Stockton News - Nov. 3, 2023

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

President BertolinoPresident Bertolino Optimistic About Stockton’s Future

President Joe Bertolino confidently declared that “the state of the school’s future is optimistic and filled with opportunities and possibilities” during his inaugural State of the University Address on Oct. 30.

Bertolino, who took office as Stockton’s sixth president on July 1, spoke before a crowd of people in the Campus Center Event Room and on Zoom. He detailed some of the University’s accomplishments over the past year and discussed some of the plans and challenges Stockton faces in the future.

“Dr. (Terricita) Sass and myself have spent our first 120 days meeting with and intentionally listening to every constituency here at Stockton and beyond,” Bertolino said. “It’s been a busy four months, and we are committed to continuing our understanding of this community.”

ICYMI: Watch the President’s address here.


Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween DonateSpencer’s and Spirit Halloween Donate Additional $250,000

Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween continued its generous support of the Stockton University Foundation on Oct. 25 with a $250,000 donation for the second year in a row.

Announcing the new gift at its headquarters in Egg Harbor Township, CEO Steven Silverstein talked about the close ties between his business and the University — 17% of the full-time home office workforce of 665 are Stockton alumni and about 22% of the company’s interns are Stockton students.

“We are very proud and pleased to support Stockton and the School of Business for the second year in a row,” he said to a gathering of employees who are Stockton alumni. “But our link to Stockton goes way, way deeper than that. Money is great, and it certainly goes a long way, and I’m sure they are appreciative, but our involvement and engagement will continue to grow. Clearly you guys are very important to us as a resource and a place of learning.”

📰 In the News: The Press of Atlantic City, Downbeach.com


esports playersEsports Degree Partnership Announced with Camden County College

Stockton became the first public institution in New Jersey to offer an undergraduate degree in esports when the Bachelor of Science in Esports Management program debuted this fall.

Camden County College’s Associate in Applied Science in Esports Production degree is the only one of its kind in the region.

Now, the two programs have joined to create the first esports degree pathway program in the state.

“This program is a testament to our shared vision of providing high quality education and opportunities for the next generation of esports professionals,” said President Joe Bertolino during an articulation agreement signing on Nov. 1 at the Galloway campus. “We recognize the potential of esports as a growing global phenomenon and the need for qualified professionals to drive its continued success.”


📊🤔💭 Large majorities of New Jersey voters support term and age limits for elected leaders serving in both federal and state governments, according to a Stockton Poll released Nov. 2. Nearly three-fourths (72%) of New Jersey residents said elected officials should no longer be permitted to hold office once they reach a certain age, while 21% oppose such a limit and 6% are not sure. More than two-thirds (69%) support maximum age limits for Supreme Court justices, while 22% oppose and 8% are not sure, the poll found.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY

Loukaia Taylor Networking Bootcamp Dispels Social Fears

The Not So Spooky Networking Bootcamp, hosted by Communication Studies and Career Education and Development, was held Tuesday, Oct. 31, in the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room of Stockton Atlantic City.

The student-focused event, sponsored by Enterprise Holdings, was timed with Halloween and encouraged participants and those presenting to come in costume. University Relations and Marketing staff members Loukaia Taylor and Susan Allen discussed how to overcome fears in social situations.

Other topics included Handshake and LinkedIn, different ways of sending messages and packaging information into a story to sell yourself best. 

📸 See photos from the event on Flickr

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

whats trending nov. 3, 2023Facebook: October was the perfect time to walk around Lake Fred and enjoy the leaves changing colors. What is your favorite place on campus to view the fall scenery?

Instagram: Happy Howl-o-ween 🐶, Ospreys.

FROM THE SIDELINES

volleyball playerStockton Sweeps Rutgers-Camden

The volleyball team completed an unbeaten conference schedule with a 3-0 victory over Rutgers-Camden on Oct. 31. The scores were 25-23, 25-19, and 25-21. Nicole Palmer led the balanced attack with 10 kills on the evening. It is the ninth time in head coach Allison Walker's tenure that the Ospreys have gone undefeated in NJAC play.

The first set saw the Scarlet Raptors jump out to a 21-18 lead late, but a 7-2 run by Stockton captured the first set. The second stanza was just as tight until the Ospreys ran off on a 5-1 run in the middle of the set. A pair of kills by Palmer set the tone as Stockton never trailed again in the 25-19 win.

The team will finish the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 4, when the Ospreys play a non-conference tri-match. Stockton will take on Neumann University at 10 a.m., then follow with a match against Eastern University at 2 p.m.


field hockeyField Hockey Players, Coaches Collect NJAC Postseason Honors

Five field hockey players and the Osprey coaching staff received NJAC postseason honors. Junior Allie Palumbo was voted NJAC First Team along with sophomore Kirsten Bailey and Carlee Thompson.

NJAC Honorable Mention nods went to freshmen Kaelin Drey and goalkeeper Hannah Ayari-Dias. Palumbo received her third straight NJAC First Team accolade while Bailey, Thompson, Drey and Ayari-Dias each collected their first all-conference accolades.

The Stockton coaching staff of head coach Sarah Elleman and assistants Elizabeth Law and Candice Steinhauer was selected NJAC Coaching Staff of the Year. Stockton tied the school record of 15 wins that was set in 2018, achieved its highest regional ranking ever with fourth in Region IV and defeated The College of New Jersey for the first time since 2003.


Erik AckermanAckerman Named NJAC Runner of the Year & NJAC First Team

Stockton junior Erik Ackerman was named NJAC Runner of the Year and NJAC First Team after winning the individual title at the NJAC Men's Cross Country Championship on Oct. 28.

Ackerman ran a time of 26:01.1 for eight kilometers to win by five seconds in a field of 88 runners at the conference meet, which was held on the Stockton campus. The victory was the first for the junior in a collegiate cross country meet, and the time was his second fastest in 10 career 8K races.

Ackerman earned his second career all-conference honor in cross country with the NJAC First Team nod. He collected an NJAC Second Team accolade after placing 14th at the NJAC Championship last year. Ackerman became the third NJAC Runner of the Year for Stockton Men's Cross Country, joining fellow conference champs Abad Akhtar (2010) and Cooper Knorr (2020).


🗓️ View the full schedule of all upcoming athletic events here. 

OSPREY NOTES

Olivia Esposito🐈‍⬛ Stockton News Scavenger Hunt Winner Announced

Olivia Esposito, Accounts Payable, was the first person to find the hidden black cat in last week’s Stockton News Halloween edition. 

The cat was located in the “Return of Coast Day Brings Lifelong Memories to Students” bottom photo of the Oct. 27 issue. Esposito is pictured with her prizes, which included a Stockton tote, sunglasses, a highlighter and a phone wallet.

📢 Shoutouts to those who played- Loukaia Taylor, University Relations & Marketing; Michelle McDonald, associate professor of History; and Jessica Cruz-Irwin, SRI & ETTC. 


🍂⏰ It's almost time to "fall back!"

This is a friendly reminder to set your clocks back one hour, as Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Events for Alumni & Friends

Fall 2023 Professional Development Opportunities  

🎭 Fall Programming at the PAC  

Nov. 2-5: 🎭 Stockton Theatre Company Residency

Nov. 3: Sons of Serendip, 🃏🎙️ Just Row With It! Comedy Night

Nov. 6: The Annual Kristallnacht Lecture

Nov. 6-10: Veteran’s Week

Nov. 9: Hughes Center Honors 2023

Nov. 10: The Odyssey

Nov. 12:🦅Discover Stockton Day 

Nov. 16: Annual Student, Faculty, & Staff DinnerHealthy Mind Toolkit: Boosting Your Mental Health

Nov. 18: 🧜‍♂️ The Little Mermen

Nov. 29: 💰Understanding the New FAFSA 

Nov. 30 - Dec. 2: 🩰 Fall Choreography Project