Stockton News - June 26, 2025
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Soccer Team Flamengo Thankful for Stockton’s ‘Magic Grass’
The president of CR Flamengo, the most popular soccer team in Brazil, reached down and touched the grass field at Stockton's G. Larry James Stadium.
“We joked with the people here. They said that this is the magic grass, the grama mágica,” Luiz Eduardo Baptista said during a visit on Sunday, June 22. “And since superstition is a part of football, it’s worked really well for us so far, so let’s keep it that way.”
Flamengo has been one of the biggest success stories of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, winning both of its games in Philadelphia to become the first team to win its group and clinch a spot in the knockout round. All while the Rubro Negro (the Red and Black) practiced at Stockton’s Galloway Township campus from June 12 to 23.
📷 Check out more photos on flickr.
Student Inspired, Empowered by Leadership Program
The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University recently sponsored senior Alyssa Aviles, pictured left, at an esteemed residential conference designed to address women's underrepresentation in politics.
The Susan N. Wilson NEW Leadership residential program is designed to introduce young women pursuing higher education to the world of politics through workshops and lectures hosted and led by successful women leaders.
The program, housed on Rutgers University’s New Brunswick campus, inspires the next generation of women to consider the role that the political process plays in their everyday lives.
When asked about a political experience she engaged in for her application to the program, Aviles, of Manahawkin, discussed three courses she took at Stockton that encouraged her to consider how she can advocate for marginalized people and engage in challenging yet fruitful conversations.
“Each of these classes taught me something different, but they all had one thing in common. They made me think. They made me question. And they made me care,” Aviles wrote in her application essay. “Politics isn’t just about laws or elections – it’s about people, and how we treat each other. These experiences have shaped the way I see the world and the role I want to play in it.”
FRAME-WORTHY
Juneteenth Celebration Reaffirms Stockton’s Commitment to Equality
Following a parade led by the Boardwalk Community Fellowship Church’s drumline around the Stockton Atlantic City campus, students, faculty, staff and community members gathered to celebrate Black freedom, culture and resilience at this year’s Juneteenth commemoration on Thursday, June 19.
Juneteenth, nationally recognized on June 19 but observed in New Jersey as the third Friday of June, honors the day that enslaved people in Texas were liberated from illegal bondage in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The celebration, a collaboration across Stockton’s student organizations and departments, included a soaring rendition of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts student Brielle Scott, a soul food luncheon catered by Henri’s Hotts Barbeque and powerful speeches and remarks.
Stockton Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Terricita Sassdelivered a keynote speech that explored the complex history behind Juneteenth and other pivotal moments, such as the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, while asking critical questions of today’s climate.
📷 Check out more photos on flickr.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
X: Visit the #StocktonU Art Gallery this summer to see student and alumni artwork featured in the Dean's Showcase. The exhibition runs through Aug. 1.
Facebook: Meet the TALONS! These students are ready to help new students navigate their #StocktonU experience through orientation, registration and weeks of welcome.
Instagram: Construction is well under way on the new Library Learning Commons. Provost Michael Palladino and I had an opportunity to tour the progress recently.
FROM THE SIDELINES
Four Stockton Rowers Collect CRCA Scholar Athlete Honors
Four Stockton rowers qualified for CRCA Scholar-Athlete Awards from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association. Lexi Kripetz, Leilani Moreno, Sydney Rowand and Reese Weirickwere the Stockton honorees.
To qualify for a CRCA Scholar-Athlete Award, rowers must be a sophomore or higher with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 who raced in 75 percent or more of the team's competitions or raced in an NCAA boat at the conference championship.
Moreno was the coxswain for the Stockton varsity eight, in which Rowand and Kripetz were cornerstones. Weirick started the season in the second varsity eight and later moved up to the varsity eight.
Moreno, a senior, and juniors Kripetz, Weirick and Rowand all were members of the Stockton varsity eight that captured the bronze medal at the season-ending Dad Vail Regatta. Rowand also was an All-MARC Second Team selection this spring.
Ford Named to ABCA Region 4 All-Defensive Team
Senior Robbie Ford was named to the ABCA Region 4 All-Defensive Team by the American Baseball Coaches Association for the 2025 season. Ford earned the accolade for his play as the third baseman for the Ospreys this spring.
Ford committed just four errors in 107 defensive chances for an outstanding .963 fielding percentage in 36 games played at the hot corner. The senior tallied 65 assists and 38 putouts on the season. Ford also contributed to seven double plays. He was perfect through the first 15 games and later compiled a streak of 10 straight without a miscue.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Ford produced career bests in batting average (.323), on-base percentage (.431), slugging percentage (.379), walks (18) and stolen bases (15) while also tying his career highs in hits (40) and runs (24) during the 2025 campaign.
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
Stockton Poll: Most New Jerseyans Think Beach Tag Prices Too High
Most New Jerseyans think beaches should be free, according to a poll released June 26 by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy.
Half of residents think the cost of beach tags to access their nearest beach in New Jersey is too high, but about 1 in 5 residents (21%) said the price is reasonable. Only 3% said beach tag prices are too low.
As for their opinion on beach tags in general, a majority (65%) think beaches are a public resource, and that they should be free to New Jersey residents, while 30% think beachgoers should pay for access to generate revenue for essential services.
The opinion of residents in the Jersey Shore region, defined as those in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean counties, differed from those in other parts of the state.
A higher rate of residents in shore counties (40%) said beachgoers should pay to access the beach compared to those in non-shore counties (27%).
“Residents in shore counties likely see beach tags as a way to manage crowds and reduce their local tax burden by bringing in other revenue to pay for upkeep, so it makes sense that they’re more amenable to charging than inland New Jerseyans,” said Alyssa Maurice, head of research at the Hughes Center. “It’s notable though that a majority in the shore region still think beaches should be free.”
Manahawkin Nursing Club Supports Student Wellness
Students enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Stockton University at Manahawkin have been diligently dedicating themselves to their studies this summer.
To support their extended hours of learning, the Manahawkin Nursing Club recently hosted a special lunch featuring a catered meal from Jersey Mike’s.
To add a health-focused component to the event, Jennifer from the Vitamin Shoppe in Manahawkin was on site to offer nutritional guidance and distribute wellness-themed giveaways to the nursing students.
The event is one of many organized by the Manahawkin Nursing Club, which remains actively engaged in promoting student well-being and professional development through initiatives such as Narcan training, wellness days, and other nursing-focused activities throughout the academic year.
OSPREY NOTES
Confirm Your Ospreys in Summer Session III
Happy Summer, faculty! As Summer Session III has begun, it's almost time to Confirm your Ospreys!
Faculty are reminded to complete the Academic Engagement (formerly Roster Verification) process by confirming student attendance/academic activity. The Academic Engagement process for Summer Session III is to be completed by Thursday, July 3. The Office of Financial Aid will use this information to make adjustments to student financial aid disbursements based on 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.
It’s National Chocolate Pudding Day!
Chocolate pudding traces its roots to 19th-century Europe, where it evolved from traditional boiled custards and was influenced by British and American dessert-making styles. Early versions often combined milk, sugar and chocolate thickened with cornstarch or eggs, laying the foundation for the smooth, creamy treat we know today. Celebrate with a quick treat, either the instant box kind or something a little fancier like this recipe.
UPCOMING EVENTS
👩💻Professional Development Opportunities
🖼️Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
Now - Aug. 1: Art Exhibit: The Dean’s Showcase
🎇 July 4: University closed in observance
🩺 July 8: Nursing Career Fair
July 12: 🦋 Second Saturdays in AC: Flight of the Butterfly
July 16-30: Children’s Summer Playhouse
July 17:🍺Young Alumni Pour & Explore: Dr. Brewlittle's Beer Co.
July 18: Pinelands Summer Short Course
July 21: Alumni Author Summer Social
Aug. 1-3: Black Alumni Reunion Weekend
🎡 Aug. 3: Stockton Day at Morey's Piers
