Tetlow is the first layperson and woman to lead the University in its 181-year history. She is a former law professor and past president of Loyola University New Orleans who has deep ties to the Jesuits and New York.
“I can’t thank you enough for the welcome you’ve given me. I’ve spent these first few months meeting as many of you as I can, listening really hard and learning so much,” Tetlow said in her first State of the University address, describing in detail her encounters with the Fordham community. “It all makes me so glad I came.”
Inauguration week will begin at the Lincoln Center campus on Tuesday, Oct. 11, with a discussion among four faculty members on how Fordham is uniquely positioned to shape students who will one day make a difference in the world. The panel, titled Fordham: Hope in a Fractured World, will be held at 4 p.m. in McNally Amphitheater, followed by a 5 p.m. reception in Platt Court.
The next day, there will be an evening showcase at the Lincoln Center campus, featuring performances from students in the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. in Dance program, Fordham Theatre, and the Fordham Lincoln Center Jazz Ensemble. The showcase, The Movement, Melodrama, and Melodies of NYC, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Costantino Room, followed by a 7 p.m. reception in the Soden Lounge and Bateman Room. Registration for this event is now at full capacity, but the performance will be livestreamed.
Inauguration Day will be on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Rose Hill campus. The day will begin at 10 a.m. with a Missioning Mass at the University Church to confirm Tetlow’s mission as director of Fordham’s apostolic work. The Mass will be followed by an 11:30 a.m. lunch on Martyrs’ Lawn.
The main event—the official installation of Tetlow as the 33rd president of Fordham—will take place at 2 p.m. on Edwards Parade. At 4 p.m., the inauguration ceremony will transition to PrezFest, a celebration with food and entertainment at the same location. The final event of the evening, an inauguration concert, will begin at 6 p.m. on Walsh Family Library Lawn. The concert will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of Fordham’s public media station, WFUV. All events are open to everyone.
To view the full inauguration week schedule and register for the festivities, including live streamed events, visit fordham.edu/inauguration/.
