��˾�� News - April 4, 2025 - University Relations & Marketing

��˾�� News - April 4, 2025

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Students Partner with Police to Analyze Community Interactions

A unique partnership between the Hamilton Township Police Department and a ��˾�� professor has given Criminal Justice students the opportunity to spark conversations on the effectiveness of local policing.

Over the past year, Hamilton Sgt. Craig Clayton, a 2004 ��˾�� alum, has worked with Criminal Justice Professor Jess Bonnan-White to develop a quantitative study on the interactions between community members and local law enforcement. The results will be utilized to form policy briefs and suggestions for the police department.

“I mean, frankly, the best part about it is that nobody else is doing this,” Clayton said. “I don't like being behind the 8-ball when it comes to how policing is done, and I think this puts the Township of Hamilton kind of ahead of the curve with that regard. I think most agencies would certainly benefit from a partnership with the university. We're just kind of one of the first to knock on that door.”

Tibetan Monks Create, Release Sand Mandala Next Week

A group of Tibetan monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery will spend next week on the Galloway campus starting Monday, April 7 as part of a cultural visit titled “Healing Through Mandala.”

The Tibetan monks will participate in several activities on campus, beginning with an opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 7 in the Campus Center. During the ceremony, the monks will begin to create a sand mandala. According to Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, mandala symbolizes the Buddhist cosmos.

Their work will continue at the end of the week during a closing ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 11 in the Campus Center where the monks will destroy the sand mandala to symbolize the transitory nature of all phenomena.

All events, including the opening and closing ceremonies, are open to the public and will take place in the Campus Center Grand Hall. The work on the mandala will continue throughout the week.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY

Summit Preps Arts Groups to Commemorate America at 250

��˾�� got a head start on the preparations for the United States’ 250th anniversary as it hosted its Second Annual Arts and Culture Summit on Friday, April 4.

More than 140 people from about 40 different New Jersey organizations, artists, students and educators arrived at the university’s Atlantic City campus for a day-long event that featured breakout sessions on funding support for art and artists; art, culture and citizenship; art and our natural resources; technology and artistic expression; and art and community engagement. The 250th anniversary of the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia is on July 4, 2026.

“There is no other event of its kind anywhere in this region, or as far as I’m aware, anywhere in New Jersey,” said Ian Marshall, the dean of ��ٴǳ��ٴǲ�’s School of Arts and Humanities. “Where else can students, artists and enthusiasts go specifically to hone their craft, learn about how to sustain what they do, and be in dialogue with one another?”

President Joe Bertolino started the summit a year ago as part of the celebration of his inauguration and to recognize the university’s role as an Anchor Institution in both Atlantic City and Atlantic County. He’s excited to make the summit an annual university tradition.

�� View more photos from the event .

FRAME-WORTHY

Ospreys Flocka in Droves to Wood��˾��

It was no joke on April 1 when Waka Flocka Flame joined the crowd of Ospreys during his performance and took dozens of photos on phones that were passed to him on stage for the annual Wood��˾�� concert held in Big Blue.

��View more photos from the event .

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

: Women in the ��˾�� community shared their advice on leadership at a Women’s History Month program that focused on sisterhood, stories and strength.

: Spring is in full swing, and so is ��˾�� Baseball!

: **��˾�� Introduces Lake Fred Ferry Service**

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

FROM THE SIDELINES

Byrne Breaks 80 Again, Hughes Sets Career Best at OCC Spring Invitational

The women’s golf team in the Ocean County College Spring Invitational on March 31 at Seaview Golf Club’s Bay Course, which hosts the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Elenora Byrnecontinued her strong play, breaking 80 for the second straight round with an eight-over 79. She carded one birdie and three pars to shoot a four-over 41 on the front nine, then parred six holes on the par-34 back nine to finish with a 38.

Lexi Hughesposted a career-best score in her 10th collegiate round, finishing with a 123. She shot a 64 on the front nine and a 59 on the back, improving her previous best round of 128 by five strokes.

Both ��˾�� golfers competed alongside junior college players in the tournament.

The Ospreys will return to action at the Albright Spring Invitational at Golden Oaks Golf Club on April 10.

��˾�� Hosts Battle at Brigantine

The women’s rowing team in the Battle at Brigantine on March 30, hosting Jefferson, Washington College, Pacific Lutheran, Catholic, and Franklin & Marshall. The Ospreys raced in the varsity eight and second varsity eight events.

In the varsity eight, Breanna Blisard, Maggie Dunn, Lexi Kripetz, Grace Caldwell, Olivia Wagner, Ashley Timm, Megan Baldwin and Sydney Rowand rowed withLeilani Moreno as coxswain. The team placed second in their heat with a time of 6:47.16, finishing less than a second behind Washington College. In the grand final, they recorded 8:28.6 to finish fourth.

The second varsity eight featured Natalie Warrick, Lex Zang, Reese Weirick, Reilly Deschenes, Giavonna Terruso-Emmons, Hannah Sherwood, Keira Kenney and Kimberly Canelas, with Thalia Gonzalez as coxswain. The Ospreys won their first heat, which included Jefferson, Washington College and Pacific Lutheran, with a time of 6:54.88 that was six seconds ahead of runner-up Jefferson. In the grand final, ��˾�� finished in 8:23.2 and was defeated by Jefferson in a dual race.

The team will next compete at the Skidmore College Sprints in Saratoga Springs, New York, on April 5.

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

STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS

Kramer Hall Supports MainStreet Hammonton at Annual Gala

��ٴǳ��ٴǲ�’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton proudly supported MainStreet Hammonton’s Gala on March 29, an event that celebrates over four decades of revitalization efforts in Downtown Hammonton. Held at the Eastlyn Golf Course and Greenview Inn, this year’s gala brought together more than 150 attendees from Hammonton businesses and the surrounding area to celebrate the ongoing transformation of Hammonton’s downtown, all while supporting MainStreet Hammonton’s mission to enhance the community, support local businesses, and foster a vibrant, connected downtown.

Each year, the MainStreet Gala serves as an important fundraiser, helping to fund MainStreet Hammonton’s efforts to beautify the streetscape, host community events, and promote local businesses. Kramer Hall’s support of this event helps ensure that these initiatives continue to thrive, strengthening the bonds between ��˾�� and the local community.

Kramer Hall’s connection to MainStreet Hammonton runs deep, with Director Christina Birchler also serving as Vice President of the Hammonton Revitalization Corporation, the board that helps shape the vision and direction of MainStreet Hammonton. Through this leadership role, Birchler actively contributes to the growth and vibrancy of Downtown Hammonton, reinforcing ��ٴǳ��ٴǲ�’s dedication to community engagement and regional development.

Pictured from left are Tracy Carr, TES at Kramer Hall; Michael Cagno, executive director of The Noyes Arts Garage, and Birchler.

SCOSA Hosts April Art Camp

On Wednesday, April 2, SCOSA facilitated an Art Camp sponsored by The Noyes Art Garage, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the Atlantic Center for Independent Living.

Participants celebrated National Greeting Card Day by creating paper-quilled cards. Pictured are, from left, SCOSA staffers Fionna Janson and Gina Maguire; Margaret Morgart, Deb Mento, Penny Klein, Nadine Gunchak; and, in the front row, Joan Salway and Heidi Moran.

SCOSA typically hosts one Art Camp per month during the school year and two weeklong Art Camps during the summer. Visit the SCOSA website for upcoming programs.

OSPREY NOTES

Robert R. Heinrich named American Council on Education Fellow

The American Council on Education (ACE) announced on March 24 that Robert R. Heinrich, special assistant to the president for University Partnerships and Initiatives at ��˾��, has been named an ACE Fellow for the 2025-26 academic year.

Heinrich was one of 25 senior administrators of various colleges and universities throughout the United States that were selected after a thorough application process.

Since its inception in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program has strengthened institutions in American higher education by identifying and preparing over 2,500 faculty, staff and administrators for senior leadership positions through its distinctive and intensive cohort-based mentorship model. More than 80% of Fellows have gone on to serve as chief executive officers, chief academic officers, other cabinet-level positions, and deans of colleges and universities.

Financial Aid Deadline Approaching

Attention faculty and staff: April 15 is the deadline for students who received the State Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) and/or the ��˾�� Promise in the 2024-25 academic year to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA at or the New Jersey Alternative Application for Financial Aid (for NJ Dreamers only) at . Completing these applications ensures students are considered for state aid and the ��˾�� Promise for the 2025-26 academic year.

Students who miss this deadline could lose out on thousands of dollars in grant funding. In addition to outreach efforts across campus, please encourage students to apply for financial aid by April 15.

One-on-one FAFSA completion appointments are available every Wednesday and Friday in April for students and families who need assistance. Students can register at stockton.edu/contactfinaid.

Faculty, Staff Discount for Gala Available through April 4

The Scholarship Benefit Gala is coming home, being held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, in the Campus Center. Join colleagues and community members for an unforgettable evening of gourmet food, live music, dancing and entertainment.

To show our appreciation for the difference you make at ��˾�� every day—we’re offering a special faculty and staff ticket price. for $175 with code FACULTYSTAFF at checkout through April 4.

Fun Fact Friday: National Vitamin C Day, celebrated annually on April 4, highlights the importance of the essential nutrient known for its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, plays a key role in collagen production, wound healing, and protecting cells from damage. Some easy ways to celebrate are eating some C-rich foods like citrus, strawberries, bell peppers or leafy greens; making a DIY face mask by mashing some berries or oranges with yogurt or honey for a natural skin Vitamin C boost; or getting outside for a walk in the sunshine to support overall wellness.