We asked Fordham faculty and staff to reflect on their most memorable, meaningful moments from the past year. Their highlights remind us why our work matters, and why the Fordham community continues to inspire.

Forging Friendships That Will Last for Years to Come

“Students fuel us and inspire us,” said psychology professor and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives Rachel Annunziato, Ph.D. This year, one student, Steven Laureano, reminded her of this. Annunziato met him as a first-year when she was tapped to be a summer faculty advisor for this year’s graduating class, and “he stood out quickly as embodying what I love about our students; he was so kind, excited, grateful, and hard-working,” she said. Annunziato focused on creating a schedule that would fit his commute and his work in sales, and “I have watched him soar ever since,” she said. 

“He is now a well-known leader in the Commuter Student Association, a superstar psychology major, the recipient of our Davidson Scholarship, and a few weeks ago he called to tell me that he was accepted into Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Work, where his mom is also a student.” They may even graduate from GSS together.
“Students like Stephen are symbolic of the close connections that faculty form here—he’s one of those students that I know I’ll get to be in touch with for so many years to come,” she said. “It’s a gift to be at a place like this where those kinds of relationships are possible. I’ve been at Fordham for almost 15 years and you always get this joy, each and every year.”

Creating a Sense of Home in the Classroom 

Theology professor Leo Guardado, Ph.D., began his undergraduate Christian Mystical Texts class one morning in April by asking his students how they felt in this current moment. Students cried, he said; they shared what it’s like to feel unwanted by society. “What I thought would be a brief discussion turned into a class-length holy time and holy space for sharing our vulnerabilities, anxieties, and fears,” said Guardado, who received two Faculty of Arts and Science awards this year, the Humanities award and the James C. McGroddy award, in recognition of his excellence in teaching.

“It became clear to me as I listened to my students that one of the most critical tasks facing us is the communal and ongoing re-creation of a sense of home even amidst the ongoing threats and persecution that is tearing apart communities,” Guardado said. Inviting students to share their stories was a simple gesture, he said, that created a time for healing.

They tabled their discussion on the 16th century Spanish mystic, Teresa of Avila, for the next class, but “the conversation about the reality we are living through made spirituality even more relevant as a source of resistance to violence. We heal together, not alone.”

CCEL in Action in Albany

Each year for the past three years, the Center for Community Engaged Learning [CCEL] has participated in Albany’s annual SOMOS Conference, a statewide gathering of community leaders, elected officials, and changemakers dedicated to promoting justice, public service, and cultural celebration. This year Travis Proulx, vice president of external affairs, joined to participate in a panel discussion on the future of DEI in higher education.

The students who took part in the event made it truly memorable for Keisha Shay, Ph.D., director of academic development and administration in CCEL. They helped design a participatory installation called “Clima,” a handmade tree where visitors could hang their personal pledges and visions for a better climate future.

“Seeing our students engage with communities beyond the Bronx and Manhattan was truly meaningful,” said Shay. “It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when education uplifts and empowers.”

A Defining Moment in Water Polo’s Winning Season

Before the Fordham men’s water polo team finished its greatest season ever, 32-1, and went further than any other Fordham team in the NCAA Championship, they had to defeat a rival they had only beaten once in the program’s history: Princeton.

“They’ve just been our thorn in our side that we’ve never been able to get past,” said Head Coach Brian Bacharach. But their Sept. 27 game—one of the highlights of Bacharach’s year—was different. “It was the first time in five years that we got them to come to our place to play, so we got a home game against them, and the night was just magical. We played amazing and the stands were packed. We never had so many people in our place before, so we had to open up seating down on the pool deck. We brought all the parents down, because there was not any room up in the stands.” After the win, hundreds of alumni were there to celebrate. “They knew how long it’s taken for us to finally get over the top against those guys. That was our first marquee win.”

Music Meets Mission 

As Director of Ignatian Mission Initiatives, Rob Parmach, Ph.D., organizes many opportunities to connect Fordham faculty, staff and students to the local communities around Lincoln Center and Rose Hill. Looking back on them all, a visit by the all-male a capella group, The Fordham Ramblers, to a local middle school, was the most memorable.

“This was for me a great example of seeing God in all things—you have 13 college adults who are talented musicians, but also college students who want to mentor and give a good life lesson to these middle school kids who are in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. They teach them not only about how they put music together, identifying that it’s hard work and it requires a lot of patience and collaboration and teamwork, but also to recognize that through their music and through their soft skills, they’re becoming lifelong friends.”

Getting Everyone in the Room—and on the Field

University Secretary Dorothy Marinucci had a hard time picking just one standout moment from the past year. “January’s Mental Health and Crime Symposium was extremely well received, and I was very proud to have worked on it with my colleagues,” she said. She also spearheads the yearlong commencement planning that brings everyone from the Ram Van crew to facilities to public safety to faculty together for meetings.. “It’s a wonderful opportunity where we’re all in the room together and we go over every crazy thing and we all get to see each other. It’s not that often that we can do that.”

The return of Fordham’s Dagger John Day, which Marinucci and Kathy Law, office coordinator and event specialist in the Office of the University Secretary, helped bring back last June after the pandemic put it on hold, was another highlight of the past year. “We wanted to bring it back in a more engaging, fun way, and so we created a cornhole tournament and other games, and we opened up the football field snack bars to serve hamburgers and hot dogs. It was fun.”

This year, the celebration will move indoors to the air-conditioned Rose Hill Gym on Monday, June 2.

INDIANOLA — On the first full day of action at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships Friday, a trio from the Central College men’s track and field team earned top-three finishes.

The Dutch men are fifth with 34 points through the completion of eight of 22 events.

In the decathlon, Reid Pakkebier (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) took second with 6,407 points and Gage Huyser (junior, Pella) was third with 6,366 points.

“They had a nice day two,” coach Brandon Sturman said. “There were some ups and downs for both. They did what they needed to get us some team points.”

Jack Brown (sophomore, Norwalk) placed third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9 minutes, 4.13 seconds.

“He’s a really good steepler but was up against two other national qualifiers,” Sturman said. “It was the first really hot day of the year but Jack ran great. He would have loved to run faster but we’re happy with how he competed.”

Also in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Randy Jimenez (senior, Liberty Center, Southeast Warren HS) was fifth (9:12.76) and Derek Webster (senior, Norwalk) was seventh (9:23.99). The 4×800-meter relay squad of Alex Volden (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS), James Brant (freshman, Tama, South Tama HS), Blake Creed (sophomore, Washington, Mid-Prairie HS) and Jack Every (Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS) was seventh (8:08.07)

           

Central also got points in field events from Gunner Meyer’s (junior, Fairbank, Wapsie Valley HS) sixth-place finish in the high jump (6-2.25), Kale Purcell’s (senior, Holton, Kan.) seventh-place finish in the long jump (22-2.5) and Kale Hobart’s (sophomore, Mason City) eighth-place finish in the long jump (22-1.75)

           

The Dutch also had six individuals for qualify Saturday’s finals in five different events.

           

The final day of competition from the league championships start with field events at 10 a.m. running events begin at 1:30 p.m.

 

 

Top-10 finishes

3000-meter steeplechase – 3. Jack Brown, 9:04.13; 5. Randy Jimenez, 9:12.76; 7. Derek Webster, 9:23.99; 9. William Wadsley, 9:26.74

4×800 relay – 7. Alex Volden, James Brant, Blake Creed, Jack Every, 8:08.07

Discus throw – 9. Alex Zarlatanes, 142-10

High jump – 6. Gunner Meyer, 6-2.25

Long jump – 7. Kale Purcell, 22-2.5; 8. Kale Hobart, 22-1.75

Decathlon – 2. Reid Pakkebier, 6,407 points; 3. Gage Huyser, 6,366 points

 

Qualified for Saturday’s finals

200 meters (prelims) – 7. Kaleb Brand, 22.03

400 meters (prelims) – 3. Kaleb Brand, 48.22

800 meters (prelims) – 7. Jack Every, 1:56.37

110-meter hurdles (prelims) – 1. Gunner Meyer, 14.22; 3. Grant Miller, 14.39; 5. Connor Miklos, 14.52

400-meter hurdles (prelims) – 2. Kale Hobart, 53.98

 

 

INDIANOLA, Iowa– The No. 12 Wartburg men’s track and field team is in first place at the American Rivers Conference outdoor track and field championships with 96.25 points after Friday’s events.
 
Team Standings:
1            Wartburg                        96.25
2            Dubuque                        56
3            Loras                             54
4            Nebraska Wesleyan     36.25
5            Central                           34
6            Simpson                         25.25
7            Luther                             9.25
8            Coe                                  1
9            Buena Vista                     0
 

Event Wins:

Long Jump

1            Deyton Love                             7.32m 24-00.25

3000m Steeplechase

1            Lance Sobaski                           8:52.46

 

All-Conference Finishers:

10000m

2            Isaiah Hammerand                  30:40.15

3            Michael Goodenbour              30:50.41         

High Jump

2            Tyrell Adams                               1.99m 6-06.25

Long Jump

2            Elliott Bond                                  7.07m 23-2.50

3000m Steeplechase

2            Connor Lancial                            8:55.48

4x800m

2            Wartburg                                      7:42.70 (R. Martin. C. Cruise, A. Housman, B. Roussell)

 

Qualified for Tomorrow’s Finals:

400m Hurdles

1            Deyton Love                                53.45

6            D’Vaughn Hicks                           55.02

800m

2            Carter Cruise                             1:51.37

3            Rylan Martin                               1:52.20

4            Hutton Edney                             1:53.37

6            Aiden Housman                          1:54.22

400m

2            Jensen Clapp                              47.84

8            Ian Neyens                                  49.08

110m Hurdles

4            Deyton Love                                14.44

200m

6            Jensen Clapp                              21.91

 

Notes:

• This is the 17^th title in the 3000m steeplechase in program history
• This is the fifth title in the long jump in program history
• This is Love’s sixth career outdoor conference title
• This is Love’s first career outdoor conference title in the long jump
• This is Sobaski’s first career outdoor conference title
• Sobaski’s 3000m steeplechase time breaks the meet record
• At press time, Love’s long jump stands 10^th on the TFRRS list for this season
• At press time, Lancial’s 3000m steeplechase time stands 13^th on the TFRRS list for this season
• At press time, Mason Lobeck’s shot put (16.33m 53-07.00) stands 21^st on the TFRRS list for this season
• At press time, Cruise’s 800m prelim time stands 26^th on the TFRRS list for this season
• Lancial’s 3000m steeplechase time ranks third on the program’s top 10 list
• Cruise’s 800m remains fourth on the program’s top 10 list, but he improves his time
• Lobeck’s shot put ranks sixth on the program’s top 10 list
• Clapp’s 400m remains sixth on the program’s top 10 list, but he improves his time
• Daniel Zietlow’s pole vault (4.20m 13-09.25) ranks seventh on the program’s top 10 list
• Zietlow’s decathlon score (5857 points) ranks eighth on the program’s top 10 list
• Christian Nunley’s shot put (15.69m 51-05.75) ranks eighth on the program’s top 10 list
• Martin’s prelim 800m time ranks eighth on the program’s top 10 list

Up Next

Events resume at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow in Indianola.

 

 

BLOOMINGTON, IND. – Southeast Missouri track & field team ended the 2025 regular season at the Billy Hayes Invite and the Sycamore Open, posting 13 top five finishes, with seven being first place finishes.

Billy Hayes Results

Madelyn Gray crosses the line at a season best time of 4:31.22 to take the gold in the 1500m.

Cole Reinders timed in at 3:52.52 in the men’s 1500m to finish in sixth.

Clara Billing vaulted over a height of 12′ 11.50″ to claim first in the pole vault.

In the men’s long jump, Luke Hatfield Jackson cleared 24′ 5.75″ of sand for first.

Brianna Dixon cleared hurdles for 100m in 13.87 to stand alone atop the podium.

In the men’s triple jump Kenyon Johnson and Luke Busateri jumped three times for a final distances of 49′ 5.75″ (1st) and 48′ 0.5″ (2nd).

Sycamore Open Results

In the women’s javelin Kennedy Zgaynor ended with the bronze after a mark of 140′ 08″ and Ava Dumke finished in sixth (126′ 11″).

Josiah Kilgore takes the trophy in the javelin after throwing for a season best mark of 200′ 3″.

With a distance of 191′ 2″ Clay Alewelt was wearing the silver in the men’s hammer throw.

Makenzie Williams took the crown and a new personal record (164′ 06″) while Andreese Ortiz achieved a mark of 152′ 0″ for fourth.

In the men’s shot put Paden Lewis and Jehchys Brown placed third and fourth with marks of 59′ 2.25″ and 54′ 5.25″.

Ortiz posts a distance of 41′ 10″ in the women’s shot put for seventh.

Looking Ahead

The Redhawks will host the 2025 Outdoor Ohio Valley Conference track & field championships at the Abe Stuber Track Complex.

INDIANAPOLIS – It wasn’t Spieker Aquatics Center, nor was it the west coast the Bruins have grown accustomed to competing in across their season – but the Eight Clap echoed loud and clear as the team geared up for their first round of NCAA play.

No. 2 seed UCLA women’s water polo (20-5, 5-1 MPSF) took down Loyola Marymount University (20-11, 7-0 West Coast Conference) 11-8 in Friday’s NCAA quarterfinal at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis.

A characteristic of the rest of their games this season, the Bruins struggled to find their footing offensively across the first half of Friday’s match. With four minutes left in the first period, they had yet to register a goal – with multiple off-target shots and an attack that lacked the team’s normal rhythm.

“When you arrive at this part of the year, people have a tendency to treat it differently,” said coach Adam Wright. 

That deficit changed when redshirt sophomore utility Sienna Green finally broke through, flipping one in with the back of her hand to put UCLA on the board.

The second period proved different, as time trickled down on the shot clock and attackers struggled to find their target, with the Lions’ goal margin increasing to 4-2. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Steele held down the team’s defense across their scoring drought, with three saves compared to LMU’s Alyssa Barnuevo’s four. But the Bruins’ All-American wasn’t ready to call it quits yet.

​​Once again, the Bruins’ saving grace came from none other than junior center Bia Mantellato, who scored the team’s third goal to narrow the gap. Just minutes later, it was Mantellato again, notching the fourth goal with two minutes left in the second period.

“We just kept pushing and we kept emphasizing that we had to play our system and our defense,” Mantellato said. “We kept telling each other that we had each other’s backs and that was what gave us the win.”

With under a minute remaining, junior utility Anna Pearson delivered the equalizer, tying it 5-5 and injecting a sliver of hope into the Bruins’ sideline. 

The quarterfinal had quickly become a game of inches rather than miles. In one swift move after the score leveled at 6-6, Wright subbed in nearly four fresh players – looking for any sort of edge. 

But each time the Bruins seemed to seize momentum, attacker Ruth Arino Ruiz, who collected five of the Lions’ total eight goals, would strike again. UCLA refused to fold, answering back with a goal of its own each time.

For the first time during the match, a goal from junior attacker Emma Lineback, who scored almost half of the Bruins’ total points, pushed the team into their first lead of the entire match

“I think Adam says it a lot,” Lineback said. “Your approach on the goal is the only thing that matters. I try to step into it with confidence and if it goes in, it goes in. If it doesn’t, I tried my best and I’m gonna keep attacking.”

UCLA tacked on two more goals to extend its lead to 9-7, with just under a minute left in the third period.

A fourth-period resurgence was exactly what the Bruins needed to finally execute – and they delivered. With three consecutive goals, they held firm and protected their lead. Five focused minutes were all it took to extend the team’s NCAA journey and keep their opportunity at back-to-back championships alive.

“Like I told them at the half, ‘You can find a way and it can be painful or you can just focus on the things we are in control of,’” Wright said.

And although no more goals found the back of the net, the Bruins held their ground defensively for the remainder of the match, preserving their lead to advance to the Saturday semifinal at 11 a.m.

“We got to reset tonight and we know tomorrow we have to be a lot better,” Wright said.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Harvard women’s water polo fell to No. 4 USC by a score of 18-7 on Friday evening at the IU Natatorium in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

In the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance, Harvard battled with the Trojans in a nationally ranked rematch but was unable to come out on top, closing out the most successful season in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED

USC opened the scoring to take a 1-0 lead before Ruby Hodge netted Harvard’s first-ever NCAA Tournament goal from distance. The junior took it herself and beat the Trojans’ goalkeeper short side to tie the game early in the first quarter. USC would respond with three straight goals to lead 4-1.

Hodge added her second goal late in the quarter, picking the corner to cut the lead to two, but USC answered once again in the final seconds to make it 5-2 after eight minutes.

The Trojans extended their lead with five goals in the second quarter. Emma Gilbert scored the lone Crimson goal, a highlight-reel no-look shot after spinning around a defender, making it 10-3 at the half.

Hodge completed her hat trick in the third quarter, and Maya O’Dea added two goals to help Harvard close the gap to 13-6 heading into the final frame.

USC outscored Harvard 5-1 in the fourth quarter, with Erin Kim scoring the Crimson’s final goal of the game.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS