Fordham welcomed eight new professors to the faculty at the Lincoln Center campus this academic year. In addition to the new professors, there will be three transfers from the Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) to the Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC). The new professors will be located in the English, political science, theater, psychology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology and modern languages departments.

Andrew Rasmussen, Ph.D., will be joining FCLC as a new hire in the department of psychology as an associate professor. The student body attracted Rasmussen to the Lincoln Center campus. “Although both campuses are known to be good, I understand that students at Lincoln Center have more life experience,” Rasmussen said.

Giorgio Pini, Ph.D., is a transfer professor from Rose Hill to the Lincoln Center campus. He will be teaching in the department of philosophy. Since 2005, Pini has been teaching at the Rose Hill campus; however, in 2009, Pini took the opportunity to teach a course at Lincoln Center, which left a positive impression upon him. Not only was the student body a factor for his decision to transfer, but so was the faculty at the Lincoln Center.

“I found that students came from very different backgrounds and perspectives. A lack of uniformity makes the discussion in class more challenging but also more exciting,” Pini said.

Theater Program Administrator Carla Jackson is a graduate of Fordham’s Theater Performance Program, which acquainted her with the faculty and staff prior to her employment. She attributes her success in obtaining a masters in theater management from Yale from her experience at Fordham.

Melinda Caron, Ph.D., was a visiting professor at Fordham before becoming an assistant professor of French and comparative literature. “The cultural effervescence of our campus emplacement makes it a fascinating place to evolve, discuss and think,” Caron said.

The following professors will also be new to the faculty at FCLC this fall: Andrew Albin, Ph.D., Shonni Enelow, Ph.D, Christine Fountain, Ph.D., Professor Sarah Lockhart, Assistant Professor Dennis Tyler, Jeanne Flavin, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Flynn, Ph.D.

The new hires at FCLC add a unique touch to the current faculty. Their accomplishments are diverse, ranging from producing August Wilson’s plays on and off-Broadway to working with West African communities within New York City.

The new professors have goals of their own while teaching at FCLC. “As a French professor, I am planning to organize theatre events, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to do so,” said Caron.

As a theater program administrator, Jackson is looking forward to watching her students develop their talents and full potential as creative adults. Pini is looking forward to working in Manhattan, as opposed to his former location at the Rose Hill campus. The opportunity to interact with the law school and the International Institute of Humanitarian Affairs has also made Rasmussen excited and optimistic about his work at FCLC.

Leonard Cohen, Neko Case, John Prine and Nat King Cole are just a few of the favorite musicians that the new faculty members to FCLC share. Pini has an ear for Pavement and Sebadoh. “My teenage son is an amazing classical/rock guitarist. I am his biggest fan,” Jackson said.

The new faculty hires take the stage at the beginning of FCLC’s academic year this fall. Operating in a number of different departments, the newest members of the Fordham community will be putting their hopes and goals into motion.