“This time of celebration is special for me because it is a reminder of how incredible our students are, and makes clear to me that our best days will always be in front of us, with leaders such as these exemplary future Gabelli School of Business alumni, leading the way,” said Lerzan Aksoy, the school’s dean.
Emme Simning, one of three co-valedictorians for the Gabelli School at Rose Hill, said that the education she got at Fordham is what made them exemplary.
“What makes a Gabelli graduate stand out in this world? My answer to that question does not involve the technical skills or business knowledge that we acquire, but rather that at Gabelli, we are taught to care for the world we live in,” said Simning, a finance major with a concentration in global business and member of the Global Business Honors Program. “The ability to be a part of something greater than ourselves and care for others is what sets Gabelli students apart.”
The event recognized students who were in honors societies and the business school’s honors programs, as well as students who received departmental awards and leadership awards. It also honored two Fordham graduates, Lorem Basile, GABELLI ’18, and Daniela Basile, GABELLI ’20 as Alumnae of the Year and recognized multiple faculty and staff members.
The three capstone student awards of the evening were the Alumni Chair Award, presented to a senior who exhibits “exemplary Fordham spirit and pride,” given to Natalia Kimmelshue; the Mozilo Future Distinguished Alumni Award, presented to a senior who has personified Fordham’s mission by “making excellence the focus of their life,” given to Beerdavinder “Bobby” Singh; and the Gabelli School of Business Dean’s Award, which recognizes a student’s “remarkable commitment to the Fordham community,” given to Amanda Evans.
Recognizing Parents: ‘You Are the Reason’
Both Aksoy and Vanessa Marku, a co-valedictorian, recognized the sacrifice of parents and families to send their students to Gabelli.
“This moment is for my mom—you are the green light at the end of the dock, my symbol of hope, and my greatest friend; for my dad, my greatest inspiration … for my grandparents who sacrificed everything in coming to America as ethnically Albanian immigrants from Montenegro,” said Marku, a finance major. “You are the reason I will be pursuing a juris doctorate at Hofstra University.”
‘Unique Experiences,’ from Monaco to London
Richard Torres Jr., a co-valedictorian, said that he was grateful for all the support and opportunities the Gabelli School gave him.
“You’ve afforded me so many unique experiences that I couldn’t have been exposed to anywhere else, including a study trip to Monaco, business meetings with Eli Manning and Giants executives, and an entire semester abroad in London,” said Torres, a business administration major with concentrations in finance and consulting.
All three valedictorians said that they were honored to be a part of this class.
“Many of you here in the crowd tonight will be the next changemakers and business leaders of the world,” Torres said.