Enzo Ronchi

First Generation

First Year Voices: Music Industry Student’s Journey from Delaware to New Jersey

Posted on January 7, 2020March 22, 2021by Enzo Ronchi

“If you’re into music, this school is awesome!” says Devin Saienni, a freshman Music Industry major with a concentration in Music Technology from Wilmington, Delaware (New Castle County). He currently lives in Mimosa Hall and is a first-generation college student.

Freshman Music Industry major Devin Saienni sits on a bench on campus Devin says he came to Rowan specifically for the music program, and he heavily credits his humble experiences here so far to his professors.

When asked about his shift from living in Delaware to New Jersey, he said the people here make him feel right at home. He also wasn’t nervous at all coming into college because he knew a few people already.

His best advice to future students is to “tour your schools” and “really put your full focus on really finding out what school fits you.”

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Story and photography by:
Enzo Ronchi, senior public relations major

20 Minute Radius

20 Minute Radius: Fireside Family Restaurant

Posted on December 24, 2019December 19, 2019by Enzo Ronchi

Looking for a quality spot to get breakfast, lunch or dinner? Fireside Family Restaurant in Pitman may just be the place for you! Located just 10 minutes off of Rowan’s campus, this hidden gem is just off of Woodbury Road and has a homey atmosphere inside that offers a variety of dishes.

I transferred to Rowan last fall. During my first semester, a few of my friends and I would always try to find a local breakfast place to go to on Saturday mornings. After a bit of curiosity, I found Fireside through Google recommendations, so we decided to check it out.

Interior shot of the of Fireside Family Restaurant

As soon as you walk in, you’re immediately greeted with the warmest enthusiasm by the hostess. There are booths and tables for preference to sit at. The menu contains many options to choose from, which range from breakfast items such as bagels, pancakes, omelets and hash browns to lunch and dinner items such as burgers, pasta and steak.

Fireside Family Restaurant became my go-to place for breakfast every Saturday morning with my friends and we’ve been going back there ever since my first semester. This past weekend, I was there.

I got an order of French toast that came with a choice of eggs and meat. I chose my eggs over easy and ordered sausage and bacon for the meat. It’s definitely a delicious meal that I highly recommend to get here. When I’m not ordering that, I like to get a breakfast sandwich in the form of a sausage, egg, cheese and bacon sandwich on a plain toasted bagel with a side of hash browns.

Exterior shot of the Fireside Family Restaurant

The best part about Fireside is the student discount! If you bring a student I.D. you get 10% of your bill.

Fireside Family Restaurant is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Be sure to check it out if you’re in the area!

Fireside Family Restaurant
401 Woodbury Glassboro Road
Sewell, NJ 08080

Story and photography by:
Enzo Ronchi, senior public relations major

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Student Life

Freshmen Friendship: Psychology & Radio/TV/Film Majors on Their First Month in College

Posted on November 15, 2019November 12, 2019by Enzo Ronchi

Gwyneth Blackley, Kaersten Garner and Emma Shea are three freshmen students who have already formed a tight friendship together with the help of school clubs. Today, they share their stories on how they met, talk about their campus life and reveal what they look forward to in the near future.

Name: Gwyneth Blackley

Major: Psychology

Year: Freshman

Hometown and County: Neptune, NJ (Monmouth County)

Off-campus resident? No, I live in Holly Pointe

First-generation college student? No

Name: Kaersten Garner

Major: Radio/TV/Film

Year: Freshman

Hometown and County: Teaneck, NJ (Bergen County)

Off-campus resident? No, I live in Willow Hall

First-generation college student? No

Name: Emma Shea

Major: Radio/TV/Film

Year: Freshman

Hometown and County: Middletown, NJ (Monmouth County)

Off-campus resident? No, I live in Holly Pointe with Gwyneth

First-generation college student? No

Emma met Gwyneth through an incoming freshmen Facebook group where they instantly got to know each other through their love of music before they even got to Rowan.

How did you meet?

“I met Gwyneth way back in January and it was off of the roommate [form] where people put their descriptions. One of the things she said was that she was in a band, and I was like, that’s all I need to know! So we both exchanged numbers at some point and we had a lot of similar interests, like music taste. It was all based off of music first, which is a lot of my friendships, and then we talked for months.

Then we ended up meeting in Asbury Park and we just really clicked well. We had really similar personalities, the same humor, and then from that point we just hung out almost everyday in Asbury Park because she lives like five minutes from there. So we just hung out every weekend until we moved in. We had a really strong friendship coming to Rowan.” — Emma

“Yeah, I kind of just said everything I was interested in and put up some pictures of things I like such as my tattoos.” — Gwyneth

Emma and Kaersten, who are both Radio/TV/Film majors, met through their major-related clubs.

Are you guys a part of any clubs together?

“Me and Kaersten are a part of clubs together since we’re both in RTF. We’re both in the Rowan Television Network and I’m in the Cinema Workshop.” — Emma

What’s the Rowan Television Network like?”

“It’s student run so all the students show up and they have a slideshow presentation of all the things that are going on and how you can sign up for different things going on around campus.” — Kaersten

How do you like Cinema Workshop?

“I really like it! I started writing a script for a short film I want to do so I’m excited about that. It’s nowhere close to being done but I really want to be in a film festival, that’s the end goal. I just really want to have one of my scripts come to life, because I have so many scripts written.” — Emma

Kaersten is a part of Rowan Radio and has really been enjoying her experience there.

What’s Rowan Radio like?

“It’s fun! I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I knew I wanted to join the radio station.” — Kaersten

Gwyneth and Emma are both a part of Rowan Alternative Music, a music club focused on bringing as music scene to campus.

What is your favorite part about clubs here?

“The clubs here are really inclusive, especially Rowan Alt cause I know other colleges have groups like this, but that’s something that’s going to make my experience a lot better and at home because it’s something that I know I’m very passionate about: music and alternative music. So I think that’s going to be a big part of my college experience.” — Emma

“I like the variety of people here, there’s people for everyone.” — Gwyneth

How has the past month been at Rowan?

“So much fun! I love college.” — Kaersten

What other things do you hope to accomplish during your time here at Rowan?

“I want to be a social worker. I also want to join the dance team here.” — Gwyneth

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Story and photography by:
Enzo Ronchi, senior public relations major

Offbeat Rowan

What Profs Are Listening To: Gianna Witasick

Posted on October 19, 2019October 11, 2019by Enzo Ronchi

Psychology major Gianna Witasick photographed outside on Rowan's campus

Name: Gianna Witasick

Major: Psychology with a Pre-Med concentration, might pick up an Anthropology major!

Year: Junior

Hometown and county: Ocean City, NJ (Cape May County)

Off-campus resident? Yes

First-generation college student? No

What are you listening to right now?

“I chose five songs that remind me of this time of year for the whole fall vibe. I chose “Petulia” by The Kooks, “Livewire” by Oh Wonder, “Mykonos” by Fleet Foxes, “Pale Blue Eyes” by The Velvet Underground and “Heavenly” by Shoobies, which is a new song they just released!

Why did you pick these songs?

“I think that they all have a very similar fall-type vibe, like when you’re walking down the street and it’s starting to get colder outside and there’s all the colorful leaves on the ground. These are the songs I want to be listening to to put myself in the mood for this time of year. It’s a very specific type of mellowness that’s a little bit more calm than the summer. I have playlists for every time of year!”

Psychology major Gianna Witasick, photographed outside on Rowan's campus, shares what she's listening to at the moment

Do you have a favorite from those five songs you picked?

“That’s a really good question! I really like ‘Petulia,’ I think it’s upbeat for a fall song. I think a lot of fall songs tend to be on the sad side for some reason because I guess it’s the end of the summer season. It makes me happy, it’s a really good feeling. Also the new Shoobies song ‘Heavenly’ is so good. It’s a bit different from their other music and their old sound but in a really good way. Shoobies are a local band from the Asbury Park area and they rock! Shameless plug, they’re the best band in New Jersey and the world.”

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Story and photography by:
Enzo Ronchi, senior public relations major

Future Transfer

TRANSFERmation Tuesday: Music Industry Major Nikola Berardo

Posted on October 8, 2019January 18, 2021by Enzo Ronchi

This is Nikola Berardo, a junior Music Industry major with a concentration in Music Technology from Absecon, NJ (Atlantic County). Today, he will share his experiences on his first month at Rowan University.

Rowan transfer student and Music Industry major Nikola Berardo photographed outside Engineering Hall Name: Nikola Berardo

Major: Music Industry with a Music Technology concentration

Year: Junior

Hometown and County: Absecon, NJ (Atlantic County)

Off-campus resident? Yes

First-generation college student? No

Tell us about your transition into Rowan. Were you nervous?

“I was not nervous initially, but as the first day approached, I grew a little jittery. But the first day went really well! I had a great time and transitioning was fine. Pretty straightforward.”

Why did you choose Rowan?

“It was the cheapest option, and it was pretty close to my hometown. I looked into Stevens Institute of Technology and The University of the Arts as well.”

Why did you want to major in Music Industry?

“Because I’m a musician, I play in various bands, I play various instruments and I’m a huge fan of music.”

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Story and photography by:
Enzo Ronchi, senior public relations major