Stockton News - Oct. 23, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Oct. 23, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

New Stockton-ACIT Partnership Creates Buzz About Bees

Every spring, thousands of bees descend on South Jersey's blueberry farms to help pollinate one of the state's most important crops.

But once those bees leave their hives, how do farmers know they're actually pollinating the blueberry bushes on their farm and not flying off to another field?

That's a question students and researchers from Stockton and the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) hope to answer through a new collaboration that will use drones and advanced imaging technology to track the movements of bees at a Hammonton blueberry farm.

The Levine and Gormley Family Foundations have pledged $20,000 to support the project with an additional $40,000 scholarship offered to an ACIT student involved with the project to attend Stockton.

“This is the best of Atlantic County. You’ve all come together, and its potential is unlimited and we’re very excited and very happy to be involved,” said former State Sen. Bill Gormley during a panel discussion and announcement of the project at ACIT.

Stockton Open House Draws About 1,500 Attendees

Stockton welcomed about 1,500 prospective students and their families to its fall Open House on Oct. 17, offering an opportunity to explore academic programs, tour campus and experience life as an Osprey.

Prospective first-year and transfer students met with President Joe Bertolino and Admissions staff to learn more about the university and the application process.

Throughout the afternoon, visitors toured the Galloway campus with student Admissions Ambassadors — including the new Richard E. Bjork Library & Learning Commons, explored campus housing options and participated in Discover Your Major sessions highlighting Stockton's academic programs, career opportunities and dual-degree options.

“Open House gives prospective students and their families an opportunity to experience what makes Stockton special — from our engaging academic programs and hands-on learning opportunities to the supportive community that helps students succeed,” said Moses Goldmon, vice president for Enrollment Management. “We want every student who visits to leave with a sense of belonging and confidence that Stockton is a place where they can achieve their goals.”

📸View more photos from Open House on Flickr.

Stockton Selected as Exclusive N.J. Partner for Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship

Six New Jersey high school teachers will have the opportunity to travel to Poland, visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum and receive specialized Holocaust education training through a new partnership between Stockton University's Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation, which developed, funds and administers the fellowship program.

“We are proud that we are the exclusive Holocaust Resource Center partner site for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to bring the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship here to New Jersey,” said Holocaust Resource Center Director Irvin Moreno-Rodriguez. “Our selection speaks to the caliber and the quality of the work that we do in New Jersey and across the country.”

Sponsored and fully funded by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation (ABMF), the fellowship is a year-long educational experience designed to equip teachers with the knowledge, tools and confidence to teach the Holocaust with depth, accuracy and empathy.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY

Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park Returns Oct. 24

Stockton and the City of Atlantic City will host the fifth annual Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a rain date of Sunday, Oct. 25.

Volunteers will fan out across Atlantic City for a citywide street and beach cleanup beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding at 11:30 a.m. Cleanup locations include neighborhoods throughout the city, from the Northeast Inlet and Orange Loop to Midtown, Westside, Ducktown, Venice Park and Chelsea.

Afterward, volunteers and the public are invited to the free Party in the Park at O’Donnell Park near Stockton’s Atlantic City campus. The fall festival will feature experiential and hands-on art activities, a DJ and live band, food trucks, crafters and community organizations, a petting zoo, juggling, face painting, henna art, outdoor games and more.

While online volunteer registration has ended, walk-up registration will be available at each cleanup location on the day of the event. Complimentary parking will be available in the Hartford Avenue lot during event hours.

For more information, visit the Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park website.

FRAME-WORTHY

42 Years of Making Waves 🌊

The community gathered Oct. 16 at the Lodge at Lakeside to celebrate WLFR Lake Fred Radio’s 42nd anniversary with live music, canoeing, vendors, games and s’mores.

The music lineup included Malcom Tent, Samantha May, Soup, Starikova and Deardarkhead.

📸View more photos from the celebration on Flickr.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

InstaFred: Excuse me … who's making waves in my peaceful little world? 🛶🍁

Facebook (OspreyPrez): It was a pleasure welcoming New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly to Stockton University this week.

Instagram: The pine barrens in the fall 🍁🍂

FROM THE SIDELINES

Stockton Sweeps Ramapo 3-0

Stockton University rolled to a 3-0 sweep of Ramapo by set scores of 25-10, 25-15, 25-18. The Ospreys excelled on offense with 43 kills and a .351 hitting percentage.

Nicole Palmer led Stockton with 12 kills and 10 digs for her 11th double-double of the season. Palmer also served four aces. Olivia Magro spiked nine kills for the Ospreys.

Ariana Bongiovanni contributed 19 assists and three aces while Kristen Burton dealt 14 assists. McKenna Ritchie tied Palmer for the team lead with 10 digs.

In the first set, Palmer tallied two aces and a kill during a 7-0 run that extended the lead to 14-3 on the way to a 25-10 rout.

Trailing 11-10 in the second set, Stockton seized control with nine consecutive points. Bongiovanni served two aces during the outburst, which made it 19-11 on the way to a 25-15 triumph.

Three kills by Palmer and another ace from Bongiovanni sparked the Ospreys to a 12-3 lead in the third frame. Ramapo later closed the gap to 20-17 before Stockton used a 5-1 run to clinch the victory 25-18.

Stockton will be on the road again on Saturday for a non-conference match at DeSales that begins at 11 a.m.

Stockton Foiled in Bid to Upset #2 Rowan

Stockton University scored first but was foiled in its bid to upset second-ranked and unbeaten Rowan University on a pair of goals in the last 30 minutes that resulted in a 2-1 setback.

Aiden Hoenisch scored his third goal of the season with just 39 seconds gone in the second half to put the Ospreys on top 1-0.

Derek Tindall notched an assist with a long free kick from near midfield into the box, where Hoenisch flicked a header that changed direction just enough to elude the Rowan keeper.

Stockton held the lead for nearly 15 minutes until Greg Ferreira netted the equalizer for the Profs. Christian McGillen broke the tie in the 77th minute and the Ospreys fell 2-1.

Stockton goalkeeper Dan Raivitch made five saves on the night. Raivitch recorded three stops and Demier Tossie knocked a header off the post during the scoreless first half.

Stockton will be on the road on Saturday for a conference game at New Paltz that kicks off at 3 p.m.

🦅 Athletics News and Upcoming Game Information🦅

STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS

Poll: Nearly Two-Thirds of N.J. Voters Disapprove of Trump’s Job

Fewer than one-third of New Jersey voters approve of the way President Trump is handling his job, and more than half said the economy has gotten worse in the past year, according to the latest poll released Oct. 22 by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University.

Ahead of the November midterm elections, the mood among registered voters in New Jersey is gloomy. More than 6 in 10 voters (63%) say the country is on the wrong track, while about one-fourth (24%) said it is heading in the right direction.

Watch: Stockton Hosts 2nd Congressional District Debate

Stockton's William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy and The Press of Atlantic City co-sponsored a debate between U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R) and Democratic challenger Zack Mullock on Oct. 22 in the Campus Center Theatre. The candidates discussed issues facing South Jersey and answered questions posed by representatives of the Hughes Center and The Press.

Missed the debate? Watch the full recording on YouTube.

Noyes Museum Brings Artists Together for Plein Air Competition

More than 50 artists from four states gathered in Port Republic on Oct. 18 for the 2026 Port Republic Juried Plein Air Invitational, presented by the Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University and the Absecon Cultural Arts Alliance.

Artists had just four hours to create original works inspired by the community’s historic architecture, scenic waterways and natural landscapes. Among the participants were Stockton art majors Sophia Harmer (pictured left) and Dallys Rhubart (right).

Their artwork, along with 25 other pieces from the competition, is now on display at the Noyes Arts Gallery at Seaview Resort.

OSPREY NOTES

Last Day to Share Your Feedback on HERO Campaign

The Stockton University Police Department and the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers are seeking feedback from the university community about the campaign’s presence at the Galloway and Atlantic City campuses.

Students, faculty, staff and community members who visit either campus are encouraged to take five minutes to complete the brief online survey by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

If you have questions, email Jess Bonnan-White at Jess.Bonnan-White@stockton.edu or Stockton Police Chief Tracy Stuart at Tracy.Stuart@stockton.edu.

It’s FAFSA time!

The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now at fafsa.gov.

The FAFSA is a student’s application for all federal, state and institutional need-based financial aid programs. All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA each year.

Please encourage your students to file their 2027-2028 FAFSA early to avoid missing any deadlines. Learn more at stockton.edu/fafsa.

Students who identify as a New Jersey Dreamer will not complete the FAFSA. They will complete the NJ Alternative Application for Financial Aid at hesaa.org.

Financial Aid is here to help. Anyone who needs assistance with their application for financial aid can schedule a FAFSA Completion appointment with our office. Students can make an appointment at stockton.edu/contactfinaid.

On This Day: On Oct. 23, 2001, Apple introduced the first iPod, changing the way people carried and listened to music. Suddenly, thousands of songs could fit in your pocket instead of a binder full of CDs. 🎧

And another remarkable Oct. 23 highlight: It’s “Weird Al” Yankovic’s birthday! Cheers to 67 years of weird. 🎉