“Once Upon a Prof” - Homecoming 2022 draws fairy tale turnout

Rowan University’s Homecoming 2022, built around the theme “Once Upon a Prof,” proved truly magical Oct. 22 as thousands of attendees from far and near descended on their alma mater, drawn by the magic of friendship, the joy of returning to campus and the annual big game.

Homecoming ran from Oct. 17-23, a full week of events to boost school spirit and encourage alumni, students, faculty and staff to be #RowanProud.

But Saturday was the big draw, with entertainment, food trucks, tailgating, Profs football, and more.

Willingboro police officer Brandon Thomas ’14 said he and his wife Clarice ’18 return to campus at least once a year, and almost always catch Homecoming. Spinning tunes as a DJ during Homecoming this year, Brandon in 2020 became a Rowan Alumni Board member.

“It’s good to give back to what gave to you,” the Law & Justice Studies graduate said, walking and talking en route to the DJ booth. “I’m so proud of this place. Every year when we come back there’s something new – a building or a great new ranking – and it makes me feel good, like the value of my Rowan degree is increasing.”

Rachel and Andrew Johnston, both 2010 graduates of the Rohrer College of Business, returned this year with their young children, daughter Lexi and son Luke, and Rachel’s mother.

“It’s so much fun to come back and see friends and the kids absolutely love the kid zone,” Rachel Johnston said.

Electrical engineering major Zach Heras and education major Emma Dellafemina were on campus studying when they were drawn over by the Homecoming carnival.

“It’s all pretty cool,” Dellafemina said. “We’re here for the fun.”

“And the food!” Heras chimed in.

Education major Michael Carotenuto ’13 attended with his wife Kaitlin, who sported a bright yellow Rowan sweatshirt fresh from the bookstore.

“I’m not an alumna but I’m supporting because I’m Rowan proud!” Kaitlin said.

Michael said the couple made the three-hour round trip from Middletown in Monmouth County.

“It’s worth the drive,” he said. “Always good to come back.”

Senior education major Ray Wos, walking about the tents and attractions, said he was just trying to take it all in.

“It’s absolutely amazing, very lively,” said Wos, of Washington Township. “This is my first time and I’m loving it!”

Anthony Phillips ’84 and Roy Wright ’94, meeting up with friends and former classmates at a booth ahead of Sunday’s annual breakfast of the Rowan University Black Alumni Network (RUBAN), said they expected 60 or more members of the group to come out.

“It is a tradition,” said Phillips, who studied business at then-Glassboro State College.

“I look forward to seeing my fraternity brothers,” said Wright, a consumer economics graduate. “This is the one time each year when we can get together, have fun and reminisce about the good old days.”

Second year medical students Anthony Tigano and Lucinda Lau worked a tent with more than a dozen Cooper Medical School of Rowan University students, handing out brain-shaped stress balls as they talked up their program. Both Rowan alumni, they took part in a special “3+4” program that will enable them to graduate with undergraduate and medical degrees in just seven years.

“We hold this place near and dear to out hearts,” Lau said.

The “Once Upon a Prof” magic continued during the Homecoming football game as the Profs defeated Kean University 17-10, extending the team’s winning streak to three straight games.

The win capped a full week of student events designed to build, generate and celebrate Prof pride.

Events included annual banner and push cart competitions, “CANstruction,” in which teams built structures from canned food to support fellow Profs, a Battleship boat contest in the Rec Center pool (above left) and an annual lip sync competition.

A team from Student Center & Campus Activities won the overall spirit competition and took first in the banner contest while Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honor society, took top honors in the lip sync contest.

Rowan Men’s Ultimate won the push cart (below) and Battleship competitions and Greek organizations Theta Phi Alpha and Theta Chi won CANstruction (above right). More than 500 nonperishable items, which teams turned into sculptures celebrating the Homecoming theme and Rowan pride, were donated to The SHOP, Rowan’s on-campus food pantry and resource center.