New campaign shares a story of growth and opportunity

Rowan University has spent the last decade rewriting what’s possible in higher education. Once a well-regarded local state college, Rowan has transformed into a national top 100 public research university in little more than a dozen years. More than ever, it's a place where students, employees and partners push boundaries and thrive, thanks to increased access and affordability, innovative public-private partnerships and entrepreneurial thinking throughout the institution.

To celebrate and share its impressive story more broadly than ever before, the institution has launched "Defy Definition," a bold, new communication campaign that touts the successes of the University, its alumni and students, and reflects the University and its direction.   

“Rowan is a place for those who dream big, work hard and achieve what they may have not even thought was possible,” said President Ali A. Houshmand. “In just a short time, we added three medical schools, more than doubled enrollment, and became one of the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing public research institutions. We have all the pieces needed to go even further, and to impact the entire state and region.”  

Always beyond expectations

Based on extensive market research and input from the Rowan community, the campaign celebrates Rowan’s spirit of innovation and opportunity. It highlights what sets Rowan apart, including these pride points:

• Students and faculty earning many national awards annually, including Fulbright scholarships, National Science Foundation awards and prestigious grants, opening doors for even more challenges and opportunities to excel. 
• Faculty and students breaking through traditional classroom and lab boundaries with immersive virtual reality curricula at its Dreamscape Learn Center.
• First-generation students pushing past limits and assumptions, creating a new path for themselves and those who follow. 
• Rowan continuing to rise to the national challenge of educating much-needed health care professionals, becoming one of only two universities in the nation with medical schools granting M.D., D.O. and D.V.M. degrees, including the largest medical school in the state, high-demand nursing programs and innovative biomedical research collaborations. 
• Faculty and students—including undergraduates—collaborating and publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Students—from its medical schools, business programs, arts, education and more—moving out of classrooms and labs to serve neighbors and make a difference in people’s lives.
• Enrolling the inaugural class at Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, making Rowan the home of New Jersey’s first veterinary school and one of only 36 in the nation.

“Defy Definition amplifies the voices and accomplishments of our community,” Rowan’s Chief Marketing Officer John Veilleux said. “We’ve studied other universities and it’s remarkable how we successfully bucked trends with record growth in enrollment and programs and how successful our students have been. In our conversations with employers and prospective students, including those looking for a second degree or a certificate, we’ve learned that Rowan has what today’s workforce needs—the right mix of high-quality, affordable and accessible programs to advance their career goals.

“This campaign allows us to re-introduce ourselves as a transformed institution, one that may surprise people who don’t know all we have to offer. It’s about showing the world what makes Rowan extraordinary.”  

Director of Alumni Engagement Chris D’Angelo said the campaign echoes what he’s already heard from many of the institution’s nearly 123,000 alumni, who represent all 50 states, four U.S. territories and 70 countries. 

“Our graduates are beyond proud and amazed by what Rowan has achieved,” D’Angelo said. “This is a university that continues to rise, and its growing reputation benefits all of us who call Rowan our alma mater. It’s exciting to know there’s even more ahead.”