John Collins
hile students may dread the SATs, John Collins looks forward to them—well, scoring them that is. He and his wife, Marilyn began grading the tests in the ’70s. “We’ve made some good friends doing it,” he said.

Though he only scores them now, Collins endured his fair share of exams as a student. With a background in Latin from Saint Joe’s Prep, he studied the traditional patois, along with English and social studies, as a West Chester University undergrad.

After completing his B.S., Collins put his Latin to the test, teaching ninth-graders the subject and coaching football in Montgomery County, Pa. He also continued his own education at Penn State University, where he earned an M.A. in English literature and met his future bride.
After graduation, the newlyweds moved to New Jersey where Collins taught in the English Department of Delaware Township High School (now Cherry Hill West). He served as chair in his last year there, but found he preferred the classroom. “I missed my teaching,” he said.

Collins joined the GSC English Department in 1963, teaching American literature and composition while pursuing his Ed.D. at Temple. A dedicated teacher and advisor, he spent endless hours on the road supervising practicum and student teachers. “They used to let students student teach in their home towns,” he said. “I would have 17 students to supervise in 15 different schools from Cape May to Ramsey.”

In 1967 he joined GSC’s newly founded Communication Department, teaching and serving as chair. After 31 years at Rowan, Collins decided it was time to retire. However, his love of teaching lured him back to the classroom for five more years as a part-time adjunct professor.

These days, the father of five spends a fair amount of time traveling. After many years of going abroad, the Collinses now opt to stay in the country visiting their children and grandchildren “scattered all over the U.S.” The couple have also rediscovered their love for the great outdoors and take yearly camping trips to Maine. “We were always campers before, as a family,” said Collins. “Now that the kids are grown up, we got back into it.”

Next on their agenda—a national parks tour. “We’ve decided whatever traveling we’re going to do now, we’re going to do here in the States.”

When warm weather hits, Collins heads from Pitman to his house in Sea Isle. Each summer, their kids visit the shore, where Collins, an avid fisherman, spends quality time with one of the greatest gifts he ever received—his boat. “I had wanted a boat for a long time and my wife somehow managed to squirrel away money for a boat one Father’s Day,” he said. “I eventually sold that one and got a bigger boat. I mainly use it for fishing and crabbing, although the kids believe it’s for water-skiing!”

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Alumni can honor retired faculty by donating to a scholarship fund and other investment. Call Anne Hagan at 856-256-5402 or visit the Rowan University Foundation.