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

Take a look at some of his most prized possessions in this month’s installment of our What’s on My Desk series, where we highlight interesting objects displayed by professors in their offices. 

A Seattle Sports Fan and Cat Dad

Ott, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, describes himself as a “lifelong Seattle sports fan.” Tucked away in his office bookshelf is a Funko Pop of former Seattle Seahawks player Steve Largent, a gift from his two children. 

Ott also has a small figurine of a cat, an homage to his three actual cats: Philip, Lucy, and Frankie. “I’m a big cat person. In fact, I fostered five kittens that were feral cats this past summer,” he said. “We adopted out four of them and kept one—Frankie, short for Frances.” 

‘I Told You I Would Ruin Music for You’

Ott has a collection of coffee mugs, including an Iron Maiden mug. “As a kid, I was super into hard rock and heavy metal music because I have two older brothers, and that’s what they were listening to.”

Next to it is a graduation gift from former students—a one-of-a-kind mug. “On one side is a score from a piano sonata by Mozart that we often analyzed in our music theory class. On the other side is a quote that I apparently said during class: ‘I told you I would ruin music for you and I hope that I have.’ I told my students this piece would haunt their dreams because we’d talk about it so much,” Ott said. “But I followed up that quote with, ‘I’m not really ruining music for you. You’re now able to listen on a deeper level and understand how the piece is not only structured, but how many pieces are structured in a similar way. Now, you can listen for the ways in which each piece is unique.’” 

A Breaking Bad Spin-Off

On a bulletin board, next to art drawn by Ott’s children when they were little, is a satirical poster of award-winning TV series Breaking Bad. “There’s a technical term in music theory called ‘breaking species.’ This method helps composers avoid writing difficult passages. My former student at Juilliard’s pre-college program thought it would be funny to create a Breaking Bad mashup, so they replaced the main character Walter White with me and the music theorist who came up with this subject in the 18th century,” Ott explained.

‘Hi Dada, I’m Auditioning for Fordham!’ 

When they were young, Ott’s two children left behind post-it notes in his office. His eldest child is now a first-year college student, but Ott still keeps their Post-its on his computer screen. “I often brought my kids with me to work [when babysitting didn’t work out],” said Ott. “They even drew a picture of my wife, who is also a musician.”

The Birthplace of New Songs

Ott composes music at a desk between his office keyboard and electric piano. First, he starts composing by hand with a pencil and blank sheet music. Then he types notes into the keyboard, which translates his composition into digital sheet music on his computer screen, while playing the actual music out loud on his electric piano. 

Unfortunately, Ott does not have soundproof walls. “I’m lucky that on the other side is not somebody’s full-time office,” he said. “Also, I can connect headphones to my electric piano.” 

Soundproofing isn’t a problem in the new music suite several floors below his office. “We have five really great rooms where our students can practice, rehearse, and explore,” he said. 

His own office is a place where he does the same thing—enjoying the sound of music. 

“When I teach, I’m teaching students how to listen deeply and sharing my love of listening with them. Even composing is an act of listening. I’m listening to music that is unfamiliar to me, and trying to capture it. What I’m putting on a page is a transcription of something that I’m hearing,” Ott said. “[Listening] is the source of everything I do.” 

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

John McDonagh, director of facilities operations at Lincoln Center, said Higgins was a natural-born leader who possessed a broad, expansive knowledge of the construction trades that he eagerly shared with others. 

“He always took control of a situation—emergencies, anything. If you had an issue, you called him, and he’d get it taken care of,” he said. 

“The guy knew everything from carpentry and plumbing to electrical and welding. His skill set was unrivaled.”

Higgins was born on October 27, 1970, to Tom and Gail Higgins and grew up in the shadow of the Throgs Neck Bridge in the Bronx neighborhood of Silver Beach. He graduated from Monsignor Scanlan High School in Throgs Neck in 1988. 

He trained as a plumber and worked in maintenance and facilities positions for Maritime College and Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf. He came to Fordham in 2016 after two years working as a plumber mechanic for the Hicksville School District in Long Island.

Just three years later, he was honored with a Sursum Corda award at the University’s annual convocation. He was lauded as one of the most valued members of the Facilities Department “because of his energetic approach to sharing his skills and knowledge with his colleagues.”

“Over the past few years, Jimmy has been at the forefront of several significant and unforeseen plumbing incidents, and it was his problem-solving abilities that were instrumental in helping the department in resolving those events,” his citation read. 

Higgins met his wife, Christine, a teacher at Mill Neck Manor, while supervising the construction of a new building there. She said she was attracted to him because of his troubleshooting skills, his sense of humor, and his “honest, true love of kids and people.” 

“He was a quiet genius when it came to fixing and building anything imaginable,” she said. “He was always kind, always helpful, and went out of his way for others.”

True to his maritime roots, Christine said he enjoyed fishing and relaxing with friends and family on boats, as well as bow hunting. Colleagues might not know that he was also an avid reader, she said.

She said she’d always treasure their time trekking up to a cabin in knee-deep snow in Hancock, New York, listening to Irish music on Sundays on WFUV’s Ceol na nGael, and listening to John Denver.

“He was a mentor to so many people without realizing it,” she said.

McDonagh, who attended high school with Higgins’s older brother Tom, considered him a friend for the past 30 years. He said he will miss the daily morning meetings where they’d discuss how to tackle the pressing project of the day on campus.

“Jimmy was a person who I could walk through campus and bounce technical ideas off of him,” he said.

“In our field, it’s a very precious thing to be able to trust somebody and have these conversations. That is something I’ll miss more than anything. I looked forward to those sessions every day.”

Higgins is survived by his wife, Christine; his first wife, Karen; his brother, Tom; his sister, Ellen; and his children, James and Jamie.

A wake will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 3 to 7 p.m. at  Schuyler Hill Funeral Home, 3535 E. Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. at St. Frances de Chantel Church, 90 Hollywood Avenue.

Get involved now with these four service outings happening in January and February.

1. Help Provide School Supplies for Neighborhood Children

Monday, January 27, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Lowenstein Center, Room 1004

Join your fellow Rams on the Lincoln Center campus to wrap school supply care packages for neighborhood children. Participants can also include personal notes of affirmation.

2. Create Food Packages for Senior Citizens in Need

Saturday, January 25, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
239 West 49th Street

Fordham’s commitment to the Broadway community goes beyond excellence onstage and behind the scenes. This month, the University is joining Encore Community Services—a Catholic Charity partner just a short subway ride from the Lincoln Center campus—to create food parcels that will support neighborhood seniors in need, many of whom worked in the performing arts. Since 1977, Encore has provided seniors with a range of services to help them live independent and dignified lives in the midtown Times Square and Clinton communities. For this reason, and its focus on initiatives such as “aging gracefully through the arts,” Encore has earned a reputation as “Broadway’s Longest Running Act of Loving Care.”

This event is sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, as part of its For and With Others Volunteer Day, but it’s open to the entire University community.

3. Fight Food Insecurity in the Bronx

Friday, January 31, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
St. Ignatius Middle School

Wednesday, February 12, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
McShane Campus Center Entrance

Among the issues affecting New Yorkers daily, food insecurity is one of the most pressing. According to the New York State Department of Health, about one in four New Yorkers report that they do not have sufficient access to food.

Two upcoming events give the Fordham community an opportunity to promote food security in its own backyard. Students and other volunteers will gather to make up to 200 meal packs for community fridges, and conclude the day with a brief Ignatian reflection. The first of these events will happen alongside students at St. Ignatius Middle School in the Bronx. The second will take place at the McShane Campus Center.

Both events are offered through Fordham’s Department of Mission Integration and Ministry, which is rooted in the Jesuit tradition of balancing reflection and action, a practice developed by St. Ignatius Loyola, the 16th-century founder of the Jesuits.

4. Connect with Those Experiencing Houselessness

Sunday, February 23, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Meet in the Lowenstein Center Lobby

Volunteers will join forces with students enrolled in the Philosophical Ethics course at the Lincoln Center campus and visit Xavier Mission, a nonprofit organization in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. Together they will share in conversation and serve a hot meal to people experiencing houselessness in New York City. Attendees will take the brief subway trip together, with MetroCards provided.

This experience is presented by Fordham’s Center for Community Engaged Learning, which connects Fordham with dozens of local and global partners to provide students with opportunities for experiential learning, research, and civic engagement.

Take a look at some of Schwalbenberg’s most eclectic possessions in the second installment of our What’s on My Desk series, where we highlight interesting objects displayed by professors in their offices. 

A Goodbye Gift from the People of Micronesia

Schwalbenberg’s office is home to dozens of trinkets and souvenirs from his travels and those of his students. Among them is a model of an ocean-going canoe—a goodbye gift from the people of Micronesia, where he worked for three years. Also pictured here are cups from a state fair in Minnesota, where his great-great-grandfather settled after immigrating from Germany.

A Photo with the President of the Philippines

Among the mementos is a framed photo of Schwalbenberg hooding Benigno S. Aquino III, the 15th president of the Philippines, when he received an honorary doctorate from Fordham in 2011.

A Photo of Ms. Schwalbenberg

Schwalbenberg also has a framed photo of his wife, Alma, whom he met thanks to Jesuits in the Philippines. “I was teaching at Ateneo de Manila University, and some of the Jesuits there introduced me to her family. At the time, I was studying at Columbia. Her family told me that she was studying at Fordham. They arranged an introduction. She told me she wanted to learn how to ice skate, so I took her ice skating, but she actually had no interest in learning how to ice skate. That was just a ploy,” Schwalbenberg said, chuckling.

The Dorothy Marinucci Bell

Hot Sauce from New Orleans for President Tetlow

Sitting on his desk are two brand-new bottles of cajun hot sauce from Tulane University. At a graduate school fair for returned Peace Corps volunteers, a Tulane recruiter gifted Schwalbenberg the hot sauce to celebrate Fordham’s president, Tania Tetlow, who grew up in Louisiana and both studied and worked at Tulane. “I was thinking I should give it to her,” said Schwalbenberg, who is not a fan of hot sauce himself. When asked if he could handle spice, he answered, “Probably not.”

The ‘You’ve Got Five Minutes’ Timer

In front of his chair is an hourglass reserved for students. “I give my students a hard time. When they come in and say, ‘I only need a minute to talk to you,’ I say, ‘OK, you’ve got five minutes,’” Schwalbenberg said, while turning over the hourglass. “They usually stay beyond that.”

Schwalbenberg I and Schwalbenberg II

His most unique possession is a life-sized cardboard cutout of himself, a birthday gift from former IPED students. “Sometimes I put it in people’s offices and scare them,” Schwalbenberg admitted. 

Behind the two Schwalbenbergs is a world map that encapsulates his decades spent traveling, teaching, conducting research, and attending conferences, as well as the diversity of countries that his students hail from. 

His favorite country is Micronesia — the first place that felt like home outside of the U.S. He spent three years on an island in the middle of the western Pacific Ocean, teaching at a high school and studying the relationship between his two homes. “They adopted me,” joked Schwalbenberg, who lived in Micronesia in his 20s. 

The IPED Program

Schwalbenberg’s students in the IPED master’s program prepare for careers improving food security, education, and gender disparities abroad. For undergraduates, Fordham offers a major in international political economy. 

International experience is important for students, said Schwalbenberg. “We think they are going to be better people for that, having a deeper understanding of how other people live. We hope it makes them better professionals in whatever career they choose.” 

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

1. MLK Day 2025

Join the Museum of the Moving Image in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with inspiring talks, tours, a documentary screening, and more. Plus, enjoy free museum admission every Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m.

Jan. 17 through Jan. 20; Museum of the Moving Image, Astoria, New York 

2. Astronomy: The Winter Sky

Who says you can’t see the stars in the city? Clear winter nights offer the perfect canvas for stargazing. Let the Urban Park Rangers be your guide as you bundle up and enjoy the pretty skies filled with stars, planets, and all the cosmic wonders—right in the Bronx. 

Jan. 18, 6 – 7:30 p.m.; Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx

3. Under the Radar Festival

Discover bold and boundary-pushing performances at Under the Radar, New York City’s premier festival for experimental theater. Held in more than 30 venues across the city, the festival celebrates creativity, equity, and collaboration with over a dozen groundbreaking productions from visionary artists from across the globe. 

Through Jan. 19; Various locations 

4. MoonGARDEN Installation

Step into an illuminated world where storytelling, public art, and mesmerizing light installations come together to create an unforgettable experience. Grab a few friends and enjoy a night of inspiration and exploration.

Through February; Fulton Street & Seaport Square, Manhattan 

5. Ice Skating at Bryant Park 

Lace up your skates and enjoy free ice skating at Bryant Park. Whether you’re an ice skating pro or just starting out, the rink is the perfect spot for some winter fun. Don’t have skates? No worries—rentals are available on site (for a fee)! 

Through March 2, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Bryant Park, Manhattan 

He worked for over 30 years in network engineering, spending his early career at AT&T and MetLife before joining Fordham seven years ago.

Longtime colleague Cesar Nau, Fordham’s director of infrastructure services, remembers him as a calming presence in stressful moments. Network engineers at Fordham need to be able to fix all manner of outages, he said, including ones that pose safety threats, such as when the fire alarm system stops communicating with the fire department. Even in scenarios that required an immediate resolution, he remained cool-headed.

“Tony just knew how to bring everybody back down to earth,” said Nau. “While everybody is running around like headless chickens, he was always that even-keeled individual that took down his notes, got his thoughts together, and executed. He helped me tons in those types of scenarios in the sense that I would see him being so calm and he calmed me down all the time. And he just had this respectfulness about him and politeness that I personally admired. You don’t see that often anymore, unfortunately.”

Anand Padmanabhan, vice president and chief information officer at Fordham, said, “Tony was a dedicated and valued employee and great team member. His positive attitude inspired and elevated everyone around him. He will be sorely missed.”

He was also a valued player on the Fordham Bombers, the University’s interdepartmental softball team. Its former captain, Cloud Systems Analyst Ariel Cofresi, called him “a great team player, willing to play any position. Tony was very youthful at heart and didn’t let his age affect him on the field.”

Chief Troubleshooter at Home

His wife, Barbara, grew up in the same Morris Park area of the Bronx as her husband. After they were married in 1988, they moved to Westchester and raised their two girls, Dana and Aimee. Caring, thoughtful, kind, patient, and loving are the words the family used to describe Tony, who Barbara said was actively involved in all phases of their children’s lives. Their daughters played many sports, and he helped to coach their soccer, basketball, softball, and swim teams.

He also had a creative side and enjoyed working with his hands. Calligraphy was a favorite pastime of his, as was building models and computers. He passed along his love of art to his daughters, taught them how to draw, and encouraged his eldest, Dana, to pursue a career in design. He was also passionate about history, space, military aircraft, and science. He bonded with his youngest, Aimee, over her biology courses and passion for public health. A true New Yorker, he also loved the New York Yankees, and food. “He absolutely loved sharing a big dinner with family and enjoyed home-cooked meals,” said Barbara.

She also fondly recalled how he applied his problem-solving skills at home.

“He loved troubleshooting. It was one of his favorite words. If he had to fix a light bulb, he would say let me troubleshoot that!” she laughed. 

In addition to his wife, daughters, and his daughters’ partners, Tony is survived by his sister, Anna. His family welcomes everyone whose lives he touched to join them in honoring his memory. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, Dec. 15  from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home in Dobbs Ferry, New York. The funeral will take place on Monday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. at the Sharon Gardens Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the American Diabetes Association or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The iconic Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan is making a stop at the Rose Hill campus Sunday, Nov. 24. This event is free and open to the community, offering holiday cheer and free photos with Santa for kids of all ages. 

Sit beside Santa on his festive throne and capture the moment in digital and print photos. You can have your photo printed as a postcard, then add a holiday message and drop it in the “Magic Mailbox” for free delivery to your family and friends. 

The event will feature a charitable merchandise store with holiday-themed apparel designed by members of the Boys & Girls Club. All proceeds will go to the organization. 

And what’s a Coca-Cola event without a beverage? Guests can enjoy complimentary Coca-Cola products to sip on while soaking in the festive atmosphere.

Mark your calendars and don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the season and get your free picture with Santa. Bring your friends, family, and your holiday spirit!

Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan will be at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx on Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Below, take a look at some of Knobel’s most fascinating possessions in the first installment of our What’s on Your Desk? series, where we highlight interesting objects and keepsakes displayed by professors in their offices.

‘The Mets Deserve Their Little Corner of Fordham’

Knobel has a “Mets shrine” on her bookshelf, home to bobbleheads, a replica of Shea Stadium, and more. “The Bronx is Yankees country, but I feel like the Mets deserve their little corner of Fordham,” said Knobel. “I made my peace with the Yankees, thanks to people like Michael Kay, as well as Justin Shackil and Ryan Ruocco, who were in my very first class I taught at Fordham. I’m so happy for their success.”

(Future) Taekwondo Master Knobel

Knobel is a third-degree black belt in taekwondo who proudly displays her first and second degree black belts in her office. “I’m scheduled to go up for my fourth-degree black belt in June, which is the first rank of mastery. People at my taekwondo school will have to call me Master Knobel. I will be the first woman at my school to make master, so that’s super exciting,” she said.

An Autograph from the Last Leader of the Soviet Union

Knobel cherishes her autographed photo of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union. “This was a 40th birthday present from a friend at CBS who knew that I admired Gorbachev greatly. I wrote my dissertation about Gorbachev and how he used the press as a strategic tool in governing. That’s why I started going to Russia. I actually fell in love with a Russian journalist on my first trip, and then eventually moved there,” said Knobel, who served as the Moscow bureau chief at CBS News for seven years.

Advice to an Afghan President on How Not to Get Assassinated

Pinned to a bulletin board behind her desk are press passes from her 20-year career as a journalist, including passes for the Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan and a U.S. presidential visit to Russia. Beside her own press passes are her son’s. “When I was a foreign correspondent, my son needed an accreditation card as a member of my family to enter the country,” she said. “You can see him growing up in those little cards.” 

There are also photos of Knobel with former colleagues, including Scott Pelley and Bill Owens from CBS News—and even well-known political figures. “That’s Hamid Karzai, back when he was president of Afghanistan, and our team interviewing him in 2002,” Knobel said, pointing to a group photo. “We gave him advice on how to not get assassinated.”

A Message from ‘The Most Trusted Man in America’

Knobel also has an autographed photo of revered American journalist Walter Cronkite. “It would be fascinating to talk with him today about the importance of objectivity,” she said. “In the Cronkite years, TV news didn’t tell people what to think—but what to think about. Not all news does that anymore.”

An Emmy for Covering a Hostage Crisis in Russia

Knobel earned an Emmy for her role as a producer in CBS News’s coverage of the 2002 Moscow theater siege, where nearly 1,000 people were taken hostage by terrorists. 

“As a producer, you’re aiding the correspondent, looking at the script and making suggestions, talking to the cameraman and editor to make sure they’re getting all the pictures that they need, and putting it together in a way that makes sense to a viewer who doesn’t know a lot about Russia or this hostage situation,” said Knobel. “I remember sitting in a car, two blocks away from where this was going on, and feeling so powerless to help those people inside, but trying to make sure that whatever we reported was accurate and fair.”

A Miniature Burqa for a Barbie Doll

At first glance, a blue cloth sitting atop a stack of plastic cups doesn’t seem unique. But it’s actually a burqa for Barbie dolls—a keepsake from Knobel’s reporting trip to Afghanistan. 

“It’s a reminder to me of how different our world is, yet the same. Everyone plays with dolls and dresses them in their native clothing,” said Knobel. “To me, all of my work as a teacher and a journalist has essentially been about bringing understanding to the world. It’s a representation of how journalism is the coolest job in the world.”

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

1. Self-Care City Scavenger Hunt

Lately, self-care has been top of mind for all of us. Try a fresh approach to personal wellness with this self-guided scavenger hunt! With fun, interactive tasks, you’ll explore essential areas of wellness—physical, emotional, and spiritual. It’s the perfect way to recharge before the holiday rush. Do it solo, or bring a few friends along!

Multiple dates in November, 1 – 5 p.m.; 1950 Lafayette Avenue, The Bronx

2. Canstruction 2024

As we look for ways to give thanks and give back this Thanksgiving season, Canstruction is the perfect place to start. The event raises awareness of food insecurity by showcasing sculptures made entirely from canned food, created by architects, engineers, and volunteers across 100 cities. Visitors can view these works of “CanArt” and contribute non-perishable items. At the exhibit’s end, all food is donated to local food banks, helping to feed those in need during the holiday season. 

Through, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; 230 Vesey Street, Manhattan 

3. A Celebration of Hip-Hop

Did you know November is Hip-Hop History Month? What better way to celebrate than at an exclusive event for the soon-to-be-open Hip Hop Museum! Join co-founder Rocky Bucano as he takes you through the genre’s journey from its birthplace in the Bronx to the worldwide stage. He’ll share stories of hip-hop’s roots and impact, and talk about the museum’s mission to honor and preserve this legacy in a vibrant new space opening in 2025.

Thursday, Nov. 21, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; The National Arts Club, Manhattan 

4. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

It’s a New York City rite of passage—everyone’s got to experience it at least once! Whether you’re braving the crowds on 5th Avenue Thanksgiving morning or watching from the cozy comfort of your couch with a cup of coffee, don’t miss the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thursday, Nov. 28, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Starting on West 77th Street and Central Park West

5. Bronx Holiday Market

Holiday treats, one-of-a-kind gifts, and a festive atmosphere—we can’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday season! Be sure to check out the Bronx Holiday Market right outside our Rose Hill campus to celebrate the season and support some local artists. It’ll be a day filled with handmade treasures, seasonal flavors, and festive fun for the whole family!

Saturday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m.; Fordham Plaza, The Bronx

The 11 new items include antiquities from Roman Spain—a fascinating and under-studied area of the ancient Mediterranean basin, according to the museum’s curator, Jennifer Udell. There are also new pieces of Greek and Roman sculpture from the Brooklyn Museum.

A Welcoming Space for All  

Udell said the museum has attracted some “regulars”—students who stop by often and help out around the space. Some have even helped to install the objects, getting the rare opportunity to unbox and arrange pieces of pottery and glass created by human hands thousands of years ago. 

One such student is senior Grace Monteith. When the museum reopened in 2022 after the pandemic, she helped with the reinstallation. “The unpacking was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Dr. Udell took a picture of me and it’s everywhere on my social media. It’s the coolest,” she said. 

First-Hand Encounters with Antiquities

The museum is a teaching collection that creates unique experiential learning opportunities. Professors in several academic departments bring their classes to the museum, and Udell herself teaches courses in museum studies and other subjects. Like business students who gain experience on the Gabelli School trading floors, students who take a museum studies class with Udell get to work with the objects, make decisions about how they’re presented, and curate a group exhibit at the end of the semester. 

One group of students, Udell’s interns for this semester, are at work on an interactive new development: a mobile app through Bloomberg Connects that will offer museum visitors a guided tour of the collection. They’re putting together audio and video content that will provide historical context and highlight points of interest. 

Udell says the tour will not just be for art history students. The app will have information about theatrical masks for theater majors, ancient glass objects for those interested in organic chemistry, and even something for students studying finance. “We have a cuneiform tablet that’s a receipt for a bundle of reeds. It’s not crypto, but it is ancient economies,” she said. 

New Wonders with Each Visit 

For senior Ryan Moore, visiting the museum never gets old. “Every time I come I notice something new that I’ve never seen before,” said Moore, who helped to reinstall the objects for the reopening in 2022. He pointed to a case he’d helped to arrange, noting the way a sculpture’s wings parted to create the perfect opening through which the object in the background could be seen unobstructed. 

“That’s an arrangement I happened on by chance,” he said. “It’s something I’m still proud of to this day.”