Goodbye RU Aware?

I can’t believe it, but the end of the semester is already here! It’s that time of year to take finals, pack, and move back home for the summer at the end of the week. With that being said, I wanted to inform all of my readers that I will be taking a break from blogging until some time next semester.

As most of you know, I started and maintained this blog for my Online journalism class for a total of 16 weeks. My goal was to give my readers and Rowan students a sample of the many events that go on at the student center because several people were unaware.

Throughout the course of the semester, I have familiarized myself with various aspects of the student center such as its services, events, and staff.

Over the course of this blog, I have written over  20 entries and collected numerous pictures, video, and some audio such as A Taste of the Asian Culture, The Spring Slam, St. Baldrick’s Day, Vincent Surace’s interview, and Casino Night.

My Online Journalism class gave me the tools to become a better blogger and journalist, but this blog is a finished product that demonstrates how much can be improved with practice.

Before I started this blog, I was strictly into print journalism. I knew nothing about blogging, photography, or recording and editing video but now, I am interested with online as well.

I am extremely proud of the progress I made, and I plan to continue this blog in the near future to further my skills and gain more experience.

I did not expect to have so may readers or traffic because most people viewed the student center as a place to only get food. I am happy that I changed the minds of many students with my blog! Thank you for taking time to read and showing my blog your support!

Collin’s Legacy Lives On

Collin Alexander was born three months premature on March 12, 1988 at 27 weeks old. He lived just seven hours.

Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths in the United States. There are over half a million innocent babies whose lives are threatened by birth defects and sometimes infant mortality when they are born premature.

“Holding your baby as he breathes his last breath, you think that you are the only one in the world experiencing the pain, but then you see hundreds of people who lost their babies, and you don’t feel alone anymore,” said Tina Pinocci, Assistant Vice President of the Chamberlain Student Center, the Recreation Center, and Conference Services.

Pinocci is one amongst many mothers with such a touching story to tell about how premature birth has affected her life and family. To honor her son Collin and keep his legacy alive, each year Pinocci and other members from the student center staff join together to raise money and awareness for the March of Dimes foundation and walk as a team in the annual “Walk for Babies.”

Pinocci got involved with March of Dimes when she heard a little girl give a speech at the first March of Dimes kickoff years ago. At the time, the March of Dimes used to have a child serve as the ambassador for their organization.

“When I heard her speak, I thought of all the children, mine included that didn’t have the same opportunity at life, so I wanted to walk in their memory and Collin’s,” said Pinocci.

May 1, 2011 marked the fifth year that the student center staff has participated in the 6.5 mile walk for babies throughout the town of Glassboro. As of now, they have raised a total of $1,400 for the March of Dimes foundation, and donations are still coming in.

Pinocci said, “There is so much learning after a tragedy happens, and my hope is that women can be more aware and learn before it happens to them.  So, if money raised can help save just one life, then it is all worth it!”

“Raising money and walking for March for Babies for the Student Center was exciting; the student center family grew closer!” said sophomore peer-staff member Deirdre Glynn. “I’m proud to say we raised the most money ever this year.”

Raising awareness with this country-wide effort to save babies is Pinocci’s mission. It was a great bonding experience for the student center staff, and they showed some service to their local community. They are already looking forward to next year’s event to help improve the health of all babies!

Facilties and Operations Coordinator Vincent Surace exclaimed,“It’s a great opportunity for the student center family to support something that is so important to Tina. Tina means a lot to me as professional but more to me as a friend, and selflessly getting up early on the weekend, raising money for a great cause, bonding with some of your fellow co-workers, and sneaking in a little exercise was great!”

More from Tina Pinocci…

Rowan Relief Hot Dog Eating Contest

Rowan University’s SGA is working diligently to lend a helping hand to those affected by the tragedy that occurred in Japan. They have been accepting donations for their Rowan Relief fund and to step things up a notch, they have decided to host a fun hot dog eating contest.

Please come out to the Chamberlain Student Center patio on Monday, April 25 at 12:00 p.m., and enter the Rowan Relief Hot Dog Eating Contest!  The cost is only $5, and all proceeds go to Japan!  You can grab a bite to eat, and enter to win a gift card to one of Glassboro’s local eateries simply by showing Japan your support. The weather will be beautiful, and this is for a wonderful cause, so I hope to see you there!

Senior Week Fun

Attention all graduating seniors! The end of the semester is almost here, which means you will be graduating in just a few weeks. Before you depart form Rowan, there is still some time to have fun! SGA has coordinated a Senior Week that will consist of three fun-filled events for graduating seniors. The events for this year are a trip to the Phillies game on May 5, Bowling Night on May 9, and a trip to Dave & Buster’s on May 10.

Tickets will go on sale Monday, April 25^th  at 9:00 a.m. at the Chamberlain Student Center information desk. Phillies tickets are $15, Bowling Night tickets are $5, and Dave and Buster’s tickets are $15. Students can only buy one ticket to each event. Tickets will be sold individually or students can purchase a ticket for all three events for just $30. Rowan ID is required to purchase any of these tickets. Come and enjoy the end of the year Senior Week events; you do not want to miss out!

A Taste of the Asian Culture

The Asian Cultural Association held their sixth annual Spring Festival on Thursday April 14 from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the Chamberlain Student Center pit. In efforts of sharing the Asian culture and promoting diversity, the ACA co-sponsored a wonderful festival with RAH that consisted of a Asian fashion show, Lion dance, Indian singing, Karate and Tai Chi demonstrations, free food, bubble tea, and so much more!

President Farish’s Farewell Address

Save the date! President Dr. Donald Farish has accepted a position as president at Roger Williams University located in Rhode Island.

Farish devoted a total of 13 years to Rowan University, so please come out and show your appreciation to him on Friday April 29 from 1:45 to 3:00 p.m in the Eynon Ballroom of the Chamberlain Student Center as he says goodbye.

All are welcomed to attend President Farish’s last university assembled address before he leaves us to become president of Roger Williams University this summer.

Third Annual Bone Marrow Registry

The Rowan University football team will hold its third annual “Get In The Game. Save A Life. Be The Match Registry” on Tuesday, April 26^th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Chamberlain Student Center Pit. All are welcomed and encouraged to participate!

The process is simple and will take about 15 minutes. No blood or needles will be used for the test. You only have to submit to a simple cheek swab. At that point, you are a member of the Be The Match Registry and will be contacted by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) if you are a match.

Rowan Prof’s enrolled a total of 299 people last year, and are expecting to register over 300 this year. Please come out and support because you may be able to save the life of a struggling leukemia or lymphoma patient one day!

Law and Justice Career Day

The members of Gamma Chi Sigma and Victim Awareness are calling all law and justice majors and minors to their annual Law and Justice Career Day. This event will be held on Wednesday, April 6^th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Eynon Ballroom of the Chamberlain Student Center.

There will be over 20 agencies present and many opportunities for internships and future employment. Light refreshments will be served, so please stop by to network, and enjoy a snack. All majors are encouraged to attend. Hope to see you there!

 

Mr. Vincent Surace, Facilities and Operations Coordinator Tells All

Vincent Surace, Facilities and Operations Coordinator

I mentioned in a prior post that I had the pleasure of interviewing Vincent “Vinnie” Surace, Facilities and Operations Coordinator of the Chamberlain Student Center. During the interview, I learned that Surace has such a wonderful story to tell about all the experience he has acquired during his seven years employment with the student center.

In addition to heading facilities and operations, he also co-oversees 40 student staff that work at the Info Desk and Prof’s Place eatery. Surace expressed that the relationships he has formed from interacting with numerous students and staff will last a a lifetime, which is the main reason why he loves his job.

Surace is a Rowan University graduate with a degree in communications. While completing his undergraduate degree, he worked as a building manager for both the student center and recreation center.  Being a building manager allowed him to familiarize himself with various aspects of the building.

Surace mentioned, “I do believe that my knowledge in tech also helped me land the job as well because it gave me an added feature that other candidates couldn’t offer, and my video editing skills also helped because at the time no one really could edit like I could.”

My hat goes off to Surace because he makes sure that the student center is clean, safe, and that everything is running smoothly at all times. He takes his job very seriously, but he is a very down to earth person that can make anyone laugh if you get the opportunity to talk to him.

Upcoming: Exclusive Interview with the Student Center’s Facilities and Operations Coordinator

I had the great pleasure of interviewing the Facilities and Operations Coordinator,Vincent Surace earlier this week. Surace has occupied this position for a total of seven years come June, and he gave me some interesting information about his job and the Chamberlain Student Center.

He is quite the comedian, and he made  me laugh the entire time. Be sure to check back tomorrow when I post a segment of my audio interview with Vincent Surace. I hope you have a sense of humor!