Stockton News - May 16, 2025
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
🎓 Congratulations, Class of 2025!
Influential. Humble. Triumphant. These are traits of Stockton University’s Class of 2025.
Each of the more than 1,800 students graduating May 13 (Master's/Doctoral) & May 16 (Bachelor's) at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall has their own story of obstacles, hardship and adversity that led to the success of earning their Stockton degree.
Here we spotlight 11 of these students and congratulate the Class of 2025!
Watch Ceremony Live: 🎥 Catch the 2:30 p.m. ceremony on YouTube here. Soar higher, Ospreys! 🦅
Full coverage of today's commencement will be included in next week’s edition of Stockton News.
Master’s and Doctoral Graduates Urged to Lead with Kindness
Fatima Khawaja, pictured left, delivered a strong message for the 2025 master’s and doctoral degree graduates at Stockton on May 13 to “use what we have learned for collective progress, not just personal success.”
The Mays Landing resident who received her master’s degree in Social Work said her studies taught her that “every struggle is connected,” and that when her fellow graduates see injustice, she hopes they would not look away.
“When we hear silence, let’s not mistake it for peace, and when we are called to act, let us not hesitate,” said Khawaja, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Stockton in 2024.
This year’s Doctoral and Master’s Ceremony at the Sports Center on Stockton’s Galloway campus honored more than 350 graduates.
📸View more photos on flickr.
Three Receive Spring 2025 Board of Trustees Fellowships
The three recipients selected to receive the spring Board of Trustees Fellowship for Distinguished Students were announced at the May 7 meeting.
The students’ projects range from communication studies to dance to history, and they will each receive a $1,000 award to support their projects.
“This semester’s Board of Trustees Fellowship recipients are using their personal stories, passions and talents to drive meaningful projects that reflect larger social and cultural issues,” said Ian Bouie, director of Academic Achievement Programs. “Their work is a powerful example of how high-impact practices — like undergraduate research, community engagement and creative expression — can transform students’ academic journeys. They embody Stockton’s commitment to inclusive excellence and community impact, and we’re proud to support them.”
PHOTO: From left, Bouie, and fellowship recipients: junior Jackson O'Brien, of Cape May; sophomore Laura Leonel, of Long Branch; sophomore Guivenchiali Saint Jean, of Livingston; with President Joe Bertolino.
Significance of Intergenerationality Explored in Annual Festival
The focus of this year’s Successful Aging Festival was bridging relationships between generations, something that Gina Maguire knew could benefit both Stockton students and the surrounding community.
Maguire, the coordinator of older adult programs for the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA), said she intentionally welcomed students on campus to participate and offer presentations at the annual festival, held on May 9.
“We don't want to silo older adults. Older adult communities are great for them, but we want them in our community too, and we want our students to know and interact with older adults. So, we bring older adults in, and it's fascinating to see how they bond,” Maguire said.
In addition to a resource and small business fair that was held throughout the Campus Center, participants joined workshops and lectures on health and wellness, explored and photographed the surrounding nature on campus, spent time with therapy puppies-in-training and enjoyed dance performances by Miss Lois & the Silver Dancers and a poetry competition.
📸View more photos on flickr.
FRAME-WORTHY
🥂 Cheers to Ospreys as They Soar Higher
Stockton Ospreys gathered for Graduate Toast on May 2 in the Campus Center Event Room, celebrating the milestones that brought them to this moment.
📸 View more photos on flickr.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
Facebook: You did it, Ospreys! Have a great summer, and please come back to visit your friend Fred!
Instagram: Forever an Osprey!🎓🦅💙
TikTok: The guy in front of you at graduation gives up his umbrella for you.
Your favorite lake's online... have you given @lakefred1969 a follow yet? 👀
FROM THE SIDELINES
Stockton V8 Earns Bronze Medal at Dad Vail
The women’s rowing team finished the 2024-25 season by rowing in the Dad Vail Regatta on May 9-10, which is the largest collegiate regatta in North America. Two Stockton crews rowed in the Women's DIII Varsity Eight, with the Osprey varsity eight earning a bronze medal by finishing third in the grand final.
Coxswain Leilani Moreno led the varsity eight ofBreanna Blisard, Maggie Dunn, Sydney Rowand, Ashley Timm, Olivia Wagner, Reese Weirick, Lexi Kripetz and Megan Baldwin.
The V8 finished third out of six in the grand final on Saturday morning with a time of 7:16.029 that edged fourth-place RIT by just under two seconds. The Ospreys captured the bronze medal for the second straight year and earned a medal for the fifth time in the last six Dad Vail regattas.
Stockton qualified for a spot in the grand final by finishing fifth out of eight teams in the time trial on Friday with a time of 7:42.328, and they capitalized on their opportunity by moving up two spots in grand final for the bronze medal.
Natalie Warrick, Lex Zang, Reilly Deschenes, Hannah Sherwood, Giavonna Terruso-Emmons, Kimberly Canelas, Keira Kenneyand Bryanna Ortiz plus coxswain Thalia Gonzalez rowed in the same races as Stockton's second varsity eight.
The 2V8 secured the last spot in the grand final by placing sixth in Friday’s time trial with a mark of 8:10.780. The Ospreys then posted a time of 7:54.865 in the grand final on Saturday morning and finished sixth.
Blum & Phillips Chosen to CLC All-Tournament Team
Men’s lacrosse teammates Ben Blum and Shane Phillips were named to the Coastal Lacrosse Conference (CLC) All-Tournament Team for their play in the conference playoffs.
Blum made a total of 27 saves in Stockton's two CLC Tournament games. The sophomore tallied 11 stops, including one in overtime, during the team's 12-11 OT win over Mary Washington in the first round. Blum followed with 16 saves, reaching double figures for the 14th straight game, in the semifinal round setback to second-ranked Salisbury.
Phillips contributed defensively with five ground balls and three caused turnovers during the CLC Tournament. The junior recorded three ground balls and two caused turnovers in the triumph over Mary Washington, then added two ground balls and one caused turnover versus Salisbury.
For the season, Blum started all 19 games in goal and made 258 saves, the third-highest total in program history. He hit double digits in saves in all but two contests. Despite missing two games, Phillips led the Ospreys with 22 caused turnovers and finished second on the squad with 36 ground balls on the way to a CLC First Team award.
🦅 For more athletics news and upcoming game information, visit here.🦅
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
Kramer Hall Hosts Atlantic County Teen Arts Festival, Welcomes Nearly 1,400 Students
Stockton’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton proudly served as a central hub for the 2025 Atlantic County Teen Arts Festival on Wednesday, May 7. Nearly 1,400 middle and high school students across Atlantic County and the greater Hammonton region gathered for a day celebrating youth creativity and artistic expression. Throughout the day, students explored artistic offerings located across Downtown Hammonton, with workshops, performances and exhibits spread throughout the vibrant Arts District.
Kramer Hall once again hosted visual art displays, literary sessions, film adjudications and classes. Outside, students could participate in a still life art class with the Noyes Museum of Art, enjoy a performance by ZacRunMusic, or grab lunch from the Tacos Al Carbon food truck. Stockton Admissions was also on site, with Grace Hindmeeting prospective Ospreys. Adding to the excitement, Stockton's mascot, Talon, soared in for a quick visit, delighting students and posing for photos.
PHOTO: Back row from left to right, Michael Cagno, Nick Zebrowski, Wayne Dozier, Rona Whitehead, Daniel Ackerman and Chuck Richvalsky. Middle row from left to right, Kayla Long, Tracy Carr, Grace Hind, Sarah Lacy, Jenavieve Petrecca and Christina Birchler. Kneeling: K-9 Storm with Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel.
Pohela Boishakh at Noyes Arts Garage
The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University and Ducktown CDC hosted their first Pohela Boishakh, or Bengali New Year, celebration on Wednesday, April 30, drawing about 300 community members. Stockton student Sarah Serneabad organized the event over the past three months with support from Sara Lacy, liaison for Event Planning and Promotion at the Noyes Museum of Art. The celebration featured traditional Bengali music, food, dance, crafts and games. Pictured from left are Lacy, Michael Cagno, executive director of the Noyes Museum, and Serneabad.
IN MEMORIAM
The Office of Human Resources shared the following message with the Stockton community
on May 13:
It’s with great sadness that we report the death of Michael Ferraro, PSS3 in Facilities and Operations (FAO), on Friday, May 9, following a short illness. Mike was 57.
Mike, a resident of Somers Point, took classes at Stockton after graduating from Mainland Regional High School and has been an FAO employee since 2004. Hired initially as a Building Maintenance Worker, he also spent time in the Grounds Shop before moving to the administrative side in September 2005.
According to his friends and coworkers, in his 20-plus years at Stockton, Mike amassed not only a wealth of knowledge but also a passion for our campus. “You could point to any mushroom growing here, and without hesitation, he’d identify it by name,” one coworker said. “He had an incredible curiosity about the natural world, and he generously shared that knowledge with anyone who asked.” Another added, “Mike’s deep love for Stockton and this community was evident in everything he did. He wasn’t just part of the campus; he was woven into its very fabric.”
Working in Planning & Construction, Mike had an “inspiring” commitment to sustainability and preserving the university’s natural environment. “Whether he was leading efforts to reduce waste, advocating for green practices, or simply encouraging others to be more mindful of their impact, Mike lived his values every day, “ his colleague said.
We keep in our thoughts Mike’s brother, Vincent Ferraro, and also his Stockton family in FAO, who are trying to deal with his sudden passing. What they say they’re focusing on now is Mike’s kindness, his quiet leadership, and his unwavering dedication to making Stockton and the world around him a better place.
The Stockton athletics community and collegiate rowing world mourn the loss of former Osprey head women’s rowing coach John Bancheri, who died May 5. He was 62.
Bancheri spent four seasons at Stockton from 2019 to 2022, concluding a coaching career that spanned nearly 40 years. Known for his deep knowledge of the sport and gregarious personality, he earned the respect of student-athletes and colleagues alike. His mentorship extended far beyond the water.
An Atlantic City native, Bancheri returned to South Jersey in 2019 to become Stockton’s first full-time head women’s rowing coach. His impact was immediate. That spring, Stockton placed third at the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference (MARC) Championships and earned its first varsity eight medal at the Dad Vail Regatta. The varsity eight climbed from 33rd to 20th in the cMax NCAA Division III rankings.
In 2021, the Ospreys won their first-ever varsity eight gold at Dad Vails and finished second at MARCs. Stockton ended the season ranked No. 14 nationally by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association.
Before Stockton, Bancheri led Grand Valley State University’s club teams from 2005 to 2018, winning six straight American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) team points titles and four ACRA Women’s Coach of the Year honors. GVSU also won the 2013 Dad Vail women’s team points title and twice captured the Women’s Collegiate Eights.
Earlier in his career, he coached at Marietta College (Ohio), Wichita State (Kan.) and his alma mater, the University of Charleston (W.Va.), where he was inducted into the Golden Eagle Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bancheri’s legacy is marked by decades of excellence, mentorship and dedication to growing the sport of rowing.
OSPREY NOTES
It’s Almost Time to Confirm Your Ospreys
Happy Summer, faculty! As the summer semester 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 Sessions I, II, IV, V and VI is to be completed by Tuesday, May 27. The 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.
Fun Fact Friday: May 16 marks National Barbecue Day—a smoky, saucy celebration of one of America’s favorite cooking traditions. Whether you love tangy Carolina pulled pork, sweet Kansas City ribs or spicy Texas brisket, today’s the day to honor the craft. Backyard grillers and pitmasters alike embrace the low-and-slow magic of barbecue. So fire up the smoker, grab your favorite sauce and dig in. After all, good barbecue isn’t just food—it’s a way of life. Here's a recipe for an easy barbecue sauce you can make from ingredients you probably have already!
UPCOMING EVENTS
👩💻Professional Development Opportunities
Spring 2025 Art Gallery Exhibits, Events
May 20: Anne Frank Tree Planting Ceremony, Pre-Award A to Z: A Guide to Getting Started
May 21: Shorecast
May 22:Transfer Jam
June 5:🏆Alumni Achievement Awards
June 14:🚲 G. Larry James Legacy Bike Ride
