In its 50th year, Rowan College at Burlington County has announced plans to host a yearlong series of events that will honor its rich history, while celebrating its progress toward transforming the future of higher education.
“RCBC has empowered students to transform their lives through affordable and high-quality education since 1969,” said RCBC Board Chair George N. Nyikita. “Today, with more than 1,100 students in the groundbreaking 3+1 program with Rowan University, RCBC is taking innovative approaches to higher education that will change the way people think about community colleges.”
After receiving nearly 100 entries from students and staff, the winning 50th anniversary slogan, “Honoring our Past. Transforming our future” will be used on a new sign at the college’s Route 38 entrance in conjunction with a golden version of the RCBC logo.
“From its humble beginnings as Burlington County College with a little more than 1,000 students, to the number one community college in New Jersey as Rowan College at Burlington County with about eight times the number of students and the nationally-recognized 3+1 program, it is evident we have made an incredible transformation over the last 50 years,” said RCBC President Dr. Michael A. Cioce. “We look forward to celebrating this milestone with the community over the course of several celebrations and special events this year.”
The first 50th anniversary event will be the RCBC Foundation’s principal fundraiser for student scholarships, the Celebration of Philanthropy, on Thursday, Feb. 21 at The Merion in Cinnaminson.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at rcbc.edu/foundation.
This year’s event will have a will have a golden anniversary theme and feature Mark Baiada, founder of BAYADA Home Health Care, as keynote speaker. Baiada recently made headlines for gifting $20 million dollars of his personal funds to employees in all 22 states where BAYADA operates. The gifts are part of the firm's transition to nonprofit status and a way to show gratitude to employees.
“Last year’s Celebration of Philanthropy broke all previous fundraising records by bringing in more than $240,000 for student scholarships,” said RCBC Foundation Chair Danielle Lucas. “This year, we hope to inspire others to pay it forward as Mark Baiada has and give the gift of education to deserving RCBC students.”
As a way to reflect on the past and look to the future, the college will be publishing “The Baron,” a multi-genre anthology of interdisciplinary student, faculty, and alumni writing. The college will begin accepting submissions to “The Baron” beginning Monday, Jan. 21 at rcbc.edu/thebaron. The collection of works will be published in the fall.
The Strategic Marketing and Communications Office will also be releasing 50 stories for 50 years. The stories will feature those with a connection to the college, including current and past students, faculty and administrators, and others. Interested alumni who wish to be profiled should contact rcbcnews@rcbc.edu.
Other events in honor of RCBC’s 50th anniversary will include a ceremony to open a time capsule from September 26, 1971, an alumni speaker series, and more. For more details on RCBC’s 50th anniversary, visit rcbc.edu/50th.