Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Out of all the dimensions of well-being, Community reminds us of the importance of achieving a better tomorrow, and doing so together. My first memories of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day centered around watching Our Friend, Martin (1999) and my teacher telling us how, regardless of skin color, we share more similarities than differences. While the third Monday of January is dedicated to service and the celebration of Dr. King, it is important to recognize that you have all year to show up for each other. Each year, I push the message that we, as a whole, need to prioritize sowing seeds of unity in our communities instead of trying to reap the benefits of a system that disadvantages most people.
For 35 years Rowan University has held their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Celebration and Day of Service, and I have had the opportunity to attend this celebration since my freshman year. Knowing that I was going to spend the next four years at an institution that prioritizes remembering the impactful service of MLK, but also giving back towards the community was truly reassuring. This year’s commemoration holds so much significance as we saw the silent pain of the Black community take center stage for the first time in a long time. Let us not forget the past that hurt us, but build a future of which we can all be proud, together as students, as Profs, and as a unified Community.
Class of 2021
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Writer, lecturer, and political activist, Gloria Steinem once said, “Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming after all is a form of planning.”
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it is important that we set the time aside to reflect on the things that we gained, lost, and most importantly, look forward to. By textbook definition, Dr. King was a visionary. He planned for the future through his imagination and wisdom. Oftentimes, his dream is recited without acknowledging the challenges that would bring the average person to their knees. But through it all, he prevailed by going beyond the societal and systemic limitations placed upon him. While persistently breaking barriers, his legacy has been ingrained in our history with deep roots. We make our path as we walk it because an ideal life is not something that we inherit or that we can follow. It is something that we create. Rowan Thrive prides itself in cultivating students’ well-being which helps learn how to deal with the valleys so we can let the hills take care of themselves. Allowing us to keep pursuing our dreams while bettering ourselves and each other in the process.
Class of 2021
*The Rowan Thrive Committee is excited to share and encourage participation in the University’s annual MLK Breakfast & Day of Service. Please click the link provided for more information
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A healthy democracy should involve the peaceful transition of power. With the out-going president and his supporters contending the validity of our country’s recent elections we are all left to wonder how well our system is really working. While the emotional toll on Americans due to the current division is real, the healthiest perspective may actually be comforting to all involved. The ‘glass half full’ view suggest the three branches of government are essentially working as they were intended (despite the tumult) to provide the necessary checks and balances. Acceptance of the outcome (desired or not) can be the first step towards healing. Focusing on what you are grateful for in your own life, and taking steps to support your friends, family, or the local community, can also be empowering. If you find yourself wanting to make a positive change consider participating in local governance (school boards, municipal leadership etc.), which may lead to future leadership opportunities. Many times these smaller systems can impact us significantly more than the presidency.
Associate Professor
Psychology
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Thursday, January 14
12 - 12:45 p.m.
Students! Join Lindsay Johnson, a counselor from the Wellness Center, in a workshop aimed at starting this New Year off right - with Gratitude. The workshop will engage participants with exercises in gratitude, a practice which has been shown to improve elements of our well-being.
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Spring 2021 Tuesdays 11 - 12:30 p.m.
A therapeutic group for BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) students will be offered this semester. This will be a safe place for students to make connections, express themselves, discuss general challenges or mental health concerns, issues around race, racism, discrimination, oppression, racial identity, and acculturation. To register email cottom@rowan.edu or sadlerk@rowan.edu.
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Wednesday, January 13 & 20
12 - 1 p.m.
It's a new year and an opportunity to create your first resume or update your existing one. Whether you will be seeking entrance to post-graduate school, internships, student teaching, or full-time positions, it is vital to have various experts and mentors review your resume.
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The Rowan Blog asked six sophomores why they chose not to take a gap year (or year off) during the pandemic.
Most said that they did not want to pause their education with the pandemic because life goes on, no matter what. READ MORE.
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by Hannah Kose
Kick start your healthy eating with this video. Your eating patterns significantly impact your energy, as well as long-term health.
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January 13 & 20
12 - 1 p.m.
We welcome all experience and ability levels in this virtual yoga session. Students, Faculty, and Staff must
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Join the Rowan University Women's Alliance Network as they present "Thriving as a Professional" inspired by the University's Rowan Thrive initiative on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. via WebEx.
Rowan Thrive is our community's commitment to help cultivate well-being throughout life's journey of highs and lows. Rowan University faculty and staff will share their unique experiences and describe how applying the dimensions of well-being personally has helped them thrive as professionals, live according to their values, maximize their potential and find their best self.
Registration is now live for this virtual event, which you can do here.
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Wednesday, January 13
8 - 9 p.m.
Think you have what it takes to be a trivia champion? Join SCCA & OSLP for this Special Edition Winter Break Virtual Trivia! Teams of up to 4 students can compete virtually for free for a chance to win Rowan Bucks.
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Tuesday, January 19
Students! Join Campus Recreation as we host a Virtual Rowan-Themed Escape Room! Participants will be divided into groups (max 5 people per room) and provided with a series of virtual challenges in order to "escape" each of the rooms provided. The event is scheduled to last 1.5 hours including all setup, instructions, and completion of the escape room. Come solo or with a group of friends and enjoy the fun of an escape room from the comfort of your own home!
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If there is ever a time to plan for financial and purpose well-being, while gaining 2 credits, the time is now! Speak to your advisor and see if these courses will be supported in your degree completion. These courses will be offered through several formats (remote, in-person, and online with no meeting time)
INTR 01.488 Career Planning and Development
INTR 01.108 Financial Wellness: Planning for Personal Financial Success
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Rowan Scholarship applications are due by 1/31/2021 for Glassboro students. Watch this tutorial for navigating the Scholarship Universe website.
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Several in person or virtual events and programs are available to students over winter break. For more information click here.
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“The Strive to Thrive newsletter intends to bring you well-being ideas, tips, events, information and ways to connect through all dimensions of well-being (physical, social, emotional, purpose, community, and financial). We hope that this layout reminds you of all of the many ways to nourish, attend to, and elevate your well-being and the well-being of those around you.” |
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