Class of 2019 joins the Rowan University family

With confidence and pride, Nabil Jamhour accepted the Torch of Knowledge—Rowan University’s symbol of knowledge and leadership—and placed it on its base with steady-handed ease.

Just like that, the torch was passed from Rowan’s senior class to the freshman Class of 2019.

Just like that--with tradition, fanfare and fun--the collegiate careers of 2,600 Rowan undergraduates began.

The biggest, most academically talented class in Rowan history had a worthy representative in Jamhour, who was chosen to represent his classmates at the annual President’s Welcome and Picnic on Sunday, August 30, one of the highlights of Rowan’s Welcome Weekend for incoming freshmen.

As his fellow members of the Educational Opportunity Fund/Maximizing Academic Potential (EOF/MAP) 2015 Pre-College Summer Institute (PCI) cheered loudly, Jamhour demonstrated to all that the newest Profs were poised—and prepared—to carry on Rowan’s traditions.

Embracing the Rowan spirit

For Jamhour, that meant embracing the Rowan spirit—and the University’s friendly, family atmosphere.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” Jamhour said of the torch-passing ceremony, during which he accepted the torch from senior Anthony Wohlrab, president of the University’s Student Government Association.

“I was happy. I had my entire PCI family cheering for me.”

Looking out on a sea of new Profs on the University Green—the same spot where the class will attend Commencement ceremonies in four years--Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand told the freshmen they are joining the growing, thriving University at a pivotal time in its history. With new academic and residential buildings, new programs and more development on Rowan Boulevard on the horizon, the University is clearly on the move, Houshmand said.

“Every year that you come back to campus, you’ll see this place more beautiful than before,” the president said. “It’s a wonderful time for you to be here. The next four years are going to be the most important years of your life. I promise you we will get you the best education possible.

“You have no idea how happy I am standing here. You’ve made the campus so beautiful.”

Led by the Mummers’ Aqua String Band, the Class of 2019 processed onto the University Green for the ceremony from Whitney Avenue. They made history as the first class to proceed onto the green en masse through the new welcome arch, dedicated last fall.

Distinguished Young Alumnus

During the President’s Welcome and Picnic, Jonathan Barnes ’06, who serves in the U.S. Navy as a member of the Navy’s premier jazz ensemble, the Commodores, received Rowan’s Distinguished Young Alumnus Award.

Dressed in his Navy whites, Barnes, who credited faculty in the College of Performing Arts for helping him achieve great success as a musician, treated the gathering to his musical talents by playing trumpet with the Rowan Pep Band and vocalists on a rendition of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.”

Barnes has performed for President Barack Obama and for musical luminaries such as James Taylor and Bernadette Peters. Additionally, he performed on the soundtrack for Ken Burns’ critically acclaimed documentary, “The Roosevelts.”

“I want you to take advantage of all of the opportunities you’ve been given here at Rowan. The faculty members here are amazing. Seek them as mentors,” Barnes told the students.

Welcome Weekend

The President’s Welcome and Picnic came after a whirlwind Freshman Move-In Day on Saturday, August 29, when 2,083 freshmen moved into eight residence halls. Lugging totes and linens, stuffed bears and television sets, the newest Profs were assisted by 400 pink-shirted student volunteers, who happily offered assistance.

Both events were part of Welcome Weekend, a series of activities designed to get new students acclimated to the University, its services and traditions. More activities are planned as part of Start Up Smart, a series of events during the first three weeks of school designed to help new students make positive transitions to Rowan.