The hard thud of axes hitting targets, smells of mac and cheese and pulled pork, and students’ laughter filled the brisk late October air in Robinson Circle for an afternoon of celebration at Rowan University’s Homecoming Kickoff. 

Red and orange leaves surrounded the students in brown and gold on Oct. 28 as they celebrated the kickoff theme, “Hearts of Gold.” This theme represents the community of Rowan and what it means to be a Rowan Prof. The events of this year’s Homecoming celebration aim to focus on “community, service, civic engagement, and school pride,” according to Rowan’s website.

As representatives of these pillars, Rowan Thrive, Campus Recreation, the Student Alumni Association, and Rowan Votes had tables at the event to educate students about their organizations. 

Melissa Ulmer is the assistant director of marketing and student programs for the Chamberlain Student Center and Campus Activities. To Ulmer, properly representing the community means recognizing those individual aspects. 

“We just really wanted to celebrate Rowan, and what makes Rowan so special, and for us, it’s the fact that we believe we’re part of a community. People that care about each other, care about our community, like our Glassboro community, and our country, and that’s kind of where Hearts of Gold came from,” said Ulmer. 

Over 600 attendees came out for free Rowan t-shirts and barbeque from Carolina Blue. Students also had the opportunity to enter a raffle to win Rowan garb, including sweatshirts, beanies, and socks. 

In the middle of Robinson Circle students sat at tables chatting with one another, while other students took the opportunity to go head-to-head in a game of cornhole. 

Kahri Hill-Mosley and Tatyana Buckman, Rowan sophomores, engaged in a friendly match as they tossed bean bags across the lawn. Drawn in by the cool weather and free items, Hill-Mosley and Buckman stayed at the event for a relaxing afternoon.

“I didn’t know about the event until I came around the corner from class and saw people getting food. I got a free shirt…I got time to sit in the sun with my friends,” said Buckman. 

With Rowan welcoming their largest freshman class ever this fall, it will be more students’ first homecoming than ever before. While this is an exciting prospect, freshmen are not the only people who have never experienced a homecoming event. 

Derek Siri is a senior double majoring in sociology and philosophy, and the Homecoming Kickoff was the first time he has attended a Rowan homecoming event. 

“I was very excited when I showed up and saw that there was also an ax-throwing thing, that the line wasn’t crazy, and I was able to go twice within like, 15 minutes,” said Siri. 

However, other aspects of the kickoff did not live up to what Siri had imagined. 

“It wasn’t as much as I was expecting for a Homecoming Kickoff, because it is one food truck, one event, and then four tables,” said Siri. “I mean, three options of food is kind of crazy. I don’t think they have anything for dietary restrictions at all. So I feel like that’s important, especially, I think recently, there was a discourse about Halal options on campus.”

This lack of food options may be indicative of a bigger issue facing campus activities, especially when considering they now have more students on campus looking to get involved. 

“I think the problem that we have right now is we need more money…There are more students here, but our budget is the same…So that’s why our food truck is done a little early, because, you know, we spent $5,000 to feed the first 400 students,” said Ulmer. 

Despite these setbacks, the kickoff still aimed to offer students a well-rounded event. As Election Day quickly approaches, Rowan students have to plan how to cast their votes, and Rowan Votes was there to educate attendees. 

“I think it’s extremely important being out here…making sure that they are staying up to date with some things they may not fully interest them, but it is important to be active in participating in our democracy, and I think that’s a key part of higher education,” said Justin Green, freshman political science major. 

With Monday just starting the week of homecoming events, Ulmer emphasized that this is a week for everybody in the Rowan community to come together and celebrate. 

“I think what makes events like this really special is that upperclassmen continue to come because that’s who’s really carrying the torch for traditions to become and maintain as traditions…Homecoming is also the exception to a lot of programming where it’s not just open to students, it’s also open to faculty and staff as well, to celebrate alongside one another,” said Ulmer. 

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