In his annual State of the University address, Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, said that progress in fundraising and on capital projects has poised the University to reach new heights in the upcoming year and beyond.
Speaking on Sept. 12 at the Lincoln Center campus, Father McShane emphasized three achievements: a record-breaking $86 million fundraising year in 2010-2011; breaking ground on a $250-million law school building and residence hall at Lincoln Center; and beginning the renovation of Hughes Hall at Rose Hill.
He touched on other milestones, including:
• Fordham’s No. 53 ranking in U.S. News & World Report, its best showing to date, and a Huffington Post ranking of sixth nationwide for community service;
• significant U.S. News & World Report rankings for the law school (No. 30) and the executive MBA program (No. 25);
• an incoming freshman acceptance rate of 42 percent, the lowest in the University’s history, fueled by a record number of freshman applications;
• a healthy increase in the University’s endowment, now above the $500 million mark;
• continued gains in faculty grant activity, which has risen more than 40 percent over the last six years and now stands at $43 million in multi-year grant funding;
• publication of 216 books and 315 articles in academic journals by Fordham faculty; and
• nine Fulbrights, six Borens and one Truman award received among the record 168 students who applied last year for scholarships and fellowships.
“Thanks to the hard work and generosity of all of the members of the University community, we are remarkably strong,” he said.
