Welcome, Class of 2020!

Rebecca Gavin is a Rowan University Move-In veteran.

With two older siblings who have attended the University—sister Charlotte is a 2015 alumna and brother Andrew is a senior—Gavin has earned her stripes on past Move-In days.

But on August 28, it was Gavin’s turn to experience the thrill of being a Rowan freshman residential student for the first time. She was privileged to move into Holly Pointe Commons, the brand new 1,415-bed residence hall adjacent to Rowan Boulevard.

The $145 million complex, which boasts a unique, serpentine-shaped footprint, is 303,000 square feet and includes a 550-seat dining hall and a grab-and-go café.

Through the University’s first-ever public-private partnership to develop on-campus student housing with a private developer, Rowan entered into an agreement to construct Holly Pointe Commons with University Student Living (USL) of Marlton, the comprehensive campus housing company of The Michaels Organization, and Provident Group-Rowan Properties LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Resources Group, Inc.

Designed with the needs of underclassmen in mind, the building is organized into “pods,” which include a mix of student bedrooms, lounge and study spaces, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

As she unpacked her belongings, occasionally peering out her window to the picturesque green area in the center of Holly Pointe, Gavin became one of 2,288 freshmen to move onto campus this academic year.

Nearly 900 volunteers

During a whirlwind, 10-hour day, first-year students were aided by nearly 900 volunteers—students, faculty, staff and administrators—who commandeered shopping carts and bins on wheels to give the class of 2020 a warm, helpful Rowan welcome throughout campus.

“As soon as I got here, we had three guys helping us move. It went really smoothly,” said Gavin, a civil and environmental engineering major from East Brunswick, who chose Rowan in large part because of the stellar reputation of the College of Engineering.

“I realized when we were driving in that it was the last time I’ll see things on campus as unfamiliar.”

Now, Rowan’s campus, she said, is home.

Welcome Week

While 649 freshmen became the first residents of Holly Pointe Commons, first-year students moved into nine different residence halls across the Glassboro campus. Move-In kicked off a special Welcome Week presented by the Division of Student Life.

Activities included community meetings for both residential and commuter students; “Welcome Home” programs; discussions focusing on the RU Reading Together book, Americanah, the common reading program book this academic year; a food truck festival, a Prof Pride rally, and late-night programs at the Rec Center.

President’s Welcome & Picnic

A highlight of Welcome Week was the annual President’s Welcome & Picnic on the University Green. One of the most historic and beautiful areas of campus, the Green also is the site of Rowan’s Commencement ceremonies.

Led by Dean of Students Richard Jones, Student Government Association President Daniel Cardona and a group of Mummers from the Aqua String Band, students marched through campus, up Whitney Avenue and through the iron gates to the University Green, where Rowan President Ali Houshmand officially welcomed them to the University.

“We are so pleased you are here,” Houshmand said, adding that he was hopeful each freshman will have four wonderful years of intellectual and personal growth. He also passed on a bit of “fatherly advice.”

“Think before you make decisions,” he said. “Welcome to your home. I love you all.”

Passion for education

In a ceremony rich in tradition and symbolism, Cardona passed Rowan’s Torch of Knowledge to Class of 2020 representative Katie Hau. Both Cardona and Hau are communication studies majors in the College of Communication & Creative Arts.

The passing of the Torch of Knowledge to the new class represents an obligation, Jones told the students.

“It’s your obligation to embrace the knowledge available here at the University and grow as a person so you can contribute to the greater community,” Jones said. “That burning flame represents the passion for education you will need to be successful here and beyond—and we hope you pass along that passion to generations to come.”

Addressing the class, which is nearly 2,600 strong, Cardona urged them to get involved in campus activities.

“College is unique in that there is not only one variable to measure your success,” said Cardona. “Success at the college level is measured by what you achieve inside and outside the classroom. How will you separate yourself from the rest? How will you make your mark on this University?”

Distinguished Young Alumna

During the President’s Welcome & Picnic, New Jersey Army National Guard Sgt. Linette Rivera Rodriguez accepted the University’s Distinguished Young Alumna Award. Rodriguez, 29, who earned her sociology degree in 2011 from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, was among the first women in the Army to earn the 12B combat arms military occupational specialty. She helped pave the way to remove genera-based restrictions in the military and to allow women to serve alongside men in combat arms units.

The daughter of two Army veterans, Rodriguez grew up in Camden and earned her degree as a single mother.

“I can proudly say Rowan University’s support network and prestigious academic programs set me up for total success,” Rodriguez told the students. “It doesn’t matter if your walk of life is similar--or even completely different—than mine was. Either way, I tell you with certainty that that your overall success, as a student and as an individual, will be valued here at Rowan.”

The President’s Welcome & Picnic is held in lieu of Convocation at Rowan. After the ceremony, students enjoyed a picnic of Jersey-fresh foods in the oak grove area near Evergreen Hall.

Smart starts

Activities will continue throughout September for freshmen with Start Up Smart, a series of events in the first three weeks of the semester designed to help students transition to the University and make a positive start to their college career.

Start Up Smart events run the gamut—from programs focusing on academic success and career planning to making healthy choices, getting involved, embracing the Rowan spirit and embracing diversity.

Academic classes at Rowan started on Sept. 1.