Stockton News - Jan. 30, 2026
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Stockton, Casinos Commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day
For the second year in a row, the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University partnered with the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) to light up Atlantic City yellow to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Bally’s Atlantic City, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars Atlantic City, Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, Ocean Casino Resort, Resorts Atlantic City and Tropicana Atlantic City changed outside lighting to yellow at dusk on Tuesday, Jan. 27 as part of a nationwide awareness campaign that includes the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.
Yellow symbolizes Holocaust awareness because it was the color of the Star of David badges Jews were forced to wear by the Nazis during the Holocaust.
The casinos’ participation is part of Light Up America Yellow, a nationwide coalition with the goal of having buildings light up yellow in all 50 states to ensure that remembrance and the lessons of the Holocaust remain a national priority and continue to guide future generations. Other national locations, including Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia, took part in the commemoration.
📰In the News: Casino.org, New Jersey Stage, Downbeach.com, CDC Gaming
New VP of Student Affairs 'Energized' to Begin
Stockton recently namedMartha “Marty” Wygmans as Vice President for Student Affairs. Wygmans brings more than 30 years of experience and passion for student success in higher education.
Wygmans comes to Stockton with a background that spans community colleges, private institutions and public universities, most recently at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to inclusive campus environments.
She oversees a broad array of departments, each essential to the student experience at Stockton. This includes residential life, athletics and student engagement. She began her role on Jan. 5.
“I’m always looking for the people who need just a little bit extra,” Wygmans said. “I was a first-generation student, so those experiences have influenced my trajectory and what I do with people.”
As she steps into her new role, she said her immediate focus is on building relationships across campus.
“My top two priorities are getting to know the students and getting to know the people I work with,” she said. "Once I understand who our students are, what they need and what they hope for, we can develop programming and initiatives that truly meet the needs of Stockton students today.”
PHOTO: Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Martha 'Marty' Wygmans, center, chats with students and faculty at a Pop-In event on Jan. 28, 2026.
FRAME-WORTHY
Ospreys Flock to Get Involved Fair
Students explored nearly 200 ways to get involved during Stockton’s Spring 2026 Get Involved Fair, held Jan. 28 and 29 after being rescheduled due to a snow closure.
The two-day fair highlighted student organizations, fraternities and sororities, athletic organizations, and other campus initiatives offering involvement opportunities for Ospreys.
New this spring, the fair expanded into the lower L and K Wings, including the Performing Arts Center lobby. Student Development hosted a Student Organization Showcase in the PAC lobby beginning at noon on both days, featuring performances and demonstrations by student groups. Refreshments were provided.
📸View more photos on Flickr.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
Facebook: This weather calls for hot coffee and study sessions in sunny nooks.
Instagram: Thank you to @thepressofac for our conversation on how Stockton University is providing access to higher education for New Jersey residents, particularly this region.
TikTok: What is your favorite Stockton club?
FROM THE SIDELINES
Stockton Competes at Moravian Hounds Classic
The track & field teams wrapped up a two-meet weekend on Jan. 24 with student-athletes competing in the Moravian Hounds Classic. The Ospreys who went to Moravian were those who did not travel to Virginia for the Liberty University Open the previous day.
On the women’s side, freshman Megan Morris tied for fifth out of 19 in the pole vault, clearing 3.02 meters, while Sydney Rick also cleared 3.02 but placed seventh on a tiebreaker. Jessica Bruther was seventh in the 800 meters in 2:35.07. Sophia Cornell finished eighth in the mile in 5:38.74, followed by freshman Grace Wojciechowski in ninth (5:42.26). Isabel Duval placed 13th in the long jump (4.79m), Skylar Brooks was 14th in the shot put and freshman Mashara Edwards placed 19th in the 200 (28.06 seconds).
For the men, Josh Corsentino led Stockton with a fifth-place finish in the 3,000 meters in 9:14.47. Eduardo Ruiz-Giuseppi was 14th in the 200 (23.63), Joe Franzello hit a shot put personal best of 12.64m for 14th, and freshman Jacob Bittle was 15th in the 60 (7.26). In pole vault, freshmen Danny Adams, Ben Malone and Alex Acevedo cleared 3.65 meters, placing 10th–12th. Alexis Maldonado-Ortiz logged a 6.29m long jump for 14th.
Next up: Stockton will compete next in the Widener Schuylkill Showcase on Jan. 31–Feb. 1.
Stockton Men, Women Drop Games to TCNJ
The Stockton men’s basketball team suffered its second defeat of the season Jan. 28 on a backbreaking shot in the closing seconds, as The College of New Jersey edged the Ospreys 84-82 in double overtime.
The dramatic back-and-forth contest featured 17 ties and no margin greater than seven points at any time during 50 minutes of play before the outcome was decided in the final seconds of double overtime on the 15th lead change of the night.
Justin Harper led Stockton with a career-high 30 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Harper shot 10 of 17 from the field (58.8%), including 4 of 8 (50%) from three-point range.
The women’s team also fell 75-59 to TCNJ that evening. The Ospreys outscored TCNJ 44-28 in the paint, but the home team sank 12 three-pointers.
Next up: The Ospreys are on the road again Saturday, Jan. 31, for a conference game at Rutgers-Newark.
🦅 For more athletics news and upcoming game information, visit here.🦅
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
Read the SCOSA February Newsletter
Read the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA)'s February newsletter for interesting upcoming events and newly added programming.
OSPREY NOTES
Ospreys Talk at Work Offers Constructive Dialogue Training
Stockton will offer Ospreys Talk at Work, a skills-based deliberative dialogue program for faculty and staff, during the spring 2026 semester.
The program includes six self-paced online modules and three in-person dialogue sessions, designed to help participants practice dialogue skills with colleagues. The in-person sessions will be held as brown-bag lunches from 12 to 12:45 p.m. in the Hughes Center Conference Room (L-212).
Participants may choose one of two dates for each session:
- Session 1: Wednesday, Feb. 4, or Thursday, Feb. 5
- Session 2: Wednesday, March 25, or Thursday, March 26
- Session 3: Wednesday, April 15, or Thursday, April 16
Faculty and staff can commit to the program by visiting the Faculty & Staff tab on the Ospreys Talk website.
For more information, contact Claire Abernathy, assistant director of civic engagement at the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, at claire.abernathy@stockton.edu.
President Joe's Town Hall Set for Feb. 18
President Joe will host his Spring Town Hall event from 3-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18, in the Campus Center Theatre. This is a time for the campus community to gather, share updates from around the University, recognize our accomplishments and discuss challenges and opportunities.
There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion with President Joe and the Senior Leadership Team. A Zoom webinar option will also be available.
FAFSA Completion Appointments Available
Do your students need assistance completing their 26-27 FAFSA? The Office of Financial Aid is hosting several FAFSA Completion Appointments throughout the spring semester to assist students in completing their application for financial aid.
Appointments are available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon on Feb. 3, Feb. 23, March 3, March 31 and April 14. Additional appointments are offered at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Feb. 19, March 19 and April 9. Evening appointments will be held at 6 p.m. on March 4 and April 1.
Students and their FAFSA contributors are encouraged to attend ahead of the state’s April 15 deadline. Appointments can be scheduled at stockton.edu/contactfinaid through Ospreys Navigate using goStockton portal login credentials.
Important Financial Aid Dates to Remember
It’s that time of year again! Please encourage your students to apply for 2026-27 financial aid by the university's March 1 Priority Date. Filing early ensures students receive their aid offer and have plenty of time to complete requirements before the fall bill due date.
If they can't apply by March 1, let's make sure they don't miss the April 15 deadline! Anyone who received TAG or the Stockton Promise in the 25-26 academic year must complete their 26-27 FAFSA or NJ Alternative Application by April 15, 2026, to be considered for those funds in 26-27.
Students can learn more and get started at stockton.edu/fafsa.
Confirm Your Ospreys!
Welcome back, faculty! Now that the spring semester is underway, it's time to confirm your Ospreys.
Faculty are reminded to now complete the Academic Engagement process by confirming student attendance/academic activity. The Academic Engagement process is to be completed by Monday, Feb. 2, 2025. The Office of Financial Aid will use this information to make adjustments to student financial aid disbursements based upon each student's confirmed number of credits.
Each instructor will be responsible for confirming student attendance or participation in an academic activity. For online courses, faculty are reminded to include an assignment or discussion activity during the add/drop period so that the student's attendance can be confirmed.
The link to complete the Academic Engagement process can be found under the faculty tab within the goStockton portal.
For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit stockton.edu/academicengagement.
On This Day: 🎶🏙️ On Jan. 30, 1969, The Beatles performed their famous rooftop concert in London, their final live public performance, which has since become one of the most iconic moments in music history.
Read more: The Beatles’ Rooftop Concert
POLLING ALL OSPREYS
Ospreys Prefer Cozy Over Cold and Snow ❄️🛋️
Last week’s weather poll confirmed what many of us already suspected: when snow is in the forecast, Ospreys are happiest staying in and getting cozy. Half of the respondents (50%) said they planned to nest at home. Another 30% took the classic approach of wearing pajamas inside out, a strategy that may have helped deliver not one, but two snow days this week.
The remaining votes were split evenly, with 10% planning to build the biggest snowman and another 10% choosing the denial route by pretending the snow wasn’t happening at all.
UPCOMING EVENTS
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽February is Black History Month
Professional Development Opportunities
🎭 Spring Programming at the PAC
🖼️ Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
Now-March 29:Camp Boardwalk: Atlantic City During World War II exhibit
Now-May 22:"What Does it Mean to be an American" exhibit
Feb. 2:Black History Month Flag Raising
Feb. 6: 🎭🎼 Verdi's Rigoletto
Feb. 9: ⚛️🌌Faculty Forum - Atom, Man, Universe with Yitzhak Sharon
Feb. 10: 🎭 “Our Revolution” by Living Voices, 📣❤️ Athletics Day of Giving
Feb. 13: 💃🏾✨ PHILADANCO!
Feb. 18: President Joe’s Spring Town Hall
Feb. 20: 🎶🕺🏾Forever Motown - So Good for the Soul
Feb. 26:Winter Wellness Day
Feb. 27: LauraB
