Manhattan’s Glasshouse venue was buzzing with pride on Monday evening as 800 Fordham donors, alumni, and scholars gathered for the Fordham Founder’s Dinner. They had much to celebrate: The dinner raised more than $2.5 million for the Fordham Founder’s Undergraduate Scholarship Fund and commemorated the successful conclusion of the University’s fundraising campaign, Cura Personalis | For Every Fordham Student.
“This night is so much fun. We toast each other, we celebrate Fordham, we pray together and we laugh,” said University President Tania Tetlow. Fordham gives students the skills they need to matter to the world, she said, shouting out the alumni in the room as “proof” that it works. “So for all of you who came tonight, thank you.”
The annual Founder’s Dinner recognizes an exceptional group of students, the Fordham Founder’s Scholars, as well as the generous donors who make their studies possible. Three benefactors—Henry S. Miller, FCRH ’68, PAR; Cathy E. Minehan; and David Tanen, LAW ’96—were presented with the Fordham Founder’s Award in honor of their personal accomplishments and unwavering support of the University.
His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, who received an honorary doctorate from the University in 2012 and a Founder’s award in 2016, delivered the evening’s invocation. Next, Alexa Carmona, FCRH ’26, sang the national anthem, while members of the joint service Color Guard of Fordham’s Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC posted the colors.
“Fordham is proud of its 177-year military legacy,” the announcer said, noting that the University “is home to more than 500 military-connected students, including veterans, veteran dependents, and future leaders in our ROTC programs.”
Armando Nuñez, GABELLI ’82, chair of Fordham’s Board of Trustees, then gave a brief introduction.
“We have so much to celebrate tonight,” said Nuñez. He noted that Fordham had surpassed its fundraising goals for the Cura Personalis campaign, which concluded in the fall, raising over $370 million to enhance the student experience, increase financial aid, and more. “We are so incredibly proud of our talented students and so appreciative of our generous donors,” Nuñez said.
Watch Nuñez’s full speech.
Speaking on behalf of the 48 Founder’s Scholars, Yves Andradas, FCLC ’25, expressed gratitude for the donors to the scholarship fund for opening the doors to a Fordham education for students like him.
“Every donor in this room plays a significant role in making my dream … a reality. So on behalf of all the students who were graced enough to be named Founder’s Scholars, our gratitude stretches far and wide,” said Andradas, who is studying philosophy and theology. “If hearing it from me isn’t enough, let my immigrant Haitian parents tell you they are so grateful not to have a college tuition bill at their doorstep every semester.”
Watch Andradas’ full speech.
While accepting his award, Henry Miller shared words of wisdom from country music star Tim McGraw.
“When you get where you’re going, don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line,” said Miller, quoting from McGraw’s song “Humble and Kind.”
It was an appropriate sentiment from Miller, who attended Fordham on scholarships and then went on to build an extraordinarily successful career in business. He has since served on Fordham’s Board of Trustees and given generously to the University to support the Jewish studies program, athletics, scholarships, and more.
Miller went on to share heartfelt advice with the scholars and attendees that touched on six key principles: philanthropy, integrity, respect, hard work, talent, and sense of humor.
Watch Miller’s full speech.
Cathy Minehan, who made history as the first female president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, discussed her late husband, E. Gerald Corrigan, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and proud Fordham alumnus, benefactor, and trustee.
“Jerry credited Fordham with preparing him for the economic and theoretical challenges he faced in his career, but way more importantly, for the strong public service thread of Fordham’s Jesuit education,” said Minehan. “I have been honored to continue Jerry’s legacy of generosity in supporting Fordham students.”
Watch Minehan’s full speech.
David Tanen, a biotech entrepreneur whose generosity has greatly impacted the Fordham School of Law, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to contribute and urged others to follow suit. “I encourage everyone to uphold the values Fordham represents and support the community that has given us so much,” said Tannen, who has supported scholarships, professional programs, and more at the Law School.
Watch Tanen’s full speech.
Tetlow, addressing the Founder’s Scholars, echoed donors’ remarks and encouraged students to pay it forward when they can.
“You have no idea how happy it makes us to do for you what others did for us. We hope that one day, years from now, you get a chance to invest in other young people and that, at that moment, you’ll remember this magical night,” said Tetlow.
Watch Tetlow’s full speech.
Founder’s Scholar Hiba Haloui, GABELLI ’25, one of the student emcees during the second half of the evening, offered a brief reflection on the close of the Cura Personalis campaign.
“The impact of this campaign and every Fordham donor was felt by every Fordham student,” Haloui said, before sharing that the Founder’sscholarship was the “cornerstone” of her journey from Morocco to New York.
Founder’s Scholar Noah Khalil, GABELLI ’25, introduced a video featuring student reflections in celebration the close of the Cura Personalis campaign. He expressed gratitude to the evening’s donors.
“The Fordham Founder’s Scholarship is an immense blessing, not only for its financial support, but mainly for what it symbolizes,” said Khalil. “It’s a representation of your belief in our ability and potential to achieve more than we ever thought possible.”
In her closing remarks, President Tetlow sketched out a bright future for the University, made possible by the ongoing support of Fordham’s community.
She highlighted the recent announcement of a $100 million donation from trustees emeriti and former Founder’s recipients Maurice and Carolyn Cunniffe—the largest gift in the University’s history—which will pave the way for a cutting-edge science facility and the expansion of STEM degree programs.
Tetlow said Fordham will set itself apart by not only teaching technical skills, but by giving students the ethical foundation to wield emerging technologies like AI for the greater good.
“For almost two centuries we’ve transformed lives as Ignatius taught us. And thanks to all of you, we will keep doing that for centuries to come,” said Tetlow. “The great philosopher Archimedes said, ‘Give me a fulcrum and I shall move the world.’ Fordham is that fulcrum and all of you have used it to move the world tonight.”
The video below, shown at the dinner, was created to celebrate the close of the Cura Personalis campaign. It is a gift of thanks from our students to our donors:
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