Things are Coming to an End

posted by: Russ

Today starts my last week of classes as a Rider Universit college student. This is very exciting and emotional for me all at the same time. I do not know where these last 4 years of my life have gone; they went by way to fast. This Rider experience has been life changing in many ways.
Saturday night was when I realized that I am graduating in 3 weeks and my life is changing completely. It was 2 AM and I just left my friends pod. For some reason I wasn't tired and just wanted to walk around campus. So I started to walk by myself just thinking about my life, what’s changing, Rider, the friends I have made here, all of the fun I have had and all the amazing times with my friends I have experienced. I walked all over campus for about 2 hours just looking at buildings and remembering things that I have done. I sat on a bench and just thought about the last 4 years of my life. I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I have had. Not forgetting the hard times and struggles too. I can't believe that this part of my life is coming to an end. Sitting outside on the campus green knowing that I would be graduating from that same spot in 3 weeks was hard for me. I didn't want to come to college, I was scared, and now I'm scared to leave. Rider has become my home and all of the people I have met have impacted my life significantly. Rider isn't just a place to go to college; it’s a place to shape the person that you are going to be. You will "find yourself" while being here. The conversations you will have with your friends dig so far into who you are, it’s amazing. Staying up until 4 AM with your roommate, talking about Music or what you want to do when you graduate, when you have to be up at 7 AM, is PRICELESS. These are the times that I will never forget for the rest of my life.

I have made so many amazing friendships that I am going to have for the rest of my life. So many people have helped shape me as a person as well as grow as an individual.

I just want to thank some of my friends. Elizabeth, you have been the most amazing person throughout these last four years. The things we have gone through have made me realize how important you are to me. If I did not have you, I do not know where I would be. You have been the best girlfriend a guy could ask for, I LOVE YOU.

Kenny, you have been the best roommate. Living with you has been rockin, there will never be bad music coming from our room. Julie the conversations we have had over the last 3 years have been amazing. We see eye to eye on so many things. To all the guys that live in the B2nd and 3rd Pod. Jeremey, Joe, Dave, Weber, Simon, and Payton it has been the time of my life living with you this year. The guys upstairs, we have rocked it every weekend and I won't forget it.

Last but not least; Kate, Cher and Kerrie. The three of you girls have helped me through so much. Who would have thought meeting you freshman year would lead to the amazing, unique, and wild friendship we have today.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT I HAVE MET WHILE BEING AT RIDER. YOU HAVE ALL HELPED SHAPE THE PERSON I AM TODAY. I AM GOING TO MISS YOU SO MUCH.

I just want everyone to know how important your friends are while you are at Rider. This is the time to find who you are, in which Rider helps you do that. I graduate in 3 weeks and my life is going to change dramatically. I have a job, I am moving back home for a few months, I am leaving everything I have known for the last 4 years and starting over again. I am scared but ready for the challenge (I think and hope). I am going to write one last time after graduation, to let you know what it feels like to be a RIDER GRADUATE. I hope you look at my experiences and realize that you should live every day, hour, minute, second to the fullest. Don’t ever forget that.

Rock On
Russ

Looking back

posted by: Georgina

It's amazing how 4 years can really pass by so quickly. My senior year is almost through. Looking back over my time at Rider, I have had a lot of great times. I have met some really amazing faculty and made some amazing friends.

Although I am extremely excited for December to get here so that I can graduate, I am going to miss Rider. It's really the kind people which make Rider stand out in my mind. And all of the basketball games, Bronc buffets, and trips that I've experienced.

I am going to miss being involved in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. It's full of such a great group of people which love Jesus. I am going to miss the French table talks that I had so that I could keep practicing the beautiful language. I am going to miss tutoring Math and giving tours at Rider. Two of the BEST JOBS that Rider has to offer.

But Rider has really prepared me for life after college. I am going to become a great Math teacher because I have gone to a great school. Now, it's time to continue to make more great memories.

-Georgina

Student Support Services

posted by: Georgina

The Trio Program is making a difference all across New Jersey. It helps middle school and high school students acheive success in their educations. On a third level, the program aids students obtaining a bachelors through graduate school. I am proud to announce that I am apart of the Trio Program on the college level called "Student Support Services". SSS helps financially disadvantaged, disabled, and first generation students obtain a college degree. They also provide counseling and tutoring services.
SSS has left a mark on my life. I am paying for my own education. My family cannot afford to offer me any assistance. SSS, has helped take the burden of financing a private education, off my shoulders. The SSS staff of Rider are sweethearts. They are also professionally commited to student success. Recently, I took a trip to Washinton, DC with SSS.

I absolutely love History, politics, and DC. The trip was amazing. SSS went to Washington in order to lobby for an increase of funding of the Trio Program. We spoke personally to Senator Menendez and also communicated our cause to Senator Lautenburg's chief assistant Apryl. Our goal is to have a senators vote on increasing the Federal grant money to Trio. Every year the cost of living increases. However, for almost three years the amount of money awarded to Trio has remained the same. Therefore, it was time for Rider SSS students to pay the capitol a visit. Everything was paid for in full for those students who volunteered to go to DC and speak with the senators. There was no way that I was going to miss that opportunity!

Full Time Job

posted by: Russ

Hey everyone. Long time not talk. I hope everyone is doing well. So I have a good story this week. I GOT A FULL TIME JOB WITH JOHNSON AND JOHNSON. How crazy is that? So I received an e-mail from a recruiter at J & J asking if I was interested in the SLDP Program. That stands for Sales Leadership and Development Program. So I went for the interview at one of the J & J locations and it went amazing. I left feeling really good about what just happened. He told me he was interviewing for 2 days and about 40 people. He also said there was one spot left in the program. Long story short, he called me 2 days later and offered me the position. I was shocked and so excited. I can’t believe all my hard work paid off. I will say that Rider prepared me so well and I would not have gotten this job if it were not for the things I learned here. Being able to answer questions quickly and efficiently really helped me in the interview. I attended an interview training session at our career service office, which really prepared me for my interview. It is a two year contract that I signed in which I am going to work in sales, marketing and logistics. I still can’t believe that I have a full time job. The sense of job security from now until I graduate is amazing. All right well I have to run because I am leaving tonight to go to Tennessee for 4 days to watch a NASCAR race. I am going with my dad and best friend from home. We have a 10-hour ride ahead of us and I am going on 4 hours of sleep so this should be interesting. All of that make it even more fun. Talk to you soon.

Rock on.
Russ

Christmas in February

posted by: Georgina
What comes to mind when you hear the word February? Most people think of Valentine's Day, roses, and spending time on a romantic date with the one you love. February 2008 will be a year that I'll never forget.

Christmas breaks in college are phenomenal. You get a month and a half off to do whatever you want. Last Christmas was fun, I spent it with friends. But, there's nothing like spending Christmas with family. I'm originally from Baltimore, so all of my family live there. I jumped up and down at the excitement of celebrating Christmas in February with my beautiful family. That's exactly what I did this month. On February 3rd we celebrated each other and gift giving. My family came up from Maryland to my new house in Mullica Hill. It was Christmas, Valentine's Day, and a birthday celebration all rolled in one.
Anna, Aunt Darlene, Mom, Aunt Cynthia, and Granny, I love you!!! I thank God for my family. They have helped me excel in obtaining an higher education. They support me in traveling and helping the world. I wouldn't trade my big, loud, and African-American family for the world! They are always cheering and rooting for my twin sister and me. I promise that you will be able to hear them out of all the families when I graduate from Rider : )
Toodles,

Georgina

Philly Auto Show/ Johnson and Johnson/ Words of Advice

posted by: Russ

How is everyone doing today? I hope you are staying warm because I am freezing right now. So this weekend I went to the Auto Show in Philadelphia. This show is something that I look forward to every year. When else are you going to be able to sit in very expensive cars that you don’t have to buy? Some of my favorite cars were the new Audi R8, Chevy Corvette R1, and the Dodge Challenger. Now if I could have all three of those cars, I would be a lot happier right now. In my dreams right?

So, it has been a full month since I started working at Johnson and Johnson and I am learning/experiencing a lot. Everyday I work with excel spreadsheets analyzing numbers and developing tables/charts to make comparisons for Senior Management in the Center of Excellence Department. Sounds scary right? Well it is, but I have adjusted well. I am treated like a full time employee, which is very challenging but beneficial at the same time. The material I work on deals with New Item Launches, Displays/promotions for Johnson and Johnson’s consumer department. I never thought I would be able to work hands on with actual displays that are in stores Nation wide. It’s a neat feeling.

All right well I have to run because I am doing a lot of work for J and J and it needs to be completed by 4:00. I will tell you this one last thing. Enjoy every minute of your time at Rider; you will learn it is the best four years of your life. Cherish every time you hang out with your friends, go to a basketball game or even to dinner. Get involved on campus and apply for an on campus job, working in the Admissions Office really helped me grow as an individual as well as shape me into the person that I am today. You don’t realize these things until you take a step back and see where and what you have done throughout your college career. Until next time keep studying, having fun, going to events on campus, and having the time of your life. You only get one chance to go to college, don’t forget that.

Rock On.
Russ

No Car, No Problem

posted by: Georgina

Okay, so I'm 22 and dreaming and praying and hoping and wishing for a car to call my own. But, I just haven't got one yet! I would really love an Infiniti (because I'm a Math geek) or a LandRover (just like Eliza Thornberry on Nickelodeon) but a nice cute car will do.I really have no problem living on campus without one. I have lots of friends who love to drive. So, I have not missed out on exploring the neighboring towns (Ewing, Princeton, Trenton, Hamilton) around Rider. Rider really has scored major points with me because of the SHUTTLE. Every Saturday the shuttle takes students to Princeton, to the movies, mall, WalMart, and a whole bunch of other places. Who doesn't love to shop? If shopping were a major at Rider, I would have a 4.0 GPA.

So, if you're thinking about Rider and don't have a license or a car. No worries, as a student, you can take the Rider shuttle for free.

C ya later

: )Georgina

Break recap

posted by: Russ

Hey Everyone,
I feel like it’s been forever since I wrote last, so let’s do a little recap. My birthday happened in December. I turned 22 which was a lot of fun. I celebrated for 4 straight days by going out to dinner and such with my friends and family.

Christmas was great, I saw a lot of family I never see and had a great time relaxing and eating way to much food. I had so many Christmas cookies and was eating left over for weeks. The new years eve celebration was very fun even though I had to work at the Black Bull serving tables. My girlfriend Elizabeth and our friend Julie came in and sat in my section for 3 hours until I was done. Good times. The best part of my vacation was started January 4th.

I went on a 9 day cruise to the Caribbean with 22 of my closest friends. WE HAD THE TIME OF OUR LIFE. I went to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Hati. The cruise ship was amazing. There were 4 swimming pools, 7 hot tubs, a mini golf course, a rock climbing wall, an ice skating rink and a theater. I could have stayed on that ship longer than the 9 days I was on in a heart beat. I went snorkeling and on 2 speed boat rides. We went shopping and toured the towns. I ate at a restaurant in Dominican Republic and the woman did not speak any English. It was very hard to order and pay the bill. HAHAHAHA. The food was amazing as well, and we were able to order as much as we wanted at once. I ate 4 lobster tails the one night.

I got back from the cruise last Sunday and the next day I started working at Johnson and Johnson. I worked 44 hours this week and have been swamped with work as well as trying to learn everything as I go along. I am going to talk about my new job a lot more in the next blog because my brain hurts right now from all of the thinking I have done in the last week at J n J. HAHAHA. I also have to wake up at 6:45 every morning now so I need to get my sleep. The real world has begun and it’s very scary. I will say that this is going to be a great learning experience for myself. Alright until next time, good luck this semester and I will talk to you soon.
Rock and Roll
Russ