Fordham has announced a bold University-wide commitment to doubling enrollment of student veterans and military-connected students over the next five years, building on recent successes that make the University a welcoming environment where service members and their family members can thrive.
“Simply put, you are our finest students, and we want more of you,” Fordham’s president,
Tania Tetlow, said on May 16, announcing the plan—called the Fordham Veterans Initiative—at an on-campus celebration event for student veterans and military-connected students who were graduating the following day.
She described several new supports to be added for veterans, service members, ROTC cadets, and military families across Fordham’s campuses. “From hands-on guidance through admissions to career placement and community connection, we are building a network that fosters belonging, honors sacrifice, and supports success at every stage,” President Tetlow said.
The University will grow the team within the Office of Military and Veterans’ Services, expand career services, and offer more help with accessing veterans’ benefits. In addition, a Military Family Center will open at the Rose Hill campus, modeled after the Veteran Center at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, creating a space where student veterans and dependents can access resources and connect with their peers in the Bronx, home to nearly 24,000 veterans.
A Proud Yellow Ribbon University
Fordham has long covered 100% of tuition and fees for eligible student veterans or their dependents under the federal government’s Yellow Ribbon Program/Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Last year, to give Yellow Ribbon applicants extra assurance that they could attend Fordham with free tuition, the University lifted its caps on tuition benefits and the number of beneficiaries it would accept—even though both were high enough that they had never been reached.
That and the University’s climate of support for student vets—from career services to health and wellness and help with the transition to college life—helped propel Fordham to No. 1 in New York in Military Times’ “Best for Vets” college rankings last fall.
The number of new student veterans who enrolled at Fordham last fall was up 131% over the year before. Today, Fordham serves more than 470 student veterans, active-duty service members, ROTC cadets, and military family members across its campuses.
Military Traditions at Fordham
President Tetlow made the announcement at Fordham’s annual Yellow Ribbon Medallion and Victory Bell Ceremony. Begun in 2019, it is held every year at Keating Hall on the Rose Hill campus on the day before commencement to honor student veterans and military-connected students who are about to graduate.
Armando Nuñez, chair of the Fordham University Board of Trustees, also addressed the graduates at the ceremony.
“We celebrate and literally salute you with excitement and gratitude for your incredible accomplishments as both servicemen and women and students, and soon-to-be graduates,” Nuñez said. “Fordham University has had a long and storied history of educating America’s heroes. We proudly count six Medal of Honor recipients among our esteemed alumni.”
Commissioner James Hendon of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services attended, and urged everyone to “take advantage of all the benefits you have earned—city, state, federal, public, private, nonprofit.”
Following the remarks, each graduating student crossed the stage to receive their Yellow Ribbon medallion, a symbol of Fordham’s commitment to their success, and then the group went outside, where each student gave the Victory Bell a celebratory ring.
— Sam Kille
