Ready to soar: Welcoming our largest class ever

Members of the Class of 2028 at Rowan University just got settled onto campus, but they’re already making history.

At more than 3,100 students strong, the class is the largest in University history. Coupled with new transfer and online students, Rowan altogether has welcomed more than 5,300 new students to campus this fall. Final enrollment figures will be solidified on the 10^th day of the semester.

New Profs were admitted to the University from among 22,240 undergraduate applications—the most in Rowan’s 101-year history. For the first time ever, the University received applications from every state in the union and from 95 countries.

Rowan recently was named the third fastest-growing research institution in the nation by “The Chronicle of Higher Education.”

Getting settled

Altogether, 2,450 first-year students settled into seven campus residence halls during two days of move-in on August 28-29. As is Rowan’s tradition, they were aided by 630 campus volunteers who assisted students and their families as they set up their residence hall rooms.

Shane Karolyi, area coordinator for Residential Learning & University Housing at Holly Pointe Commons, said move-in was orderly by design with scheduled arrivals and plenty of help from returning students, faculty, staff, administrators and Rowan Police.

“There’s a genuine excitement on campus, and you can feel it,” Karolyi said. “It really helps that we have tons of volunteers from athletes, Greek organizations, clubs and organizations, and individual students who are here to help our first-year cohort move in.”

Rowan has been on an upward trajectory for more than a decade under President Ali A. Houshmand. The University’s enrollment has doubled over the past 10 years and campus residence halls are at 97 percent capacity this year.

Many students said they were drawn to Rowan by its ever-rising stature as a nationally ranked research university, its affordability, limitless possibilities across majors and its picturesque suburban campus. With roughly 23,000 students, Rowan is one of just two public universities in the nation to offer M.D. and D.O. medical programs. Additionally, it is slated to open New Jersey’s first veterinary school in 2025.

“It’s close to home, but far enough,” said biological sciences major Jaedyn Moreno of Collegeville, Pa. “I have the option here of maybe going to medical school or the new vet school, and that’s really exciting.”

“I’m really looking forward to meeting people,” said Danica Tannucilli, a biological sciences major from Saddlebrook who is rooming with her high school friend, Antonette Dietz, a radio, television and film major.

Fall Orientation: Welcome Week

While move-in got the year started for first-year students, programming hit a fever pitch during Fall Orientation: Welcome Week, a robust schedule designed to help students engage with others, learn about campus organizations, activities and services, and focus on personal wellness.

View a Welcome Week video recap here.

Organized by Orientation & Student Leadership Programs with sponsored events from offices and departments across Rowan, the week included everything from residential community meetings to First Night Fest, Rahlapalooza, student success and Rowan Thrive workshops, the annual Student Organization and Sports Club Fair and Fraternity and Sorority Life Showcase, a food truck festival and a pep rally, a new event this year at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.

President’s Welcome & Picnic

The week culminated with the annual President’s Welcome & Picnic, a Labor Day event that featured food, music, lawn games and fun. Led by the drum corps from the Pride of the Profs Marching Band, students paraded through campus to the University Green, where they were met by Houshmand and Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Kevin Koett.

During a brief ceremony, Student Government Association President Zackary Brown passed Rowan’s iconic Torch of Knowledge to Class of 2028 representative Samantha Jorgensen. The torch passing is a rite of passage for new students and represents an obligation accepted by the incoming class.

“As members of the Class of 2028, it’s your obligation to embrace the knowledge available here at the University and grow as a person so that you contribute to the greater community,” Koett said.

“That burning flame represents the passion for education you will need to be successful at Rowan…and beyond. We expect that you will pass along that passion to future generations.”

Noting the University’s rapid growth and its status as one of the nation’s most selective institutions, Houshmand said he takes the responsibility of caring for the new class seriously.

“We love you all,” Houshmand said. “Welcome to Rowan.”

“Rowan is a place where community and unity are the cornerstones of everything we do,” Brown told the students. “This I not just a university where you will find friends. You will find family…a family that lifts each other up, supports one another and works together to achieve greatness.

“I challenge you to be bold. Embrace every opportunity, face every challenge with courage, and commit yourself to being an active, engaged member of our Rowan community. Together, let’s make this year one of unity, growth and unforgettable experiences. Most of all, let’s make this a year of excellence.”

Classes for the 2024-25 academic year began on Tuesday, Sept. 3.