Dear Mr. and Mrs. Brandemarti, 

I am an accounting professor at Fordham University who had the pleasure of teaching and learning from your son Nicholas. Through the years I have kept the last exam I gave Nicholas in my desk drawer and have kept your entire family in my prayers.  In remembering his gentle smile and glistening blue eyes I had always wanted to present an award at graduation in Nicholas’ name and to share his story with the CBA classes that followed him.  This year I was appointed interim Dean of the College of Business and was able to create the Nicholas Brandemarti award. My idea was to give the award to finance major with a strong interest in athletics and commitment to working hard to achieve success. I left the selection process to class Deans who knew the current students the best. When I presented the award the first thing that struck me was the recipients glistening blue eyes!! 

I wanted to share with you what I read to class of 2006 

The Nicolas Brandemarti award is given to a senior athlete concentrating in Finance, who successfully balanced academics along with their athletic commitment to Fordham.

This award is named in memory of Nicholas Brandematri a graduate in the class of 2001. Like many of the faculty and administrators here tonight I had the pleasure of both teaching and learning from Nicholas. An injury early in his career prevented Nicholas from playing on the Fordham football team, but he honored his commitment to the team as the statistician and videographer. Off the field Nick studied diligently, earned his BS in business with a dual concentration in finance and accounting. He worked for Keefe, Bruyette and Woods and was one of the almost 3000 people who were tragically killed on September 11. Nicholas had a zest for life, approaching things with a positive attitude and a bright smile on his face. This award was named so his spirit will live on and will always remain here with us at the college of business.

Sincerely,

Donna Rapaccioli

Associate Professor of Accounting

Interim Dean of the College of Business at Fordham University