Fordham employees with a combined 1,000 years of experience were honored in front of their peers, family and friends on March 8 at the University Convocation.
Forty-eight faculty members, administrators and staffers were recognized for their distinguished service.
“We thank you for sharing with us these medalists, whose wisdom, dedication, kindness and passion are in line with the mission of Fordham,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, to the crowd of family and friends. “Although they walked up here alone to receive their medals, the stage was crowded with supporters.”
The awards included the Bene Merenti Medal, the Archbishop Hughes Medal and the Sursum Corda Award.
The Bene Merenti Medal honors faculty members who have been with the University for 20 or 40 years.
The 40-year recipients are:Robert M. Chazine, Ph.D., professor of social work; Michael Lanzarone, professor emeritus of law; David R. Chabot, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology;Claude J. Mangum, Ph.D., associate professor of African and African-American Studies; Daniel J. Sullivan, S.J., professor emeritus of biology; and Grace M. Vernon, Ph.D., professor of biology and chair of natural sciences.
The Archbishop Hughes Medal recognizes members of the administrative staff. The Sursum CordaAward, established in 2005 by Father McShane, is given to staffers who have made outstanding contributions to the life and mission of the University.
Two employees received the Sursum Corda Award. Veronica Boland, administrative assistant to the dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, has an “uncompromising insistence on doing things right,” according to the short bio written in the ceremony program. Lek Ndoj, a custodian, was noted in the program for being a “jack-of-all-trades and a master of all.”
The remaining Bene Merenti and Archbishop Hughes medals went to faculty and administrators who have given 20 years of service to Fordham.
“I have found myself thanking God for all of you,” Father McShane said. “I’m especially grateful this year. This year has been unlike any we’ve ever known. Challenges have shaken our confidence as a nation. And although Fordham is not immune, we here face the future with a sense of relief. Fordham will be strong into the future as long as we continue to be blessed with your devotion and wisdom.”
The 2009 Medalists
Archbishop Hughes Medal (20-Year Award)
Theodore J. Bonanno, Head Men’s and Women’s Rowing Coach, Athletics
Donna Covington-Hargrove, Assistant Dean and Director of Academic Advising, Graduate School of Business Administration
Laura Ebert, Grants and Contract Administrator, Office of Research
Catherine C. Einerson, Assistant Dean and Director of the G.L.O.B.E. Program, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Management, College of Business Administration
Robert M. Freda, Director, Custodial Services
Lisa R. Green, Program Associate, Graduate School of Business Administration
Carl B. Greenberg, Security Supervisor, Office of Safety and Security
Nicolas Guareno, Network Engineer, Information Technology
Anne-Marie Kirmse, O.P., Research Associate, Laurence J. McGinley Chair in Religion and Society
Luz Lenis, Assistant Dean, Fordham College at Rose Hill
Lucy Morra, Administrative Assistant, Office of Procurement
Stephie Tapani Mukherjee, Assistant Dean and Director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Rose Hill
Iris Remon, Administrative Assistant, Student Affairs
Maureen Topf, Administrative Assistant, Office of the University Secretary
Anne Walsh, R.S.H.M., Associate Academic Advisor for Student-Athletes, Office of Academic Advising for Student-Athletes
Paul E. Zarowny, Acquisitions Paraprofessional, Leo T. Kissam Memorial Law Library
Beni Merenti Medal (40-Year Award)
Robert M. Chazin, Professor of Social Work
Michael Lanzarone, Professor Emeritus of Law
David R. Chabot, Associate Professor of Psychology
Claude J. Mangum, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies
Daniel J. Sullivan, S.J., Professor Emeritus of Biology
Grace M. Vernon, Professor of Biology and Chair of Natural Sciences
Beni Merenti Medal (20-Year-Award)
Haim A. Mozes, Associate Professor of Accounting
Stephen McFadden, Adjunct Professor of Social Work
Sandra G. Turner, Associate Professor of Social Work, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Social Service
Gene Yellin, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Work
James Leffert Kainen, Brendan Moore Professor of Advocacy
Babette Babich, Professor of Philosophy
Frank Boyle, Associate Professor of English
David Ting-Kai Chen, Associate Professor of Computer and Information Sciences
Michael W. Cuneo, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
Greta A. Gilbertson, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
Mary T. Humphrey, Adjunct Professor of English
Gwenyth Jackaway, Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies
Eve Keller, Associate Professor of English
Michael Marmé, Assistant Professor of History
Anthony Marra, Adjunct Instructor of Theology
Mark E. Mattson, Assistant Professor and Associate Chair of Psychology
John E. Milmore, Sr., Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology
Joseph John Puglia, Adjunct Assistant Professor of History
Berish Y. Rubin, Professor of Biological Sciences
K. M. Schiaffino, Associate Professor and Chair of Psychology
Lance Strate, Professor of Communication and Media Studies
Irene A. Sullivan, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology
Sursum Corda Award
Veronica Boland, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Fordham College at Rose Hill
Lek Ndoj, Custodian, Custodial Services