Homecoming 2019 reunites generations of friends, family and classmates

For thousands of returning Rowan alumni October 12, Homecoming couldn’t get any better than this: sunny skies, renewed connections and a big game that did not disappoint.

While the game itself was not the only draw, the Profs certainly flew high, romping Kean University 52-7.

Before the 2 p.m. kickoff, parking lots around Coach Richard Wackar Stadium thrummed with activity, from food sizzling on giant flattop grills to dance music carrying across the asphalt to peals of recognition as classmates from 10, 20, even 50 years before reacquainted with friends and their alma mater.

For Anthony Razzano ’54, whose wife, son, daughter-in-law, nephew and, now, granddaughter, attended or attend Rowan, it was truly a coming home.

“It’s always been a great place with good people,” said Razzano, 88, a South River native who, after graduating from Glassboro State College, enjoyed a remarkable career as a teacher, guidance counselor, school principal and superintendent.

Razzano’s son, Daniel, and daughter-in-law, Marie, graduated in 1986, his nephew, Chris Shearn (an anchor with the New York Yankees YES Network) graduated in 1995, and his granddaughter, Brenna, is a Rowan senior now.

“What’s amazing is how much this place changes and grows,” Marie Razzano said.

Since her graduation, changes have included then-GSC becoming Rowan University, the founding and success of the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, the opening of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, acquisition of the School of Osteopathic Medicine and Carnegie R2 classification as a high-research university.

“I’m always amazed,” continued Anthony Razzano, a star college baseball player who, as a second baseman, ended his collegiate career with school records for hits, triples, RBIs and runs scored in a game, and who, in 1986, was inducted into the Glassboro State College Athletics Hall of Fame.

“How much it’s changed”

Despite a popular annual reunion hosted by his fraternity brothers in Iota Phi Theta, William Deese ’79 said he hasn’t been back to campus since graduation. Originally from Newark, the communications major spent many years in California and now calls Virginia home.

“My fraternity brothers kept inviting me up, telling me how much it’s changed, but you really have to see it for yourself,” Deese said.

Rowan Dean of Students Dr. Drew Tinnin said Homecoming 2019, themed “Out of this World,” was popular with current students, too, many of whom participated in annual events like battleship, in which the goal was to stay afloat in canoes in the Rec Center pool, and the ever popular push cart competition.

“We had great participation all week,” said Tinnin ’D16.

While the activities, big game, tailgating and reacquainting with old friends brought many back to campus, Homecoming was also an opportunity to promote the University’s future. Populating information tents around the stadium, representatives from colleges and campus offices shared with visitors how their organization fits in with Rowan at large.

Representing The SHOP (Students Helping other Profs), Rowan’s on campus food and resource center, graduate student Tim Lauth encouraged visitors to donate canned and boxed foods as well as pens, pencils, notebooks and toiletries.

“Often, the perception is that the SHoP is here only for students in dire need,” he said, “but that’s not the case. It’s for any students, often those who aren’t in dire need but are struggling to get through college and just need some of the basics.”

For students, a week of Homecoming fun

Campus was abuzz for the week leading up to the weekend celebration as Rowan students demonstrated their school spirit at a host of events presented by the Chamberlain Student Center & Campus Activities, Campus Recreation, Student University Programmers and Rowan After Hours. Altogether, more than 40 teams competed in events throughout Homecoming Week.

Rowan Club Swimming won the annual Homecoming Banner Competition. Additionally, the team was the last one afloat to claim victory during the spirited Battleship showdown, which featured 30 teams.

Alpha Sigma Alpha and Alpha Chi Rho turned in the fastest times to win the Push Cart Competition while Theta Phi Alpha and Tau Delta Phi took top honors in CANstruction, an event that challenged students to use their creativity to build sculptures from nonperishable food items. More than 1,500 nonperishable items used in CANstruction were donated to The SHOP.

Sigma Delta Tau sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity won the Lip Sync Competition.

Theta Phi Alpha and Tau Delta Phi captured the biggest trophy when the team won the Homecoming Spirit Competition. Throughout the week, the team earned big points for their participation in student events while demonstrating Rowan pride, sportsmanship, and excitement for the “Out of this World” Homecoming theme.