FROM THE PRESIDENT
The cover photo of Ramview shows sunlight reflecting on the Boller Science Center . It symbolizes a phrase I keep hearing these days : we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel .
With the acceleration of vaccine distribution — and now the extraordinary news that it is effective for adolescents 12 years of age and older — we see light finally emerging after a long period of darkness . We could truly return to near normalcy in September .
In this promising news , there is also a temptation . As we run to the light , we risk forgetting all that we learned in the dark . This risk runs counter to the narrative of faith and the story of Jesus ’ Paschal Mystery , which the Church celebrates during Eastertide . The darkness of Jesus ’ execution is not simply to be left behind in the light of the Resurrection . In fact , the reality of the Resurrection allows the disciples to interpret the life and death of Jesus in new , salvific ways .
How does this experience apply to us at Fordham Prep ?
What lessons from the tunnel should we take with us ? How can these lessons help us advance our mission of faith , scholarship , and service ? These are the questions of the moment . Without this reflection , we return to the light no wiser .
While it ’ s still early in this process , here are three lessons we are learning : Ignatian education prioritizes adaptability and creativity .
The Fordham Prep faculty , who we will recognize and celebrate at this year ’ s Igniting Our Mission fundraising event , were undaunted , courageous , and relentless in their efforts to find new ways and adopt new practices to reach their students during this challenging year . I am amazed by their resilience and commitment to exercise cura personalis toward their students , even in the face of tremendous obstacles . The lessons they learned in the process have improved their skills and helped them grow in understanding the needs of their students . They emerge better teachers as a result .
Technology offers an extraordinary educational resource which , used appropriately , can transform our capacity to deliver our mission .
Innovation requires that we leave old ways behind in order to embrace new methods . It ’ s easy for us to procrastinate and leave the work of innovation to another day . Using new and emerging technology in classroom teaching often follows this pattern , too . The conditions of the pandemic left us no choice . In order to deliver our hybrid and remote models of education , we were required to adopt new technological resources and learn new skills . Now these are part of our educational tool box , and we will find new ways to continue to use them as we emerge into the light .
Gratitude begets generosity . Challenges and crises hold the opportunity and invitation to magnify both virtues .
At the beginning of this crisis , we realized that it would require us to commit extraordinary resources . Job losses imperiled the ability of hundreds of our families to pay tuition . We wanted to ensure that no student would be forced to leave Fordham Prep due to financial hardship . We also needed to adopt costly health and safety protocols . Finally , we wanted to preserve employment and avoid unpaid furloughs and layoffs for our loyal faculty and staff .
So , in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression , we turned to our alumni and parents , asking them to increase their support and , in some cases , redirect their previous commitments . Without exception , they were unfailingly generous .
Often they told us that the pandemic served to magnify their gratitude for Fordham Prep ’ s mission and its impact in their lives . As a result of these additional resources , we were able to avoid in-school transmission of the virus . We protected our enrollment , as I know of not one student who was forced to leave Fordham Prep due to economic challenges . And we kept our faculty and staff fully employed .
I am exceedingly grateful to each donor who stepped forward , and all who sacrificed to help us reach these ambitious goals .
These are just three lessons that I hope to take out of the tunnel , but there are bound to be countless more .
May we not fail to “ mine the tunnel ” for treasure as we prepare to leave it , and embrace the light . And may we understand these experiences in the only light that matters : the light of the Risen Christ , who promises to give us wisdom and hope for the journey .
4 RAMVIEW
Christopher J . Devron , SJ President