Events
Profs for A Purpose: Suicide Prevention Walk 2026
Description
You’re invited to return to Rowan University’s Glassboro campus on Saturday, April 18th, 2026 at the Chamberlain Student Center (Expansion) and Back Patio as we walk to support survivors of suicide loss and continue to build a community of care. Proceeds from the event will go to the Center for Well-Being and benefit well-being initiatives at Rowan University to support the mental health and well-being of Rowan students, faculty, and staff such as:
- Suicide Prevention Trainings for faculty, staff, students, parents/caregivers
- Emergency funds (e.g. for individuals with food insecurity or unforeseen circumstances)
- Programs/Organizations that center around mental health and well-being at Rowan
- Student focused programming to support belonging and social connection that is invaluable to student success and well-being while in college
- Profs for a Purpose Mini-Grants
Each year, the TOP FIVE fundraising teams will have the opportunity to have mini grants created in their winning team name. These mini grants will be awarded to Rowan students, faculty, and staff supporting suicide prevention, mental health and well-being initiatives through education, resources and improving sense of belonging.
Congratulations to our winning teams from 2025!
Mental Health Warriors
Thriving Together
RLUH & Friends
Social Work in Action
Rowan Catholic Campus Ministry
See below for some of our previous grant winners. And for more information, and to see photos from our most recent walk, click here
Additional Details about the Walk
Each year, our event highlights a Rowan campus member, organization, or department and their unique expressions of support for suicide loss survivors, individuals with lived experience, and overall mental well-being. Past events have featured interpretive dance by the Rowan Dance Team, creative art experiences from the George Family Center for the Healing Arts, and meaningful contributions from student clubs and organizations across campus.
Participants are invited to enjoy light breakfast items while connecting with members of the community and exploring resource and activity tables. Our Opening Remarks offer words of hope, a moment of remembrance, and recognition of our mini-grant recipients and their impactful work. We also share how funds raised directly support suicide prevention efforts and mental well-being initiatives.
Following the remarks, we come together to Walk for Hope—a collective walk through campus that symbolizes our solidarity, honors those affected by suicide, and helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Along the route, participants can engage with thoughtfully curated activity stations designed to meet you where you are and allow for personal reflection and connection.
We conclude the morning by gathering for ice cream and continued community connection.
We can’t wait to walk with you this April.
Place
Walk Contact Info
If you have any questions about this walk, click the button below.
Walk Website
Additional walk information can be found at https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Glassboro/ProfsForAPurpose.
Mini-Grant Recipients
Proceeds from the Profs for a Purpose: Suicide Prevention Walk will go to the Center for Well-Being and benefit well-being initiatives at Rowan to support the mental health and well-being of students, employees, and community members. One of those initiatives is the Profs for a Purpose Mini-Grants. Students, Faculty, Staff and other Rowan community members are all eligible to apply for a grant for up to $700. Grants must focus on projects that support efforts to address mental health, mental illness, or suicide prevention through one or more of the following means: education, resources, belonging/Connection, and/or research. Each year, the TOP FIVE fundraising teams will have the opportunity to have mini grants created in their winning team name.
Some of our previous grant winners include:
- Kristen Lewin and Drew Davenport - SOAR programming - "We aim to provide substance free programming opportunities for students in recovery or those choosing to abstain from drugs or alcohol to help them build a sense of belonging and connection within the Rowan community."
- Melissa Cosgrove - STEAM Academy - A pre-college summer program that introduces middle and high school students to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics while also preparing them for the transition to higher education. The grant will fund a licensed mental health counselor to lead a workshop for both middle and high school student in order to help students develop coping strategies, resilience, and awareness of available resources on campus as they prepare for college life.
- Dr. Justin Major - First-Year Engineering Clinic Mental Health Support - Using "Stress Less Cards" and framework for mindfulness, instructors can help students learn to be more reflective of their own identities, belongingness, stress, and overall mental wellbeing. The hope is to expand this project to other class/departments across campus.
- Barry Hendler - Research on Suicide Prevention - Since the fall 2019 semester, Rowan has made significant, actionable progress in prioritizing student well-being and promoting a community of care after navigating a history of student mental health concerns and completed suicides. My qualitative research aims to understand the student experience related to many of the factors embedded in our institutional and campus culture and will hopefully provide an insightful view of the perceptions and realities of the student experience on this important topic.
- Jailene Jaquez - The Thriving Beyond Workshop Series - This workshop series will address mental health by fostering awareness, resilience, and community among students with lived experience in foster care.
- MaryBeth Novak - Funding for The Gloucester County and Rowan EMS Clinical Education Symposium - During the Symposium, Rowan offers a diverse array of presentations covering various topics pertinent to the pre-hospital environment. In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on mental health prevention, intervention, and services for first-responder mental health and well-being practices.
- Emmalee Holaday - Gender Affirming Wardrobe - The Gender-Affirming Wardrobe at Rowan University, housed in the Center for Belonging & Student Engagement, is a vital, inclusive resource providing free clothing and specialized supplies that affirm gender identity and expression for all students.
- Heather Riggs - "A Mindset for Healing" workshops at Rowan. Workshops increase awareness and empower participants to recognize warning signs, seek help, and support others. “Healing Conversations” events foster inclusion, empathy, and belonging—protective factors against suicide and social isolation.
And more! Thank you for your generous donations that continue to support the Rowan community directly
