Ģ��Ƶ News - March 7, 2025 - University Relations & Marketing

Ģ��Ƶ News - March 7, 2025

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

President Joe Shares Vision, University Update at Spring Town Hall

President Joe Bertolino reinforced Ģ��Ƶ's mission and values in the face of shifting federal policies at his Spring Town Hall on Thursday, March 6. Speaking to faculty, staff and students, Bertolino addressed the topics that have been top of mind in higher education and stated that Ģ��Ƶ is prepared to address these challenges through a strategic approach guided by the University's mission.

"We are staying the course. We are not shifting. We are not changing who we are. We are honoring our mission," he said. "Ģ��Ƶ has always been about serving our students, supporting our community, and standing by our values. This has not changed."

Bertolino also shared his vision for the University before sharing updates on enrollment and finances. The eight points of his vision include:

Preparing students to be self-sustaining, engaged citizens
Innovating the future of public regional higher education
Being Learner-Centered, open to multiple perspectives and viewpoints
Being People-Centered and ensuring the Ethic of Care applies to all community members
Developing a curriculum grounded in the liberal arts
Increasing access and opportunity as the Anchor Institution of Atlantic County
Building a robust alumni network
Becoming a premier institution for first-generation students

This vision will help guide the Strategic Plan, which is currently in the theme development process.

Ģ��Ƶ Foundation Awards More than $1.3 Million for Student Scholarships

More than 800 students received more than $1.3 million in scholarships from the Ģ��Ƶ Foundation in this academic year. These students had the opportunity to meet and thank the donors who made this funding possible at the university’s annual Scholarship Recognition dinner on Feb. 27.

“Tonight, we celebrate our students — their hard work, their resilience, and their drive to build a better future. We celebrate our donors — their generosity, their belief in education, and their commitment to making a difference,” said Ģ��Ƶ President Joe Bertolino. “Balancing school, work and life is not easy, but your hard work is paying off. Your time at Ģ��Ƶ is more than just an education, it is a transformation.”

Finding the balance between work, home and school has been a challenge for Rubi and Bryanna Ortiz, but Ģ��Ƶ Foundation scholarships have allowed them to both chase their dreams. Rubi Ortiz is a Finance major with a minor in Cannabis Studies, and her daughter Bryanna is a first-year Environmental Science student. They shared a powerful story of perseverance with the audience of about 250 people. Rubi, who became a mother at 16, has worked tirelessly to provide a better future for her daughter. Now, the two attend Ģ��Ƶ together.

“Our journey hasn’t been easy, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there is no perfect path, only the one you make for yourself,” Rubi said.

Annual Event Links Students with Jobs, Internships

No matter where a student is on their professional development journey – on the hunt for internships, trying to land their first job, or even looking to transition into a new industry – events like the Career & Internship Fair will remain in their corner throughout it all.

The Tuesday, March 4 fair in the Sports Center teemed with more than 100 employers ready to connect with more than 1,000 Ģ��Ƶ students. One of those employers, Spring Oak Senior Living, has not only returned to recruit students but to sponsor the fair for a third time.

“What I really love about this event is that I have the opportunity to, not only speak to students about Spring Oak, but I also have the opportunity to speak to them about their actual career paths. I have the opportunity to, as a recruiter, recommend what path they should pursue and offer resume, social media and LinkedIn tips,” said Courtney Jefferson, who works as a Recruiting & Onboarding Specialist for Spring Oak.

“Honestly, this environment and community is an amazing opportunity to optimize networking, and you just never know how you're going to land your next gig,” Jefferson continued.

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Photojournalist Christy Bowe Shares History Through Images

Photojournalist and author Christy Bowe took an audience at Ģ��Ƶ inside the White House through her images that focus on the human side of our nation’s past five presidents.

Ian Marshall, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, introduced Bowe and noted a picture’s power to communicate. Of Bowe’s images, he explained, “They tend to capture that key moment when an image becomes both accessible and relatable. It becomes art that helps us make meaning of the world around us.”

Alyssa Maurice, head of research for the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, moderated a conversation with Bowe on Feb. 28 following a presentation of her photographs.

“News is history in the making, and I’ve found from my years covering the presidencies that all these folks in the Oval Office are human beings and have a lot of emotions,” said Bowe, who has 2 million images in her archives.

One of Bowe’s goals is to capture emotion. She shared an image of George W. Bush wearing his cowboy hat on the south lawn of the White House.

“He was looking out at the sunrise as the Olympic torch is being run from the Pentagon to the White House just a couple of months after 9/11, and it is being carried by family members of people who were killed on Sept. 11,” she explained.

Maurice started the conversation by asking Bowe how she entered the field of photojournalism. Bowe’s earliest photos were a disappointment that inspired her to learn more about photography and led her to a career with a front-row seat to history in the making, the title of her latest book.

The 20 rolls of film from her cross-country road trip to Texas with her friends didn’t capture what she had seen. She realized her mission: “I want to have people see what I see.”

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FRAME-WORTHY

Spring (Break) Is Near 🌷☀️🌻

Peeks of sunshine and temperatures above the freezing mark had Ospreys out and about on campus and looking forward to Spring Break, happening March 9-15. Did you catch some rays this week?

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WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

: "It always began with a black trash bag," said JackEdward Schmick, a first-year Psychology major, recalling each time he relocated from age 5-10 while he was in foster care.

: Meet Ronya Akins, Class of 2025, a Computer Information Systems major from West Deptford, NJ. Ronya chose Ģ��Ƶ after hearing great experiences from family alumni - and he's making the most of his time here!

: Our Ospreys are so smart 👨‍💻

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

FROM THE SIDELINES

Ģ��Ƶ Pounds Arcadia 7-1 & 17-2

Ģ��Ƶ scored 24 runs on 25 hits of Arcadia University by scores of 7-1 and 17-2 in five innings. The Ospreys slugged 10 extra-base hits, five of which were home runs.

Freshman McKenna George had an astounding day at the plate, going 4-6 with her first two career homers, one double, one triple and 11 RBI in the twinbill.

George went 2-4 with a double, triple and three RBI while Caitlin Cetrulo was 2-3 with a triple and two runs in the opener. Regan Mendick slugged her second homer of the season.

The Ospreys got one run in the third frame and made it 2-0 on Mendick's solo blast in the fourth before Arcadia got on the board with one run. George doubled home Cetrulo in the fifth and the Ospreys broke the game open with four runs in the seventh stanza, which was highlighted by a two-run triple from George.

Nerina Tramp allowed only an unearned run on four hits with 10 strikeouts and just one walk for the victory in the 7-1 triumph.

Ģ��Ƶ Falls to #14 Swarthmore

Ģ��Ƶ played its first of two straight games against ranked opponents and to unbeaten Swarthmore 22-7. The Garnet are ranked 14th in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) poll.

Liam Humphrey tallied one goal and one assist for the Ospreys. Six additional Ģ��Ƶ players netted one marker apiece including freshman Brian Kelly, who scored his first career goal.

Swarthmore struck four times in the opening five minutes before Robbie O'Brien got the Ospreys on the board. Connor Albrecht potted Ģ��Ƶ's lone goal of the second quarter.

In the third period, Humphrey found the net and assisted on a man-up marker by Evan Deans. Josh Graham, Kelly and Riley Burns reeled off three straight goals in the fourth quarter of the 22-7 setback.

🎉Ģ��Ƶ to Play Ithaca in NCAA Tournament First Round - WATCH LIVE 🎬

Ģ��Ƶ will play in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament for the fourth consecutive year after receiving an at-large berth earlier this week. Ģ��Ƶ was assigned to a pod at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Mass.), where the Ospreys will face Ithaca College in a first-round game TODAY at 3:00 p.m. Watch the livestream and cheer on our Ospreys!

With a win, Ģ��Ƶ would play the winner of WPI versus Husson University (Maine) in the second round at WPI on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Games will be played at Harrington Auditorium on the WPI campus.

🎙️Head Coach Scott Bittner spoke to about the team's journey.

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

OSPREY NOTES

🚎Spring Break Shuttle Schedule

The shuttles between the Atlantic City and Galloway campuses will be operating on a reduced schedule during Spring Break.

The modified Atlantic City shuttle schedule for Spring Break will be the following: Atlantic City departures, 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Galloway departures, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Regular service will resume Monday, March 17.

Galloway shuttle service will not operate from Saturday, March 8 through Saturday, March 15. Galloway shuttle service will resume at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 16.

2025-26 FAFSA is Available Now

Attention faculty & staff! The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now at ! We ask that you please encourage your students and their families to not only complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA by the below deadlines, but also utilize the resources and helpful information listed at stockton.edu/fafsa before they complete the application.

March 1 is the priority date for students to complete the FAFSA to be considered for aid programs with limited funding for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.

April 15 is the deadline for students who received the State Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) and/or the Ģ��Ƶ Promise in the 2024-25 academic year to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA at or NJ Alternative Application for Financial Aid (NJ Dreamers only) at to be considered for state aid as well as the Ģ��Ƶ Promise in the 2025-26 academic year. Students who miss this deadline could miss out on thousands of dollars in grant funding!

Any student or family member who needs assistance completing their section of the FAFSA is invited to attend an evening FAFSA Completion event hosted by the Office of Financial Aid on Tuesday, March 25! Students and their family members will receive in-person assistance in completing their sections of the FAFSA during this event. Register for March 25 !

One-on-one FAFSA Completion Appointments are also available every Wednesday and Friday in March and April. Students can register at stockton.edu/contactfinaid.

Please feel free to share the information on how to register. We want to assist as many students as possible.

Fun Fact Friday: 🥣Today celebrates a breakfast classic. It's National Cereal Day. With so many different kinds, ranging from healthy to downright dessert, there's a cereal for everyone. Pour some milk on top, and you're set. You can also enjoy it dry as a crunchy snack. It's even found its way out of just a breakfast routine and can be enjoyed anytime. Cereal began in the 1800s by way of Dr. James Caleb. It wasn't so tasty then. The late 1930s was when the breakfast food blended in some sweetness, being marketed to children. The rest is history.

POLLING ALL OSPREYS

The practice of was originally suggested in 1784 by that clever Benjamin Franklin and was first used in the U.S. during World War I. Now, we spring ahead on the second Sunday in March and fall back on the first Sunday in November. So, while you're moving your clocks ahead this weekend, tell us...

How do you feel about Daylight Saving Time? 🌷⏰

I love the later sunsets, I wish we could cancel it or Did anyone ask the daylight if it needed saving.