Throughout the past year, the Rider community has kept so many simple wishes bottled up inside — their desires for what they want to do but can’t because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As vaccines begin to provide a light at the end of the tunnel and a hopeful path to a post-pandemic world, Rider magazine asked the University community to finish the sentence “I can’t wait to...”
Here’s what they said.
“...eat my favorite meal from Daly Dining Hall.”
-Daryl Gregory
Sophomore popular music studies major
“...attend the basketball games with my friends.”
-Mike Powell
Freshman sports media major
“...be back at Rider, seeing my friends every day, walking to class, getting Starbucks beforehand and going to Crans for lunch.”
-Suzette Rodriguez
Sophomore finance major
“...send students to study abroad and welcome more international students to campus!”
-Meghan Korb ’17
Master’s of business communication student and graduate assistant for the Center for International Education
“...serendipitously cross paths with current and former students in hallways and on campus.”
-Dr. Bonnie Lehet
Assistant professor, Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling
“...do a semester in Los Angeles my senior year.”
-Jenni Profera
Freshman theatre major
“...stand and walk around a classroom while I teach, and see more than just my students’ heads and torsos.”
-Dr. Cara DiYanni
Associate professor, Department of Psychology
“...experience that unforgettable moment of absolute unity when singing the Lutkin Benediction with my entire Westminster Choir College family.”
-Ally Jurgens
Junior music education major
“...have a picnic with friends on the Campus Mall.”
-Olivia Gillingham ’19
Master’s of business administration student
“...be back in the teaching labs with our students, providing them with the ‘high-touch’ faculty interactions that make our science programs so strong.
-Dr. James Riggs
Professor, Department of Biology, Behavioral Neuroscience and Health Sciences
“...hang out in the Commuter Lounge with all my friends.”
-Belveth Simon
Sophomore secondary education and mathematics major
“win the grand prize at the Eggscellent Egg Hunt, because I WILL win.”
-Peter Strippoli
Junior business analytics and sports management double major
“...take my kids on campus to enjoy sunny walks around the beautiful lake.”
-Jessi Oliano ’03, ’06
Lecturer, Department of Communication and Journalism
“...see EVERYONE in person and feel the energy and excitement of being on a college campus.”
-Dr. DonnaJean Fredeen
Provost and vice president for academic affairs
“...play pool in the Student Recreation Center with my friends.”
-Sean Rampersad
Sophomore general liberal arts major
“...dance on stage with my Rider Dance Ensemble family.”
-Becca Martin
Junior elementary education major