Fordham employees with a combined 1,000 years of experience were honored in front of their peers, family and friends on March 8 at the University Convocation.

Forty-eight faculty members, administrators and staffers were recognized for their distinguished service.

“We thank you for sharing with us these medalists, whose wisdom, dedication, kindness and passion are in line with the mission of Fordham,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, to the crowd of family and friends. “Although they walked up here alone to receive their medals, the stage was crowded with supporters.”

The awards included the Bene Merenti Medal, the Archbishop Hughes Medal and the Sursum Corda Award.

The Bene Merenti Medal honors faculty members who have been with the University for 20 or 40 years.

The 40-year recipients are:Robert M. Chazine, Ph.D., professor of social work; Michael Lanzarone, professor emeritus of law; David R. Chabot, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology;Claude J. Mangum, Ph.D., associate professor of African and African-American Studies; Daniel J. Sullivan, S.J., professor emeritus of biology; and Grace M. Vernon, Ph.D., professor of biology and chair of natural sciences.

The Archbishop Hughes Medal recognizes members of the administrative staff. The Sursum CordaAward, established in 2005 by Father McShane, is given to staffers who have made outstanding contributions to the life and mission of the University.

Two employees received the Sursum Corda Award. Veronica Boland, administrative assistant to the dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, has an “uncompromising insistence on doing things right,” according to the short bio written in the ceremony program. Lek Ndoj, a custodian, was noted in the program for being a “jack-of-all-trades and a master of all.”

The remaining Bene Merenti and Archbishop Hughes medals went to faculty and administrators who have given 20 years of service to Fordham.

“I have found myself thanking God for all of you,” Father McShane said. “I’m especially grateful this year. This year has been unlike any we’ve ever known. Challenges have shaken our confidence as a nation. And although Fordham is not immune, we here face the future with a sense of relief. Fordham will be strong into the future as long as we continue to be blessed with your devotion and wisdom.”

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The 2009 Medalists

Archbishop Hughes Medal (20-Year Award)

Theodore J. Bonanno, Head Men’s and Women’s Rowing Coach, Athletics

Donna Covington-Hargrove, Assistant Dean and Director of Academic Advising, Graduate School of Business Administration

Laura Ebert, Grants and Contract Administrator, Office of Research

Catherine C. Einerson, Assistant Dean and Director of the G.L.O.B.E. Program, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Management, College of Business Administration

Robert M. Freda, Director, Custodial Services

Lisa R. Green, Program Associate, Graduate School of Business Administration

Carl B. Greenberg, Security Supervisor, Office of Safety and Security

Nicolas Guareno, Network Engineer, Information Technology

Anne-Marie Kirmse, O.P., Research Associate, Laurence J. McGinley Chair in Religion and Society

Luz Lenis, Assistant Dean, Fordham College at Rose Hill

Lucy Morra, Administrative Assistant, Office of Procurement

Stephie Tapani Mukherjee, Assistant Dean and Director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Rose Hill

Iris Remon, Administrative Assistant, Student Affairs

Maureen Topf, Administrative Assistant, Office of the University Secretary

Anne Walsh, R.S.H.M., Associate Academic Advisor for Student-Athletes, Office of Academic Advising for Student-Athletes

Paul E. Zarowny, Acquisitions Paraprofessional, Leo T. Kissam Memorial Law Library
Beni Merenti Medal (40-Year Award)

Robert M. Chazin, Professor of Social Work

Michael Lanzarone, Professor Emeritus of Law

David R. Chabot, Associate Professor of Psychology

Claude J. Mangum, Associate Professor of African and African American Studies

Daniel J. Sullivan, S.J., Professor Emeritus of Biology

Grace M. Vernon, Professor of Biology and Chair of Natural Sciences

Beni Merenti Medal (20-Year-Award)

Haim A. Mozes, Associate Professor of Accounting

Stephen McFadden, Adjunct Professor of Social Work

Sandra G. Turner, Associate Professor of Social Work, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Social Service

Gene Yellin, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Work

James Leffert Kainen, Brendan Moore Professor of Advocacy

Babette Babich, Professor of Philosophy

Frank Boyle, Associate Professor of English

David Ting-Kai Chen, Associate Professor of Computer and Information Sciences

Michael W. Cuneo, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology

Greta A. Gilbertson, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology

Mary T. Humphrey, Adjunct Professor of English

Gwenyth Jackaway, Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies

Eve Keller, Associate Professor of English

Michael Marmé, Assistant Professor of History

Anthony Marra, Adjunct Instructor of Theology

Mark E. Mattson, Assistant Professor and Associate Chair of Psychology

John E. Milmore, Sr., Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology

Joseph John Puglia, Adjunct Assistant Professor of History

Berish Y. Rubin, Professor of Biological Sciences

K. M. Schiaffino, Associate Professor and Chair of Psychology

Lance Strate, Professor of Communication and Media Studies

Irene A. Sullivan, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology

Sursum Corda Award

Veronica Boland, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Fordham College at Rose Hill

Lek Ndoj, Custodian, Custodial Services