Student Veterans of America at Fordham

At ’s Commencement, Gerry Byrne ‘66 received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his leadership as an entrepreneur, trailblazing media executive, and United States Marine Corps veteran. 🎓🇺🇸

In addressing the Class of 2026, he shared a message that resonates deeply with our veteran community:

“Integrity is a disappearing commodity in the environment that we’re living in. You guys can shine by recognizing that.” ✨

A powerful reminder to lead with purpose, serve with honor, and carry Fordham’s values far beyond graduation. 🐏❤️

Fordham salutes Cadet Dominic Cerrati, the new cadet battalion commander of Fordham Army ROTC Yankee Battalion. 🫡

Riley Burke grew up in a military family—moving from Tennessee to Georgia, Alaska, and Germany—and was shaped by constant change and long deployments.

Now at , she’s building something of her own in New York.

Nearly half of Fordham’s 620+ military-connected students are dependents using benefits earned through a parent’s service—an often overlooked group in higher education.

“Students like Riley arrive with resilience and perspective shaped by a lifetime of service alongside their families,” said Matthew Butler, executive director of OMVS. “Our responsibility is to match that commitment—by making sure they’re supported, seen and set up to succeed.”

Through the GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and a strong campus community, Riley has found both stability and direction.

This Month of the Military Child, her story is a reminder: they serve too—and at Fordham, that experience is supported.

🔗 Link in bio

It’s almost International Women’s Month!!!

Get ready for a glorious brunch filled with only our finest military-connected students… our women💐

March 21st at 1:00 p.m.
RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedp_8T9gqUYO2wRSJkrx1eTsuwhTnZEveIQVjmzEBh5_n—w/viewform

It’s a first come, first serve event with only 25 spots… but completely free 🩵

DM us with any questions or dietary restrictions:)

A little recap of our amazing First Friday!! 🎤🎵
Hope to see everyone at our next one:)

❄️ Weather Update ❄️

Due to the impending snowstorm, the Fordham Veteran Centers will be closed Monday, January 26.

While our physical spaces are closed, OMVS staff will be working remotely and remain available to support our student veterans. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email or Teams if you need assistance.

Stay safe, stay warm, and take care of one another. 💙

“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On MLK Day, we honor a legacy rooted in service and justice—values deeply shared by our Fordham military and veteran community.

Goodbye, Colorado Springs 👋

That’s a wrap on . Huge thanks to Student Veterans of America for the opportunities Fordham’s student veterans experienced over the past few days—learning, connecting, and building community alongside fellow vets from across the country.

Thank you as well to Colorado Springs and the incredible staff at The Broadmoor for the warm hospitality.

Now it’s back to New York, ready to jump into classes tomorrow—armed with new knowledge, fresh perspective, and ideas we’re excited to bring back to our .

Fordham Ram Vets on stage and dressed to impress at the SVA NatCon Ball.

The mission continues—just in a different uniform.

Among the moments that stopped us in our tracks at SVA was the Wear Blue: Run to Remember—a powerful tribute honoring those lost in service. Along the route: faces, names, and stories. Among them, Father Vincent Capodanno, forever known as The Grunt Padre.

Though he never signed on for combat, Father Capodanno embodied courage in its purest form. A Navy chaplain in Vietnam, he refused to leave the side of his Marines. During a brutal ambush in the Que Son Valley in September 1967, he ran toward the fight. A mortar blast tore through his arm, yet he continued to pull wounded Marines to safety, praying with the injured, administering last rites to the fallen—until he made the ultimate sacrifice. He was 38 years old.

Father Capodanno took evening classes at Fordham University. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in 1969, and in 2006 was declared a Servant of God, beginning the path toward sainthood.

Fordham is proud to count six Medal of Honor recipients among its alumni—a legacy of service, sacrifice, and moral courage that continues to inspire our Ram Vet community.

We remember. We honor. We run. 🇺🇸