Jacqueline Klecak

“[Stepping] is not just a race thing, it’s a universe thing,” said Ed Nelson, better known as King Leo or Sexy Chocolate by the members of his well-known step group, The PLAYERS. 

Six of fifty members of The PLAYERS club step group came to Rowan last night to perform their comedy, step routine at Rowan After Hours (R.A.H.).   Six of Rowan’s Greek organizations including- Lambda Theta Phi, Lambda Theta Alpha, Chi Upsilon Sigma, Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Mu Sigma Upsilon, and Psi Sigma Phi, also performed their salutes, strolls, and steps.

Ed Nelson, the leader of The PLAYERS, hosted the show which began with each Greek organization taking the stage and explaining a brief history of their organization and performing either a step, stroll, or salute. 

Jules Montanez, President of Lambda Theta Alpha, explained that strolling is like an organized line dance and saluting is a way of paying respect.  Also, some strolls are national and members of each organization everywhere learn the moves.  Jose Veloz, president of Lambda Sigma Upsilon, explained that his Latino organization salutes in different languages to pay respect to many different cultures. 

 “We need to remember that we are not climbing a ladder to get to the top.  We are walking through life together.” These are some of the wise words that adjunct public speaking professor, Patricia Coughlan, shared with her family members, students, and professors at her “Last Lecture” presentation on Tuesday. 

Coughlan stated several times that she felt, “tremendously humbled,” to have been chosen to give this speech.  She discussed, “how to live a life of interest,” and how all her experiences and everyone she has come into contact with has shaped who she is.  Coughlan and the audience both got emotional and laughed often when she was shared what she has learned from her experiences along with personal family photos, mementos from her life, and stories. 

This SUP sponsored event took place in the Student Center Ballroom and was inspired by Carnegie Melon University’s computer science professor, Randy Pausch, who gave his famous last lecture once he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  It has become a tradition at universities to have students vote on what professor they want to see give their hypothetical last lecture and Rowan students chose Patricia Coughlan.

The seven main point of interest that she outlined for the audience included: be confident and humble, be eclectic and worldly, be passionate and bold, be personable and kind, be glib and good, be ready, and be the Zamboni ( which was her metaphor for telling everyone that they need to take risks).

“Education is not just about the degree, it’s about being lifetime learners,” explained Coughlan as she shared a story from her childhood when her father gave her a bottle of whiskey on her first day of kindergarten and she was not allowed to open it until she got her degree. She still has not opened and she does not plan on opening it until she completes her PhD. 

It’s National Native American Heritage Month and what better way to celebrate the culture of the indigenous people of this nation than an interactive dance performance? 

Dr. John Mills, Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs at Rowan University coordinated the Piscataway Nation Indian Dancers event, which he calls an “active informational event,” that took place last Thursday, November 15.  This performing group has been coming to Rowan for a couple years now and they are always a crowd pleaser, according to Mills.

This “very interactive” performing group highlights the Native American community in New Jersey because people typically associate Native Americans with the West but this community exists in the East as well. Also, the Piscataway Nation Indian Dancers “bring out cultural misperceptions” and any lingering stereotypes about Native American culture, according to Mills. 

This performance is an opportunity for students to have a good time and learn something they may not have known before. 

During the performance the performers often asked for members of the audience, which consisted of Rowan students, friends and family members of the performers, to volunteer and participate in the dances. 

Isn’t it only fair to give everyone a fair learning, educational, and occupational atmosphere, regardless of any disabilities they may have?