Stockton News - March 13, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - March 13, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

Friends of Encore Learning Provides $25,000 for Scholarships

Eighteen years ago, the Friends of Encore Learning (FELS) of Stockton University started small.

“Initially, classes were held in people’s homes,” said Meryl Baer, the president of the nonprofit that offers educational courses for lifelong learners with proceeds benefitting Stockton student scholarships. “Now most of the classes are held at the Margate Public Library or at the Stockton Atlantic City campus. We have grown quite a bit.”

Today, the group offers between 17-20 classes a year with about 200 people signed up. The nonprofit’s success has led to increased annual support for students, and FELS made its largest ever annual award directing $25,000 for scholarships to be awarded for the 2026-27 academic year.

“You have built a thriving community of lifelong learners and that same spirit is helping our students chase their goals,” said Dan Nugent, Stockton’s vice president of Advancement and executive director of the Stockton Foundation.

University Welcomes Vice Presidents for Enrollment Management, Student Affairs

Stockton welcomed two new vice presidents to campus during the spring semester.

In February, Moses V. Goldmon was appointed the university’s next Vice President for Enrollment Management, and in January, Martha “Marty” Wygmans became Stockton’s new Vice President for Student Affairs.

Moses V. Goldmon and Martha “Marty” Wygmans In a higher education career that crosses four decades, Goldmon most recently was Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Success at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. He also has held senior leadership roles as Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Executive Vice President at Lane College.

“I am honored to join Stockton University and contribute to its strong reputation as a community of opportunity,” Goldmon said. “Enrollment management is ultimately about opening doors —helping students see what’s possible and guiding them through every step of their educational journey. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the university to ensure that Stockton continues to attract, support and graduate talented students who are prepared to make a meaningful impact in their communities.”

Wygmans comes to Stockton with a background that spans community colleges, private institutions and public universities, most recently at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.

“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.”

University to Add Eight New Academic Program Options in Fall 2026

Stockton announced this week it will offer eight new options within its degree programs starting in the fall 2026 semester in the areas of health science, education and social and behavioral sciences.

“At Stockton, we’re constantly reviewing our academic portfolio to ensure our programs meet the evolving needs of students and the communities we serve,” said Tracey Meilander, associate provost of curriculum and compliance. “These new program options give students more flexibility and clear pathways to advanced study in high-demand fields.”

Among the new offerings, graduate students pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice can now choose a Victimology and Victim Services track or earn a dual master’s degree with Stockton’s Master of Social Work. In fall 2026, the dual master’s degree program is only open to current Stockton Master of Social Work or Master of Criminal Justice students, but it will be open to new students in fall 2027. Currently the Criminal Justice program offers tracks in Forensic Psychology and Justice Studies.

SPOTLIGHT ON: DONNETRICE ALLISON

Donnetrice Allison, professor of Africana Studies and Communication Studies at Stockton, recently returned from California, where she served as the Knapp Chair of Liberal Arts from Feb. 9–20 at the University of San Diego.

The over 30-year-old tradition involves the annual appointment by the dean of two to three distinguished scholars from across the liberal arts disciplines, who arrive for a residency of up to three weeks during the fall or spring semester.

Knapp Chairs contribute to the vitality of the institution by teaching and engaging students, collaborating with faculty and presenting lectures to the campus community.

Allison’s robust program there included guest lectures in African American history courses, student discussions on media, culture and identity, and workshops to help students develop authentic storytelling projects.

FRAME-WORTHY

Whooo’s Learning About the Pines?

The 37th annual Pinelands Short Course returned to campus Saturday, March 7, featuring 39 presentations that explored the region’s unique history, ecology, culture and music. Twenty of the programs were new this year.

The event is co-sponsored by the Pinelands Commission and Stockton University’s Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

InstaFred: Nature's perfect mirror. ☁️🪞

Facebook: What a difference a few weeks can make!

Instagram: Come see for yourself at Discover Stockton Day on March 21! 💙🦅

FROM THE SIDELINES

Stockton Tops Beloit, 4-1

The baseball team improved to 4-3 with a 4-1 victory over Beloit College of Wisconsin, winning for the fourth time in five games on March 12 during its Florida trip. Two Stockton pitchers limited Beloit to just five hits.

Starter Ryan Zimmer earned his first career win, allowing one run on two hits with six strikeouts over five innings. Anthony Ungaro came out of the bullpen and tossed four scoreless innings to record the save.

Liam Schwinn, Yenuelle Rodriguez and Matthew McCloskeyaccounted for all six Stockton hits with two apiece. Schwinn also stole four bases and scored twice.

Schwinn stole two bases in the first inning before scoring on an RBI groundout by Nick Avagnano to give Stockton a 1-0 lead. McCloskey singled home Rodriguez in the second to make it 2-0.

Ungaro did not allow a Beloit runner past second base in his four innings to seal the win.

Next Up: Stockton returns to the field at 11 a.m. tomorrow, March 14, to face Mount Union.

Stockton Extends Win Streak with 17-10 Victory

The men's lacrosse team improved to 6-0 with a 17-10 win on March 11 over Elizabethtown College, extending its winning streak to six games. It is the Ospreys’ best start to a season since 2015.

Colin Wagner led nine different goal scorers with a game-high five goals. Jack Vandegrift added three goals and two assists to match Wagner with five points on the night, while Josh Graham also scored for Stockton.

Cole Blum dominated the face-off circle, winning 21 of 31 attempts and collecting a game-high 14 ground balls. Shane Phillips led all players with three caused turnovers.

Goalkeeper Ben Blum tied his season high with 14 saves to earn his fifth win of the season.

Next Up: Stockton begins a short two-game road trip Saturday, March 14, with a matchup against Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Face-off is scheduled for noon.

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

OSPREY NOTES

Faculty, Staff Discount Available for Scholarship Benefit Gala

The Scholarship Benefit Gala will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, in the Campus Center. Join colleagues and community members for an unforgettable evening of gourmet food, live music, dancing and entertainment.

To show our appreciation for the difference you make at Stockton every day, a special faculty and staff ticket price is available. Purchase tickets for $200 by selecting “Faculty/Staff” or “Faculty/Staff Friend.”

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 March 31 and April 14. Additional appointments are offered at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on March 19 and April 9. Evening appointments will be held at 6 p.m. on 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.

Students Encouraged to Apply Early for 2026–27 Financial Aid

It’s that time of year again! Please encourage your students to apply for 2026-27 financial aid as soon as possible. Filing early ensures students don’t miss deadlines, receive their aid offer early and have plenty of time to complete requirements before the fall bill due date.

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. Please remind your students to file asap or they could miss out on thousands of dollars in free money!

Students can learn more and get started at stockton.edu/fafsa.

🪐✨ On This Day: On March 13, 1930, Lowell Observatory announced the discovery of a new ninth planet, later named Pluto. The discovery was made by 24-year-old astronomer Clyde Tombaugh in Flagstaff, Arizona, using a blink comparator to view photographic plates of the night sky.

🔭 You don’t have to travel far to explore the cosmos though. Stockton’s own Observatory offers public viewing nights and opportunities to learn more about the universe.

POLLING ALL OSPREYS

Last week we asked readers how they’re handling the start of Daylight Saving Time. The responses suggest the struggle is real: 😅 50%said they will be “personally victimized by this,” 🌞 while 38% said the lost hour of sleep is at least worth it for the longer evenings. Another ☕ 13% plan to rely on coffee to power through. And in a result that may surprise absolutely no one, 0%said they barely notice the change. Moral of the story: daylight may be saving time, but readers are not.