Commencement 2019 to feature health & fitness superstar, alumnus Shaun T!

Commencement 2019, Rowan University’s biggest celebration of the year, is coming, and Shaun T will be here to turn up the excitement!

Born Shaun Thompson, the 2001 Rowan graduate, a leader in the multi-billion dollar health and fitness industry, will deliver the University’s keynote address during the main Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 11 at 5 p.m. in Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.

The founder of Shaun T Inc., his company has generated $1 billion in sales since 2007 with a string of at-home workout blockbusters including Hip Hop Abs, INSANITY and Transform: 20.

During the main ceremony, Rowan will also award disability rights activist Judith Heumann an honorary doctoral degree. Among her many achievements, Heumann co-founded the World Institute on Disability in 1983 and served as its co-director until 1993. Appointed Special Advisor for International Disability Rights by President Barack Obama, she also served as Assistant Secretary of Education for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services under President Bill Clinton.

At 6 p.m., join us for the Commencement Coast Celebration! This Commencement after-party will feature a Coastal Café Buffet, dessert bar, beer & wine cash bar, games, music and more.

Celebrating all week

Commencement 2019 will include five days of programs, Saturday, May 11, through Thursday, May 16. View program information for all ceremonies.

Rain info/tickets – Tickets are required for the main program at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium and all graduating students were allocated tickets. Ceremonies on University Green do not require tickets but indoor programs, including those held in Pfleeger Concert Hall (inside Wilson Hall) and those moved inside in the event of rain, also require tickets.

Route 322 – There are no planned shutdowns or detours but heavy foot traffic could cause delays.

Parking – For Saturday’s main ceremony, participants and guests can park in lots around Wackar Stadium. Please note that Lots C and C1 will be closed Sunday except for special needs visitors and VIPs with passes issued by Rowan’s parking office.

For college- and school-specific ceremonies Monday through Thursday, most of which will be held on University Green barring inclement weather, participants and guests will be directed to park in Lots B, B-1, C, D, D-1, O and O-1. Guests are encouraged to walk from those lots to University Green but free shuttle service will be available. Please note that lots P & R  and a portion of  Lot O1 will be closed Monday through Thursday except for special needs parking and VIPs with passes issued by Rowan’s parking office. Lot Y will be closed beginning Friday, May 10.

Shuttle Service – For Saturday’s ceremony and celebration, Rowan shuttles will run from 2 p.m. through 9 p.m. from Edgewood Park Apartments and surrounding lots to Wackar Stadium, as well as from the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel on Rowan Boulevard directly to Wackar Stadium.

For the Monday through Thursday ceremonies, shuttles will run from the north side of campus and from the Courtyard by Marriott directly to University Green beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Shuttles will run for the Monday through Thursday college and school ceremonies in Pfleeger Concert Hall (Wilson Hall) from the north side of campus and from the Courtyard by Marriott directly to Pfleeger Concert Hall beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Employee parking – Lots P and R (near Bole Hall) and Lot Y (near the baseball field) will be closed to employees during Commencement Week. Employees who normally use those lots should park in the Townhouse Garage or along Whitney Avenue (University side of street only).

If you haven’t been to campus in a while, please view our Campus maps and directions page.

Food and beverage – Rowan’s food provider, Gourmet Dining, will operate concession stands with light snacks and beverages during the ceremonies.

Other Commencement Week information

The Wellness Center in Winans Hall will have regular hours:

Monday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Student Recreation Center and Victoria Street Fitness Center: 

Starting May 10, Rowan’s Rec Center will keep summer hours, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, in the event of inclement weather, Commencement ceremonies will move indoor and the Rec Center will close for general use. Fitness Center summer hours will be 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 – 8 p.m. during the week. Please see the Campus Rec web site for full details.

For full information about Commencement Week 2019, please visit rowan.edu/commencement or email questions to commencement@rowan.edu.