Here, The Whit provides a guide to the most active and scenic places at Rowan.

For the hungry student, great places on campus would be the restaurants in the Student Center, like The Owl’s Nest. This restaurant features home-cooked meals including chicken salad, pork loin and fresh soup. The atmosphere is colorful and fluorescent, which makes it preferable for parties and banquets, especially for student-run organizations.

The Owl’s Nest is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and students can buy with Boro Bucks or cash. The menu and specials can be found online.

Around Rowan’s busy campus, it can be easy to miss interesting spots that tend to go unnoticed. One such spot is a hidden bench area to the left of the ramp in front of the campus bookstore. This little space is surrounded with shrubbery and trees, forming a furtive outside between the cement walls of the building and the ramp.

“No one ever sees it because it is exclusive and shady,” said sophomore psychology major Ryan Wills.

Rowan Hall is one building on campus which is surrounded by scenic spots like Rowan Pond. On the warmest days, students can be found sitting in the grass, doing their homework or socializing and enjoying the view.

“The lake is the one place I feel at peace and can relax,” said Amabelle Rivera, a senior psychology major.

Behind the pond is a trail that follows all the way around the area. It serves as a great nature walk for students looking for a temporary getaway.

“It feels like I’m not even on a university campus, like I’m on a little retreat,” said Ashley Approvato, a senior writing arts major. “Plus, it’s shaded.”

The Edelman Planetarium in the Science Hall features astronomy shows, while the Westby Art Gallery showcases student artwork in a creative atmosphere. For students with a green thumb, the greenhouse next to Bunce Hall is home many types of plants and flowers.

No matter where one travels on campus, students can be found occupying their personal favorite spots. What’s yours? Log on to TheWhitOnline.com and let us know.

The whole situation started with a bet from my sister, who wanted me to sign up for the internet dating website EHarmony.com. She wanted me to sign up, but never thought that I would do it. Of course, I had to prove her wrong.

Giving my heart to someone in a relationship that originated on the computer was definitely a big risk, but it turned out to be one of the most interesting and profound journeys of my life. Stepping outside of the box is an exercise in faith. Through this story, I hope to help other people dare to take some of their own leaps in life.

After talking to my now-boyfriend Michael for six months two years ago, I hopped on an American Airlines flight bound for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas to spend Christmas with him and his family. Even though I was extremely excited to meet Michael, many of my close friends and family thought I was absolutely out of my mind for flying halfway across the country during the holidays to a state that I had never been to before to meet someone for the first time.

Long-distance relationships require a lot of trust, patience and perseverance among many other things. While it hasn’t always been easy, financially or emotionally, to be separated for long periods of time, I wouldn’t trade my situation for any other. Despite the obstacles that we face and the 1500 miles between us, Michael and I are extremely happy.  We plan on moving in together by the end of the year.

If it’s a relationship you are after, re-evaluate what hasn’t worked in the past, and then go about making a plan to change it (in this case, I highly recommend eHarmony to do so, even though it might not work for everyone). Those same lessons that helped me build a successful relationship can also be used in other facets of life as well at home, work and school.

It might be scary and wickedly awkward at first to do something new or unexpected, but it can turn out to be one of the most enlightening experiences that a person can have. Whether it’s in the romance department or anywhere else, always be fearless enough to take that initial leap.

Posters are understandably popular in college dorm rooms. They are easily the most inexpensive way to personalize your space. However, too many posters taped up on white walls can make it feel like “Animal House” or other sloppy college flicks.

A low-cost way to make those posters pop and make your room look more sophisticated is to frame them with foam poster board. Measure equal width strips of poster board, two long and two short, and paint them any color you’d like. Simply tape them around your poster, giving them the illusion of a frame.

Using the leftover foam poster board, you can also make a message board by covering the front in a swatch of fabric or even the front of an old t-shirt and stapling it in back. Criss-cross ribbon across the front and tack at intersections (make sure it’s tight so it will hold mail and pieces of paper). If you or a friend likes to paint, pick up a couple canvases and create your own art. Personalize your space by making a name plate.

Another fun way to add color is to create a gigantic wall collage with your roommates from leftover magazines. Pick out things you all like and simple tape them in a non-conformed fashion, in the end it will be a great piece of artwork that represents all of you.

There are other ways to personalize your room, even without craft skills. Pick a color scheme for your room, bedding and accessories. Any bright color will instantly liven up your drab dorm. You can find cheap throw pillows and decorative pop art at places like Homegoods or even Bed Bath & Beyond on clearance.

Fill your desk with pictures of your family and friends; every time you see them they’ll make you smile.

If you share a bathroom, pick out a fun shower curtain instead of a plain one and if you want to get really crazy, buy a matching tooth brush holder to create unity. Even a cute clock in the bathroom is decorative and useful for keeping track of the time when you’re getting ready.

Finally, to make your dorm feel like home, you can easily find cheap curtains or even make them with large swatches of fabric from places like Joann Fabrics or Walmart. Fold over one edge, leaving enough space for the rod to slide through and secure with fabric tape or glue.

The most important thing is to make the space feel like your own and have fun with it.

Senior psychology major Jisette Soto did thanks to PRSSA’s Organ Donor Day, and while she may be only one person, she is making a difference.

“My stepfather’s sister donated her kidney and it saved my stepfather’s life. I had been wanting to sign up to be an organ donor but had just not had the chance, until today,” Soto said.

Currently, 106,629 people are waiting for an organ donor in the United States, hanging in a balance between life and death, but many are simply not aware of how simple it is to become a donor. All it takes is the click of a button.

18 years ago, Anthony J. Fulginiti, founder of Rowan’s PRSSA chapter received an organ transplant. Tuesday, April 27, was Rowan’s 18th Organ Donor Day.

The event was held on the patio of the Chamberlain Student Center and hosted in conjunction with the Gift of Life Donor Program, a non-profit organ and tissue donor program serving Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware and the Chris Klug Foundation’s Donor Dudes, a national grassroots, high school and college campus youth outreach program sponsored by the Chris Klug Foundation. The day was geared towards educating and informing students about organ donation.

PRSSA members encouraged students sign up as organ donors and spread awareness to friends and family. Participants enjoyed free food and beverages, various games, give-aways and live entertainment from performers We Were Once Children, an unsigned band from Toms River, and Rowan senior secondary education and English major Dan Wythoff.

Junior radio/TV/film major Lindsey Hand heard We Were Once Children performing and came to check out the event. Hand also had her picture taken inside the larger-than-life organ donor driver’s license.

“Music draws people. I didn’t really know what the event was all about, but I heard the music all the way across campus, saw the crowd, and came to check it out,” Hand said.

During the event, 103 students signed up to become organ donors. It took senior publican relations major Lauren Bottazzi, coordinator of PRSSA’s Organ Donor Day, three committees to put on the event, in addition to coordinating with Sodexo and the Student Center.

“I didn’t have to do this, but I firmly believe in organ donor awareness, and I want to strongly encourage students to start conversations with their friends and families at home. Students can save lives,” Bottazzi said.

Another highlight of the event was the human organ donor ribbon. At 1:30 p.m., about 30 students gathered together to outline the shape of a ribbon on the patio of the Chamberlain Student Center.

Sophomore marketing major Louiza Ouazzi walked up to the event early on, but was on a tight schedule with classes. After class, Ouazzi made it a point to come back and sign up.

“Thankfully, it’s easy to become an organ donor. I’ll definitely be talking to my family when I go home,” Ouazzi said.

For more information on how to become an organ donor, you can go to donors1.org or the Rowan PRSSA website rowanprssa.org.

Skyler Guenther, "Top Hat Guy"

On every college campus across America, there are a few people who stand out from the rest. They are miniature celebrities who are easily picked out for their athletic ability, vast intelligence or their eccentricity.

One of Rowan’s most unique and intriguing characters is senior music major Skyler Guenther, or more affectionately known as, Top Hat Guy. From a distance, he looks like someone who walked right out of a Charles Dickens’ novel, but that can appear strange in 2010.

Guenther can be seen wearing his trademark top hat with a large overcoat in bad weather. Recently, this figure has risen to the level of urban legend for merely walking around campus in Victorian attire.

“It’s really a silly thing to be known for a hat,” said Guenther. “About three or four people have actually asked to have a picture taken with me.”

Guenther became a local celebrity after the creation of the Facebook group “I Love Top Hat Guy,” which currently boasts 380 members. Members have been leaving jokes and comments similar to the Chuck Norris jokes that were popular in 2007.

“Once, while touring southern Argentina, Top Hat Guy impregnated a woman with a glance across a crowded room,” one of the group members wrote.

The comments have been generally positive with anything that may defame Guenther being quickly removed.

His hat is also an homage to the classical genre of music for which the Victorian era had a great appreciation.

Until last semester, Guenther had been a musical composition major, but recently changed to history in order to pursue a career he feels will more likely land him a job from. He is still very fond of composing, a love that first developed after seeing Fantasia when he was very young.

“I then became a huge fan of Bach, followed by Stravinsky. I was also heavily influenced by Modest Mussorgsky’s ‘Night on Bald Mountain.’ I’ve always had a natural feeling toward music,” Guenther said.

His taste isn’t limited to the classical style, but also more modern artists like John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and The Beatles have carved their imprint into the musical mind of Guenther.

While he may opt for an older style of dress and music, he is technologically savvy and is quite familiar with his internet presence.

“I enjoy the idea of being an internet meme, although I try not to spend too much time on the internet,” said Guenther

“I try to limit any non-human contact and keep whatever I can in the real world.”

Guenther was born in Pittsburgh but moved to Cherry Hill when he was very young. In Cherry Hill East school district, he excelled in his classes but decided to drop out and enroll at Camden County College when he was just 16.

“I eventually went back and got my degree under the GED program, but it was the right choice at the time,” said Guenther, “Our high school felt like a police state, with students being pressured into getting high SAT scores so they could become doctors or join some other lucrative field. The pressure got so high that some students began committing suicide.”

After he came to community college he fell in love with musical composition, and became successful enough to attend Rowan. Just like every other student, he hopes to grow and obtain a successful career.

“Some day I’ll leave the hat behind and do what comes naturally. You can’t regret something once you have adopted it and I have not regretted it,” said Guenther.

Guenther is set to graduate this summer. His father is Alan Guenther, award winning journalist and former Rowan professor.

Get Fit Coordinator helping during therapy

The Get FIT program at Rowan University provides off-site fitness and nutrition screenings that involve 40 Health and Exercise Science majors. It also provides help to 25 clients on-campus. This is all it takes to send the Get FIT program soaring to other campuses and communities.

The Get FIT program is a grant-funded program designed to help improve the health of the disabled and their caregivers in Gloucester, Camden and Salem counties. The Family Resource Network, an agency geared toward the same goals, has teamed up with Rowan to launch Get FIT.

“This program is not just to help people with disabilities, but their care-givers as well,” said Dr. Leslie Spencer, Rowan’s liaison to the Family Resource Network. Spencer assists with hiring students for the program and teaching a nutrition course for the program’s workers. The material learned in the course is then used to provide individual consultations to Get FIT participants.

Last year, Get FIT received funding from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD). While the program did not receive any funding from the NJCDD this year, they are prepared to earn funds in the future.

Dr. Barb Wilhite, Get FIT coordinator, helps to manage the exercise routines of clients and their care-givers.”

“We try to make health and fitness a part of their daily lives,” Dr. Wilhite said during a workout session on April 21.

Five participants attended the Wednesday morning session in the Education Hall’s fitness lab. All five are from the Arc of Salem County, a non-profit agency supporting adults with developmental disabilities needing job placement. The participants meet three times a week for one hour. Workouts begin with 30 minutes of cardio, and then move on to different exercises that target both their muscular strength and flexibility.

Get FIT clients are not only encouraged to work out in the fitness lab, but also on their own at home. Each client is given a pedometer and a booklet containing example exercises and instructions.

This program not only helped the Arc clients become more aware of their own health, but also offered the Get FIT team and volunteers opportunities to expand their horizons.

Sara Williams, a graduating Health and Exercise Science major and member of the Get FIT team, will always remember her experiences working with the participants and crew.

“Being a part of the Get FIT program is rewarding for [the participants], but it is equally rewarding for us. This is a great experience,” Williams said.

Don’t forget, if you’d like to keep up with me or find any of my latest recipes, you can find me at twentysomethingandstarving.com.

Here’s something sweet to remember me by:

Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

For the coffee cake:

1 ½ cups flour (I use a half and half ratio with whole wheat flour)

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon zest

¼ cup lemon juice

4 tablespoons butter

½ cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt

For the raspberry cream cheese filling:

8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

½ cup sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon lemon zest

½ cup seedless raspberry jam

For the streusel topping:

½ cup old fashioned oats

½ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup walnuts, chopped

½ cup brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

4 tablespoons butter, softened

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. For the cake, combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice and yogurt. The batter may look curdled or lumpy, but it’s okay.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and slowly and mix until they just combine. Pour into a greased baking pan.

5. For the raspberry cream cheese filling, beat all ingredients together with an electric mixer. Pour in an even layer over the cake batter.

6. For the streusel, combine all of the ingredients together in a large bowl using your hands. Make sure the butter is well incorporated and still slightly chunky.

7. Top the coffee cake with the streusel and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

“It was the first year we had a sense of shared purpose. We networked and made connections, and in turn everyone did a great job,” said senior law and justice major Tim Kravitz, vice president of Sigma Pi and president of the Inter–Greek Council.

The IGC is made up of 22 national fraternities and sororities at Rowan. Under the IGC umbrella are the Inter Fraternity Council, National Panhellenic Conference, National Pan-Hellenic Counci and Greek Cultural Organizations Council with each serving as the council for different sororities and fraternities.

The IFC is home to Alpha Chi Ro, Alpha Phi Omega, Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Pi and Tau Kappa Epsilon. The NPC houses are Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Sigma Sigma and Theta Phi Alpha. The NPHC is home to Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Iota Phi Theta, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta. The GCOC houses are Chi Upsilon Sigma, Lamda Theta Alpha, Mu Sigma Upsilon and Lamda Theta Phi.

This year, five teams containing different organizations took part in Greek Week. The teams were split into Sigma Pi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta; Sigma Sigma Sigma, PIKE, Lamda Theta Alpha and Lamda Theta Phi; TKE and DPhiE; Alpha Sigma Alpha and Phi Kappa Psi; Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Chi Rho, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Each team was themed as well. The team of Sigma Pi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta chose the ’90s, Sigma Sigma Sigma, PIKE, Lamda Theta Alpha, and Lamda Theta Phi represented the Jersey Shore, and TKE and DPhiE opted for the Wizard of Oz. Alpha Epsilon Phi, AXP, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha embodied “Bring it On.” Alpha Sigma Alpha and Phi Kappa Psi chose old time gansters as their theme.

“It was a lot of fun because there was something to do every day,” said junior public relations major and Sigma Sigma Sigma member Megan Gallis.

Sunday kicked off the start of Greek Week with a barbeque. Penny wars began on Monday and were held through Thursday. The event raised $1,245, the most to date.

“This is event is for philanthropy. The money was split between participating Greek organizations in order to fund the programs we do each year,” Kravitz said.

Penny wars are a literal battle between the organizations. Each team has a bucket and is allotted a certain amount of points for each coin. Dollar bills receive point deductions and dollar coins receive the highest amount of points. Teams try to sabotage each other by putting in twenties, but it’s all in friendly competition for charity.

The banner contest was held on Monday as well. Each team was given the same size piece of paper and challenged to make the best banner incorporating their theme. Tuesday night was trivia night.

Glassboro Clean Up day, organized by 2010-11 IGC President Brandon Zoltouski, was held Wednesday and with a large attendance.

“This was the event that changed the dance for Greek life in the community. The Greeks were able to change their image in the eyes of the community so much so that they asked us to come back next year. Glassboro Clean Up day will be bigger next year,” Kravitz said.

On Thursday, a swimming challenge was held. “We had a few different types of swim races. We took first place in three out of four of the races along with Theta Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, and Phi Beta Sigma,” said Sigma Pi member and senior business major Mitchell Friedberg.

Friday was field day, held at the intramural field. “This is the event that gives the bragging rights,” Kravitz said. Greek field day included events like wheel barrow races, tug of war, an egg toss and dizzy bat.

In the end, the Greek week contest winner was decided following a lip syncing contest held on Saturday. Three teams went into the contest very close in standings. Sigma Sigma Sigma, PIKE, Lamda Theta Alpha, and Lamda Theta Phi were in first place; Sigma Pi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta were in second; and TKE and DPhiE were in third place. Only 3 to 4 points separated the teams.

“I’m a big lipsync fan,” said senior communications major and Theta Phi Alpha member Katie Binder, “I love greek week, because we get to hang out with the Sigma Pi for a week straight.”

When the contest finished, TKE and DPhiE were declared the overall Greek Week champions. Sigma Pi, Theta Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta came in second, and Sigma Sigma Sigma, PIKE, Lamda Theta Alpha, and Lamda Theta Phi came in third.

The Greeks have the Greek Gala coming up where new members get to meet those in other organizations, and outstanding members of Greek life are acknowledged. The Greek newsletter is also set to come out the end of this semester.

Dildarian, a 1991 communications graduate from then-Glassboro State College, is responsible for comedy’s newest cult character, Tim: a young New Yorker who can’t seem to catch a break and is always finding some new, unnecessary way to embarrass himself.

When the show premiered in 2008 Dildarian, 40, was unsure of how viewers would react to his awkward character and crazy group of friends.

“I really had no expectations because I’ve never been in this situation. I mean, I’d never even worked on TV,” Dildarian said.

Before “The Life and Times of Tim” aired, Dildarian made a name for himself as the creator of many successful commercials. His famous “Budweiser Lizards” Lou and Frankie were a staple in the 1999 Superbowl commercials. Dildarian also wrote and narrated the “Budweiser Clydesdale” commercial for the 2004 Superbowl.
His new television success was a relief for the sitcom newcomer.

“In general, I’m surprised, because the whole time I’m dreading that I work on it for so long and no one likes it,” Dildarian said. “But slowly but surely, people watched it and it became more and more popular.”

“The Life and Times of Tim” has made its mark with the help of blogs and groups on the Internet.

“At first we didn’t know how the show would go over and slowly but surely we started to really develop a loyal following. It’s a small cult following, it’s not like the ratings are amazing,” Dildarian said. “It’s amazing, looking at the Facebook page and all the people on Twitter. You can see that the hardcore fans are just really into this thing.”

Dildarian credits the media explosion for the the show to the initial reaction that it received after the first season aired.

“We were really lucky to get really nice reviews.” Dildarian said. “So, a lot of these really important newspapers really wrote it up well.”

The positive reviews didn’t stop with the first season. The San Francisco Chronicle’s review of the newest season called the show a “brilliant take on one man’s repeated bad decisions.”

The New York Post joined in on the praises, saying, “The more Tim endures, the more hilarious this classic comedy gets.”

Season two, which aired in the beginning of this year, brings several new changes for the show and for Dildarian’s cast. The show’s second season also features some celebrity guest voices, including comedians Aziz Ansari, Cheri Oteri and Bonnie Hunt.

“We brought some more writers in this year because it’s a lot of work,” Dildarian said. “We tried to build on the world of season one, give the textures a little more texture and back-story. You learn more about these people; they aren’t just one-note characters. Season one is all about Tim’s problems and here we get into other people’s problems.”

As season two begins to wrap up, Dildarian says he is using the time to relax in his current home, San Francisco.

“I mean we put so much work into this. It’s pretty much all that happened in my life,” Dildarian said. “But it’s seven days a week. On the one hand it’s exciting, you know, but on the other hand it’s a lot of work.

“We’re always writing and recording. I mean, we just finished writing, so for the first time now I can breath and relax. I’m just trying to catch my breath. For me right now I’m not thinking about anything.”

While he is not immediately focused on the future, Dildarian hopes to take his success and run with it.

“I’m lucky enough that I’ve gotten this far. It definitely opened a lot of doors from me,” Dildarian said. “Hopefully it just keeps going from what we’ve done so far. I’d love to write a screenplay [for] a live action TV show. Sometimes, even though I love it, it gets a little much to only write Tim dialogue day in and day out.”

Fans can catch “The Life and Times of Tim” Friday nights on HBO at 9:30 p.m. or visit the show’s Web site at hbo.com/tim.

W.F. Powell Elementary School has not only become a place of learning, but a place of shelter, serving three meals a day to students and offering warmth from the winter weather when most of the homes they come from don’t have heating. But it’s still lacking key elements of education needed in all elementary schools: books, desks and chairs to name a few.

It all started when Michelle Luderitz, a sophomore elementary education and Spanish major and president of Habitat for Humanity, observed the conditions at the school. She noticed that the youngest book was older than the oldest student, filing cabinets were being used as desks and the number of encyclopedias on the shelf were no where near the amount that an elementary school should have.

“Some of the students read on grade levels three years below their own and struggled to get through ’If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’ as a fifth grader,” Luderitz said.

Since November, Habitat for Humanity has collected donations for the school and finally delivered them yesterday morning.

“It’s been a long, drawn-out process,” said junior Spanish major and fundraising chair for Habitat for Humanity Robert Taclan.

According to Taclan and Luderitz, they delivered items included donations of 10 or 11 globes from El Círculo de Español, arts and craft supplies from the Art Education Association, TVs, VCRs, DVD players and roughly 1,500 books from other groups and individuals from Rowan students and staff and the surrounding community. A collaboration was also made with the Engineers Without Borders to build and design 30 bookshelves for the school.

The school is overwhelmingly grateful for the efforts made by Habitat for Humanity.

“They’ve been excellent to providing the school with resources,” said W.F. Powell Elementary School’s math coach Tracy Thompson. “It’s very humble. We greatly appreciate it.”

Habitat for Humanity’s next step in helping the elementary school is holding the first-ever, home-run derby fundraising event on Thursday, April 29 at the intramural field from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The home-run derby’s goal is to collect enough money to provide new bookshelves to the school.

There will be various prizes that will go to one lucky male, female and organization. In addition, all equipment will be provided to every participant, as well as the use of pitching machines.

Many have already confirmed on the Facebook page that they will make an appearance in the home run derby. Freshman chemical engineer major and Habitat for Humanity’s treasurer Kelly Barb hopes that the event will have a large turnout.

“We have great prizes,” Barb said “It’s for a very noble cause.”

Habitat for Humanity is asking students to come out and donate next week, have a good time and help elementary students in doing so.

Tickets are available at the Student Center info desk and are set at $5 a person. ‘Boro Bucks are accepted as a form of payment. The home run derby is open to all students and faculty, so no athletic experience is necessary in order to enter.

-Contributions made by Julissa Mesa