Rider’s R Factor named best campus tradition in nationwide competition

The R Factor, Rider University's annual student singing competition, was named best campus tradition by the National Association of Campus Activities.

Rider was up against traditions across the country, besting finalists from Roger Williams University ("Midnight Madness") and Wake Forest University ("Lighting of the Quad").

“I am so excited because we at Rider always knew how special this program was, and it's thrilling to see it get the national recognition that it deserves, says Nick Barbati, assistant director of campus life for activities and student engagement. "My hope is that it makes even more students want to come out and be a part of the R Factor and experience the magic created by our Rider students.” 

Modeled after the Fox TV show The X Factor, The R Factor has since 2012 given students a showcase to display their singing and other musical talents while competing against one another. A panel of judges — consisting of Rider staff and former X Factor contestants, including Dani Knights — critique the performers and serve as their mentors during auditions and a final round.  
 
“What makes R factor different from any other singing show or singing competition is the element of mentoring," Barbati says. "Students are paired with a mentor who has worked in entertainment or student affairs to help build up their confidence level as it pertains to performing.” 
 
For many Rider Students, the R Factor provides their first chance to perform in front on of a live audience, which can number into the hundreds. 
 
“The R Factor was my first time performing and I have never done anything like that before," says Chris Patrick, the 2016 R Factor winner, adding that he had previously only performed in front of family. 

Winning the competition often leads to other performing opportunities, on and off campus. This year, Patrick warmed up the crowd before the start of the fall concert featuring Travis Scott, a rapper touring on his sophomore effort, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, which went straight to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release.  After winning in 2014, Milika Griffiths '17 toured the country as part of the ensemble on the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime.
 
“You feel like a star,” Griffiths says of performing on R Factor. “This is what it feels like to be loved and honored and appreciated by people."
 
Rider received the award from the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), which aims to advance campus activities in higher education through a business and learning partnership. Established in 1960, NACA now has around 1,000 college and university members and close to 650 associate members who represent artists, lecturers and performers.

"This award validates all the hard work of our students and judges and the way our community comes together to make events like this happen,” Barbati says.  To sign up for R Factor's 8th season, which will take place in the fall, visit the Office of Student Activities.