Stockton News - Sept. 26, 2025 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Sept. 26, 2025

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Stockton Returns Ownership of Azeez Museum to Founder

Stockton has formally returned ownership of the Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage to Woodbine Museum, LLC, a nonprofit corporation established to support its future by its founder, Michael Azeez.

Stockton President Joe Bertolino said that during the process of creating its new Strategic Plan and through conversations with Michael Azeez, it was mutually determined that the Azeez Museum did not align with Stockton’s future priorities and would be returned, as per the original agreement. He said the university continually reviews its facility and other needs.

The museum at 630 Washington Ave. in Woodbine is a teaching center focusing on preserving the history of the wave of Russian Jewish immigration to that part of Cape May County in the late 19th century and working to reduce prejudice. The museum is housed in the historic Woodbine Brotherhood Synagogue, built by its congregation in 1893.

“I am deeply grateful for Stockton University’s stewardship of the museum over the past decade and for our continued partnership moving forward. The Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage and Stockton continue to share a common purpose to preserve history, educate future generations, and fight prejudice through knowledge,” Michael Azeez said.

Stockton Continues to Stand Out in U.S. News Rankings

Stockton continues to stand out in national collegiate rankings, particularly for its high graduation rates of low-income students.

Stockton ranked No. 84 out of 225 public colleges and universities in the nation and No. 158 out of 434 on the Best National Universities list in the U.S. News & World Report rankings that were released this week. This is Stockton’s fourth year in a row in the website’s national rankings.

U.S. News & World Report also recognized Stockton as one of the top 40 national universities for social mobility, which is based on enrolling and graduating low-income students. The university was listed at No. 38, an increase of 18 spots from last year’s list.

Study Abroad Fair Continues to Encourage Ospreys to Go Global

For Theo Elefante, a first-year Communication Studies major, Sept. 18’s Study Abroad Fair came at a perfect time.

The Galloway resident was already interested in studying abroad and now had all of the various opportunities, resources and programs available to Stockton students in one centralized hub.

“One of the reasons I came to Stockton was because of the study abroad opportunities,” the Honors College student said. “I really want to go to Europe or somewhere in Asia, like Japan, or back home to the Philippines, where I personally come from. This has been a really good experience, being able to see what options I have.”

In addition to information and resources, participants at the fair had the chance to win giveaways, including a raffle for a brand-new suitcase or a free T-shirt through spinning a prize wheel.

FRAME-WORTHY

Annual Opportunity Fair Connects Students To High-Impact Practices

Since 2018, the annual Glow Up Opportunity Fair has bridged students from across class standings and fields of study with various on-campus leadership roles and high-impact practice opportunities.

This year’s fair, held on Sept. 23 in the Campus Center Event Room, hosted more than 20 information tables advertising internships, leadership and research opportunities, service-learning openings, study abroad options and more.

Andrew Tae Pugh, a Business Marketing major from Toms River, saw the fair advertised on OspreyHub and decided to explore business-specific internships with a friend.

“I also saw that there’s a new Entrepreneurship program and club, so I might check that out. We're also checking out more stuff for other disciplines, like art and social sciences, which is very interesting. There's a lot of cool stuff around here,” Tae Pugh said. “I'm grateful for just having an opportunity to learn about all these opportunities that they provide here. Hopefully, I could land a cool internship or a job.”

📸 View more photos on flickr.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

InstaFred: The calendar may say it’s the first day of fall, but it doesn’t look or feel like it!🌞

Instagram: This month I had the opportunity to participate in the opening of the Ideal Institute of Technology’s Center for AI Technology (CAIT) in Pleasantville.

Facebook: Can you spot the praying mantis? The Entomology Club is just one of the many ways to get involved on campus.

Your favorite lake's online... have you given @lakefred1969 a follow yet? 👀

FROM THE SIDELINES

Stockton Wins OT Thriller 2-1

The field hockey team won for the third time in their last four games with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Widener Pride on Sept. 24. Carlee Thompson scored the game-winner 26 seconds into the extra frame for the victory.

Stockton dominated the scoresheet, outshooting the Pride 21-4 with 13 on net, but it was the visitors who struck first. Anabella Cenci tallied her seventh goal of the season at 4:01 on a tap-in out front. She converted a crossing pass from Karly Bervinchak.

After a scoreless second frame, the Ospreys knotted the match just 4:03 into the third period. Thompson inserted a pass from a penalty corner to Kirsten Bailey, who blasted a shot from the top of the circle for her fifth goal of the season and a 1-1 tie.

In the overtime period, Stockton's Maura Somers drove to the end line, where she found Thompson in front of the cage. Her backhand hit the top right corner for her fifth marker of the season and the 2-1 victory.

Stockton will play their second straight home game on Saturday, Sept. 27, against Albright College. Game time is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Stockton Turf Field.

Stockton Wins 2-1; Ruttler Earns 100th Career Win

The men’s soccer team ran their unbeaten streak to three with a tight 2-1 victory over Washington College on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The win gave head coach Greg Ruttler his 100th career victory at the Stockton helm.

The Ospreys took the lead in the first half when Uche Wokocha took a feed from William Lynch in front. The senior's shot to the low left corner put the home team up 1-0 on his first marker of the season.

The Shoremen started off fast in the second stanza, pushing the pace and knotting the match at 1-1 at the 53:29 mark. Stockton was undeterred as the Ospreys scored the eventual game-winner in the 66th minute. Aiden Hoenisch inserted a corner kick that found Nico Calambas for a header in front for the 2-1 lead. The defense held the Shoremen scoreless the rest of the way for the one-goal victory.

Brady Bartletta made four saves in the game, including turning away the potential tying goal with under seven minutes left to preserve the win.

Tucker Sprano scored the lone goal for the visitors, with goalkeeper Calvin Field making one stop.

Stockton will open NJAC play on Saturday, Sept. 27, when the Ospreys travel to Wayne, N.J., to face William Paterson University. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

🦅 For more athletics news and upcoming game information, visit here.🦅

'ROLE' CALL

Nancy Reddy (pictured left), associate professor of writing and first-year studies, and Cynthia Arrieu-King (pictured lower right), professor of creative writing, have been named faculty co-directors of Murphy Writing at Stockton University

In their new roles, Reddy and Arrieu-King will guide the organization’s workshops, readings and retreats, working with program coordinator Taylor Conti to expand creative writing opportunities in South Jersey and beyond.

Cynthia Arrieu-King

They will oversee programs such as the weekly Murphy Write-In on Zoom, the Stephen Dunn Visiting Writers series on the Galloway campus, the monthly World Above poetry series at the Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City, and a range of online writing workshops.

Murphy Writing, founded in 1994 by Peter E. Murphy, also hosts multi-day conferences and retreats, including the Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway at Seaview Hotel in Galloway. The program will mark its 32nd anniversary in January.

STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS

Read the SCOSA October Newsletter

Read the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA)'s October newsletter for interesting upcoming events and newly added programming.

OSPREY NOTES

Foundation Golf Classic Raises More Than $115,000 for Scholarships

The Stockton University Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic raised more than $115,000 in support of scholarships and student success initiatives on Sept. 15 at Renault Winery and Resort.

The sold-out tournament featured two flights, bringing together more than 220 alumni, community partners, businesses and friends for a day of golf, camaraderie and giving back.

“The generosity shown through the Golf Classic translates directly into opportunity for our students,” said Dan Nugent, Stockton’s vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the Stockton Foundation. “Every scholarship, every program supported, helps ensure our Ospreys can focus on learning and achieving their dreams without being held back by financial barriers.”

Getting to Know New Faculty: Part 1

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 the School of Business teaching specialists Marsha McCarthy ’91 (pictured right) and Todd Von Deak (pictured lower left).

What courses or subjects will you be teaching at Stockton?

McCarthy: Introduction to Management, Business Communications and, in the spring, the Management Capstone.

Von Deak: Introduction to Management this term, and next term I’ll also teach Introduction to Entrepreneurship.

What is your area of research or professional specialty?

McCarthy: Improving student retention through integrated marketing plans. My professional specialty is higher education enrollment management.

Von Deak: Nonprofit management. My research centers on knowledge sharing and leveraging in the nonprofit space.

What drew you to Stockton?

McCarthy: I had a great career in higher education, including working in China and training our international partners on an American commencement. Coming back to Stockton is a full-circle experience that lets me show students where a Stockton education can take them.

Von Deak: The community — it quickly became clear that’s part of Stockton’s secret sauce. I love how different backgrounds and academic pursuits coexist, from recital space across from the School of Business offices to the way office space is structured.

What’s on your Kindle or nightstand right now?

Von Deak: "What’s Next" by Mary McCormick and Melissa Fitzgerald. I loved The West Wing and studied political science in D.C. as an undergrad, so friends and I would compare notes on the realism because of the agencies and branches of government they worked in.

What’s one fun fact about you that students or colleagues might be surprised to learn?

McCarthy:Bill Daly was my preceptor when I earned my liberal arts degree, and I was a student journalist with The Argo.

Von Deak: I’m a scholastic baseball umpire.

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 at stockton.edu/fafsa.

Students who identify as an NJ Dreamer will not complete the FAFSA. They will complete the NJ Alternative Application for Financial Aid at hesaa.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 at stockton.edu/contactfinaid.

Flashback Friday: On Sept. 26, 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon faced off in the first-ever televised presidential debate. 📺 This broadcast forever changed how Americans viewed politics. ➡️ Watch a clip from the 👔 iconic debate here.