By: Guy Varela
The finish line is in sight, and the race toward graduation is on! We recently announced 107.7 The Bronc’s Cruisin’ From Commencement contest, and one lucky graduate could roll off campus in a brand new 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross L All Wheel Drive SUV, courtesy of Team Toyota of Princeton.
This year is extra special, because it’s the 10th anniversary of Cruisin’ From Commencement! We’re celebrating a decade of unforgettable memories, and celebrating those who made this event possible starting all the way back in 2016!
If you want to know what it’s like to be a winner just ask Connor O’Neil ‘17. This Customer Service Representative and Data Entry Operator at Top Knobs, won Cruisin’ From Commencement in 2017. He won both a brand new Toyota and a cruise! “It was such a humbling experience for me. You don’t just etch your name in history, but the circumstances were different at the time, technically (feeling like) a double champion at the time.”
The experience felt so rewarding for Connor, and he looks back on this event thinking that students should take the opportunity to enter Cruisin’, since there’s no risk in submitting a video, “Why not give it a shot? What’s the worst that can happen? I’d rather take the risk trying something, then just letting a moment pass me by. You get scared of taking that chance in life, but it really would be so much more beneficial not just for me, but for my family too.”
For Josh Harry, Vice President of Operations At Skyzone in Hamilton and Travel Guide For Josh Harry Travel, is sponsoring Cruisin’ For Commencement for the first time by giving away a Royal Caribbean cruise for two to The Bahamas, to our second place winner! Josh has been working with The Bronc since 2021, and hasn’t looked back since. “Working with The Bronc is much better than (working with) traditional legacy radio stations. This radio station shows how much the students are involved, and SkyZone and (Josh Harry) Travel resonate more here with the students.”
A three to four night cruise from Florida to The Bahamas sounds like a great time, and Josh can’t wait to see the Top 10 Finalists come May 16. “It’s such an exciting thing to happen. The car is a huge prize, but the cruise brings (the contest) to another level. I can’t wait to see who wins, because it’s all about giving back to the community here at Rider. Even if you don’t get first, to get second or third, or even further on, it’s a no brainer, (I feel that) the students will put in a lot of effort into their submissions.”
After working with The Bronc for the past six years, Doug Zenzel, Director of Marketing at Team Toyota in Princeton, see’s how much effort each student puts into their submissions for Cruisin’ From Commencement. “It’s great to be a part of the community in general. We want to help the youth and see the submissions of what the students put in, because It’s all about building relationships with our customers, and we can foster that business. You’re getting a brand new vehicle, and it’s one less thing you have to worry about once you graduate.”
The Grand Prize is that shiny new Toyota Corolla Cross L, plus two years of ToyotaCare for maintenance and roadside assistance. Doug loves supporting The Bronc every year with a brand new Toyota, since he’s seen how much Cruisin’ has grown since he started to work with The Bronc. “It feels great to see the momentum through the years, especially with the opportunity to win a brand new car once graduating college.”
Lastly, John Mozes, General Manager of 107.7 The Bronc, has seen it all when it comes to the creation of this contest, to now celebrating its 10th anniversary! “Anytime you reach a milestone in life, you need to celebrate in big fashion. We’ve given away cars to college graduates for over 10 years now. This year, there are more prizes and more opportunities to celebrate this 10th anniversary. The best next thing to do was to give away a car, a cruise, and the $1000 as our top three prizes, then the catering and $100 gift cards to th #GetForky Gretalia Hospitality Group of restaurants.”
John knew that Cruisin From Commencement was a way to grow the station’s brand, and engage the Rider community. This was something that other colleges and college radio stations have not done. “Little did we know that Team Toyota of Princeton would be with us for 10 years giving away a different car every year. (With their help) it’s made Cruisin’ From Commencement a campus tradition here at Rider University along with many other events we put together.”
To qualify, you must be a graduating undergraduate or graduate student eligible to walk at Rider’s Class of 2025 Commencement on Saturday, May 17. Entries are due by Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., with the Cruisin’ From Commencement Finale happening on Friday, May 16, at 5 p.m. on the Campus Mall.
This contest is made possible by our amazing sponsors: Team Toyota of Princeton, Josh Harry Travel, Gretalia Hospitality Group and Fulton Bank. So graduates, why not take this opportunity to show how four years attending Rider University helped make an impact on your life? Start brainstorming, grab your camera, scroll through your pictures, and let your Rider story shine. Your ultimate Commencement ride is calling, graduates! Click here to learn more about this legendary contest.