On March 3, Fordham revived a cherished tradition: Arts and Sciences Faculty Day. The event honored faculty members’ invaluable contributions as researchers and educators, starting with a faculty research panel and culminating in an awards ceremony recognizing excellence in teaching.
“On this campus, where 6,000 classes are offered every year, very rarely do we have the opportunity to gain visibility into what happens in these sacred spaces,” said Dennis Jacobs, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, in his introduction to the awards ceremony. “So tonight’s a night that we get to celebrate and be inspired by our colleagues.”
The event was held annually from 1994 until 2020, when COVID-19 put it on indefinite hold.
“I always loved it as a faculty member,” said Robert Hume, Ph.D., who was determined to resurrect the event. Hume taught political science for 15 years before becoming first an associate dean and then interim dean of arts and sciences faculty. “There aren’t enough occasions when we’re just gathering and celebrating faculty and the work of faculty.”
Supporting Faculty Research
Four professors who received up to $5,000 in Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) micro-grants kicked off the evening by presenting their work. The grant program, created by Hume, supports tenured assistant and associate professors on the path to full professorship—a critical step for becoming department chairs, deans, and leaders in their fields.
“Giving mid-career faculty the support to move to that last stage of their career is really important,” said Hume. The grants fund travel, access to data, and other research needs to help faculty complete projects that can aid their promotion to full professor.
Grant recipients expressed their gratitude for the funding, including Daisy Deomampo, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology, who credited her grant with helping her finish her upcoming book on race and egg donation.
Other presenters included Jennifer S. Clark, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication and media studies, who shared a portion of her book in progress about Hollywood landscapes and the U.S. film industry; Robb Hernández, Ph.D., professor of English, who explored East LA Latinx artists’ use of science fiction imagery in their work; and Carey Kasten, Ph.D., associate professor of Spanish, who traveled to Jesuit organizations supporting migrant communities at the U.S.-Mexico border as part of her research on migration justice and the practice of accompaniment.
Recognition for Exemplary Teaching
Each year, students are asked to nominate professors for teaching awards in four categories: Humanities, STEM, Social Science, and Graduate Teaching and Mentoring.
The chosen professors are never announced in advance, adding Oscars-style intrigue to the evening. Stephanie Adomavicius, director of communications and events for the faculty of arts and sciences, played up the theme by creating an animated gold and black video that celebrated the nominees.
The 2025 Arts and Sciences Faculty Award Winners
Robert Hume; Maura Mast, Ph.D., dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill; and Ann Gaylin, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, took turns presenting the awards, and shared the student praise that helped secure their wins.
Theology professor Leo Guardado, Ph.D., won the Humanities award.
Physical and biophysical chemistry professor Elizabeth Thrall, Ph.D., received the STEM award.
Psychology professor Harold Takooshian, Ph.D., received the Social Sciences award.
Psychology professor Molly Zimmerman, Ph.D., received the award for Graduate Teaching and Mentoring.
Reflecting on the evening and his award, Guardado said he was happy to see the essential work of faculty members recognized.
“I think it’s a wonderful gathering to highlight what faculty do every day. … Regardless of whether one is getting an award, it’s a day to highlight that the heart of a university is the teaching and the students. I’m glad that this has returned.”
