Ecumenical Patriarch Receives Honorary Degree

From: FordhamUniversity | October 30, 2009 | 0 views
Fordham University conferred an honorary degree upon His All Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, on Oct. 27 on the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx.



The Ecumenical Patriarch, the 270th successor of the 2,000-year-old Christian Church founded by St. Andrew, received a doctorate of laws, honoris causa, at a ceremony attended by more than 1,000 people in the historic University Church.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who has occupied the First Throne of the Orthodox Christian Church since 1991, accepted the honor of being received into the "doctoral college of this esteemed Jesuit school" with sincere gratitude. He then addressed the audience with a speech that touched on "ecumenical consciousness," or the opening of the heart, opening up to others and to all things created by God.

See complete story on the University home page.

GSS Professor Publishes Social Service Text

Tina Maschi, Ph.D, assistant professor of social service at Fordham, has published Forensic Social Work: Psychosocial and Legal Issues in Diverse Practice Settings, a textbook for social workers, with colleagues Carolyn Bradley, Ph.D, LCSW, LCADC; and Kelly Ward, Ph.D, LCSW, LCADC.

Legal issues are rarely integrated in social work education in a meaningful and practical way, according to the publisher (Springer), but regardless of their field of practice, all social workers must understand how legal issues impact the financial, psychological, emotional, and social concerns that their clients face.

The book broadens the traditional definition of forensic social work to include the legal issues encountered in all social work settings—family and social services, education, child welfare, mental health, addiction treatment, juvenile and criminal systems and immigration services. The text includes discussions of the common legal issues all social workers face:

• How to help meet basic client needs such as income, food, and shelter
• Policies and practice with victims of violence
• The relationship between school social work and the law
• Assessment and treatment of child abuse and neglect
• The legal needs of clients with mental health and addiction issues
• Forensic practice in juvenile and criminal justice systems
• Effective practice with immigrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking

For more information, see: www.springerpub.com/maschi

Winning at Any Cost

The Curran Center hosted "Winning at Any Cost: Vince Lombardi and the Catholic Contribution to America’s 'Must-Win' Obsession," on Monday, October 5, 2009, with Jeffrey Marlett, Ph.D., professor of Religious Studies, College of Saint Rose, Albany, N.Y.



Established in 2001, The Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies is an inter-disciplinary center sponsoring a four-fold set of programs: national conferences; public lectures, symposia and readings; faculty seminars; and an undergraduate interdisciplinary certificate program.

Fordham Interfaith Zen Sittings

Here are the Fordham Interfaith Zen Sittings for November:

November 3: Sensei Paul Schubert
November 10: Roshi Robert Kennedy, S.J.
Location: The Blessed Rupert Mayer Chapel, Room 221, Lowenstein Center, Lincoln Center campus

November 17: Brenda Shoshanna
Location: To be announced

Time for all events: 6:10 - 7:45 p.m.

Senseis Michael Holleran and Paul Schubert are both dharma heirs of Roshi Robert Kennedy, S.J. Roshi Kennedy studied with the Japanese Zen masters Yamada Roshi and Maezumi Roshi before returning to the tri-state area to study with Bernie Glassman Roshi of the Zen Peacemakers Order. It was Glassman Roshi who decided that it was not necessary to be a Buddhist to become a Zen master. He has given dharma transmission to men and women of a variety of faiths, including Catholics, Jews and Sufis (www.zenpeacemakers.org/about/vision.htm).

Roshi Kennedy's Jesuit mission and Zen teaching and practice are seamless: both are contemplation leading to compassionate action (www.kennedyzen.org). He recently retired as Chair of Theology at St. Peter's College in Jersey City. He is the author of two books: Zen Gifts to Christians and Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit. People of many faiths and none sit with him, including Catholic religious and priests.

Sensei Paul Schubert was a research chemist until he took early retirement in order to teach chemistry (and Zen) in the high schools. He sits with us the first Tuesday of every month, saying a few words and giving daisan (individual meetings to discuss practice).

Sensei Michael Holleran is a Fordham alumnus who became first a Jesuit and then, for 22 years, a Carthusian monk. The Carthusians are an order of hermits who were recently the subject of a documentary, Into Great Silence. Michael's Zen studies with Roshi Kennedy began when he left the order. He is now working as a parish priest here in Manhattan. He visits Fordham Zen group on the fourth Tuesday of every month, giving a talk and daisan.

Brenda Shoshanna is from a different Zen lineage. Raised an orthodox Jew in Borough Park, Brooklyn, she is a Zen student of the Japanese master Eido Roshi. For her recent book, The Jewish Dharma, Roshi Kennedy wrote: "Dr. Brenda Shoshanna flies on two wings: A deep love of orthodox Jewish faith and her Zen practice of 36 years. Her vision embraces both traditions with fidelity and beauty." (www.jewishdharma.com).

Our sittings are free and open to all, no registration required. Beginner instruction is given whenever necessary.

We are sponsored by Campus Ministry. Inisfada, the interfaith Zen center at St. Ignatius Retreat House in Manhasset, continues to loan us cushions for this practice, for which we again thank director Russ Ball. We also thank Roshi Kennedy for his continuing guidance and teaching.

Fordham's Westchester campus now also has a Zen group, sponsored by Campus Ministry Westchester, under the guidance of Carol Gibney and Russ Michel, a dharma student of Roshi Kennedy. Carol can be contacted at (914) 367-3420.

Sheila Ross, Facilitator, Fordham Interfaith Zen

The Making of "The Rat That Got Away"

IPED Students Tapped for Dominican Conference

Two Fordham IPED students will serve as student journalists at the International Conference of the Americas (Conferencia Internacional de Las Americas -- CILA 2009), sponsored by the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic.

Graduate students Patrick Gallic and Matias Pablo Mangas were chosen by the United Nations Department of Public Information to attend the conference, held in the Dominican Republic from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31. The conference provides a diplomatic forum for youth to debate global issues related to the UN Millennium Development Goals, and will be attended by approximately 1,500 students, primarily from Latin America.

Mangas is a first year student from Argentina who received his bachelor's degree in international studies from American University in 2009. Gallic previously worked for the Catholic Medical Mission Board in Southern Sudan. As part of their trip both students will have the opportunity to meet with the president of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez. Last year at this time, Fernandez was a guest of the IPED Program and drew an overflow crowd to the Keating First Auditorium.

American Catholic Studies Media: Gerard Manley Hopkins

Gerard Manley Hopkins and The Fine Delight That Fathers Thought: How to Sign on to a Poet for Life, with speaker: Paul Mariani.



Established in 2001, The Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies is an inter-disciplinary center sponsoring a four-fold set of programs: national conferences; public lectures, symposia and readings; faculty seminars; and an undergraduate interdisciplinary certificate program.

Knicks Make The Bronx Home for a Day

The scene outside was cold and rainy on Saturday, Oct. 17, but inside the Rose Hill Gym, there was nothing but heat, as the New York Knicks held a free open practice for fans. The hour-long scrimmage was accompanied by performances by the Knicks City Dancers and the Knicks City Kids, as well as a game featuring the New York Rollin' Knicks. The team then stuck around afterward to greet fans and autograph shirts.

Photos By Bruce Gilbert

—Patrick Verel

Bill Baker on How to Save the News

William F. Baker, Ph.D., the Claudio Aquaviva Chair and Journalist in Residence in Fordham’s Graduate School of Education, has posted an article and video on the PBS NOW website: "How to Save the News." Baker is the president emeritus of WNET, the country's largest PBS station.

Fordham University Theatre Company Presents THE DAY ROOM

THE DAY ROOM
by Don DeLillo
Directed by Matthew Maguire

In Don DeLillo’s world, the fear of death leads the patients
in a psych ward to devise a play to defeat their terrible anxiety.
From one of America’s greatest living novelists, a hilarious
exposure of our tactics to avoid vanishing.

Performance Schedule:
Week One:
Thurs., Oct. 15 at 8:00 PM
Fri., Oct. 16 at 8:00 PM
Sat., Oct. 17 at 8:00 PM

Week Two:
Thurs., Oct. 22 at 8:00 PM
Fri., Oct. 23 at 8:00 PM
Sat., Oct. 24 at 8:00 PM

All performances take place at:
Pope Auditorium
Fordham College at Lincoln Center
113 West 60th Street

Tickets are $15 General Admission, $10 Fordham Faculty, Staff and Alumni
$5 Students and Sr. Citizens
Thursdays are $2 Student Nights for students from any school with valid i.d.!
BOX OFFICE: 212-636-6340

BOX OFFICE IS LOCATED RIGHT PAST SECURITY DESK IN LOWENSTEIN LOBBY.
BOX OFFICE HOURS ARE WED., THURS., FRI. FROM 3:00-6:00 PM AND 1 HOUR PRIOR TO SHOWS

Knicks to Practice at Rose Hill

Like all NBA teams, the New York Knicks are currently gearing up for the 2009-2010 season, which for them kicks off October 28 at Madison Square Garden.

But before the team permanently departs its Tarrytown training facility, it will hold a practice session in The Bronx at Fordham's Rose Hill Gym on Saturday, October 17.

The practice, which is free and open to the public, will feature head coach Mike D'Antoni leading the team through drills, as well as performance by the Knicks City Dancers and the Knicks City Kids. Doors are at 11:15 a.m., and for Knicks season ticket holders, there is limited reserved seating.

For more information, contact Joe DiBari at (718) 817-4242.

—Patrick Verel

Sperber Award Recognizes Biography of WW II Cartoonist

Author Todd DePastino has won Fordham University’s 2009 Ann M. Sperber Prize for biography for his book Bill Mauldin: A Life Up Front (W.W. Norton, 2008).

The book traces the life and career of the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, famous for his World War II cartoons featuring the archetypal soldiers “Willie” and “Joe.” Their experiences of infantry life on the field were followed by millions of Americans during the war. Mauldin himself served in the 45th Infantry Division, drawing six cartoons a week for Stars and Stripes while on his tour of duty. At age 23, he was awarded the Pulitzer in 1945 for his collection from the front lines, Up Front, and he received the award again in 1959 for his editorial cartoons.

The Sperber award is given annually by Fordham to an author of a biography or autobiography of a journalist or other media figure. The award was established by a gift from Liselotte Sperber, in memory of her daughter Ann M. Sperber, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-nominated biography of Edward R. Murrow, Murrow: His Life and Times (Fordham University Press, 1998).

Al Auster, Ph.D., associate professor of media and communications and one of six judges, called DePastino's book “a superb biography and welcome addition to the literature of how political cartooning has developed in the United States.”

DePastino will receive the award on Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the 12th Floor Lounge of Lowenstein center, Lincoln Center campus.

Previous recipients of the award include Victor Navasky, Arthur Gelb, Myra MacPherson and David Nasaw.

J.S.

CBA Hosts Mediacom Honcho

The College of Business Administration is hosting a talk with Rocco Commisso, CEO of Mediacom, on his career and different opportunities in the industry.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 13 | 1 to 2:15 p.m.
WHERE: Flom Auditorium, Walsh Library, Rose Hill campus
WHO: Current Students and Faculty
RSVP: CBAaccess

Mediacom Business Services provides Internet, phone, cable TV and music solutions to business customers. Commisso has 30 years of experience with the cable television industry and has served as Mediacom's chairman and CEO since founding its predecessor company in July 1995. He serves on the board of directors and executive committees of the National Cable Television Association and Cable Television Laboratories, Inc., and on the board of directors of C-SPAN and the National Italian American Foundation. Commisso has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University.

Fordham University Press Makes Titles Available on DigitalResearch

Fordham University Press has partnered with the William D. Walsh Family Library to carry certain of its academic titles digitally through DigitalResearch@Fordham.

The move will allow scholars and researchers open access to the titles both inside and outside of the Fordham community. Readers will be able to download and read book content online and bookmark and share content on sites such as Digg, Facebook, Blogger and Linked-in.

The first set of books to become available will be books in the Institute of International Humanitarian Assistance (IIHA) series, with titles such as Human Security For All (2004) and The Pulse of Humanitarian Assistance (2007).

But more titles will follow over the next year, said Press Director Fred Nachbaur, with the next step being to upload books authored by Fordham University faculty.

“[This digital initative] helps to raise our profile and get our name in front of researchers, scholars, and students using the repository,” said Nachbaur.

DigitalResearch@Fordham can be accessed at the site or by going into the Catalogs & Collections in the Library section of Fordham University’s website.

J.S.

Graduate Social Service Launches Blog

Fordham's Graduate school of Social Service has launched a blog, "GSS News and Views." The blog includes contact information, events listings and program updates.

Madness Comes to Mainstage Theatre Season

Each year Fordham’s theatre program chooses a theme around which to build the season’s repertoire. According to Matthew Maguire, director of the theatre program, this year’s theme of “madness” should prove to be a box-office draw.

The mainstage season kicks of on Thursday, Oct. 15 with “The Day Room,” a rarely performed play by Don DeLillo (FCRH ’59). The black comedy mocks our fears of hospitals, death, and insanity as it blurs the lines between patients and staff inside an insane asylum. DeLillo, an award-winning novelist (White Noise (1985), Underworld (1997)) has attended rehearsals, Maguire said, and will also attend one of the performances.

The season follows up with Emily Mann’s “Mrs. Packard ,” which explores the injustice of a system that allows husbands to commit their wives to asylums without consent; Irene Fornes’ “Sarita,” about a teenage girl’s violent love and madness; and Shakespeare’s famous tragedy about a mad prince, "Hamlet."

“There are multiple refractions of madness across our season,” Maguire said. “The task was to find the right plays to complete the mosaic.”

In the spring, the theatre program will join with Fordham’s Center for Religion and Culture to further explore all of the plays’ themes, in a forum, “Religion and Madness: Spirituality and Pathology.”

J.S.