Welcome to the Rohrer Review!
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Dean's Message
Graduation is a time to celebrate our students as they reach an important milestone in their lives. This year at commencement, more than six hundred business students were welcomed into the Rowan University family as alumni. The stories in this issue highlight the many ways our faculty, staff, alumni, and partners work together to bring learning to life during our students’ educational journeys. As I read these stories, I am reminded how fortunate we are to be a part of it. Watching them learn, grow, and ultimately cross the graduation stage is one of the greatest rewards of this profession.
Warm regards,
Matt Sarkees, Ph.D.
Dean, Rohrer College of Business
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More than 600 Graduates Celebrate the Largest Commencement Ceremony in College History
The William G. Rohrer College of Business celebrated a historic milestone on May 13 as more than 600 graduates participated in the College’s commencement ceremony, making it the largest graduating class in RCB history.
Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and staff, graduates gathered to mark the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and achievement. The ceremony recognized students earning undergraduate and graduate degrees and welcomed them into a growing network of RCB alumni making an impact across industries and communities.
The ceremony featured remarks from undergraduate student speaker Molly Fitzpatrick and graduate student speaker Lauwinda Cherilus, who reflected on the transformative experiences that shaped their time at Rowan and encouraged graduates to embrace the opportunities ahead.
Fitzpatrick spoke about the importance of investing in oneself, challenging graduates to step outside their comfort zones, pursue their passions, and continue building the relationships that will shape their futures. She reflected on how the experiences, leadership opportunities, and connections she found at Rowan helped her grow both personally and professionally.
Cherilus shared her journey as a first-generation student and Haitian immigrant, urging graduates to choose courage over comfort and purpose over fear. Drawing from her own experiences and service work, she encouraged her fellow graduates to dream bigger, create opportunities for others, and use their education to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Dean Matthew Sarkees challenged graduates to continue learning long after leaving the classroom, emphasizing the importance of intellectual curiosity throughout their careers and lives.
“Curiosity is a lifelong companion that evolves with you,” Sarkees said. “Embrace it, nurture it, and let it guide you to places you never imagined.”
As graduates crossed the stage and turned their tassels, the ceremony served as both a celebration of their accomplishments and the beginning of a new chapter. Whether entering the workforce, pursuing advanced education, launching businesses, or serving their communities, the Class of 2026 leaves Rowan prepared to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful difference.
The record-setting commencement highlighted the continued growth and success of the Rohrer College of Business and the remarkable achievements of its newest alumni.
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Zebra Pen and Rowan University Partner to Explore the Future of Cause Marketing Through Mindfulness, and Conservation
Zebra Pen Corporation, a leading global writing instrument company known for empowering creativity and self-expression, recently partnered with RCB to challenge students to develop an innovative cause-based marketing campaign centered around mindfulness, creativity, sustainability, and animal conservation awareness.
Throughout the semester, student teams researched consumer trends, social engagement strategies, digital behaviors, and emerging wellness movements before presenting comprehensive campaign recommendations to Zebra Pen leadership.
The winning team, “The Write Stripes,” developed a concept known as “ZebraZen,” a mindfulness and creativity-focused ecosystem designed to encourage intentional writing, journaling, and daily moments of reflection while promoting conservation awareness and purpose-driven engagement.
| | Honoring RCB Alumni Excellence | | Amelia Gonzalez M’23 is a dedicated professional, military leader, and mother of four whose journey reflects a deep commitment to service, leadership, and lifelong learning. With a background spanning marketing, hospitality, banking, and education services, she built a strong foundation in operations and customer experience before joining the New Jersey Army National Guard in 2014. Rising through the ranks, she has served in key leadership roles, including Platoon Sergeant, supporting large-scale missions and mentoring fellow soldiers. She also spent several years as a recruiter, guiding future service members through enlistment. In 2024, Gonzalez earned her MBA from Rowan University and now works in contract administration at Comcast Business while continuing her service as a Warrant Officer. As a recipient of the Community Impact Award, she exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and a steadfast dedication to both her profession and her family. | |  | Michael Likogiannis ’20 has quickly established himself as a rising leader in finance, building a career rooted in strategy, innovation, and mentorship. A magna cum laude graduate in finance and accounting, he distinguished himself at Rowan through academic excellence, leadership in the Financial Management Association, and multiple prestigious scholarships. He began his career at Bank of America in mergers and acquisitions, advising on more than $9 billion in transactions, before transitioning into corporate strategy and now strategic investments focused on fintech and financial markets. Despite his professional success, Likogiannis remains closely connected to Rowan, mentoring students, serving on the Rowan Innovation Venture Fund screening committee, and returning as a speaker and competition judge. Recognized as a 4 Under 40 award recipient, he continues to embody Rowan’s spirit of resilience and leadership while shaping the future of finance. | | | Bobica Bars co-founders Harrison Nastasi and Justin Iannelli | | |
Rowan Alumni Founders Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine
Recent Rowan graduates and Bobica Bars co-founders Harrison Nastasi and Justin Iannelli were recently featured in Entrepreneur Magazine for turning their college side hustle into a rapidly growing business. The article highlights how the pair built the superfood-glazed granola bar company while students at Rowan, earning national recognition, competition wins, and funding along the way.
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Jordan Howell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Howell’s research focuses on sustainability, corporate responsibility, and environmental strategy. His work explores how organizations navigate the tension between business performance and ecological impact.
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Jordan Moore, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Moore, a finance faculty, studies organizational behavior and sustainability, with a focus on how industries communicate and implement environmental initiatives.
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Beyond the Greens: RCB Faculty Explore Golf's Role in Environmental Sustainability
At first glance, a golf course may seem like an unlikely setting for environmental research. But for Jordan Howell and Jordan Moore, the fairway offers valuable insight into one of today’s most urgent global challenges: biodiversity. Their recent research explores how the golf industry approaches environmental sustainability, focusing on the role courses, manufacturers, and professional tours play in protecting ecosystems.
Because golf courses manage hundreds of acres of land, the industry is uniquely positioned to influence local environments. Howell and Moore found that many courses are already embracing conservation efforts through habitat restoration, wildlife support, and environmentally responsible land management practices. In some cases, particularly at high-profile courses, these initiatives are both strategic and measurable.
“Golf courses have the potential to serve as important environmental assets,” Howell said. “Because they directly manage land, they can integrate conservation into everyday operations in ways that many industries cannot.”
Their findings reflect a broader shift within the industry, where sustainability is becoming more than an optional initiative. Increasingly, environmental stewardship is viewed as essential to the long-term success, credibility, and public trust of the game.
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The Rohrer College of Business wants to hear from you!
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