Stockton News - Aug. 28, 2026
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Engelberg Scholars Turn Atlantic City Roots into Opportunity
Reanna Marie Lawan remembers in fifth grade when she first toured Stockton University’s Atlantic City campus, just three blocks from her home.
She recalls what the neighborhood was like before the campus took shape, and the difference she believes Stockton has made.
“This area was almost dead. There was almost nothing here, but it’s such a wonderful spot to put a campus,” she said. “It inspired me to go to Stockton. With the campus here, I feel a lot more people from Atlantic City are going to go to Stockton. It’s given people a second chance at higher education.”
Now Lawan is one of those students. A sophomore in Stockton’s Health Sciences program, she is one of four Atlantic City residents selected for Stockton’s newest class of the Engelberg Leadership Scholarship Program. The program was established in 2019 through a $1 million commitment to the Stockton University Foundation from Gailand Alfred Engelberg.
Growing Soar First Program Builds Math Skills, Confidence
Determining how many rubber bands it takes to safely drop a stuffed Talon mascot from a second-story balcony.
Using light to measure chemical strength to determine if water is safe.
Figuring out exact percentages of the ingredients in ice cream — and then eating it afterward.
These are just some of the math and science experiments students in Stockton University’s Soar First Summer Scholars program took part in this week.
“The university likes to say on billboards that it’s the only one with a view like this. We like to say we’re the only program that does math like this,” said Alysia Goyer, an assistant professor of Mathematics and one of the coordinators of the program.
Soar First started last year as a free two-week summer bridge program to support select first-year students who were conditionally accepted into Stockton’s natural science, health science, exercise science and mathematics majors. The short-term goal is to prepare students to pass a placement test and take algebra in the fall, said Ariane Newman, associate provost for Academic Success. That would allow them to begin science classes in the spring and keep them on track to graduate in four years.
📸 View more photos on Flickr.
SPOTLIGHT ON: ROB MEJIA
Rob Mejia has been at the forefront of New Jersey’s cannabis industry evolution from the onset.
He has authored publications on the subject, presented at conferences and helped put
Stockton on the map during an exciting time in the state.
The adjunct professor of Hemp & Cannabis Business Management can now add that he owns not one, but three trademarks in the industry, and launched a “pre-roll with a purpose.” The pre-roll, called “Roll Pride,” has a deeper-rooted meaning than just something consumers can buy and smoke. Mejia’s sons identify as both gay and queer, which helped shape Roll Pride’s purpose: having a portion of proceeds benefit a local organization that supports the LGBTQ+ community.
In an interview, Mejia shares the process of developing his own trademarks and products, why creating something community-focused matters and how Stockton students may benefit from another new endeavor, Garden State OG.
PHOTO: Mejia holds Roll Pride pre-rolls beside a banner promoting the Garden State OG Cannabis Studies Scholarship, which he founded to support Stockton students.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
InstaFred: Sun’s out. I’m reflecting on it. ☀️
LinkedIn: Two #StocktonU Ospreys will be cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles this season, and not from the stands. Congratulations to Jackson O'Brien '26 and Adriana Trigiani '23 on becoming 2026 Eagles Cheerleaders.
Instagram: This is how we feel about getting an extra week to savor summer break.
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
SCOSA Hosts Summer Art Camps for Older Adults
This summer, SCOSA hosted two weeklong Art Camps for older adults with support from the Noyes Art Garage, New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Atlantic Center for Community Living.
Mirroring the Noyes Arts Garage’s art camp for children, the camps featured two themes: “Botanical” and “America the Beautiful: Celebrating 250 Years.”
Botanical projects included indoor glass gardens on canvas, flower pounding on fabric, altered botanical sketchbooks and felt succulents.
Projects inspired by “America the Beautiful: Celebrating 250 Years” included a flag basket created with master basket maker Niki Giberson, felted landscapes, altered Americana sketchbooks and folk art American birds.
The programs were well received, with total attendance reaching 68. Additional single-day art camps will be scheduled throughout the year.
OSPREY NOTES
Murphy Writing Hosts Inaugural Vermont Retreat
Murphy Writing held its inaugural Vermont Writing Retreat from Aug. 9-14 in scenic Grafton, Vermont, bringing writers together for a restorative week of creativity, community and focused writing.
Led by Peter E. Murphy and faculty member Nancy Reddy, the sold-out memoir and poetry workshops gave participants opportunities to develop new work, strengthen their craft, exchange supportive feedback and find inspiration in the peaceful New England setting.
Help Reimagine Stockton’s Alma Mater; Submissions Due Sept. 16
Stockton is inviting students, alumni, current employees and retirees to submit original compositions for consideration as the university’s new alma mater.
The Alma Mater Refresh offers the university community an opportunity to help shape a musical tradition that reflects Stockton’s spirit, energy and vision for the future.
Submissions are due by Sept. 16, 2026. The top three entries will be performed on campus during University Weekend, held Oct. 9-11, 2026.
Visit the Alma Mater Refresh website for submission details. For questions, email alma-mater-refresh@stockton.edu.
Did You Know: Aug. 20 is National Radio Day, celebrating the medium that has connected listeners through news, music and entertainment for generations. Stockton has its own place on the dial with WLFR 91.7 FM, Lake Fred Radio, featuring an eclectic mix of music and programming from the Stockton community. Tune in and give it a listen. 📻
UPCOMING EVENTS
💻 Professional Development Opportunities
🖼️ Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
Aug. 30: 'A Torah's Journey Home'
Sept. 1: Fall Faculty Conference
Sept. 4-7: New Student Welcome Programs
Sept. 8: Fall Semester Begins
Sept. 10: Board of Trustees meeting, ✨ Richard E. Bjork Library and Learning Commons Grand Opening
Sept. 15: Hughes Center Event - An Evening with Steven A. Cook
Sept. 15-16: 🦅 Get Involved Fair
Sept. 15-Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 17: Communication Studies Fall 2026 Kick Off, ⛳ Stockton University Foundation Golf Classic
Sept. 20: The Wisdom of Time: Heera Ghorashi, Piano Recital
Sept. 25: Forever Plaid by Atlantic City Theatre Company
Sept. 29: Constitution Day
