Rowan Student Graduates in 2 Years

Only 40 percent of college students graduate within four years, and the other 60 percent have a tendency to take longer, according to the U.S. Department of Education‘s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Yet some students choose to go above and beyond expectations or, in the case of Tom Grochowicz, blow them away.

Grochowicz graduated from Rowan University in half the time with flying colors, finishing school in just two years with a 3.75 GPA.

Grochowicz majored in computer science, with a concentration in programming languages and compilers. While going to school, Grochowicz held a part-time job, working 20 hours a week and taking five to six classes a semester. His part-time job involved working at SFB Market Systems, a software development firm, where he worked on projects that were used at US Stock Options Exchanges every day.

Additionally, Grochowicz took a leadership position as chair of freshman mentoring in the Thomas N. Bantivoglio Honors program, and continually contributed to the program throughout his two years. Through the honors program, Grochowicz earned a research assistant-ship his first year. Between his part-time job, the research assistant-ship, schoolwork and the honors program, Grochowicz had little time to engage in any other activities.

A Glen Gardner native, Grochowicz grew up on his parents’ farm and graduated from Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner with a 4.23 GPA. Grochowicz attributed his success to working hard, planning ahead of time by starting college with AP credits, “lucky scheduling” and a steadfast support system. Making his family, friends and girlfriend proud served as additional motivation.

On campus, Grochowicz found steadfast academic support in Professors Seth D. Bergmann, an associate professor of computer science, and Dr. Kathleen Pereles, the coordinator of the Thomas N. Bantivoglio Honors program. Bergman had Grochowicz every semester for one class each, and oversaw his research assistant-ship during his first year at college. Pereles made the scheduling process easier for Grochowicz and helped him throughout his two years.

Bergmann explained that Grochowicz stood out from the other students due to his level of maturity, great work ethic, and willingness to tackle challenges. According to Bergman, Grochowicz was able to graduate early because he started to work hard early on in high school. Earning a five on each of the seven AP exams that he took in high school enabled him to transfer 47 credits over to Rowan.

“I’ll never forget the day when, as a first-semester freshman, Tom walked into my office and asked if I had any research projects that he could work on. He selected one, and presented his results at our STEM symposium in the Spring of that year,” Bergmann said.

Pereles worked with Grochowicz when he was a Freshman Mentoring Chair as well as when he was a member on the Strategic Planning Committee. She described Grochowicz as wanting to “do whatever he can to be helpful to serve causes in which he believes.” Calling Grochowicz a “role model in every facet of his life,” Pereles explained that Grochowicz exhibited an “academic talent [and] intellectual curiosity.”

As for his future, Grochowicz plans to pursue his dream job – to start his own software company – after he earns an MBA at Johns Hopkins University.

Grochowicz had a few words of advice to fellow college students who are looking to emulate his success.

“As long as you keep working hard, things tend to fall into place,” Grochowicz said. “Also, you won’t know what you can do until you try. I thought it was insane to try and finish school after two years, but I gave it a shot anyways.”