With Rowan celebrating its centennial year, we hear from several incoming first year students who share their stories, interests, and goals for their upcoming years at Rowan University. Students are eager to step foot on Rowan’s campus and are looking forward to meeting new friends, all while making memories that will last a lifetime. They […]
freshman voices
First Year Voices: History Major Abbigail Ealer
Today, we feature Abbigail Ealer, a first year History major from Washington Township, NJ. Abby is in the Honors program and a mentee of the Bantivoglio Leadership and Service Training (BLAST) peer mentoring program, which pairs upperclassmen with incoming Honors students to help guide them through their first semester in Honors and at Rowan. Abby […]
Rec Center Confessions: Student Workers Share
The gym can be an intimidating place. Lucky for the students of Rowan, student workers at Campus Recreation are doing everything they can to make staying active an enjoyable experience for everyone! Campus Recreation, better known to students as the Rec Center, offers a safe and welcoming facility for students to maintain happy and healthy […]
First Year Voices: Music Education Major Arianna Granda
Today we speak to Arianna Granda, a first-year Music Education major with a Vocal Concentration. Arianna is from Rockaway, NJ (Morris County) and lives on campus. How is your first year at Rowan so far?It’s definitely been a weird transition, especially going into online school. But I think overall Rowan has handled it really well, especially […]
First Year Voices [VIDEO]
Today we chat with Nathalie Hernandez, a violin performance major from Feasterville-Trevose, PA, and Marc Rivera, a music industry major from Ewing, NJ. These two freshmen share their experience so far this year and what they’re most looking forward to during their time at Rowan. Like what you see? LEARN MORE Video by:Max Morgan, senior […]
First Year Voices: Education Major Jayshalie Jennings
Today we speak with freshman Jayshalie Jennings a Secondary Math Education major from Williamstown, NJ (Gloucester County). Jayshalie is a part of PROFFAMILY, a newly formed freshmen group focused on inclusion and fun. What has your freshman experience been like so far? It’s been very different just because we haven’t had the chance to come on campus […]
First Year Voices: Tara Long Discusses BLM, Mental Health
Today we feature Human Services major Tara Long from Mount Laurel, NJ (Burlington County). She tells us about why she chose her major, involvement with Black Lives Matter and how her freshman year is going. Tara is a part of PROFFAMILY, a newly formed freshmen group focused on inclusion and fun. Why did you choose […]
First Year Voices: Hip-Hop Artist Pharaoh Freer
Today we feature Pharaoh Freer, a freshman Music Industry major. Pharaoh is from Jamesburg, NJ (Middlesex County) and lives on campus. When you wake up in the morning, what are you most looking forward to in that day? I think about what I am going to get accomplished that day. What did I not do […]
First Year Voices: Exploratory Studies Major Kevin Duffy
Today we speak with freshman Kevin Duffy from Wayne, NJ (Passaic County) who is currently undecided on what major he wants to pursue. How do you like living in Chestnut Hall? It’s fun, you get the real college feel when you’re living in Chestnut Hall. Are your classes remote or hybrid, and how has that […]
First Year Voices: Noah Garcia
Today we speak with Noah Garcia who is currently an undecided major (exploratory studies). So far Noah has been enjoying being in school and plans to continue to keep up with his school work while getting more involved on campus. What do you like about living in Chestnut Hall? It’s the best looking residential building […]
First Year Voices: Ariana Blake from Jamaica
Today we feature Ariana Blake who is 17 years old and from Montego Bay, Jamaica. Ariana is a freshman Biological Sciences major and loves going to the beach. When you wake up in the morning what are you most looking forward to in that day? The first thing that I think of in the morning […]
First Year Voices: Music Industry Major Samuel Poku
Today we speak with freshman Music Industry major Samuel Poku, who goes by Poku and is from Old Bridge, NJ (Middlesex County). He is the creator and visionary for the freshman group PROFFAMILY. Why did you choose Rowan? I chose Rowan because it was a really good place for me. Considering my major and the […]
First Year Voices: Exploratory Studies Major Christopher Maestoso
Today we feature Chris Maestoso, who has adjusted well so far with living away from home as well as learning remotely. Chris is from Fairfield, NJ (Essex County) and currently residing in Chestnut Hall. How do you like living in Chestnut? It’s been good so far. The beginning was tough because it was really hot […]
First Year Voices: Chestnut Hall, Adjusting to College – Griffin Roughgarden
Today we feature freshman and Chestnut resident Griffin Roughgarden. Griffin is a Business Entrepreneurship major from West Caldwell, NJ (Essex County.) How do you like living in Chestnut?It’s really good, actually. It’s pretty quiet, it’s not really a loud place, there’s lots of amenities. It’s kind of the perfect location on campus. Have you thought about […]
First Year Voices: Music Industry Major Nick Merritt
Today, we speak to freshman Music Industry major Nick Merritt from Toms River, NJ (Ocean County). Nick currently resides on campus in Holly Pointe Commons. He tells us a little more about living on campus and why he chose Rowan. How’s living in Holly Pointe? I like it! I just moved there from Chestnut! I […]
First Year Voices: Musical Theatre Major Lennon Heitz and Acting Major Shayla Hermann
Today, we speak to Musical Theatre major Lennon Heitz and Acting major Shayla Hermann! These first years both reside on campus in Magnolia Hall and Holly Pointe Commons. Lennon is from Middletown, DE and Shayla is from Pennington, NJ (Mercer County). They tell us a little more about living on campus and why they chose […]
First Year Voices: Spanish Major Jenna Rech and Biology Major Maria Mousa
Today, we speak to freshmen roommates Jenna Rech and Maria Mousa! Jenna is a Spanish major from Cherry Hill, NJ (Camden County) and Maria is a pre-med Biology major. They live on campus in Magnolia Hall. They tell us more about their experience at Rowan so far and what they’re looking forward to in the […]
First Year Voices: Marketing Major Lili Solimando
Today we speak with Lili Solimando, a Marketing major within the Rohrer College of Business who is enjoying life at Chestnut Hall so far. Lily plans to get more involved once things open back up on campus. How do you like living in Chestnut? It’s pretty good. I don’t really have any problems with the […]
First Year Voices: Roommates Chris Voyantzis and Bekim Krkuti
Today, we speak to roommates Chris Voyantzis and Bekim Krkuti, who live on campus in Chestnut Hall. Chris is an Engineering Entrepreneurship major and Bekim is a Supply Chain and Logistics major. They’re both from Freehold, NJ (Monmouth County). They tell us more about why they chose their majors and what it’s like living on […]
First Year Voices: Chemistry Major Spencer Feldman
Today, we speak to freshman Chemistry major Spencer Feldman from Livingston, NJ (Essex County). Spencer is currently residing on campus in Holly Pointe Commons. He tells us a little more about why he chose Rowan and what he likes to do on campus. Why Rowan? I chose Rowan because of the location. Also, when I […]
First Year Voices: Biology Major Analiz Santana and Exercise Science Major Mia Guerra
Today, we speak with freshmen Analiz Santana and Mia Guerra. Analiz is a Biology major from Pennsauken, NJ (Camden County) who is currently residing in Mimosa and Mia is an Exercise Science major currently residing in Holly Pointe from Hasbrouck Heights, NJ (Bergen County). They tell us more about why they chose Rowan and how […]
(FRESH)man Voices: Radio/TV/Film Major Vicky Stein & Geology Major Sammy Mason
Today, we speak to freshmen Vicky Stein and Sammy Mason from Lewes, Delaware who live on campus in Chestnut Hall. Vicky is a Radio/TV/Film major and Sammy is a Geology major. They tell us more about their favorite spots on campus and give some advice for incoming students. How did you two meet each other? Sammy: It’s […]
First Year Voices: Journalism Major Austin Ahart
Today, we speak to Austin Ahart, a freshman Journalism major who currently resides on campus in Holly Pointe Commons. Austin tells us more about his on-campus experience. How is living in Holly Pointe? I love Holly Pointe, it’s beautiful! Have you met your RA? I have! My RA is super supportive. He’s been really awesome, to be […]
First Year Voices: Musical Theatre Majors Ben Helbert and Connor Shields
Today, we speak to freshmen Musical Theatre majors Ben Helbert and Connor Shields! Both out-of-state students, Ben is from Williamsburg, VA and Connor is from Holland, PA. They live on campus in Holly Pointe and Mimosa Hall. Here, they tell us more about their time at Rowan so far and why they like living on […]
First Year Voices: Psychology Majors Katyana Rodriguez and Anaisis Santos
Today, we speak with two freshman Psychology majors, Katyana Rodriguez and Anaisis Santos. They’re both from Salisbury, Maryland and are currently residing on campus in Chestnut Hall. They tell us more about their time at Rowan and their favorite spots on campus. How did you two meet each other? Anaisis: Well, we actually met in […]
First Year Voices: Physical Education Major Jalen Baptiste
Today, we speak to Jalen Baptiste, a freshman Physical Education major currently residing on-campus in Chestnut Hall from Hackettstown, NJ (Warren County). Jalen tells us about living on campus and more about his first year so far. How do you like on-campus housing? I’m living in Chestnut. Chestnut’s not bad, though, because I live by myself […]
First Year Voices: English Language Program Student Steve Ngo
Today we speak to Steve Ngo, who recently completed his freshman year in the English Language Program. He lives in Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic County). Before the university closed due to COVID-19, Steve lived on campus at Holly Pointe Commons. Steve is a first-generation college student. What is one way you made friends this year? I […]
First Year Voices: Abigail Riehman Reflects on Normal Days at Rowan
Today’s (FRESH)man Voices features Abigail Riehman, a psychology major from Norristown, PA who lived in Mimosa Hall until COVID-19 shut down the campus. What did you most enjoy your freshman year at Rowan? I enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. Also experiencing living on my own for the first time and doing it […]
First Year Voices: Juleigh VanDyke Reflects & Looks Forward to Sophomore Year
Today’s (FRESH)man Voices features Juliegh VanDyke, a Theatre Arts major from Williamstown, NJ (Gloucester County), who commutes from home. What did you most enjoy your freshman year at Rowan? I think the one thing I enjoyed most about my freshman year was getting to know the people I have become close with and finding my […]
First Year Voices: Shahir Mollah Talks Cars & Mechanical Engineering
Today’s (FRESH)man Voices features Shahir Mollah, a mechanical engineering from Galloway, NJ (Atlantic County) who lived in Mullica Hall until COVID-19 shut down the campus. What inspired you to choose your major? I’ve always been a big car guy. Junior year of high school I wanted to build a car, which inspired my decision to […]
First Year Voices: Casey Hofacker Reflects On Her Year
Today we feature freshman (soon-to-be sophomore) Casey Hofacker, a psychology major from Lindenwold, NJ (Camden County), who lived in Holly Pointe Commons until COVID-19 shut down the campus. What did you most enjoy your freshman year at Rowan? What I enjoyed most about my freshman year was meeting my awesome friends and exploring my major. How […]
First Year Voices: Bella Hargesheimer Reflects on Freshman Year
Today we speak to Bella Hargesheimer, a freshman Spanish major from Philadelphia, PA wrapping up her first year. She lived on campus in Holly Pointe this school year. What is one moment you’ve had with a club or a group of friends that made you feel like Rowan is “home”? Second semester I applied to […]
Q&A: Nebraska Freshman Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management Major
Today we feature Blaire, Nebraska resident Troy Becker, a Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (DPEM) major with a Certificate of Undergraduate Study (CUGS) in Counterterrorism and Emergency Response Operations. Until COVID-19 closed campus, Troy lived in Mimosa Hall. How did you hear about Rowan, and what made you want to come here? I searched online for schools […]
First Year Voices: Hannah Catherine Kittrell Reflects
Today’s (FRESH)man Voices features Hannah Catherine Kittrell, a theatre arts major from Williamsburg, VA, who lived in Holly Pointe Commons until COVID-19 shut down the campus. What did you most enjoy your freshman year at Rowan? My first semester was challenging, and I often doubted my talent and strength, but this semester I can already see some growth in […]
First Year Voices: Biomedical Art & Visualization Major Doug Jones
Today’s we feature Doug Jones, a Biomedical Art & Visualization major who commuted from home in Monroeville, NJ (Gloucester County) until COVID-19 shut down the campus. How do you create the “away at school” feeling if your home is close to Rowan?I create the “away at school” feeling through planning my day around my schoolwork. […]
First Year Voices: Biochemistry Major Malique Prescott
Freshman Malique Prescott, a Biochemistry major from Bridgeton, NJ (Cumberland County) who lived in Evergreen Hall until campus closed due to COVID-19, reflects on his first year as a Rowan student. What was one way you met friends this year? One way I met my college family was through the ASCEND program (PCI) and my peers […]
First Year Voices: Theatre Major Lydia Riddell
Today’s (FRESH)man Voices features Lydia Riddell, a theatre major from Swedesboro, NJ (Gloucester County) who lived in Holly Pointe Commons until COVID-19 shut down the campus. What did you most enjoy your freshman year at Rowan? What I enjoyed most about my freshman year was all of the welcome events in the beginning of the […]
First Year Voices: Football & Friendship
“We’ve been playing football together since we were 6,” says freshman Jared Armitage, a business management major from Estell Manor, NJ (Atlantic County) of his Magnolia Hall roommate, Chris Doughty of Buena, NJ (Atlantic County). “We both played for Rowan this year,” Jared continues. It was fun living with someone he’s known since childhood, he […]
First Year Voices: Anjeliah Chiodo
Our spotlight (FRESH)man Voices this week is Anjeliah Chiodo. I had the wonderful opportunity to write a story about her. She is an iconic Instagram influencer with 25.1k followers. This first-generation college student let us have the amazing chance to get some insight on herself, her lifestyle and her opinions on some topics. Her major […]
First Year Voices: Dance Major Sabrina Vargas
Meet Sabrina Vargas, a freshman dance major from Atlantic County who lives on campus in Evergreen Hall. Sabrina joined Rowan through the Pre-College Institute Program and is involved with many clubs on campus. Name: Sabrina VargasYear: FreshmanMajor: DanceMinor: SociologyHometown: Mays Landing, NJ (Atlantic County)Where do you live? On campus, Evergreen HallFirst-generation college student? Yes Academic and […]
First Year Voices: Chemical Engineering Major Dylan Snyder
Today, we talk to Dylan Snyder, a freshman Chemical Engineering major from Wilmington, Delaware. How has your freshman year at Rowan been so far? “Freshman year has been great! It is so much more interesting than high school. I’ve gotten so many new phone numbers and made so many new friends. If you get yourself […]
First Year Voices: An Entrepreneurship Major Prepares to Launch a Lip Gloss Line
Meet Anjeliah Williams, a freshman majoring in Entrepreneurship, who also attended the Pre-College Institute (PCI) this summer. Anjeliah is from Sicklerville, NJ (Camden County), and she’s about to launch her own lip gloss line called “Anjel Allure.” Anjeliah decided to major in entrepreneurship because growing up she did not know what she wanted to do […]
First Year Voices: Music Industry Student’s Journey from Delaware to New Jersey
“If you’re into music, this school is awesome!” says Devin Saienni, a freshman Music Industry major with a concentration in Music Technology from Wilmington, Delaware (New Castle County). He currently lives in Mimosa Hall and is a first-generation college student. Devin says he came to Rowan specifically for the music program, and he heavily credits […]
First Year Voices: Mattie Ballard-Millet
Name: Mattie Ballard-MilletYear: Freshman Major: Theatre, Musical Theatre Concentration within the College of Performing ArtsHometown: Biloxi, MississippiWhere do you live? On-campus, Holly Pointe Commons What first surprised you about Rowan?“I think how nice everyone is, because they say that northerners aren’t always the nicest. It’s a stereotype, but that’s not true. Everyone, especially within the Theatre […]
First Year Voices: Public Relations Major Rachel Rumsby
Ten toes in. This is the motto of First-Year Connection: Leadership, and how I tried to live during my transition into college. For me, this meant getting as involved as possible to meet a lot of people and get acclimated to campus. The first home I found on campus was First Year Connection: Leadership (FCL). […]
First Year Voices: Bioinformatics Major Kelly Kirk
Meet Kelly Kirk, a freshman from Riverside, NJ (Burlington County). Kelly, a Bioinformatics major, lives in Holly Pointe Commons. Kelly loves looking forward to going to the Equestrian Club! She attends the club during the weekend, where they practice and compete with other schools on performance. When asked if she was ever nervous with starting […]
First Year Voices: Exploratory Studies Major Erin O’Grady
Today we talk to Erin O’Grady, a freshman Exploratory Studies major from New Milford, NJ (Bergen County). What has been the best part of your freshman year so far? Definitely making new South Jersey friends and joining the Rowan Softball team! Joining the team was one of my main goals, so it was super exciting […]
First Year Voices: Ocean County Native Makes New Friends
Meet Elizabeth Hudak, a freshman Radio/TV/Film major from Manchester, NJ (Ocean County). She moved into Holly Pointe Commons in September. Elizabeth says attending freshmen orientation made it easier to meet people once she started on campus this fall. She was happily surprised at “how easily I made friends and how open everybody was to getting […]
First Year Voices: Early Childhood Education Major Courtney Morrone
“I’m excited to become more social by meeting new people and getting involved in the clubs on campus.” — Courtney Morrone, an Early Childhood Education major from Bellmawr, NJ (Camden County). Like what you see, come visit us! LEARN MORE
First Year Voices: Biological Sciences Major Jace Robinson
“I’m hoping to become a veterinarian, so I’m excited to get to work in a lab and start my career.” — Jace Robinson, an incoming Biological Sciences major from Bridgeton, NJ (Cumberland County). Like what you see, come visit us! VISIT CAMPUS Story and photography by: Chad Wittmann, senior Journalism major
