What is Rowan Boulevard?

Rowan Boulevard at Rowan University as seen from Town Square.

Grab a bite or go somewhere fun with friends at Rowan Boulevard, Glassboro’s downtown area at the edge of Rowan University’s campus. Rowan Boulevard is a one-third mile strip built to reinvent downtown for students and area residents. In 2000, visions for Rowan Boulevard began, but it wasn’t until 2008 that construction really launched. We’d […]

20 Minute Radius: Best Burgers (and Alternatives)!

Stock image of burgers with a side of French fries.

Happy National Burger Day! Today we looked for some of the most bun-tastic burgers on campus and nearby. Finding your perfect burger, fries, and shake spot is a great way to explore Gloucester County. Smashburger, Alumni Grill, Five Guys, and Burgerzoid are all less than 20 minutes away from Rowan and all four offer more than just burgers!

Storefront image of Alumni Grill.

Alumni Grill is located directly on campus down Rowan Boulevard and features memorabilia from local schools and colleges!

Holding a burger up to the photo of Bunce Green inside Alumni Grill.

Alumni Grill offers a black bean patty and gluten-free buns! You can also use Rowan Bucks or Dining Dollars at Alumni Grill 🙂

Holding up a burger to the Alumni Grill sign.

We recommend the Black and Tan burger, which has fried onions, pepper jack cheese, and the beef patty includes bacon and is seasoned perfectly! 

Exterior of Smashburger fast food restaurant in Glassboro.

Next, we have Smashburger on right Delsea Dr. in Glassboro.

Jen enjoying her burger from Smashburger while wearing a yellow Rowan shirt.

Having the Classic Smash, Smash Fries and any shake is always solid! 

Nick and Jen enjoying burgers and a shake inside Smashburger.

You can customize your burger to make a “Jersey Burger” by adding bacon, blue cheese, grilled onions, haystack onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

Exterior of Five Guys burger place in Sicklerville, NJ.

Five Guys is located in Sicklerville, 15 minutes away from campus! 

Marian holding up a burger in front of the Five Guys fast food place while wearing a yellow Rowan Blog shirt.

All the toppings (except for the cheese) are free at Five Guys!

Glowing Five Glows logo inside the store.

Five Guys offers veggie options, hot dogs and milkshakes.

Bright green Burgerzoid sign over the store.

Burgerzoid is also located in Sicklerville, only 13 minutes from Rowan. 

Onion rings on top of a burger with a side of fries from Burgerzoid restaurant.

Burgerzoid is new to the area and offers veggie burgers as well as crazy milkshake options!

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Story by: 
Marian Suganob, public relations and advertising graduate

Photos by:
Nick Flagg, senior theatre and advertising double major with concentrations in theatre ed, acting/directing, & musical theatre

Header image courtesy of:
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20 Minute Radius: 5 First Date Ideas in Glassboro

Sure, watching Netflix is cool and all, but here are five first date ideas that are a lot more fun! 

1. Breakfast at Dawn to Dusk Café

Rise and shine! Going on a breakfast date is a great way to start the morning. I would recommend Dawn to Dusk Café. Located right on Rowan Boulevard, this is a great, convenient spot to take your date on campus. They accept Rowan Bucks and dining dollars, so no money, no problem. Their menu offers a wide range of breakfast and lunch options, fancy coffee drinks and a great outdoor seating area. If you check out this spot, I recommend the banana and Nutella waffles with a side of home fries. Chef’s kiss! 

Dawn to Dusk on Rowan Boulevard.

2. Exit 4 Escape Room

Scared your date will be awkward and want to break the ice? Visit the Exit 4 Escape Room on Rowan Boulevard. They have four different rooms you can book, which include Ben Franklin’s Inferno, The Police Station, Cain of the Jersey Devil and Three Suns Cantina. These rooms give participants an hour to solve puzzles and find clues to ultimately “escape.” This is a great date idea because you can work together, invite other friends for a double date and be occupied the whole time. They also accept Rowan Bucks, so it doesn’t break the bank. I’ve escaped from all four rooms and have had so much fun every time I’m there. Exit 4 is the perfect first date spot.

Loredonna and friends at escape room

3. Visit the Rowan Art Gallery

Want to do something a little more sophisticated for your first date? Visit the Rowan University Art Gallery. Located on High Street, this local spot is perfect to do something unique for a first date. Art in this museum is from emerging local and nationwide artists. This is a great place to talk and take cute first-date pictures. Since it’s an art gallery, get a little dressed up and walk around to see the beautiful pieces on display. The Rowan Art Gallery is free to Rowan students, which makes this a savvy first-date option. 

rowan art gallery

4. Liberty Virtual Reality 

If you’re looking to have fun on your first date, visit Liberty Virtual Reality on Rowan Boulevard. This is a great interactive entertainment experience that is sure to impress your date. They offer a zombie fighting simulation, a snowball fight, laser tag and a virtual Angry Birds game. Liberty Virtual Reality is a great way to let loose and have fun on our first date. Use your Rowan Bucks at this spot, too! 

Rowan Boulevard/virtual reality

5. Alaura Kitchen Homemade Ice Cream

Leave campus for date night and visit Alaura Kitchen Homemade Ice Cream. Located in the quaint, beautiful town of Pitman, this spot is perfect for a date. After walking around the shops and restaurants of Pitman, stop in and get delicious treats at Alaura’s. They offer a small bites menu that has fries, grilled cheese, hotdogs and other yummy food options. You can’t leave this place without dessert, though. Alaura’s offers a wide range of hand-dipped ice cream flavors that are sure to please your date. 

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Story by:
Loredonna Fiore, junior public relations and advertising major

20 Minute Radius: Lucy’s Creamery

Craving more ice cream? After sourcing 10 local ice cream places for Rowan Blog, contributor Camryn Hadley, a senior double major in Public Relations and Advertising, has discovered a new spot right in Glassboro. 

It’s no secret that I have a large sweet tooth. When I heard a new ice cream shop opened behind my residence hall, I had to try it out!

I got the chance to meet with Lucy’s Creamery owner, Nikki, and got the inside “scoop” on Rowan’s newest local business.

Lucy's Creamery owner.

Lucy’s recently opened amid the pandemic summer in July and is located on 211 West High St. The location is perfect for a walk around campus and ending on the Glassboro Town Square with some treats.

The ice cream shop was originally founded by Nikki’s dad in Sewell, NJ in 2002. Nikki met her husband and now co-owner while working there when they were 16. The two recently bought the shop and made the move to Rowan to appeal to college students and offer indoor ice cream dining year-round.

Menu boards at Lucy's Creamery.

This family-owned business has some insane sundaes! But the most popular? The Peanut Butter Lover’s and Brownie Sundaes take the cake. If you ask Nikki, her favorite would be a hand-dipped Strawberry Cheesecake with soft serve as a close second.

As for my favorite? I’d have to go with the Cereal Killer Sundae with Fruity Pebbles and Rice Crispy Treats!

A sundae at Lucy's Creamery.

Of course, Lucy’s has some awesome promotions for Rowan students. When picking up your sweet treat, make sure to show your Rowan ID for 10% off your order. And don’t worry, using Rowan Bucks as a form of payment will be coming soon!

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Story and photos by:
Camryn Hadley, senior double major in public relations and advertising

Julia’s Corner: My Favorite Microwavable Foods

a photo of julia sitting outside the Rec Center

Headshot of Julia, who is smiling and has long blond hair.Recent grad Julia McAleavey shares guidance through this advice column for incoming students. A student with well-rounded experience, Julia earned a bachelor’s in advertising this spring. She transferred to Rowan her sophomore year, after another school wasn’t a great fit. While at Rowan she started as an exploratory studies major, unsure of what to major in. She’s lived both on campus and off campus, held student worker jobs and internships, and participated in clubs and sports.

Rowan offers plenty of dining options for first-year students and beyond. Between all of the stations at the Holly Pointe Cafe, the eight or so restaurants in the Marketplace, and everywhere you can use your Rowan Bucks and Dining Dollars at, the options seem endless.

Soon, however, you will become tired of eating the same five things in the cafe, and you probably used all of your Rowan Bucks three weeks in. With all of the studying and activities you’re involved in, eating may even seem impossible. As a freshman, you unfortunately do not have your own kitchen, but as a new transfer you might. In either case, you have this magical device called a microwave that you can cook plenty of substantial foods in (I know, I couldn’t believe it either).

Here are some of my favorite foods that I made in my microwave freshman year.A double room set up in Willow Hall at Rowan University.

Kraft Easy Mac n Cheese: If you don’t make this in your microwave during college, did you even go? Kraft Mac n Cheese cups are the best microwavable dish. The best part about them is that they’re so easy to make, a toddler can do it. The directions are right on the cup and your food is ready in minutes! They are also inexpensive, come in bulk, and are easy to store in your room. (Editor note: remember to put water in your Easy Mac – not doing so is one of the leading causes of fire alarms in the dorms. Yes, really.)

Chicken Nuggets: Since you have the mini fridge right under your microwave, you can absolutely keep some chicken nuggets in there. They are quick, easy, and a classic that never gets old. Just make sure to read how long to cook them for so you don’t undercook them. 

Pizza rolls/Bagel Bites: Another classic, childhood favorite item. They can easily be stored in the mini fridge and are ready to eat in minutes. Pizza rolls and Bagel Bites make the perfect snack or light lunch when you need something fast. 

Duncan Hines Cake in a Mug: Perfect for when you need a little comfort food. It is like baking a fresh cake at home, but you have the convenience of making it in your microwave (just don’t forget to pack a mug!) They come in so many different flavors, it makes it almost impossible to choose! My favorite is the banana bread, just to make it a little easier for you. Duncan Hines Cake in a Mug

In all honesty, I highly suggest utilizing the cuisine Rowan provides for you most of the time. There are times though, where you are busy studying or need to rush around from work to class, and that just isn’t possible. These microwavable foods are great options and are super easy to make. Enjoy them!

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Story by:
Julia McAleavey, advertising graduate

How to Avoid the Freshmen 15

Several students working out on treadmills in a fitness center

Today we feature advice from Catharine Rybeck, a junior public relations major from Barrington, NJ (Camden County). Catharine shares the lesson she’s learned on how to avoid the dreaded “Freshman 15.”

So many students find themselves struggling to stay healthy while living on campus. We hear over and over again, “Watch those Freshman 15!” We know logically that to avoid them we need to eat healthy and An opened planner with a cup of coffee next to itstay active, but how do we manage to do so while juggling classes and a social life? To begin, it is of the utmost importance to schedule your time and hold yourself accountable. I strongly recommend investing in a planner and sitting down on Sunday nights and taking the time to write out your responsibilities.

When you see what you have to accomplish written out, it is much easier to see what days are best at the gym or on a run. Another great way to stay active is finding a good gym partner or someone who will help make sure you meet your exercise goals; anything is easier to do when you have someone to do it with you. When you think about staying fit and active, most people immediately think they have to go and put in hours at the gym, but that’s not the case! Find something you enjoy to do and utilize A woman going up a rock-climbing wallRowan’s clubs and activities such as rock climbing club, spin classes, intramural sports, and many more!

Now we all know how easy it is to go down to Domino’s and use Rowan Bucks on a pizza, but consider spending your money at the local ShopRite. They accept our Rowan Bucks all the same and when you sit and plan out what items will give you the most for your money, the meal ideas are endless. Options such as instant rice, frozen vegetables, eggs, oatmeal, and meats that have already been cooked such as rotisserie chicken are all great items at a low cost that make it easy for you to get several meals out of them.

A plate of chicken over rice with vegetablesWhen Rowan Bucks run low, however, using the school’s cafeteria, such as the Marketplace in the Student Center or Glassworks Eatery in Holly Pointe Commons, is another easy option. There are a variety of nutritious options to help you stay healthy. Treating yourself is always okay but be sure to use moderation and keep your health in mind. And if you’re having trouble, Rowan’s nutritionist can always offer tips and advice.

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“Whoo” is Hungry?

Whether it’s a nutritious breakfast at the cafe, a lunch stop at Jersey Mike’s, or a dinner treat at the Rowan Boulevard Domino’s, senior criminal justice major Kelvin Torres knows that hard work in the classroom necessitates a well-balanced diet, and Rowan University provides just that. “No Prof ever goes hungry when they take advantage […]