Stockton News - May 23, 2025
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Undergraduates Told That Through Struggle Comes Progress
Stockton represents much more to Olivia Bereza,pictured lower left, than just a place to take classes.
“It’s a place filled with opportunities that allowed me to explore, pivot and ultimately, find my niche,” said the Class of 2025 graduate.
Bereza spoke at the university’s morning Commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on May 16 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. A second ceremony was held at 2:30 p.m. More than 1,800 Class of 2025 graduates received bachelor’s degrees.
President Joe Bertolino reminded the attendees that they are ready to go out into the world not only because of what they learned at Stockton but because of how they learned it — through questioning, collaborating, solving real problems and standing up for what matters. Bertolino mentioned his Ethic of Care, and he called on all of the students to show others dignity, respect, kindness, compassion and civility.
“Take those values with you and show up — in your workplaces, your communities, your families. And lead with compassion,” he said. “Listen deeply. Build connections. Stand firm in what you believe and stay open to what others have to share.
📸 View photos from the morning ceremony.
📸 View photos from the afternoon ceremony.
📰 In the News: The Press of Atlantic City
⭐ Graduating Students Celebrated in Various Ceremonies
Throughout April and May, graduating students were also honored for their achievements in academic programs and student organizations, as well as inducted into honor societies, before May’s Commencement ceremonies in the Sports Center and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
Donation Creates Scholarship in Memory of Slain Son of U.S. Judge
The Stockton University Foundation received a $100,000 gift May 19 from the Daniel Anderl Judicial Protection Project to create an endowed scholarship for undergraduate students interested in studying privacy law, cybersecurity and criminal justice.
The Daniel Anderl Judicial Protection Project’s mission is to further the safety, security and privacy of members of the judicial community and their families. Three members of the project’s board attended a check presentation on campus with members of the Stockton community.
“Our organization understands that education is the best way to try and minimize the effects of threats upon judges and the way people view the judicial system,” said Jose Linares, a member of the project’s board and a former Chief U.S. District Judge for New Jersey. “We have to support education so that the voices of the reasonable drown out the voices of the unreasonable.”
STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY
Summer 2025 Looks Promising Despite Economic Uncertainty
Economic uncertainty is the chief concern for businesses at the Jersey Shore this summer, while regional tourism experts remain optimistic about modest gains over last year.
“Uncertainty” about the economy, labor market and international travel dominated the discussion at the 17th annual Jersey Shorecast on May 21, sponsored by the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) at the Stockton University School of Business. The discussion was held at the Stockton University Atlantic City John F. Scarpa Academic Center and streamed online.
LIGHT Faculty Director Jane Bokunewiczopened the discussion, which was moderated by Nicholas Huba, journalist and digital editor for The Press of Atlantic City.
Panelists reflected a cross-section of hospitality and tourism from Atlantic and Cape May counties, including: Karina Anthony, executive director of marketing at Visit Atlantic City; Oliver Cooke, associate professor of Economics at Stockton and editor of the South Jersey Economic Review; Joann DelVescio, executive director of New Jersey Campground Owners and Outdoor Lodging Association; and Ben Rose, director of marketing and public relations, Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority.
FRAME-WORTHY
‘Anne Frank Tree’ Sapling Planted to Remember Gail Rosenthal
Irvin Moreno-Rodriguez has spent a lot of time thinking about the best way to memorialize his mentor and friend Gail Hirsch Rosenthal.
Rosenthal was the director of the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University from 1991 until her death in October 2023.
“The more I thought about it, the more I thought about not just a memorial on campus, but a living memorial,” said Moreno-Rodriguez, who succeeded Rosenthal as the center’s director in 2024. “Something that could provide comfort and serenity. Something that could provide an environment for students to remember and to learn.”
He also remembered how Rosenthal was devoted to teaching the story of Anne Frank, whose diary written during her time hidden from the Nazis in Amsterdam has become one of the most well-known accounts of the Holocaust.
“I had heard of the work of the Anne Frank Center USA and their Sapling Project, and I just thought a tree grown from the chestnut tree Anne saw outside a window of the Secret Annex and mentioned in her diary would be perfect,” Moreno-Rodriguez said.
The Sapling Project began in 2009 as an effort to preserve the original tree in Amsterdam by gathering and germinating chestnuts and donating the saplings to organizations dedicated to Frank’s memory. Earlier this year, Anne Frank Center USA approved Stockton as only the 18th location of a sapling in the United States, and the tree was planted in a courtyard on campus during a May 20 ceremony.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
InstaFred: 🧘 Today is World Meditation Day: Take a moment to relax and reflect.
Facebook: The semester ended just over a week ago, and we're already missing the Ospreys.
Instagram: Ryan Hegarty ‘21, an Environmental Studies graduate who is now a research assistant for the Stockton Maple Project, visited this place, the Appalachian Trail (AT), last year. The journey changed his life.
Your favorite lake's online... have you given @lakefred1969 a follow yet? 👀
FROM THE SIDELINES
Three Ospreys Receive NFCA All-Region Honors
Stockton softball teammates Nerina Tramp, Emma Coldsnow and McKenna Georgereceived NFCA All-Region IV honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for the 2025 softball season.
Tramp was selected NFCA Region IV First Team, giving Stockton its 10th NFCA All-Region First Team award in program history. Coldsnow earned Second Team honors and George was named to the Third Team.
The trio led Stockton to a 26-15 record for the team's highest win total since 2017. The Ospreys tied for third in the NJAC with a 12-6 conference mark.
Tramp, previously a 2024 NFCA Region IV First Team and 2023 Second Team pick, became just the second player in program history with three all-region honors (Angela Fiorentino, 1997-99) and the first Osprey ever with two First Team nods.
She added the accolade to her second consecutive NJAC Pitcher of the Year award and third straight NJAC First Team selection. Tramp ranked in the NCAA Division III top 25 in eight categories, including fourth in WHIP (0.74), fifth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (9.19), and 20th in ERA (1.23). She led the NJAC in strikeouts (147) and innings (137), finishing her career second in Stockton history in strikeouts (454), wins (46), and ERA (1.53).
Coldsnow, also an NJAC First Team pick, excelled in her first season after transferring from Salisbury. She led the NJAC in home runs (8), slugging percentage (.649), hit by pitch (18), and OPS (1.152).
George had a standout rookie season, earning NJAC Co-Rookie of the Year and NJAC Second Team honors. She led Stockton in runs (32), triples (5), and stolen bases (25), while batting .342 with 41 hits and 28 RBI.
Pasquale Earns CSC Academic All-District Award
Stockton senior Sophia Pasqualereceived an Academic All-District honor from the College Sports Communicators for the 2024-25 women's tennis season. Pasquale earned the academic recognition for the second straight year.
The requirements for College Sports Communicators Academic All-District are a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average and sophomore or higher standing. Student-athletes must have competed in at least 70 of their team's matches and tournaments this season.
Pasquale, an Early Childhood Education major, was an NJAC all-conference selection in singles and doubles for the second consecutive year. She was chosen NJAC Player of the Week once during the season. Playing No. 1 singles for the Ospreys, the senior tied for team lead with seven singles wins while posting a 7-1 overall record and a 3-1 mark in conference play.
Pasquale paired with freshman Kim Washto form the No. 1 doubles tandem for Stockton. The duo led the team with a 7-2 overall record that included a 3-1 mark in NJAC matches.
Pasquale ranks fourth in Stockton women's tennis history with 39 career doubles wins, posting a 39-19 record. She also sits tied for 10th on the program list with 39 career singles victories, recording a 39-15 record in her four seasons at Stockton (2021-25).
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
'Lives Well Lived' Project Connects Generations
In the spring 2025 semester, Gina Maguire’sTherapeutic Arts with Older Adults course invited community older adults to watch the Lives Well Lived film together, as an introduction to working together.
“Over the course of the semester, we had nine large group meetings with a lesson and a creative project, along with individual interviews between students and elders,” Maguire shared. “Thanks to 16 students and 17 community elders, we created the Spring 2025 Lives Well Lived Project booklet and short video of the students’ thoughts on the project.”
OSPREY NOTES
Stockton Scholars Present at National Conference
Three Stockton students — Ivanna Taveras, Nana-Akosua Oduro, and Taina Altagracia-Paris— returned from the 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting in Denver as presenters, sharing how their experience at the 2024 annual meeting transformed their academic and professional paths. Last year’s Compass Fund project, “Future Educators Get Inspired,” enabled the group to attend the 2024 meeting.
The AERA Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of scholars in education research. Held each spring, it brings together researchers, policymakers and practitioners from around the world to present studies, discuss pressing issues in education, and explore innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
The students’ presentation, “Empowering First-Generation Future Educators of Color: Reflections on Their First AERA Annual Meeting Experience,” offered insights into how attending AERA strengthened their sense of purpose, expanded their educational networks, and deepened their commitment to equity and inclusion in education.
Campus Construction Map for 2025–26 Released
Facilities and Operations shared the new Campus Construction Map for 2025–26, highlighting planned construction projects across the Galloway campus. The map includes areas that will be affected during the upcoming year.
These improvements support ongoing efforts to upgrade campus infrastructure, enhance accessibility, and foster a better environment for learning, teaching, and community engagement.
For details on current and upcoming projects, alerts, and important updates, visit the Facilities and Operations website.
Time to Confirm Your Ospreys
Happy Summer, faculty! As the summer semester has begun, it's 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 Sessions I, II, IV, V and VI is to be completed by Tuesday, May 27. The 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.
Throwback Thursday: On this day in 1906, the Wright brothers were granted U.S. patent #821,393 for their "Flying Machine." ✈️ That’s right—the same duo who changed travel forever with powered flight! Read the original patent here.
POLLING ALL OSPREYS
Memorial Day weekend is almost here, and that means one thing—grilling season is on! Whether you’re team gas, charcoal or propane, there’s a good chance the grill’s getting dusted off and fired up. So tell us—what’s the one BBQ bite you can’t live without? Classic BBQ ribs, Grilled chicken, Corn on the cob or Grilled veggies?
UPCOMING EVENTS
👩💻Professional Development Opportunities
Now - Aug. 1: Art Exhibit: The Dean’s Showcase
June 5:🏆Alumni Achievement Awards
June 14:🚲 G. Larry James Legacy Bike Ride
