Stockton News - Feb. 16, 2024 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Feb. 16, 2024

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Intensifying Wildfire Seasons Ignite a Need to Train Forest Managers

Morgan Kahn, a junior Environmental Science major from Hammonton, workedas a visitor services assistant at Wharton State Forest this summer when much of the East Coast experienced unhealthy air quality and hazy visibility from wildfire smoke that drifted from Canada. 

The record-breaking wildlife season in Canada burned more than 44 million acres in 2023 with hundreds of fires exceeding 24,000 acres, which qualifies them as megafires.  

Images captured from space showed smoke surging down the eastern United States and into Europe where it impacted people living thousands of miles from where lightning strikes ignited the flames.

“There were days where it was just too dry for people to light fires for barbecues. If people left fires going, it was our job to put them out, and that happened a lot,” Kahn recalled.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program Recognized

Stockton’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program (BCMB) has been recognized as one of the top programs in the country by a national scientific and educational organization.

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) recently awarded Stockton’s BCMB major with a full, seven-year accreditation — one of only two in New Jersey. Since 2013, the society has granted accreditation to only 101 programs nationwide, ranging from R1 research schools to liberal arts institutions like Stockton.

“We are proud of our program and thrilled to earn the full accreditation,” said Amanda Norvell, Stockton’s dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. “Our program provides students with a hands-on education that focuses on experiential learning. BCMB students participate in original research, alongside faculty mentors, with opportunities to present their work at regional and national conferences.”

PAC’s Spring Season A Mix of Culture, Comedy and Music

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) is still jam-packed with something for everyone during its spring 2023-24 season. This spring is a perfect time to catch a show or two on the mainstage.

Here’s a detailed lookat the shows concluding the 2023-24 season.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY

Stockton Students Spread Love in Atlantic City

In a heartwarming display of community engagement, Stockton students teamed upwith the City of Atlantic City Senior Services Division on Monday, Feb. 12, to host "Cupid's Legacy." This inaugural program brought together students from the Residential Scholars program with senior citizens from Atlantic City for a memorable Valentine's Day dinner and activities.

The initiative was led by juniors Edith Hoerner and Gavin MacNatt to foster meaningful connections between Stockton students and the older adults. Recognizing the city's wealth of knowledge and rich culture, Hoerner and MacNatt sought to create an opportunity for students to spend quality time with individuals who hold a deep understanding of Atlantic City's history and community.

As mentors within the program, Hoerner and MacNatt guided first-year students Ryan Janney, Gavin Dina and transfer student Kyle McFadden through their first event of the semester. McFadden kicked off the evening by welcoming the Atlantic City residents and expressing his long-standing commitment to community service.

Come Out for Cinema in the City

This spring semester, the entire Stockton community is invited to enjoy feature films, free food and drinks, as part of “AC Campus Movie Nights: Cinema in the City.” Next week’s feature is “Devotion” Feb. 19 and 22.

Attendees are asked to bring their Stockton IDs. Movies will be shown at 8 p.m. in classrooms B119/120 of Kesselman Hall at Stockton Atlantic City.

SPOTLIGHT ON: RAMYA VIJAYA

Ramya M. Vijaya, professor of Economics, recently published an article on The Conversation.com that explored immigration and employment and how this impacts economic trends.

"In writing this piece, I thought it was important to use actual economic data to debunk and counter some of the false economic arguments used to create a narrative of fear about migrants," Vijaya shared.

The article has garnered attention in the media, including Yahoo.com.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

Instagram: Love is in the air 💌 for Stockton!

Facebook: Cold nights and warmer days have sap flowing in Stockton's maple grove, so much so, that the Stockton University Maple Project has surpassed its 2023 season’s collection.

X: Who are you grateful to call a friend? Make sure you let them know in honor of National Make a Friend Day.

FROM THE SIDELINES

Campbell Breaks Scoring Record Feb. 14

While the men's basketball team did not win Wednesday against Kean, it was still a big night for the Ospreys, one in particular.

DJ Campbell led the team with 16 points and broke the all-time scoring mark of 2,124 career points by Carl Cochran (1993-97). Campbell now has 2,134 points in his Stockton career.

Additionally, EJ Matthews-Spratley led the home team with seven markers in the first 20 minutes of play. He added 10 points and tied his career high with eight rebounds.

The Ospreys will now host a second-round New Jersey Athletic Conference playoff game at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 against either Montclair State or Kean.Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and children.

🏀Read full coverage of the men's game here

Stockton Downed by Kean in Regular Season Finale

The women’s basketball team finished the regular season on a down note, with an 81-62 loss to Kean University Feb. 14. Imene Fathi led the Ospreys with 19 points.

Both teams started quickly in the first quarter, with the Cougars hitting at a 60.0% (9-15) clip, while the Ospreys made 6-14 (42.9%) in the frame. The contest was knotted four different times during the quarter before the visitors scored five of the final seven points to take a 19-16 advantage. Grace Speer led six Ospreys in the scoring column with four markers in the first half.

🏀Read full coverage of the women's game here.

The team will host a NJAC conference playoff game vs. Ramapo at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, in the Sports Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and children. For NJAC tournament information and Livestream links, visit here.

OSPREY NOTES

Holiday Week Reminder

Reminder: Monday, Feb. 19 (Presidents Day) is a state holiday, and as a result, the University’s office hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 - Friday, Feb. 23. There will not be any compressed work week, but preapproved WFH schedules are available on the nonholiday days this week.

Those who want to work on Feb. 19 must receive preapproval from their DE and must work on campus to accrue CTE. Employees who work a preapproved five-day workweek schedule with one-day work from home cannot work from home on Feb. 19 but could work on campus to accrue CTE (with their DE’s approval).