Photo by Chris Taggart
Students from all 11 Fordham University colleges were welcomed into Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society for Jesuit universities, in a ceremony at the McGinley Center on Feb. 26. In addition to outstanding students from all of its campuses, five University faculty and administrators were accorded honorary membership in the society. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, along with the respective college deans, presented the inductees with their certificates and keys.
Kate Gaertner, executive director of the society, was the evening’s guest speaker. “It’s very energizing to be part of a ceremony honoring students who have chosen to live academically and to serve others,” she said. “They’ve made Ignatian values their life choice.”
Rosemary DeJulio, Ph.D., advisor to the Fordham chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, recognized the incoming inductees for their “example of fine scholarship, loyalty and outstanding service.” The Fordham chapter of the society was founded in 1983, and this year marked the first time that students from each of the University’s colleges were inducted.
Vincent J. Duminuco, S.J., rector of Fordham’s Jesuit community, was inducted as an honorary member along with Georgina Calia Arendacs, Ph.D., director of equity and equal employment; Rosemary DeJulio, Ph.D., assistant to the president; Ron Jacobson, Ph.D., dean of summer session; and Anne Walsh, RSHM, assistant academic advisor for athletes. Father Duminuco said in his invocation that members of the society were answering the question that all Jesuit scholars face: “What have I done for Christ, and what am I doing for Christ?”
Alpha Sigma Nu was founded in 1915 at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisc. Membership is based on scholarship, loyalty and service, and commitment to intellectual, social, moral and religious ideals, and is open to students at 30 Jesuit universities in the U.S., two in Canada and one in South Korea.
By Brian Kluepfel
