The Fordham Ram Volume 108, Issue 2
Serving The Fordham University Community Since 1918 TheFordhamRam.com
February 4, 2026
IIHA Discusses Threats to Humanitarian Aid With Fordham Students By EMILY TONNA EXEC. COPY EDITOR EMERITUS
The Fordham University church has held several Jesuit ordainments.
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Fordham Joins ‘We are Jesuit Educated’ Campaign By JORDAN DONEGAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Fordham University, along with all 27 U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities, is joining a collective initiative to highlight the distinctive worth and foundational impact of a Jesuit education called the “We are Jesuit Educated” campaign. The campaign, according to
John Cecero, vice president for Mission Integration and Ministry, was initiated by a perceived public withdrawal of confidence in the general value of higher education. This led Fordham, along with all other U.S. Jesuit universities, to make a more intentional effort to showcase the value of a Jesuit education to prospective families as well
Theology Department Launches New Initiative By JORDAN DONEGAN ASST. NEWS EDITOR
The Fordham University department of theology just launched a new and funded Theology and Earth Initiative, a summer program that will provides graduate and undergraduate students with hands-on experience at the intersection of theology and the environment. One of the program’s defining characteristics, as according to the Fordham department of theology chair Brenna Moore, is its inclusion of paid experiential learning opportunities, including research-based internships and project positions. Depending on the role, the program also offers stipends ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. “I am just so thrilled that we have the support to enable our students that it is our priority for our students to have
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transformational educational experiences that are deeply rooted in theology and the environment,” Moore said. The launch of the initiative was made possible by a donor gift from Margaret Sharkey, School of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) ’15, according to Moore. Sharkey’s interest in the intersection of theology and the environment was initiated by former theology professor Elizabeth Johnson, C.S.J. During her time at Fordham’s Adult Learning Continued Education Program, Sharkey had been enrolled in one of Johnson’s graduate seminars on ecological theology, where she was inspired by what the course taught her about how faith and theology frame peoples’ understanding and knowledge of the natural world. SEE THEOLOGY, PAGE 5
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as various donors. “Relatively few people know about what [a Jesuit education] is,” Cecero said. “And so there’s this campaign to really educate people about what that means.” The effort to have Fordham join this campaign came from the University’s Office of Marketing and Communications, according to Cecero. Justin Bell, the vice SEE JESUIT, PAGE 4
The Fordham University Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) held its monthly “Conversation With Humanitarians” meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 28, in Canisius Hall’s Refuge Gallery. At the event, students asked various questions about funding concerns, as well as ethical dilemmas, international logistics and how these conversations are shaping the future of humanitarian aid worldwide. The discussion was held with one Fordham professor, Bernard Wiseman, international associative coordinator and former head of mission for Doctors without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). He has led humanitarian work in several countries, including but not limited to South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar and, most recently, Ukraine, where he provided aid to refugees affected by the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. Wiseman had also reflected
on his career and offered advice to students seeking careers in the humanitarian efforts. He emphasized the importance of maintaining one’s principles in the field — especially during geopolitical and financial adversity. “I think everyone’s having this conversation right now,” Wiseman said, in reference the pressure funding cuts and geopolitical conflicts put on aid workers. “We have this really big issue right now in Gaza, in terms of, ‘Is MSF going to be allowed to stay and support the patients in Gaza? Do we provide staff lists to Israel? And do we trust them, and how do we keep our team safe? How do we stick by our principles?’” he asked. Wiseman advised students interested in humanitarian work to closely examine an organization’s values when ethical dilemmas arise. “Look at the history of the organization and how it reacts to certain conflicts and contexts, and see if your values align with that SEE IIHA, PAGE 4
It’s About Who You Know, Not What You Know By SIDNEY BLASCO FEATURES EDITOR
Reports indicate that college graduates have been facing an increasingly competitive job market, meaning applicants have to find ways to stand out now more than ever. The Ram spoke with faculty within Fordham University’s career center, and employers and recruiters at Fordham’s recent Spring Career Fair and Fordham students to learn how applicants are approaching internships and job applications. From the conversations, four main themes stood out: network, be unique, do not downplay yourself and use the resources available. One resource that is available to Fordham students are the events held by the Career Center, many of which target different job markets
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and give students networking opportunities. “Last year, we held over 500 employer and student-related career readiness type of events and recruiting events,” said Annette McLaughlin, who is the currently the director of the Office of Career Services.
According to Ryan Reisner, president and founder of The Reisner Group — a national recruiting company that has worked with Fordham students and attended the recent career fair — building your network and net worth is all about SEE EMPLOYERS PAGE 5
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The 2025 Accounting and Finance Career Fair.
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