Rowan College President's Award Winner Dedicated To Wildlife

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Rowan College at Burlington County 3+1 Biology student Rebekah Feinberg has accomplished a lot in her two years at the college.

She earned the college’s prestigious Vincent J. Sollimo scholarship for chemistry after participating in a research project in which she focused on sanitation efforts on Mars.

She’s clocked in over 300 community service hours at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. She even spoke with the college’s President Dr. Michael A. Cioce and faculty members at a recent Facebook Town Hall. And she’s not done yet.

“Since attending RCBC, I have attempted to heavily immerse myself in the college’s community as well as my own community,” Feinberg said. “I have been an RCBC Service-Learning Scholar for the past two years. By being a Service-Learning Scholar, I perform volunteer work for RCBC, such as with the food pantry and blood drives. Due to this program, I have also obtained community service hours at Woodford Cedar Run. In addition to these co-curricular activities, I have managed to continue working at my local retirement community, Medford Leas. At Medford Leas, I provide food service to the residents and make memorable relationships with the elders of my community.”

Feinberg is slated to earn the college’s President’s Award during the 51st annual commencement ceremony, the college announced. The college will host five ceremonies, for the 2020 and 2021 graduates from Wednesday to Friday this week. Read more here: Rowan College at Burlington County Hosting 5 Commencements In May

“Once I have completed undergraduate, I hope to be accepted into Cooper Medical School and ultimately become a cardiovascular surgeon to save lives,” Feinberg said. “Throughout my entire educational and career goals, I plan to continue to practice self-discipline and motivation, as well as focusing on helping my community.”

Feinberg said she would emphasize the importance of self-discipline and self-motivation to her fellow graduates. This has become apparent over the last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Despite the extreme change in learning and isolation from our communities, my classmates and I have completed our associate degrees,” Feinberg said. “The past year, students had to motivate themselves to log into class, get assignments done and study. Our fierce determination to obtain our degrees and pursue our own educational journeys should be celebrated and acknowledged. I wish to do this for my fellow graduates. The cap and gown does not signify our graduation; our determination, motivation and hard work is what embodies our graduation and exemplifies our accomplishments.”