Undergraduates Come Out of the Labs, Into the Limelight

Senior Marsiyana Henricus explains her research to Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill. Photo by Michael Dames

Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) hosted its first Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 16, giving students majoring in math and the sciences a chance to share their research with the larger University community.

In all, 36 undergraduates presented 33 research posters in physics, biology, mathematics, psychology, chemistry and computer and information science. According to Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., dean of FCRH, the symposium was designed to help foster a culture of undergraduate research and strengthen interest and support for the sciences.

“The symposium was designed to feature the great work that is being done in our labs and to give our students and faculty an opportunity to talk across disciplines,” O’Donnell said. “Our work in strengthening science education . . . is one of the big stories in the college.”

David Carretero, a senior who presented research on the dynamics of ultracold atoms, said that the symposium brought attention to an area of strength at the University that is often overlooked by students.

“It’s good for students to be able to see what’s going on academically and not just socially,” the physics major said.

“It makes me feel like I’m leaving my mark at Fordham,” said Marsiyana Henricus, a chemistry major who found herself explaining her project on biocompatible nanotubes to a group of fascinated freshmen. “I’m a senior. I’ve spent hours in the lab researching this; it’s great to share it. If my project has made an impression on younger students, it could change the direction of their lives.”

One impetus behind the symposium, according to Donna Heald, Ph.D., associate dean for science education at FCRH, was to bring the student research together to foster an interdisciplinary program.

“Scientists today really work across disciplines, and truthfully, our students are doing it too,” said Heald, who oversaw the event.

Following the symposium, a committee of faculty judges presented awards to the outstanding posters.

—Janet Sassi

Observer Carries Off Multiple Honors

The Observer, the student newspaper of Fordham College at Lincoln Center, carried off a number of awards for the paper and its staff this spring, including honors from the Associated Collegiate Press, New York Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists.

“The Observer has had an amazing run this year,” said Jennie Nau, the paper’s editor-in-chief. “I’m honored to be a part of The Observer and extremely pleased that it is getting the recognition it deserves.”

Newspaper Awards
• First Place, Four-Year College Non-Weekly category, Associated Collegiate Press’ National College

Newspaper Convention
• First Place, General Design, New York Press Association
• Third Place, General Excellence, New York Press Association
• Third Place, Editorials, New York Press Association
• Honorable Mention, Photo Page Layout, Society of News Design
• Second Place, Overall Use of Photography, Society of News Design
• Sports Photography Mark of Excellence, Society of Professional Journalists

Individual Awards
• Gabrielle Linzer, First Place, Best Features Article, New York Press Association
• Luke Teegarden, Third Place, Best Features Article, New York Press Association

The Observer is published bi-weekly by an unpaid student staff, and is advised by Elizabeth Stone, Ph.D., professor of English and communication and media studies. The Observer was founded in 1981 and reaches more than 14,000 students at the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses.

Joseph Currie, S.J., director of campus ministry, leads a prayer before christening FUEMS’ new ambulance. Photo by Chris Taggart

Two feet and a fanny pack full of bandages.

That was the full array of medical resources used by Fordham’s Student Emergency Response Group (SERG) when it opened in 1977.

The feet belonged to Bruce Nedelka, CBA ’79, a first aid buff from Long Island who pioneered the idea of a student-run emergency medical squad on the Rose Hill campus.

On Friday, April 18, the group—now known as the Fordham University Emergency Medical Service (FUEMS)—marked its 30th anniversary with a celebration and reunion. Nedelka, who gave the keynote address, praised the current membership for advancing the spirit of caring for others that has been present since the early days of SERG.

“With so many people in college thinking only of themselves and their futures, you are truly the embodiment of the spirit of service that exists at Fordham,” he said.

More than 155 alumni and friends watched Joseph Currie, S.J., director of campus ministry, christen the squad’s new “Ram-bulance,” a General Motors Traumahawk K5, before enjoying a night of dining and reminiscing in the McGinley Center Ballroom.

“When I came to Fordham, there was a 45-minute ambulance response time, on average, in the Bronx,” Nedelka recalled. “Without an on-campus emergency response unit, a visiting theologian suffered a fatal heart attack before he was scheduled to lecture.”

When a medical emergency at Homecoming in 1977 resulted in a 55-minute ambulance response time, Nedelka took it on himself to carry medical gear from class to class in a modified fanny pack in case someone needed help.

The organization grew, and the University recognized SERG as a club in 1981. Seven years later, the group officially registered with the State of New York and joined the National College EMS Foundation.

Today, each FUEMS crew is led by a certified emergency medical technician, and every member goes through a month of training at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in the Bronx or Westchester Community College. It recently completed its most successful membership drive in club history.

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