Today we feature senior Thomas Delmonte, a Chemistry major with a minor in Physics. Thomas is from Jackson, NJ (Ocean County) and is a first-generation college student.
What do you like about your major?
I like a lot of things about it. I like the department. I like a lot of the professors. I like the goal of Rowan. I think we get a lot of hands-on experience. I think we get a lot of really good opportunities to learn material and overall I think it is a really great program.
How is your program hands-on?
In rigorous chem labs all four years of being at school here. So definitely in addition to learn in the classroom you really are getting like hands-on experience. For job experience you know getting to do things from your first year all the way to your fourth year.
What is one thing you have learned that stands out?
I think more along the field of science and just a group of people trying to come up with a better way of understanding something and being open to new ideas that are scrutinized and sort of the whole way of thinking like you know we as individuals may not be able to accomplish much but when we come together and we accept new ideas we like the potential is limitless.
What is your favorite class that you have taken at Rowan?
Inorganic Chemistry – It is a bit hard but the class was really interesting. You hear a bit about organic chemistry and how it is popular buy you hear less about inorganic chemistry which is more of your metal chemistry and stuff like that. I think a lot of people even in chemistry overlook it and don’t realize that material science and things related to inorganic chemistry are what drives all of the technological revolutions and what pretty much advances humanity more than anything.
What are your career aspirations?
I want to get as deep into the field of science that I can. The hope is right out of school that I get as many different opportunities as I can and get experience. Ultimately I want to work on big projects that make a difference. I think that when you look at the way the world is going there is a lot of great things that will be coming up in the next coming years. Like space programs, medical industry, technology, things that chemistry and physics are on the forefront for. I want to work with Elon Musk one day, that is my biggest dream.
How did you and your friend meet?
My friend, Mitch Mills is a senior Accounting major from Jackson, NJ (Ocean County). We went to high school and played football together. Every year after freshman year we roomed together at Rowan.
One thing about Rowan that made you feel at home?
When I first came to Rowan I was not sure if I really liked it but as the years went on it was getting to know a lot of professors intimately that made it feel like home. Getting to see what they are working on and just learning a lot from them, I think that you can’t really get that anywhere else. I think I have had the opportunity to meet people that really gave me a lot of knowledge. It will be useful for future opportunities and careers Rowan gave me and you can’t get anywhere else.
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Story and photography by: Stephanie Batista, sophomore Music Industry major
