Neurosurgeon Dr. Myron Rolle, Rick Williams lead 40th annual MLK scholarship breakfast

Rowan University hosted the 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast and Day of Service on Jan. 19, honoring the life and legacy of King through community engagement, scholarship support and volunteerism. More than 250 students, alumni, faculty, staff and community partners filled Eynon Ballroom for an uplifting and educational gathering.

“Today, we honor the memory of Dr. King by striving to make our community better. Collectively, we can make a big difference,” Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand said in his opening remarks. “Thank you for making an investment in our community and our future.”

Hosted by the Office of the Provost, the Division of University Advancement and the Division of Student Access and Pathway Programs, proceeds from the event support the William H. Myers Memorial Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for high-achieving Rowan students.

6abc news anchor Rick Williams returned as the event’s moderator. Williams acknowledged the Myers family, past and current scholarship recipients, sponsors and partner organizations supporting the Day of Service before interviewing Dr. Myron Rolle on stage.

Originally from Galloway Township, Rolle is a Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital trained neurosurgeon and the current pediatric neurosurgery fellow at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. In a powerful conversation, the pair discussed Rolle’s life and career, his transition from professional football player to neurosurgeon, and the principles that guide him.

“I walked out of my house every day understanding that excellence and success had to be part of the routine,” Rolle said, reflecting on his childhood and the ideals that fueled his early thirst for knowledge. He referenced reading books about inspiring figures such as Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela and Ben Carson, which drove his aspirations.

In the spirit of the holiday, Rolle commended King’s courage, fortitude and conviction as principles that influenced his own life and career. He transitioned from being an All-American football player at Florida State University to playing in the National Football League for the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers before becoming a surgeon.

“That boldness to transition into things that may seem uncertain or unpopular at the time — I think that’s incredibly valuable,” Rolle added, referring to feelings of failure after his NFL career ended.

Rolle, the best-selling author of “The 2% Way: How a Philosophy of Small Improvements Took Me to Oxford, the NFL, and Neurosurgery,” encouraged students to celebrate small wins every day.

“Don’t look at challenges ahead as being overwhelming or daunting. Break it down to these small steps to make it more manageable. Those small wins add up toward achieving your higher goal,” he said.

Following his conversation with Williams, Rolle received a commemorative gift from Rowan’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Rolle is a member of the national fraternity. 

To close the breakfast, College of the Arts professor Lourin Plant led the RUBAN Choir and members of the Rowan University Concert Choir in a powerful rendition of “We Shall Overcome.”

Day of Service
Immediately following breakfast, more than 130 volunteers participated in hands-on service projects supporting local and regional nonprofit organizations. Registrants had their choice of volunteer opportunities, including:

• Preparing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Cathedral Kitchen
• Assembling flow packs with Flow Forward NJ
• Building care packages for families served through Catholic Charities of South Jersey
• Writing “Pick Your Pen Pal” letters and cards for seniors and hospice residents
• Making dog toys for local animal shelters

“I think when we all come together and contribute to the community at large, it just helps us as a country to ensure that we are doing our best,” said Michael Tharp, a junior elementary education major. Tharp served as a student leader on the Pen Pal project this year. He and his fraternity brothers from Alpha Phi Alpha volunteer during the Day of Service every year because King was also a member of their national organization.

Senior law and justice major Meadow Carstraphen led the peanut butter and jelly preparations for the second consecutive year. As president of the Black Cultural League and peer mentor for Rowan’s Dr. Harley E. Flack Mentoring Program, Carstraphen said it is important to serve others.

“Along with my involvement on campus, this adds to the passion for actually giving back. Doing acts of service and contributing to the community is more beneficial than just doing it to do it. I actually enjoy it and want to help,” Carstraphen said.