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The Rider community celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Lawrenceville campus Student Recreation Center on Thursday, October 14. The festivities included a basketball shootout, karaoke, free T-shirts, food and a special replica of the SRC, fashioned from cake by Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop of Hoboken, N.J., from the popular television show Cake Boss.

“It’s been five years and the Student Recreation Center is still going strong,” said Danielle Philips, Study Tours Coordinator. “We tried to make it a really nice event to celebrate the importance of the center and that’s why we had the cake made.”

The “birthday party” also featured raffles and games run by members of the campus radio station, 107.7 The Bronc, and a special performance by the student a capella choir, The Rider Vibes. Everything about the event was for the students, according to Julie Karns vice president for Finance and treasurer.

“The occasion is really a celebration of our commitment to Rider students,” Karns said. “The SRC contributes to the healthy, fun environment for this campus and we’re proud at how active it has become.”

The Student Recreation Center was built five years ago to complete the Lawrenceville campus with a building entirely for students. Students not only exercise with state-of-the-art equipment, but can also meet with friends at the cafe, watch television and play video games with their peers. Sophomore Geosciences major Kate Krsnak believes that it is an integral part of campus.

“Students are always using the SRC. It’s a fun place where we can always go to hang out, get some coffee, or exercise if we feel like it,” Krsnak said.

Jamie O’Hara, vice president for Enrollment Management, agreed that the recreation center plays an important role on campus. “It’s critical having a place on campus where students can really own the building and take advantage of all the space, whether it be the exercise equipment, basketball courts, conference rooms or TVs and gaming systems,” O’Hara explained.

Many faculty and students from all over campus turned out for the celebration, showing their appreciation for a building that caters to their interests.

“It’s been five years since we opened the Student Recreation Center,” said O’Hara, “which gives us another reason to celebrate a campus that prides itself on being student focused.”