The end of the year is the perfect time to take stock, to stop and reflect. And if I had to sum up the past 4 years in a single word, it would have to be “renewal”. An important word in the Fordham community, bearer of a mindset that has always been oriented toward improvement and values such as freedom, justice and truth, in line with the tradition of Saint Ignatius.
Aware of this precious gift, I wish, in these brief reflections, to offer my testimony of my four years as Chair of the Fordham London Center Advisory Board, a position I have had the honor of holding until 2024.
It has been an extraordinary experience, inspired by the positive energy in the air at Fordham. Being able to contribute to the growth of a new generation of business leaders, sharing with them my experiences as an international banker and manager, has been a great privilege for me, and a boundless source of inspiration.
I’ve always been convinced that the process of studying is one of the most noble and transformative things a human being can do, and a door to change and progress. Contributing to this process means encouraging young people to be receptive to innovation, to embrace dialogue, to grow as individuals, and to promote a better society.
Looking back over these past four years of work together, what I see is a process of renewal and transformation, which began in 2020. It was supposed to be the year in which we celebrated the Centennial of the Gabelli School of Business, but it turned out to be the year of the pandemic. It was like an obstacle race: we had to adapt, quickly coming up with new ways of keeping our community alive at a time of great risk to both our health and our interpersonal relationships.
This evolution continued in 2021 and 2022 on the occasion of the celebrations of the Ignatian year, marking the 400th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. This offered a very important opportunity to restate the importance of universal human values, such as the ability to discern good from evil: an essential guide in our everyday choices.
Our commitment was expressed in the constant growth of the London Center, a “bridge” between the United States and Europe, achieving the University’s goal of offering its students an international education in line with the spirit of the Jesuit values. The results speak for themselves: in the 23/24 academic year, Fordham London registered record-breaking attendance figures, with more than 560 students registering for its international study programs.
I feel very proud of these milestones, the result of the praiseworthy dedication of all our management, to whom I express my deepest gratitude. Heartfelt thanks to Tania Tetlow, President of Fordham University, Lerzan Aksoy, Dean of the Gabelli School of Business and, before her, Donna Rapaccioli, for their outstanding leadership. Sincere thanks are also due to the Advisory Board for its constant commitment and contribution, and to the faculty, who have worked with dedication to achieve the established goals.
Lastly, my greetings and special wishes to my friend Greg Minson, the new Chair of Fordham London Center, to whom I have handed a difficult task which will however have plenty of satisfaction to offer. I’m confident that together, we will continue to work toward achieving important new milestones.
Fordham is not just a prestigious university; it’s a strong, lively community, where tradition is constantly renewed in response to the challenges of the times. Ad Maiora, Greg!
Andrea Mennillo
Founder and Managing Director, International Development Advisory
Member of Fordham University London Centre Advisory Board