Congratulations to the Class of 2004! wirw.fclvobsi'rver.com The rver The Student Voice t Lincoln Center May 6, 2004 Volume XXII, Issue 14 McShane reflects on first year as University preparing for Fordhain president commencement; Tim By Anthony HazeD, FCLC '06 ing on this year. Russert is keynote speaker NEWsEonoR "[We are] in the silent phase [of] the fundraising campaign and the' listening to By Parvin Aminoboaya, FCLC '04 FORDHAM - April 29 was a busy day for different people on campus and the alumni. STAFF WRITER the Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. Before All the things that they say are serving to meeting with The Observer, he met with the guide that process as well. For instance, a tot FORDHAM - With the end to French Ambassador to the United States, of people are talking about what capital another academic year approaching, who was visiting Fordham for special lec- needs exist on all three campuses, what seniors are preparing to take part in ture, and spoke with a several local newspa- endowment needs exist on all three campus- Fordham's 159th Commencement pers as well as FOX News. But as classical es, what opportunities exist for new avenues Ceremony: the last rite of passage music softly played from a radio in his office of excellence...so those things are coming before entering "the real world." inside Rose Hill's Administration Building, out of the listening that I'm doing." While students are dealing with McShane still found about 20 minutes to sit McShane has also been doing work out- everything from anxieties about find- down and discuss his reflections and plans side of Fordham, actively campaigning to ing a job to finding post-college hous- for Fordham after nearly one year into his increase the university's endowment. One of ing, many are wondering who will tenure as the university's 32nd president. his most recent trips was a meeting with deliver this year's keynote address at "I donf^know if \ would use the word alumni in Atlanta. The campaigning, cou- Commenceinent. 'change,'" McShane said after he was asked pled with a rebound in the'economy, is help- On April 22, the Officeaof Public if there was anything he has seen orknows ing. When he, came in as president on July 1, Affairs announced that NBC News) of that he wants to change after nine months 2003, the university's endowment was near Tim Russert, "a nationally recognized on the job. "There are certain things that are $230,000,000. Within the last nine months, journalist and host of 'Meet the emerging as things that I want to do and I according to McShane, it has grown to Press'," would be this year's keynote think the university family wants to do." around $273,000,000. speaker. As with all keynote speak- «NBC Reminded of what he wanted to do in his A good portion of the funds currently ers, Russert will also be the recipient Keynote speaker Tim Russert. first year as president, McShane said that he being raised may go toward redeveloping the of an honorary degree. is still is in the process of "listening and see- Lincoln Center campus in-the future. As Russert is excited to deliver the submitted each year. The committee ing where things are going" and "seeing reported in The Observer in October 2003, keynote address at Fordham. "It is a starts with the previous year's list and where our strengths are and where our aspi- Fordham University currently has plans to unique opportunity to have a connec- adds or deletes individuals. A list of rations are." tion with young Americans," Russert about 30 people is submitted to the Through "listening" there is at least one Continued on page 5 told The Observer. Board of Trustees for their approval major priority that McShane has been work- One of the reasons Russert accept- and comments. Typically, the list is ed Fordham's invitation was because narrowed down to four honorary he attended John Carroll University, degree candidates, one of which is the Wood defeats Alario in USG Election also a Jesuit university, and, therefore, speaker. feels a particular kinship to those who In his keynote address, Russert have the benefit of such an education. plans to talk about his new book, "Big Russert was selected by the Russ and Me," in which he discusses University Commencement his relationship with his father. His Committee, which is chaired by book focuses on how he realized that University Secretary Margaret T. as he became older his father became Ball. According to Ball, the commit- smarter. tee is generally composed of trustees, "I now realize that what my father alumni, faculty, administrators and students who review nominations (Continued on page 4) Young Alumni give back to Fordham By Joana Casas, FCLC '04 FEATURES STAFF WRITER Page 12-17 At least 349 students from repay Fordham can participate in Fordham's Lincoln Center campus Young Alumni Giving. Any graduate will be walking down the aisles in from FCRH, FCLC, or CBA during May 22 as Fordham celebrates its the last 10 years is known as one of 159th Commencement ceremony Fordham's Young Alumni. There are and ships off another wave of gradu- more than 11,000 alums who fall into ates. The moment any senior this category, in which making a gift receives his or her diploma, Fordham of any size to any fund within will become his or her alma mater; Fordham will enrolls the donor in Eliza Gager/The Observer graduates will then join the likes of Young Alumni Giving. Cat Wood, FCLC '06, defeated LedeAlaria, FCLC '05, in the recent United Denzel Washington and Mary Student Government elections. Wood will assume the role of USG President Higgins-Clark as Fordham's Alumni. for the fall 2004 semester. See page 3 for details. Graduates looking for ways to Continued on pagel2 The Observer May 6, 2004 Jazzman's coffee kiosk coining to FCLC in fall By Marina Mezhberg, FCLC '04 available to students at all times. The CONTRIBUTING WRITER Opinion , fit stand's longer hours and ability to Features..... ............12 accept student meal cards, cash, and Arts & Culture ..19 FCLC - Fordham V Lincoln Center eventually credit cards, is certain to be Literary 26 campus will soon be home to The a Valuable addition to Lincoln Sports 32 Jazzman's Ca/e, a coffee stand not Center's cafeteria. Also valuable^js unlike that located at Rose Hill's the fact that Jazzman's will create MISSION STATEMENT Walsh Library. Opening in fall of more jobs at Fordham. Prichard The Observer is an independent- 2004, Jazzman's will serve freshly • emphasizes that the stand will "proba- minded student newspaper serv- made baked goods as well as various, bly be staffed by part-time or full-time ing the'Fordham College at gourmet coffees and house blends to employees" and "that those students . Lincoln Center (FCLC) communi- students and faculty. Already, expec- available to work a six hour day can ty. The Observer's mission is to seek and present the unbiased tations are high. ap|>ly for work as well." truth while simultaneously fos- Although Lincoln Center already Another example of the benefits of tering journalism experience has the Freshens stand and regular Jazzman's is in its impending location, among students enrolled at FCLC access to coffee at its cafeteria, stu- namely the "waiting area" of the first and promoting and supporting dents ar.e still excited for this newest the ethical principles defined in floor. Students will pass the stand in the First Amendment of the development. Catherine Horath, and out of the building. According to United States Constitution per- FCLC '04, thinks of the coffee stand Prichard, the "brown and taupe" con- taining to the freedom of speech as "an interesting addition to the cafe- struction will likely replace the bench- and of the press. teria." When asked if she would pre- es that are there presently. Candace fer visiting the coffee stand instead of Lawson, FCRH '04, agrees as to the Jen Hanson/the Observer CONTACTING US The Observer office is located on our local 'Starbucks, located at importance of location. "It's a great Above, students purchase items at Rose the FCLC campus in room SL-19 Columbus Circle, she said,. "I have idea," she says, "even though I will be Hill's Jazzman's coffee kiosk. of the Leon Lowenstein building never bought anything from any gone.!' Lawson is also a fan of the at 113 West 60th Street, New Starbucks, so I would probably buy coffee stand at the Walsh Library. possible, [the items] will cost less, or York, NY. Address all mail to The from the. new coffee shop in school Observer, Fordham College at Of course, the issue of price is also the same." The issues of cost, both of Lincoln Center, 113 West 60th [as] its more convenient. Too bad it important to consider when assessing the items available and the cost of the Street, Room 408, New York, NY hasn't opened already." the benefits Jazzman's is likely to stand itself have yet to be finalized. 10023. Call us at 212-636-6015 Convenience is a key concept in the have on the school. "If its cheaper In fact, much about the creation of or send e-mail to creation of Jazzman's. Ron Prichard, than the cafeteria, I will go there," the coffee stand remains an open [email protected]. Send said Francis Leung, FCLC '05. "If all faxes to 212-636-7047.