Rutgers Day Makes a Comeback

Rutgers Day, one of the state’s landmark spring events, drew crowds to New Brunswick and Piscataway on Saturday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the activities to move online two years ago.

Thousands of visitors came to Rutgers to enjoy over 500 activities and programs showcasing Rutgers excellence, including a surgical robot demonstration, cart racing, geology crafts, agriculture quizzes, and a Block R Rubik’s cube art installation.

Many people in the crowd have been coming to activities that are part of Rutgers Day for decades. But for President Jonathan Holloway, Saturday marked his first Rutgers Day since he started in his role during the pandemic.

‘’This is amazing because we have never seen any of this at Rutgers,’’ Holloway said after arriving with his wife, Aisling Colón, to give opening remarks at the New Jersey Folk Festival. “For me this is a day of wonderful discovery, and I am thrilled to be here.’’

Having a blast here at Rutgers Day! Come check us out on College Ave 🔥💪@RFootball @RUdanceteam @Rutgers_Cheer @RUMarchingBand #CHOP | 🪓 | #GoRU pic.twitter.com/GxQUSrBCTy

— Rutgers Football Fans (@RutgersFBfans) April 30, 2022

Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor-Provost Francine Conway said the return of Rutgers Day to an in-person event marked an important moment for the community.

“It is really healing,’’ she said. “Our campus needed this. Our community needed this. After being isolated for two years, to be back together again I think is a symbol of hope. It is a symbol of what can be, what we have overcome and just a chance to be together and celebrate.’’

Saturday also marked the return of Ag Field Day, which featured animal-handling exhibits and environmental and agriculture-related activities, and the New Jersey Folk Festival, a Rutgers tradition since 1975, which focused on the theme of transportation, migration and life in motion.

Science, technology and business programs were in the spotlight on the Busch campus. In addition to engineering, chemistry and computer exhibits, attendees had the opportunity to speak with business school entrepreneurs as well as get a “mini-health check” in the new Health Village – a space focused on Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences programs and other health-related initiatives.

Thank you @MayorCahill & @CityofNewBruns for stopping by #RutgersDay! pic.twitter.com/r3Zh07PFFM

— Rutgers University–New Brunswick (@RutgersNB) April 30, 2022

The return of Rutgers Day was a moment many in the crowd had been looking forward to for the last two years.

“We were so excited it was back on this year,’’ said Meredith Gard, who earned her master’s degree in social work from Rutgers in 1997.

In past, Rutgers Day was a place to bring her children. Now they are older, Gard, from Highland Park sat on the lawn at the New Jersey Folk Festival with her friends and fellow Rutgers alumni.

“It is a great day,’’ she said. “It feels like a celebration is back.’’