility talk examines how Congress allocates federal funds, and what current executive branch actions could mean for the future. Lincoln Center | Register here 

11. Tuesday, April 22, 7 – 9:30 p.m.:
Nurith Aviv Film Festival: Translating Screening and Conversation

Fordham’s Center for Jewish Studies and Center on Religion and Culture have partnered with Centro Primo Levi to present a film retrospective honoring French and Israeli filmmaker Nurith Aviv. Kicking it off is a screening of her film Translating, which explores the art of translation as an act of devotion and defiance, followed by a discussion with Aviv. Anthology Film Archives | Free with registration by April 15 | Register here

12. Wednesday, April 23, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.:
Lunch and Learn—International Relations and Trade: How Do Tariffs and Trade Agreements Affect Americans?

Fordham faculty breaks down the changes in U.S. trade policy and how these decisions will ripple through to consumers. Lincoln Center | Register here

13. Wednesday, April 23, 5 – 6 pm:
Reid Writers of Color: Keynote Featuring Saidiya Hartman

Acclaimed author and Columbia University English professor Saidiya Hartman is the keynote speaker of this annual lecture devoted to celebrated writers of color. Keating Third Auditorium, Rose Hill | Register here

14. Wednesday, April 30, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.:
Lunch and Learn—The 14th Amendment: Rights of Natural Born Citizens and Non-Citizens

The final lunch and learn in the FitzSimons series, this session focuses on the constitutional right of birthright citizenship and how it’s being tested today. Rose Hill | Register here

15. Wednesday, April 30, 7 – 10 p.m.:
WFUV High Line Bash Featuring The English Beat

WFUV’s annual bash includes a night of music and food at City Winery, headlined by ska greats The English Beat. Spread the word and support Fordham’s award-winning public media station. City Winery, Pier 57, Manhattan | Get tickets

All in-person classes that begin before 10 a.m. are cancelled. 

The Office of the Provost is in contact with all deans to provide instructions for students and faculty affected by the delayed opening or weather. Staff who are affected by the delayed opening or weather should check with their supervisors for direction.

Members of the University community should exercise caution while walking on campus, and avoid walking near or under large trees. Facilities staff will be on hand to clear snow from campus walkways and roads by opening time.

• The first Ram Van will depart Rose Hill at 7 a.m. and return from Lincoln Center at 8 a.m. Transit time between campuses may be longer than usual. Ram Vans to the Calder Center are canceled for Thursday. 

• University Health Services at Rose Hill will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and at Lincoln Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Counseling and Psychological Services will be open on its normal schedule 9 a.m to 7 p.m.
• Fordham Libraries will be open on their normal schedules.
• The Fitness Centers at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center will be open at their normal hours.
• Resident Dining will open at 7:30 a.m. at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center; retail outlets will open as soon as possible thereafter.

As always, members of the University community should take local conditions into account when traveling to or from campus. Faculty, students, and staff should call any of the following numbers for the latest campus travel-related information: (800) 280-7669 [SNOW].

In an emergency, please call Fordham Public Safety at (718) 817-2222.

Birthright citizenship, a constitutional right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, is the principle that anyone born on U.S. soil automatically becomes a citizen, regardless of the citizenship of their parents. This protection is rooted in the aftermath of the Civil War in an effort to grant legal and civil rights to Black Americans. 

The executive order directs federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship documents to children born to undocumented parents or to parents in the country on temporary visas. A federal judge in Seattle issued a temporary halt to the order, calling it unconstitutional. The Trump administration has vowed to appeal, raising questions about the future of birthright citizenship in America. 

To answer some of those questions, Fordham Now consulted Jennifer Gordon, an immigration law expert and professor at Fordham Law School. Gordon shared her insights on the likely legal road ahead for the executive order.

Fordham Now: In your opinion, how likely is the Trump administration to successfully end birthright citizenship? 

Jennifer Gordon: It’s unlikely the administration will succeed. The 14th Amendment of the Constitution established birthright citizenship, and Supreme Court cases interpreting the law have upheld the right for over 125 years. The federal judge who heard the case that was brought last week to challenge the Trump action declared the president’s order “blatantly unconstitutional,” saying “I have been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear.” 

FN: The order argued that children of undocumented immigrants are not “subject to the jurisdiction of U.S. laws” and therefore the 14th Amendment doesn’t apply to them. Does that hold water legally? 

JG: That interpretation of the 14th Amendment was first rejected by the Supreme Court in the Kim Wong Ark case 125 years ago, and every time the argument has been made before the Supreme Court since, it has failed. 

In practical terms, federal, state, and local governments recognize undocumented immigrants as “subject to the jurisdiction” of U.S. laws in all areas, holding them to the obligation to comply with all civil statutes and all criminal ones, illustrating that they do in fact fall within the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship protection. The only people who fall outside the 14th Amendment in this regard are the few individuals who truly are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction, for example, high-ranking diplomats, who cannot even be held accountable for traffic tickets.

FN: Some critics of Trump’s order have said the only way to end birthright citizenship is through a constitutional amendment. Do you agree, and how likely do you think that is?

JG: The Supreme Court has the power to end birthright citizenship by overruling its longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment, although it seems unlikely that it would do so. 

The only other way to change birthright citizenship is through a constitutional amendment. That would require that the proposed amendment pass Congress by a two-thirds vote (not the ordinary simple majority), and then be approved by three-quarters of the states, or 38 out of 50. This cumbersome process rarely ends in the passage of an amendment; no amendment has passed since 1992.

Read the full story on fordhamsports.com.

“I want to thank Ed for his service to Fordham Athletics, and especially to the student athletes, who thrived under his leadership,” said Tania Tetlow, Fordham’s president. “He has been a highly capable leader and fundraiser, and we wish him the best of luck at St. John’s.”

Kull’s final day at Fordham will be Friday, September 13, 2024. President Tetlow has named deputy athletic director Charlie Elwood, as the interim athletics director. The University will commence a national search for a permanent athletic director immediately.

“In our [2017 Policy Studies Journal] paper, we mostly looked at overall gun control policies and access to mental health rather than specific policies,” Smith said, explaining that most states which implement gun control laws do so more with more than one, making it difficult to assess which laws have caused what specific effect. Despite this challenge, Smith and his team still found a definite pattern in terms of how gun control laws impacted suicide rates.

“What we do find in our research is that states with more gun control laws have fewer gun deaths (including those who die by suicide from guns) and for non-suicides (homicides and accidental discharge together), a combination of more access to mental health services and an overall stricter climate for gun control laws correlates with a particularly lower rate of gun deaths,” Smith said. Specifically, the team found that more access to mental health care did not correlate with lower rates of suicide by gun; stricter gun control laws, however, had that desired impact.

“This relationship is perhaps due to the fact that many mental health treatments take time to have an effect, while the effect of removing a gun (or preventing one from having it in the first place) is immediate,” Smith said, adding that more access to mental health care is still good for other reasons. “It is also very difficult under existing law to remove a gun due to mental illness, but having stricter gun control laws generally can either prevent (assault weapons ban) or delay (through background checks) when one has access to a gun.”

Dear Fordham Community,

As we commemorate Memorial Day with our families and friends, we should remember the meaning of this day beyond the barbecues and festive gatherings. This day is a solemn occasion honoring the brave veterans who have laid down their lives in service to our nation—“the last full measure of devotion,” in President Lincoln’s phrase. It is a time to reflect and acknowledge their courage and commitment, and to express our deepest gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice. 

Among these heroes, we remember our own with special reverence: the many veterans of the Fordham community, including distinguished Medal of Honor recipients. One exemplary recipient is Navy Lieutenant Vincent Robert Capodanno Jr., FCRH ’52, a Catholic priest, Maryknoll missionary, and Navy chaplain, who served with valor and distinction during the Vietnam War. 

On September 4, 1967, in the face of withering enemy fire, Father Capodanno, while mortally wounded, demonstrated extraordinary heroism and selflessness as he administered medical aid and last rites to his wounded and dying marines. For his actions, our nation posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor, a testament to his bravery and devotion. The Catholic Church has declared him a Servant of God, the first step to canonization as a saint.

The legacy of individuals like Father Capodanno serves as a powerful reminder of the values we hold dear: courage, selflessness, love for one another, and unwavering commitment to the greater good. Their stories are not just a part of our history; they shape our identity and live in our collective memory. As we honor these heroes, let us also renew our dedication to the principles they fought to protect. 

On this Memorial Day, I encourage each of you to take a moment to remember and honor our fallen service members. Reflect on their sacrifices, share their stories, and ensure that their legacy lives on. Let their courage inspire us to strive for a better, more just and equitable world, and let their memory be a guiding light for future generations. 

In gratitude and remembrance, 
Marco Antonio Valera 
Vice President for Administration
Commander, United States Navy, Retired

Dear Fordham Community,

At the stroke of midnight last night, Orthodox Christians around the world stood in darkness, anticipating the reception of the Paschal light and the first acclamation of Christ’s Resurrection: “Come receive the light, from the never-setting light; and glorify Christ who has risen from the dead.” After 40 days of Lent, which called all Orthodox Christians to reorient their lives toward God through prayer and fasting, and a Holy Week that recounted the saga of Christ’s life, death, and Resurrection, Orthodox Christian faithful now, with our Catholic and Protestant neighbors, can joyfully cry:

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

Pascha, colloquially Orthodox Easter, is calculated according to the Julian calendar and thus does not, generally, coincide with the Paschal celebrations of other Christians around the world. Like all Orthodox Christians, I have lived with this near annual divergence in commemorating the Feast of Feasts for my entire life. I have come to see this particular reality as an unintended, yet somehow beautiful reaffirmation of the fact that every Sunday is a Paschal celebration. Every Sunday is then the new day, filled with light, hope, and possibility. 

As Orthodox Christians raise, quite literally, the Paschal light in triumph of life over death, hope over despair, and freedom over bondage of all kinds, it should not be forgotten that at its core, Pascha is an ecstatic and emphatic declaration that humanity has been, is being, and will always be transformed for the better by love. While this blessed day draws to a close, our joy will not be extinguished, as we all carry the light of new life in our hearts whenever we endeavor to cultivate lives of hope, love, and joy.

Truly, then our hearts will sing without ceasing the words of the Psalmist, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24).  

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

Below are sentiments they have shared as Fordham begins this critical and historic work.

“This first-of-its-kind effort, that I made sure we amply funded in the historic Inflation Reduction Act, to directly invest in grassroots environmental justice groups is critical to fighting the carbon pollution worsening asthma, driving climate change and increasing the likelihood and severity of devastating extreme weather events,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. “This $50 million for Fordham University to fund environmental justice projects is the kind of program that can help our disadvantaged communities effectively fight the pollution that harms them. I am proud of Fordham University and I’m so excited to see how the vibrant network of New York and Puerto Rican grassroots environmental justice organizations access and activate this federal funding. I remain laser-focused on implementing the IRA so that we can ensure it lives up to its transformative potential to clean our air and combat climate change.”

“EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program is a vital new program that will advance environmental justice and help communities disproportionately impacted by climate change, pollution, and other environmental stressors,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I am thrilled to see that Fordham University has been selected as the Grantmaker for EPA Region 2, which will allow organizations in New York, other communities within the Region, and Puerto Rico to apply for funds to support a range of different environmental project activities that will help the communities most in need. I am proud to have worked with and supported Fordham University to help secure its selection as a grantmaker and look forward to seeing communities that have long faced underinvestment gain access to federal environmental justice funding.”

“Fordham University’s commitment to environmental justice through its Flourishing in Community program and Climate Action Summit 2024 has been exemplary,” said U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15). “By investing $40 million in grants to community-based organizations with a prioritization on marginalized communities, Fordham is not just talking about change — they’re actively implementing it. Initiatives like these, focusing on participatory governance and community-led solutions, are crucial for a sustainable future for the Bronx and the nation. I commend Fordham for their leadership and hope more institutions follow their example.”

“Fordham University’s resounding call to action comes in the form of their EPA Grant, which will facilitate climate justice initiatives for environmentally disadvantaged communities in the Bronx,” said City Council Member Oswald Feliz. We are constantly working to provide accessibility to communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change. With Fordham’s Climate Action Summit, we will witness new insights on sustainability and environmental justice for our Bronx community.”

Dear Members of the Fordham Community,

The University has completed a thorough assessment of our campuses following the 4.8 magnitude earthquake in the greater New York City area. No members of the community were injured, and there was no damage to any of Fordham’s campuses. If you notice any damage, or need assistance, please call Public Safety at 718-817-2222.

Please see the Fordham News story for details about the earthquake, including commentary and a seismograph reading from Stephen Holler, professor of physics at Fordham and head of the William Spain Seismic Observatory at Rose Hill.

We don’t anticipate further updates.

Sincerely,

Robert Fitzer
Associate Vice President for Public Safety

Dear Members of the Fordham Community,

The greater New York City area experienced an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake was centered in Lebanon, N.J., about 45 miles west of the city. If you see any damage, or need assistance, call Public Safety at 718-817-2222 immediately.

There may be aftershocks, but they will be weaker tremors. If you are outdoors, do be aware of possible falling objects if you are near buildings or other structures.

Our initial assessment indicates no apparent damage to Fordham’s buildings, but we are continuing to survey all campuses for any breakages or damage. Campuses remain open and are operating as scheduled. We will update the community as necessary.

Robert Fitzer
Associate Vice President for Public Safety