Sounds like they should just set up a blog and get alumni and students blogging on it.  I mean, why hire just one personto "invent" their own version of Fordham's identity versus just setting up a blog and letting the community broadcast its own message on what Fordham is to them in a very honest and sincere way.  It would be a lot cheaper, too.

Link: The New York Times Job Market: Marketing - New York, NY.

ADVANCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST A rare and rewarding challenge: play a central role in the transformation of an excellent university into a world-class university. The right person for this job will be able to understand and communicate what makes Fordham University so special and-crucially-be able to make others understand as well. In this role you will liaise with marketing, communications and advancement leaders to incorporate our institutional identity into every aspect of our advancement communications across print and online media, from collateral for the Office of Development to copy for University publications. You'll be able to do so in the voice appropriate to the varied audiences addressed. Finally, you'll need to be able to manage internal client and vendor relations to ensure a finished product on time, within budget and on target. You should have significant, direct experience as a strategic writer in advancement communications in an academic, marketing or non-profit environment. And you should be as strong and creative a thinker

This was a game of destiny.  Fordham had been showing signs of greatness all year--for an inning here an inning there.  In their 15-10 loss last game, it felt like they were one or two plays from turning the tables.  It felt like this was a team ready to put it all together.

So, when Dave Murphy told Charlie O'Donnell, "I'm going to hit today," the manager should have realized it meant a lot more.  Murphy's season had been an up and down one, and while he's always put the bat on the ball, the lack of output in the boxscores had sunk him to lower depths of the lineup.  Still, his intensity and enthusiasm had been unmatched, it was only a matter of time before he'd have a day like this one--going three for three with a game ending solo shot in the bottom of the final frame. 

In fact, Murphy was playing so well, that the Fordham manager turned to his firstbaseman Cuthbert and said, "Wouldn't it be great if Dave just f*#%ing ended it right here?"  One pitch later, the game was over.  In addition, he turned in a perfect 6-3 double play with men on 2nd and 3rd in the top of the final inning to preserve the tie to go with a leaping catch of a soft liner earlier in the game.

Fordham did much of their damage with two outs.  O'Donnell singled in the first and advanced to third on Jason Giannitti single.  When Giannitti tried to advance on the throw to third, O'Donnell took off for home, plating Fordham's first run and cutting Mizuho's lead in half.  Firstbaseman Brian Cuthbert knotted it up with another single which scored Gianitti.

Once again, Patty Dickerson turned in a solid effort on the mound, shutting down Mizuho for the final three innings for the team's 3rd win.  The defense played solidly as well, with Larry Porco catching a couple of long drives in the outfield in front of the capacity crowd of three.

The team plays its final game on August 8th at North Meadow.  Spectators are always welcome.

Powered by Castpost

Cool...  Lara was one of the friendliest faces on campus and is going to make a great contribution to the team. 

Link: Ram News.

A couple of months ago, my mom told me of a student asking for my help.  She had made Fordham, but her boyfriend, who she said was a very good student, was waitlisted.  Knowing that I, if nothing else, knew a lot of people to talk to at Fordham, mom passed this girl on to me. I know that this years admissions numbers were through the roof in both quantity and quality, so it had to be tough to get off that list.  It didn't seem like the numbers would be in this student's favor, which is a shame, because its just a very difficult process altogether.  The admissions group does a great job with selection, but its also a tough job, because you're dealing with the emotions and expectations of literally thousands of candidates.  Its so hard to select one versus another and its, of course, not a perfect process.

The one thing that I told him was that, like in any other situation, like hiring, for example, its probably better when someone has a personal experience with you, and that he should make himself known to the right person.  The Admissions Office can't possibily interview 15,000 people, but it would be great if someone at the University was able to talk to him.  Showing up at Admissions and begging isn't quite what I had in mind, but I'm sure that's probably what a lot of people do.  I don't envy the people that have to answer all of these really sincere and heartwrenching phonecalls from students and parents alike.

I asked what this student's major was and it turns out that he wanted to do journalism.  Fordham has a great communications program and so I went straight to the top.  I contacted Dr. Paul Levinson, the Chair of the department, and basically asked if he would be willing to take a meeting with the student.  I said that if it turns out this student is really good, he could pass on a positive message to Admissions if he sees fit, and if not, no harm done and perhaps if nothing else this student would get some words of wisdom from an experienced professor. 

Well, not only did Dr. Levinson meet with this student, but he asked the student for writing samples.   I still didn't think there was much of a shot for this kid, though, just because of the numbers,  until I got this e-mail today.  It was actually the first time I had direct contact with the student...

Dear Mr. O'Donnell,

Although we have been in correspondance for quite some time now in one form or another we have never actually directly spoken. As I'm sure you know by now, my name is ..., and I'm writing to tell you how sincerely grateful I am for everything you did for me during the college acceptance process. Please don't think me rude for taking so long to respond, but I've been very overwhelmed as of late. One of the positive things that I got out of this whole application experience, is a genuine sense of gratefulness for my acceptance to Fordham. Unlike some others to whom admission came easy, I will not take one day of my career at Fordham for granted. I am thoroughly looking forward to the fall, and beam with pride whenever I get to tell someone about my college plans. Once again thank you so much for arranging my meeting with Dr. Levinson, who was invaluable to my quest for Fordham admission. At some point I hope I am able to thank you in person, but until that day you have my deepest gratitude.

Sincerely,

...

Fordham University Class of 2009

I forwarded this to Dr. Levinson, who responded:

Truly my pleasure.  Fordham is a winner in the humanity it allows
into such tough processes like college acceptances.

All best wishes,
Paul

Link: WFUV: Let’s Get Digital Panel - The Digital Music Weblog - digitalmusic.weblogsinc.com _.

This should be really interesting.... and I'm not just promoting it because its a Fordham related event:

"If the new world of mp3 blogs, mash-ups, downloads and ringtones boggles your mind, tune in to Let’s Get Digital on Thursday, May 19 at 9:00 PM, as host Jen Guerra takes a musical look at all things online. The New Yorker Pop Music Critic Sasha Frere-Jones, CDBaby.com Founder Derek Sivers, Berklee School of Music Vice President David Kusek, Creative Commons Executive Director Glenn Otis Brown and others join Guerra for an hour-long program examining how the race to get online affects not only musicians, but music fans and the music business in general.”

Go to WFUV's website for more info and the webcast.

After three games, Fordham Young Alumni Softball is still looking for its first win. While the team has looked solid, the guys and gals in maroon always seem to be inches away from a clutch hit or a run saving catch.  Call to the stand yesterday's 8-4 loss to Partsearch...

Just a few plays would have made the difference, but none of them went Fordham's way.  Fordham loaded the bases with two outs in the third, only to have the pitcher just barely get a glove on Christine Schildknecht's smash up the middle.  In the field, Larry Porco came within a step of a terrific Web Gem in the field, getting on his horse from center over to right and diving for a fly ball.  He tumbled on the catch and just barely lost his hold on it, which would have ended the inning, but was a great effort nonetheless. 

Christine also made a few nice grabs in the field, gloving two hot shots to second in the fifth.  In fact, the game featured several new faces at new positions.  Dave Murphy started at third, and manager Charlie O'Donnell subbed in for the under-the-weather Alexis Kramer.  O'Donnell's shortstop debut turned out to be a mixed bag--solid at first, but two misqueues late in the came cost Fordham two runs.  "I'm looking forward to getting back to the outfield where I can roam free like an antelope," he commented after the game. 

Patti Dickerson played her second game at firstbase, turning in another game of solid play.  Other highlights included Antoinette Mirsberger's first hit of the season, a seeing eye infield single.  Her personal hitting coach, Trevor Freeman, is proud of the great strides she's making.  "She told me before the season that if she didn't learn to hit, she'd dump me, so I've been working extra hard to make sure she learns the ropes," Freeman told the press in an interview. 

Brian Cuthbert went the distance on the mound in the loss for Fordham.  He'll return to the mound for Fordham's next game, on May 19th.... same time (6:30) same field (Heckscher #1).  More pictures from the game can be found here.