Stockton News - June 12, 2025
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
University Ready for Brazilian Soccer Team to Practice on Campus
Why is one of the largest and most popular soccer teams in the world practicing for the FIFA Club World Cup at a small public university in South Jersey?
“It all starts with the field,” said Anthony Berich, Stockton’s executive director of Athletics and Campus Recreation. “This is where it starts.”
Berich referred to the Bermuda grass soccer field of G. Larry James Stadium, installed in 2021 by Tuckahoe Turf Farms in Hammonton. It’s the same type of grass that CR Flamengo, the most followed club in Brazil with more than 50 million followers on social media, practices on in Rio de Janeiro.
And it’s the same type of grass, also installed by Tuckahoe, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia where Flamengo will play Esperance Sportive de Tunisie on June 16 and Chelsea FC on June 20.
“The field gives us a chance to host a worldwide event that we would never be able to do otherwise,” Berich said.
Flamengo arrives on Thursday, June 12 and will hold practice sessions that are closed-to-the-public and all university personnel at G. Larry James Stadium and the Sports Center until Monday, June 23.
Increased police activity is expected throughout the duration of Flamengo’s visit, including presence from the New Jersey State Police, Homeland Security, Stockton Police and other local authorities in and around the secured area.
“One of the great things about this for the university is that this is an opportunity to showcase our facilities,” said Jeff Haines, associate director of Athletics and Recreation. “We’re lumped in with the best soccer facilities and universities in the tri-state area. We’re a small Division III school in South Jersey, but we’re capable of hosting a major event like this."
⚠️ Campus Access Restricted During Training
All practices and training sessions will be closed to Stockton employees and the general public. No credentials or passes will be issued to access the secured perimeter surrounding the Sports Center and G. Larry James Stadium during the team’s stay.
The Sports Center, including all offices, the Trustees Memorial Fitness Center, athletic training areas and the arena, will be closed from 5 p.m. June 11, through the end of the day June 23. Lot 4 and Athletes Way will be closed beginning June 12, through June 23. The road and lot will remain closed during this time.
Stockton Partners with Thomas Edison in Prior Learning Network
Stockton has joined a statewide initiative titled the New Jersey Prior Learning Assessment Network (NJ PLAN) powered by Thomas Edison State University (TESU) that helps students earn college credit for what they already know.
The two universities celebrated the partnership on the Galloway campus, Thursday, June 5.
This collaboration will expand Stockton students’ access to Thomas Edison’s nationally recognized Credit for Prior Learning options. Through NJ PLAN, students can be assessed for college-level knowledge acquired outside the traditional classroom – whether through work, military training, community service, independent study or other life experiences. The results are faster degree completion, reduced tuition costs and less student debt.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to providing flexible, affordable pathways to degree attainment for New Jersey’s students,” said Cynthia Baum, provost of Thomas Edison State University, who joined Stockton Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Palladino at the ceremony. “Stockton University’s participation in NJ PLAN gives their students greater access to innovative tools that recognize the real value of experiential learning and help them move forward with purpose.”
Alumni Achievement Awards Honor Those Giving Back
Stockton honored the remarkable achievements of its alumni at the 2025 Alumni Achievement Awards held on Thursday, June 5, in the Campus Center Event Room.
The evening, filled with heartfelt stories, lively music and campus pride, brought together graduates, faculty, staff and friends to recognize the outstanding contributions of Ospreys who continue to make an impact in their professions, communities and at their alma mater.
Hosted by Scott Francis ’98, senior director of Alumni & Gift Success at Auburn University and a member of Stockton's Alumni Council on Engagement, the celebration featured the presentation of eight awards highlighting professional excellence, volunteer service, alumni engagement and emerging leadership.
The evening's speakers echoed a powerful message: Stockton is more than a university. It is a place where shared purpose drives progress and transformation. Alumni reflected on legendary faculty, moments of being welcomed and challenged, and the belief that where you start doesn't determine where you end up. With courage and conviction, they continue to build Stockton’s future together.
📷 Check out more photos on flickr.
SPOTLIGHT ON: KORY OLSON
Olson Co-edits Handbook on Paris History
Kory Olson, professor of French, co-edited, “The Routledge Handbook of the History of Paris since 1789,” published in May 2025.
Olson, who has been at Stockton since 2006, shared how the opportunity came about.
“When I was looking for publishers for my first book on maps of Paris, published in 2018, I sent a proposal to Routledge’s History section. They responded favorably, but I had already received a contract from Liverpool University Press,” he said. “In 2021, the same editor reached out to me. Routledge was in the process of publishing its ‘Routledge Handbook on the History of France,’ and wanted to create one for Paris, too. Since I had submitted a strong proposal a few years earlier, he asked if I was interested. I was honored and happily accepted.”
When asked how the project connects to his current role at Stockton, Olson said, “One of my main duties is to teach French language and culture. In upper-level advanced courses, we focus on Paris’s role in France and Francophone countries. This latest scholarship on the French capital will help me teach topics that most traditional textbooks do not cover, such as sounds in the city, the role of gardens, queer Paris, policing migrants, children, immigrants and more.
“Furthermore, I teach a History of Paris General Studies course. This collection of chapters will provide those students with an up-to-date take on the city since the 1789 Revolution.”
FRAME-WORTHY
Stockton Celebrates World Ocean Day with Port Republic School
Stockton's Marine Field Station celebrated World Ocean Day by sharing its research projects ranging from shipwreck discoveries to marine debris removal with students from Port Republic School.
Steve Evert, director of the Marine Field Station, pointed to Nacote Creek and asked, “What beaches do you visit? Do you think this water is connected to the ocean you swim in?”
Students called out Brigantine, Ocean City and Long Beach Island. They were split
on whether the creek was connected to the ocean water.
“This is tidal water. The water you swim in at the beach is connected to Nacote Creek. At some point in time the water in the creek will eventually be out there and vice versa. As tides come in and out, the water mixes,” he said.
Evert’s goal was to show the kindergarten through eighth grade classes that the field of Marine Science is as deep and broad as our oceans during the June 6 event, ahead of the official World Ocean Day on June 8.
The workshops were centered on Nacote Creek, a tributary of the Mullica River leading out to the Atlantic Ocean by way of Great Bay.
📷 Check out more photos on flickr.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
Instagram: The best part about summer is welcoming our newest Ospreys to the nest.
LinkedIn: A group of Stockton University students who called themselves the Pine Barrens Bird Nerds competed in New Jersey Audubon's World Series of Birding this May.
Facebook: I was fortunate to attend the recent Avoda Club scholarship event and celebrate the achievements of several high school seniors.
FROM THE SIDELINES
Five Ospreys Qualify for MARC All-Academic Team
Five Stockton rowers qualified for the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference All-Academic Team for the 2025 season. The quintet consisted of Leilani Moreno, Lexi Kripetz, Sydney Rowand, Reese Weirickand Maria Fazio.
Kripetz was a repeat selection, while Moreno, Rowand, Weirick and Fazio earned the academic recognition for the first time. To qualify for the MARC All-Academic Team, rowers must be sophomores or above with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 and must have raced in at least 75 percent of the team's competitions.
Moreno served as coxswain for the Stockton varsity eight, which included Rowand and Kripetz as mainstays. Weirick began the season in the second varsity eight and was later elevated to the varsity eight. Fazio rowed in the second varsity eight and varsity four during the year.
Moreno, a senior, and juniors Kripetz, Weirick and Rowand were members of the Stockton varsity eight that captured the bronze medal at the season-ending Dad Vail Regatta. Rowand also was an All-MARC Second Team selection this spring.
OSPREY NOTES
Confirm Your Ospreys in Summer Session III
Happy Summer, faculty! As Summer Session III is about to begin, it's almost time to Confirm your Ospreys!
Faculty are reminded to complete the Academic Engagement (formerly Roster Verification) process by confirming student attendance/academic activity. The Academic Engagement process for Summer Session III is to be completed by Thursday, July 3. The Office of Financial Aid will use this information to make adjustments to student financial aid disbursements based on each student's confirmed number of credits.
Each instructor will be responsible for confirming student attendance or participation in an academic activity. For online courses, faculty are reminded to include an assignment or discussion activity during the add/drop period so that the student's attendance can be confirmed.
The link to complete the Academic Engagement process can be found under the faculty tab within the goStockton portal.
For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit stockton.edu/academicengagement.
Requesting Your Feedback on Mission, Vision, Values by June 13
REMINDER: The Strategic Planning Steering Committee invites you to provide voluntary feedback on proposed updates to the University's mission, vision, values and guiding principle.
These updates were developed by the Mission, Vision, Values Working Group, who conducted surveys and community feedback sessions to gather input and suggestions.
Please review these proposed updates and provide feedback by Friday, June 13 through our Mission, Vision, Values and Guiding Principle Feedback Survey.
Traffic Advisory: June 12–14
Portions of Lot 1 will be closed and a new traffic pattern will be in place from Thursday, June 12, through Saturday, June 14, to support the G. Larry James Legacy Bike Ride.
🧠 Did You Know? Bananas are berries, but strawberries aren't! 🍌 Botanically speaking, 🍓berries must have seeds and grow from a single ovary. So, banana = berry, but strawberry = nope. Fruit facts here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
👩💻Professional Development Opportunities
🖼️Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
Now - Aug. 1: Art Exhibit: The Dean’s Showcase
June 14:🚲 G. Larry James Legacy Bike Ride, Stockton Reunion at Bar-A
July 12: 🦋 Second Saturdays in AC: Flight of the Butterfly
July 16-30: Children’s Summer Playhouse
July 17:🍺Young Alumni Pour & Explore: Dr. Brewlittle's Beer Co.
July 18:Pinelands Summer Short Course
