Galloway, N.J. – Shilo Previti is more than just head tutor at the Stockton Writing Center. 

“She not only is an excellent tutor,” said Pam Cross, coordinator of the Writing Center, “but she goes above and beyond for her students; helping them figure out financial aid and taxes, and even driving them to the doctor when they’re in need.” 

Her dedication to her students earned Previti the Paul D. Staller ’97 Writing Center Endowed Fund Award this year.  Staller’s parents, Billie and Alan, and his sister, Laurie, visited the campus to honor and meet Previti at the center. 

Paul, a 1997 graduate of Stockton with a degree in Communications Studies, was a tutor in the Writing Center. After graduating from Stockton, he earned his law degree from University of Pittsburgh Law School, and shortly after moved to Los Angeles where he pursued a career in writing comedy. 

Two years after his passing in 2014, Billie and Alan of Margate set up the Paul D. Staller ’97 Writing Center Endowed Fund in memory of their son, who earned legendary status as a tutor at the Writing Center. It’s been said that his gentle spirit and renowned ability to connect with everyone he met, particularly the students he’s tutored, is what set him apart from many others. 

“The idea is that every tutor honored as a Staller tutor through the fund will be someone who embodies his spirit and his commitment to helping students,” Cross said. “Shilo, you have a lot of Paul Staller in you.” 

Previti, of Northfield, will graduate in December 2019 with a major in Literature and minors in Latin, Philosophy and Writing. She thanked the Stallers and Cross for the honor. 

The Stallers didn’t expect that through their endowment they’d meet a lifelong friend and establish lasting relationships with Cross and others at the center. That has been a bonus. 

“Through this fund, we’ve developed wonderful friendships with the people who work here,” said Billie. “We’re sorry it had to come this way, but we are glad we made this gift to such wonderful people.” 

Paul’s legacy continues to live on not only through the Writing Center and the Paul D. Staller Writing Center Endowed Fund, but also through the relationship built between the Staller family, Cross and Stockton University. 

“The Writing Center is the friendliest place on campus,” said Dean School of General Studies Robert Gregg during the ceremony. “Clearly Paul had some piece of building this.”

Many friends and family have contributed to the endowed fund to make sure Paul's legacy lives on. Contributions to the Paul D. Staller '97 Writing Tutors Endowed Fund can be made by visiting stockton.edu/give.

_ Reported by Allie Sandberg

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Contact:
Diane D’Amico
Director of News and Media Relations
Stockton University
Galloway, N.J. 08205
Diane.DAmico@stockton.edu
609-652-4593
609-412-8069
stockton.edu/media