Stockton News - March 1, 2024

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

University ‘Adopts’ Two Ukrainian StudentsUniversity ‘Adopts’ Two Ukrainian Students into Community

Stockton may have savedfirst-year students Mykhailo Chabanovskyi and Khrystyna Svystovych from war-torn Ukraine.

“One thing I know for a fact is that if I was to come back to Ukraine right now, I wouldn’t be let back out,” said Mykhailo, who also goes by Mike. “As an 18-year-old, there is a chance I could be drafted into the Ukrainian army. Stockton was my last hope.”

Mike and Khrystyna, who goes by Khris, came to the United States from Ukraine with about 130 other students in August 2021, as part of the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) created by the U.S. Department of State. Staying with host families, Mike went to high school in Portland, Oregon, while Khris lived in a small town in Ohio.

📰 In the News: Downbeach.com


New Program Centers Indigenous Cultures and IdentitiesNew Program Centers Indigenous Cultures and Identities

Students, staff and faculty on the Galloway campus gathered in the Campus Center Board of Trustees Room on Feb. 22 to celebrate and learn more about Indigenous culture. 

Guests River Webb and Claudia Haddad, members of the Nez Perce & Meskwaki (Webb) and Mi’kmaw (Haddad) Northeastern Woodland tribes, presented to the audience the ceremonial and educational role of being a 2 Spirit individual and displayed their traditional beadwork. 

During their presentation, Webb – who was recently given the title “International 2 Spirit Ambassador” – explained that the 2 Spirit identity is a contemporary word that used to replace outdated and offensive terms. The identity, which has various roots in history due to the diverse array of different Indigenous/Native tribes, has existed forever. 

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY

BHM closing ceremonyHonoring the Movements, Milestones and Moments That Shaped Black History

In honor of Black History Month, the campus community gatheredin the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room for an evening of performances, education and more on Thursday, Feb. 29.

The goal of the program, hosted by the Residential Scholars, was to celebrate the fullness of the African-American experience by honoring everyday people alongside the icons and legends, as well as educating the next generation on the importance of learning Black history.

“I think it is so important for us to make sure that we keep our students aware of what has happened and why these things are important, because if we don't know our past, the things that we have gone through or those who have really fought for us to be here, we are doing them a disservice and an injustice,” Marques Johnson, associate Dean of Students, said in his opening remarks.

The program incorporated brief videos discussing Carter G. Woodson and how he created Black History Week, the history of the Unified Cultural Greek Council (also known as the Divine Nine) and the utilization of the Black church as grounds for community building.


Come Out for Cinema in the City

This spring semester, the entire Stockton community is invited to enjoy feature films, free food and drinks, as part of “AC Campus Movie Nights: Cinema in the City.” Next week’s feature is “Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3” on March 4 and 7.

Attendees are asked to bring their Stockton IDs. Movies will be shown at 8 p.m. in classrooms B119/120 of Kesselman Hall at Stockton Atlantic City. 

FRAME-WORTHY

Men’s Basketball TeamMen’s Basketball Team Heads to NCAAs

Students, faculty and staff gatheredFeb. 29 in the Campus Center for a mini pep rally to send off the men’s basketball team to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The Ospreys (17-10) will play Tufts University of Massachusetts (19-7) in a first-round game at 4:15 p.m., today, March 1, at New York University in Manhattan. With a win, Stockton will face either NYU (20-5) or Husson University of Maine (23-5) in the second round at 6:45 p.m. Saturday, also at NYU.

Tickets for each game are $15 for adults and $10 for students, veterans and seniors. Click here for more information about the games. 

Men’s basketball coach Scott Bittner addressed the crowd and thanked them for their support this season.

“The thing I take the most pride in is seeing the community engagement. Anybody that was at the game on Saturday (the NJAC championship) realizes that importance of athletics and what it can do for a campus community,” he said.

View more photos from the send-off on Flickr. Watch today’s game live here.

News off the court:

🎙️ Coach Bittner was interviewed on “Hoopsville” Feb. 29. Listen here.

🎬 On Feb. 27, DJ Campbell appeared on The Q-cast. Watch here.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

whats trending march 1, 2024Facebook: When Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid scored 70 points in one game last month, Dave Sholler ‘06, a Stockton Communications graduate, looked up into the crowd and thought, “this is my life. I’m watching arguably one of the most transcendent players in the history of our sport in a building I grew up sitting in the nosebleeds hoping I’d have this opportunity.”

Instagram: One year ago President Joe Bertolino was approved by the Board of Trustees to become Stockton’s sixth president.

FROM THE SIDELINES

Ospreys Earn NJAC All-Conference Spots

Eleven women's track & field student-athletes receivedNJAC all-conference honors for the 2023-24 indoor season. The Ospreys finished third on Feb. 27 at the NJAC Indoor Track & Field Championships with 105 points, led by three NJAC First Team performers. Those recognized are Kayla Kass, Khristina Washington, Ashanae Morrison, Kaitlyn Vervier, Madison Fey, Emma Petrolia, Emma Conroy, Abby Petrolia,  Ellie Hallman, Emily Morgenstond and Cameron Radcliffe.

The men’s track & field team finished third in the Championships with a team score of 78 points. Six Ospreys took home accolades: Erik Ackerman, Joseph Morales, Mike Carfagno, Joseph deBeaumont, Kevin Lu-Chua and Patrick Storti.


🦅 Read more coverage of spring sports here 🦅

OSPREY NOTES

Spring Semester ‘Eye on Stockton’ Released

The next installment of President Joe Bertolino's Eye on Stockton, a monthly video series recapping some of the great things happening at the University, is available to view here.


FAFSA Priority Deadline Extended to April 1

The FAFSA has changed and it is available! Due to delays in the availability of the 2024-2025 FAFSA as well as the number of open issues the U.S. Department of Education is facing with the application, we have extended our institutional priority filing deadline. Please encourage your students to file their 2024-2025 FAFSA by April 1 to be considered for all programs with limited funding, including Federal Work Study.

Students can file at fafsa.gov by logging in with their FSA ID. For more information on the updates to the 2024-2025 FAFSA as well as helpful tips and tricks, visit stockton.edu/fafsa.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Events for Alumni & Friends

🎭 Spring Programming at the PAC   

🎨🖼️ Spring 2024 Art Gallery exhibits

Now-March 31:"Ducktown: An Atlantic City Immigration Story"  

March 1-2: 🩰Spring Dance Concert

March 3:Stockton Chamber Players 

March 5:💼Spring 2024 Career & Internship Fair

March 7:“Destination Cannabis: Spotlight on Atlantic City”

March 9: 35th Annual Pinelands Short Course

March 10: 🍀 Danú,🌲 Lines on the Pines

March 23: 🦅 Discover Stockton Day 

March 28: 🧖‍♀️ Wellness Day 2024