Stockton News - Oct. 17, 2025
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Foundation Surpasses Goal During Eighth Annual Ospreys Give
The Stockton University Foundation’s eighth annual Ospreys Give inspired a powerful outpouring of generosity and pride from the Stockton community, surpassing its goals during the 24-hour celebration of giving and gratitude held Oct. 8 and 9.
Embracing the theme “One Day, One Stockton,” the campaign united alumni, students, faculty, staff, families and friends in support of the programs and priorities that shape Stockton’s future and impact student success.
In all, 1,446 donors contributed $608,852, benefiting 140 initiatives across the university — including scholarships, academic programs, athletics, student support programs and more. Both the number of donors and the amount raised broke records set in previous giving day campaigns at Stockton.
Members of various student organizations and athletic teams, alumni, university faculty and staff served as advocates for the day, volunteering to rally support through their own networks.
📸See more photos on flickr.
IMALIVE Mental Health Fair Returns on Galloway, Atlantic City Campuses
For the second year in a row, Stockton’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) department hosted the IMALIVE Mental Health Fair in the Campus Center on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
According to Brooke Zall-Crawford, director of Stockton CAPS, the success of last year’s fair demonstrated how helpful it was to showcase the various mental health resources available to students on and off campus.
“Last year, we had students answer the question, ‘Who would you go to for help?’ and they actually listed the counseling center and some of their professors, whom we then reached out to let them know,” Zall-Crawford said. “They were ecstatic to know that somebody thought of them and knew they would be there for help. The fair also made us more aware of the importance of training both staff and faculty about mental health and suicide prevention. We hope this will be a yearly thing, going forward.”
📸See more photos on flickr.
STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY
Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park Returns Oct. 25; Volunteers Still Needed
Stockton and the City of Atlantic City will host the fourth annual Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 (rain date Oct. 26).
Last year more than 400 volunteers representing more than 50 community groups and organizations participated in clean-up and beautification projects throughout Atlantic City.
Volunteers removed 219 bags of trash totaling nearly 10 tons from the streets and beaches in all six city wards.
This year, there will be 10 clean-up sites throughout the city as volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to noon. After the cleanup, all volunteers and the public are invited to attend the free, family friendly Party in the Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at O’Donnell Park near Stockton’s Atlantic City campus.
The party will feature more than 50 vendors and community organizations, along with music by DJ Ahmed Kahn, live performances by Stockton musicians, food trucks, crafters, paint your own pumpkins, outdoor games, face painting, a petting zoo, trick-or-treating for kids and more.
Click here to register as a volunteer ahead of Oct. 25. Walk-up registration to volunteer for the cleanup is available at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event at the park, 3598 Captain John A. O’Donnell Parkway. For more information, call 609-626-3846.
FRAME-WORTHY
🎉 Ospreys Celebrate at University Weekend
Campus came alive Oct. 9-12 for University Weekend with many events and activities, including the University Weekend parade, street fair, Talon Trot 5K, Fred Fest and more.
Even the rain from the nor'easter didn't stop ospreys from coming out to enjoy the Stockton celebration and show their University pride.
📸See more photos on flickr.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
InstaFred: Ah yes, my annual glow-up. Gold tones, crisp edges, unmatched aesthetic.✨
Facebook: The Monsters of Academia are playing Halloween classics and more in Atlantic City on Oct. 30 at the Anchor Rock Club.
LinkedIn: "Wear Stockton Wednesdays" has begun. Show your spirit by wearing Stockton apparel every Wednesday during the semester!
Your favorite lake's online... have you given @lakefred1969 a follow yet? 👀
FROM THE SIDELINES
Show Your Stockton Spirit at Osprey Madness
Kickoff the college basketball season, show your Stockton spirit and maybe even win some free swag during the annual Osprey Madness at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Sports Center.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to show their Osprey pride and cheer on the men's and women's basketball teams as they begin practice for the 2025-26 season.
The free event will feature a variety of fun activities, including a skills challenge, fan involvement contests, an intrasquad scrimmage and plenty of free food and T-shirts.
"Osprey Madness is one of the best nights of the year to come together as a community, celebrate our student-athletes, and gear up for another exciting season of Stockton basketball," said Anthony Berich, executive director of Athletics and Campus Recreation. "It's all about energy, school pride and connecting with our fans."
The men's basketball team finished last season 19-9 and is coming off its fourth straight NCAA Tournament berth, tying the longest streak in program history. The team's first game is Nov. 8 at Salisbury with the home opener Nov. 19 against Swarthmore.
The women's basketball team won 11 games last season and returns two seniors who were named NJAC All-Conference. The team's first game and home opener is Nov. 8 against Penn State Harrisburg.
Stockton Dominates William Paterson 3-0
The volleyball team extended its winning streak to four straight, including three in conference play, with a dominant 3-0 sweep of defending NJAC champion William Paterson on Oct. 14.
The Ospreys were in control throughout the contest, which included just two lead changes the entire match. Kate Louer led Stockton with a match-high 16 kills and a .344 hitting percentage.
Nicole Palmer chipped in with match highs of 13 digs and four aces to go with nine kills. Rileigh Wilson smacked eight kills and recorded a .429 hitting percentage.
Regan Mendick handed out 22 assists followed by Kristen Burton with 12 assists.
Stockton broke out to a 6-1 lead in the first set and stayed in front all the way to a 25-17 win. Louer led the offense with four kills followed by Palmer and Wilson with three apiece.
Stockton will play a tri-match at Arcadia University on Saturday, Oct. 18, taking on Alvernia at 1 p.m. followed by the host team at 3 p.m.
🦅 For more athletics news and upcoming game information, visit here.🦅
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
Decolonial Pilgrimage Explores How Art Reframes the ‘Other’
Project Decolonial Pilgrimage builds on the experiences of The Grand Tour (Mexico and Colombia, 2022–23) and the Decolonization of Public Space course (Vytautas Magnus University, 2023–25), exploring how colonial imaginaries shape perceptions of the “other” and “otherness.”
Co-led by Michael Cagno, executive director of the Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University, and Josip Zanki of the University of Zagreb, the project engaged students, professors and artists, including Native American collaborators, in examining and reinterpreting colonial, ethnic, gender and cultural stereotypes in art and public spaces.
The exhibition, on view at Stockton’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton through Jan. 9, was accompanied by a packed reception on Oct. 8 and a lecture on Oct. 10. The lecture examined constructs that critically reframe problematic works and foster inclusive, decolonized understandings of shared space.
Drawing on ethnographic, autoethnographic and interdisciplinary artistic research, the project aligns with global examples of socially engaged art, such as the Congolese CATPC collective and Giorgio de Finis’ MAAM Museum.
The project is a partnership between the Noyes Museum of Art in Hammonton, New Jersey, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, Croatia.
OSPREY NOTES
Wear Stockton Wednesday
Don't forget: Show your spirit by wearing Stockton apparel every Wednesday during the semester!
Getting to Know New Faculty: Part 4
Each week, we’ll highlight new faculty members who have joined the campus community, sharing details about their on-campus work and off-campus life. Today, we spotlight Christopher Roman, assistant professor of Mathematics, First-Year Studies.
What courses or subjects will you be teaching at Stockton?
I will be teaching first-year mathematics courses and general studies courses throughout my career here at Stockton. Currently, I’m teaching a first-year mathematics course in Quantitative Reasoning.
What is your area of research or professional specialty?
My research is in mathematics education. Specifically, I focus on bridging cognition and equity by centering the powerful sensemaking of Latino students from an anti-deficit perspective. My aim is to challenge deficit discourses and stereotypes that have historically positioned Latino students as inferior in mathematics. This work is deeply connected to my identity as a Puerto Rican and Latino man.
What drew you to Stockton?
I was particularly drawn to Stockton because of its unique First-Year Studies program, which I am now working in. This program stood out because it provides tremendous support for students who do not place into algebra when they enter Stockton. Since a high proportion of these first-year students come from historically marginalized groups, the program felt like a natural fit with my commitment to supporting them.
What’s on your Kindle or nightstand right now?
A Charizard (Pokémon) night light, haha!
What’s one fun fact about you that students or colleagues might be surprised to learn?
I’m Puerto Rican but have never been to Puerto Rico.
Students, Staff Celebrate National Financial Aid Day at Stockton
The Office of Financial Aid celebrated National Financial Aid Day on Wednesday, Oct. 15, with decorations throughout the office, as well as bagels and cake for staff. The office also hosted a tabling event for students to join in the celebration. During the event, students played a claw machine game to win prizes and candy, asked questions, and shared what financial aid means to them. Their responses were written on sticky notes and added to a poster collage.
It’s FAFSA time!
The 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now at fafsa.gov.
The FAFSA is a student’s application for all federal, state and institutional need-based financial aid programs. All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA each year.
Please encourage your students to file their 2026-2027 FAFSA early to avoid missing any deadlines! Learn more atstockton.edu/fafsa.
Students who identify as anNJ Dreamer will not complete the FAFSA. They will complete the NJ Alternative Application for Financial Aid athesaa.org.
Financial Aid is here to help. Anyone who needs assistance with their application for financial aid can schedule a FAFSA Completion appointment with our office. Appointments are offered on Fridays and select Wednesdays throughout the fall and spring semesters. Students can make an appointment for the fall atstockton.edu/contactfinaid.
🥣 Foodie Friday: Soup Season is Here
Cooler weather calls for comfort in a bowl! 🍂 Try this easy Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup — all you need is squash, onion, garlic, broth and a splash of cream. Top with pumpkin seeds or a drizzle of olive oil for cozy fall vibes.
UPCOMING EVENTS
🌈 October is LGBTQ+ History Month
👩💻 Professional Development Opportunities
🖼️ Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
Now-Nov. 8: “Diverse Perspectives in Photography: Four Black Guggenheim Fellows in the Philadelphia Region”
Now-Oct. 24: Fall Game Jam
Now-Oct. 19: Weeks of Welcome
Oct. 18:512 - The Selena Experience
Oct. 20:National Day on Writing
Oct. 21:🪐 Professor Wow’s Space Adventures Science Show, 🎙️District 2 State Assembly Debate, Hesburgh Lecture: Using Evidence to Fight Poverty in America, 🏀 Osprey Madness
Oct. 24: "Shot in the Arm" screening
Oct. 25: Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park
Oct. 28:Preceptorial advising day
Nov. 5: Preceptorial advising day
