Fordham’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center will be honored for its progressive, inspiring programming on Nov. 14 at the Jessie Banks Foundation’s 21st Annual Scholarship Awards Gala. The foundation, which grants tuition assistance to first-year college students, will recognize the center’s co-directors and founders: George Demacopoulos, Ph.D., Father John Meyendorff and Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies; and Aristotle Papanikolaou, Ph.D., Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture.
Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis, Ph.D., a foundation board member who nominated the center for the honor, said the recognition aligns with the foundation’s values. “Jessie herself was a very devout Baptist and very ecumenical,” Tsigas-Fotinis said. “I think it’s terrific when we have different faiths coming together because of our common faith.”
She follows the Orthodox Christian Studies Center’s programming and has attended multiple events over the years, including the recent visit to Fordham by His All-Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, the spiritual leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians.
“Their work is just phenomenal, and it just keeps growing,” Tsigas-Fotinis said, praising the center for tackling subjects that few theologians address.
Papanikolaou sees the honor as validation of the center’s expansive approach. “We provide programming and discussion around issues, especially related to women and the LGBTQ+ community, that is enormously rare within the Orthodox Christian world,” he said.
Helping Students and Fordham
The Jessie Banks Foundation was established over 20 years ago by Sharon Banks-Williams, Ph.D., as a living tribute to her mother, Jessie Banks, who devoted herself to helping others, particularly through education. The 100% volunteer-run organization has awarded college aid to over 200 students—predominantly from underrepresented groups—in the tri-state area who demonstrate strong academic achievement and community service. Fordham is among the schools that the foundation’s awardees attend.
Leslie Vellios, the foundation’s director of scholarships, said the gala’s importance for students is about more than the money they receive. “The networking that they’re able to do at these events has afforded some of these students internships and jobs.”
Attending the gala, said Papanikolaou, will help raise awareness about the center as it seeks to raise $4 million to establish a physical home across from Faculty Memorial Hall. The center has already raised approximately $2.5 million, putting it halfway toward its goal.
