Three Jesuit values—curiosity, compassion, and ambition for the good—animate our work at Fordham, President Tetlow said at her State of the University address in September.
At the University’s Town Hall on May 7, Tetlow honored the people and teams whose work embodies these principles. Together with Kay Turner, vice president of human resources, she conferred the first Fordham Values Awards, based upon hundreds of nominations from University employees.
“These honorees reflect our shared commitment to listening with care, assuming good intentions, and working across boundaries to strengthen the entire Fordham community,” said Turner as she presented the awards on the Keating First stage at Rose Hill. “Today, we recognize those whose sustained impact and mission-driven leadership bring these values to life.”
Congrats to the recipients of these mission-driven awards!
Magis Award for Emerging Talent
The Magis Award honors early-career Fordham employees who view excellence as a profound responsibility to the University community. Michael Persaud, assistant director of campus recruiting, was recognized for bringing a sustainable cycle of success to the Career Center for Cura Personalis. “I love my job at Fordham,” said Persaud, “and it’s fulfilling to know that the work I do directly translates into positive outcomes for my fellow Rams.”
Ignatian Spark Award for Mentorship Excellence
Alan Cafferkey, PhD, director of educational technologies, received this award celebrating those who invest deeply in others and accompany colleagues through growth and challenges. “You don’t just manage systems; you steward people,” Turner said to him. “Your nomination states that you help colleagues grow as human beings, building a culture of confidence where people realize what they are truly capable of.”
Mission in Action for the Good Award
This award honors those who demonstrate a sustained commitment to advancing Fordham’s mission through concrete action and leadership. Carey Kasten, PhD, professor of Spanish and director of Fordham’s Initiative on Migrants, Migration, and Human Dignity, received the award for her leadership of this program that engages the Fordham community in the pressing challenges of global migration.
Endless Curiosity Award for Team Innovation
This award honors teams that question assumptions, reimagine established practices, and take innovative approaches that make a positive impact on the University, tied to its strategic plan.
Marciana Popescu, PhD, professor of social work; Dana Alonzo, PhD, professor of social work; Emerson Argueta, associate director for Fordham Law’s Feerick Center and Stein Center; and Trena Yonkers-Talz, DMin, adjunct professor of theology and director of the Belmont Catholic Community Center, were recognized for their work on Her Migrant Hub, a Fordham-led community initiative supporting women asylum seekers.
One Fordham Collaboration Award
The final award celebrates teams that personify Fordham’s strategic goals of forging community and breaking down silos across campuses to become “One Fordham.”
The undergraduate orientation teams, the deans of students, the offices of Student Involvement, the offices of Residential Life, and the Ram Van and hospitality teams were presented with this award for their organization of the “One Fordham Party on the Plaza” orientation event that brought 2,000 students together across campuses. On their teams’ behalf, it was presented to Catharine McGlade, EdD, assistant dean of student affairs; Angelo Coppotelli V, senior associate director for student formation; Kelly Sosa, director of residential life at Lincoln Center; Joseph Corcoran, assistant director of residential life at Lincoln Center; Christina Frankovic-Sepsi, director of student involvement at Lincoln Center; Daniel Patterson-Wallace, associate director of first year experience; Melissa Gazal, PhD, associate director of student involvement; Plinio González, director of intercampus transportation; Christopher Rodgers, associate vice president for strategy and operations in student affairs; and Jenifer Campbell, EdD, assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Lincoln Center.
The award winners were not the only ones celebrated at the event. President Tetlow also thanked Dennis Jacobs, PhD, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, for his leadership and seven years of service before he retires this summer.
“This is my last town hall,” said Jacobs, “and I see this event as so emblematic of one university across all our campuses, coming together four times a year in conversation about our shared mission, our strategy, our direction, our challenges.”
