Stockton News - Sept. 11, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Sept. 11, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

Stockton Begins New Chapter with Library Reopening

A digital innovation suite with 3-D printers.

A conversation pit where students can share books and ideas and collaborate on projects.

A three-fold increase in the number of private study rooms, including some with up-to-date podcast recording technology and others where you can play video games.

A learning commons area that’s open 24 hours and tripled in size to 26,000 square feet.

These are just some of the new features of the newly renovated Stockton University Richard E. Bjork Library and Learning Commons, which opened this week on the Galloway campus.

The $24 million project took two years to complete and the overwhelming reaction by those who attended a grand opening on Thursday was it was money well spent.

“Students were really craving somewhere to be and to exist,” said sophomore Kay Polus, from Maple Shade. “The fact that this will be open 24 hours gives our students who stay here on campus a place to study outside of their dorms and be able to meet people. But it’s also extremely beneficial to our commuting students. They can stay on campus a little longer now if they want. They don’t have to just drive home.”

Polus is the president of the Library Student Advisory Board, which was instrumental in discussing with library staff what Stockton students need in a 21st century library. That includes more spots to charge phones and computers, more private places to study and an increased learning commons area where students can openly collaborate and not be as concerned with being quiet.

📸 View more photos on Flickr

$100,000 Gift Will Establish New Antisemitism Lecture Series

Stockton University will establish a new annual lecture series featuring world-renowned experts on antisemitism thanks to a $100,000 gift.

Jack andBethanie Gorny donated the money to the university’s Foundation to create The Gorny Family Fund for Understanding and Confronting Antisemitism. Jack Gorny served as the chairperson of Stockton’s Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center (HRC) Executive Committee for 12 years, and his wife, Bethanie, previously was president of Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May Counties.

“I have grave concerns for the well-being of Jews in this country in the future,” Jack Gorny said. “I agonize over the future of my grandchildren, and I worry that they may be faced with this pernicious ideology, which sadly shows no signs of abating.”

But Jack Gorny said he’s seen firsthand through the work of Stockton’s HRC that education about the Holocaust and antisemitism can have a positive effect.

In the News: Press of AC, Patch, BINJE

Levine-Gormley STEM Scholars Take First Step at Stockton

For 16 Atlantic County Institute of Technology juniors, the college experience started early this fall at Stockton University’s Atlantic City campus.

The students are the first high school cohort in the Levine-Gormley STEM Scholars Pathway Program, a $2 million initiative designed to create a pathway from high school to college — and ultimately to STEM careers in the region.

While continuing their junior year at ACIT, the students are taking Programming and Problem Solving at Stockton Atlantic City, earning college credit in a course that is also a core requirement for Stockton’s bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

“I’ve always wanted to do more STEM and focus on math, and this program reaffirms that,” said ACIT junior Sean Scott. “I’ve taken computer science at ACIT where we focus on coding, but now I’m excited to build upon that and learn more programming and problem solving.”

Stockton launched the Levine-Gormley STEM Scholars Pathway Program in January through a $2 million commitment from the Levine and Gormley Family Foundations. The initiative provides dual-enrollment opportunities for ACIT students as well as scholarships and support for Atlantic County students who pursue STEM degrees at Stockton.

FRAME-WORTHY

students first day of class

A Look at the Class of 2030: Students from 12 States

More than 1,300 first-year students began classes at Stockton on Tuesday, Sept. 8, joining a Class of 2030 that includes students from across the country and around the world.

They are part of a new class in which more than half of first-year undergraduates are the first in their families to attend college and nearly 91% of full-time, first-year students received institutional grants or scholarships.

📸 View more photos on Flickr from the first day of classes.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

InstaFred: The Ospreys are back! Welcome home, Stockton. 🦅

Facebook: Labor Day Fest #photodump 🩵🦅

OspreyPrez: Welcome back, Ospreys! President Joe and Talon are so excited to welcome you back for another amazing semester.

FROM THE SIDELINES

Stockton Sweeps Ursinus 3-0

Stockton University won its home opener with a 3-0 sweep of Ursinus College by scores of 25-12, 25-20, 25-14. The Ospreys pounded 43 kills and never trailed in the match.

Nicole Palmer spiked a match-high 16 kills and added nine digs. Freshman Jaclyn Niven tallied seven kills while fellow rookie Ariana Bongiovanni totaled 17 assists and eight digs.

Kristen Burton contributed 15 assists and six digs. Helen Murray led the back row with 10 digs while McKenna Ritchie finished with nine digs and three aces.

Stockton raced out to a 7-0 lead in the first set and cruised to a 25-12 win behind five kills by Palmer. The Ospreys built an 8-3 lead in the second set and stayed in front by at least three on the way to a 25-20 victory.

Palmer (7 kills) and Niven (6 kills) combined for 13 of Stockton's 19 kills in the third set. The Ospreys pulled away with a 10-2 run and closed out the sweep 25-14.

Stockton Plays Scoreless Tie at Drew

Stockton University and Drew University played to a scoreless tie on Wednesday night. The draw was the second straight for the Ospreys.

Freshman goalkeeper Cole Butler made his first college start and collected his first career shutout without facing a shot on goal by the Rangers.

Stockton outshot Drew 9-2 overall including 7-0 in the second half. The Ospreys played the final 9:38 with a man advantage after one of the Rangers was issued a red card, however the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

Drew goalie Donovan Friedhoff kept the Ospreys off the board with four saves. Aiden Hoenisch was credited with two of Stockton's four shots on goal.

OSPREY NOTES

New Faculty Get Started at Stockton

Stockton welcomes 14 new faculty members as the fall semester begins. They are Christa DiMarco, assistant professor of Art History; Justin Edwards, assistant professor of Digital Studies; Serena Qin, assistant professor of Finance/Financial Planning; Michael Hinman, assistant professor of Education, MAED; Dawnavyn James, assistant professor of Education; Casey Griffin, assistant professor of Mathematics and First-Year Studies; Kathleen Lyons, assistant professor of Writing and First-Year Studies; Gabrielle Salvatore, assistant professor of Exercise Science; Surya Banks, assistant professor of Chemistry; Laura Biggs, teaching specialist in Biology; Christopher Vieira, assistant professor of Marine Science; Christopher Baia, teaching specialist in Criminal Justice; Roisin O’Neill, assistant professor of Economics; and Sherry Pujji, assistant professor of Psychology.

Meet Stockton’s new faculty, and look for more about them in the coming weeks!

📸 ICYMI: View photos from New Faculty Orientation on Flickr.

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 complete the brief online survey by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.

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.

Foundation Hosts 2nd Annual Welcome Back Gathering

The Stockton University Foundation invites faculty, staff and students to its 2nd Annual Welcome Back Gathering from 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, on the second floor of K-Wing.

Stop by for light refreshments, connect with the Development & Alumni Relations team and learn how philanthropy creates opportunities for Stockton students.

It’s Almost Time to Confirm Your Ospreys!

Welcome back, faculty! As the fall semester has begun, it's almost time to Confirm your Ospreys!

Faculty are reminded to complete the Academic Engagement process by confirming student attendance/academic activity beginning after the add/drop period on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The Academic Engagement process is to be completed by Wednesday, Sept. 23. 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.

25 Years Later

This Sept. 11 marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

🕯️We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, honor the first responders and all those affected, and reflect on the lasting impact of that day.

Learn more about the 25th anniversary commemoration.

POLLING ALL OSPREYS

Apparently, nothing says “fall semester is back” quite like a Dunkin’ line. Half of respondents chose “The Dunkin’ line returns” as the unofficial sign of the season, followed closely by “The Campus Center starts buzzing” at 43%.

Only 7% picked “My calendar fills up overnight,” and not a single vote went to “New Ospreys start finding their wings.”

The Ospreys have spoken. Caffeine wins. And donuts. ☕🍩