On Thursday, Sept. 8, just two days after Fall classes began, Rowan After Hours (RAH) hosted an Ice Cream Social for students.

Signs around campus pointed students to the Chamberlain Student Center for a free treat to kick off the Fall semester. There were many different flavors of ice cream including chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Not only was there ice cream for students to enjoy, but there was also fun and games.

A majority of the Rowan students at the social were freshmen who came out to the event to meet new friends, and there were many different flavors of ice cream as well, including; chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.

“Well, I think it is the best time to meet new people and I think with the Ice Cream Social, who does not like ice cream?” Alex Moamed, a freshman, said. “I saw the event on Rowan’s website during their welcome week that from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m, they had an Ice Cream Social so I said, why not? It is a great way to meet new people and I came out here tonight.”

There were many other students of the 2026 graduating class at the Ice Cream Social trying to meet others and have a great time, just like Moamed.  Some students came by themselves to the event to make friends, an uplifting sight following a tough couple of years for high school students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I came to this event because there was free ice cream,” said freshman Miasia Harper. “While I was here, I got to meet new people that I would not have gotten to meet beforehand.”

Students got a chance to meet other peers from diverse backgrounds and other majors. RAH consistently creates opportunities for students to meet new people that would have not crossed paths otherwise, and the Ice Cream Social was just the lead-off for a semester filled with exciting events.

Many students who came individually left the event perhaps with lifelong friends, but at minimum new connections. Meanwhile, other attendees arrived with groups of friends, providing more opportunities for freshman and transfer students to meet new people.

“I am a very social person because I am a music major so I believe communication is key. So, I came here with my friends,” Aaliyah Jenkins said.

It did not matter if students came with established friend groups or just by themselves. Everyone had the same intentions; to meet new people, have a fun time and eat tasty ice cream. 

Thanks to the power of the love for ice cream, Rowan After Hours brought students together for their shared interests. Next weekend, Rowan After Hours and Student University Programmers will be hosting another event, Game Over Hunger Weekend: Gamefest, which will take place Sept. 16 at 9 p.m.

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