Stockton News - Sept. 20, 2024 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Sept. 20, 2024

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Art Gallery Exhibition Focuses on Innovative Indigenous Works

“Indigenous people are more than just what you read about in your false and colonial history books or a concept of the past. In 2024, we are contemporary.”

This and more gems of wisdom were dropped by Indigenous artist Denise “Bright Dove” Ashton-Dunkley duringSept. 17’s Artist Talk & Workshop in the Stockton University Art Gallery.

Ashton-Dunkley of the Nanticoke/Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation is one of more than 25 local and international artists featured in the new two-floor exhibition, “Indigenous Approaches, Sustainable Futures.” She and fellow tribe member Tyrese “Bright Flower” Gould Jacinto and Jeremy Dennis of the Shinnecock Indian Nation led participants on a tour of the exhibition and talked about the inspiration behind their featured works.

According to Ashton-Dunkley, her piece, “Land Back,” is meant to challenge the viewer to acknowledge and consider the concepts of land reclamation and the significance of Indigenous traditional and ecological knowledge, especially as the world reckons with the current climate crisis.

“We hold this knowledge, and we’ve always been willing to share it. There’s no need to try to continue erasing us via MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women), genocide or forced sterilization,” Ashton-Dunkley said. “It all comes down to you voting, finding out what these politicians stand for and holding them accountable to their promises. Help us with your voice and steward these lands.”

📸 View more photos from the exhibition here.

Competitive Scholarship Enables Students to Experience Japan

Thanks to receiving a scholarshipfrom the Benjamin A. Gilman Program, Stockton seniors Abu Shahariah and Avery Garlic had a life-changing study-abroad experience in Japan this summer.

Both Shahariah and Garlic have frequent flyer miles already – Shahariah, a Computer Information Systems major, has traveled to places like the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Bangladesh, and Garlic, a Fine Arts major, had just joined a spring break study to Greece with the Military-Affiliated Students of Stockton. When they heard about the upcoming study to Japan last fall, they separately reached out to the Office of Global Engagement to check the country off their bucket list.

The office’s director, Patty Sagasti Suppes, reviewed their eligibility and suggested that they consider applying for the Gilman program, a U.S. Department of State initiative that enables students who receive the federal Pell Grant to study abroad.

“Back in September 2023, part of me felt like I was missing something in my college experience, even though I was well involved on campus, so I went to the Office of Global Engagement just because I was curious, and I realized that studying abroad was an opportunity to do something I’ve never done before. In December, I got notification from the Gilman scholarship that I received a lot of money that fully covered my tuition, room and board. I was very excited. I told my family and my friends that I believe that this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Shahariah said.

Pan-American Flag Raised, Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month

“As a young Latina, I know firsthand the challenges that come with my role. There are times when my intelligence or abilities are questioned or undermined, but you know what drives me? My faith, my family, my colleagues, the role models at this institution who paved the way… and most importantly, you, the students. You all give me purpose.”

Ana Edmondson’s message on the importance of finding support and motivation in your community was emphasized throughout Sept. 13’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Flag Raising in front of the Galloway campus’ Arts & Sciences Circle.

For seven years, the Pan-American flag — which serves as the logo for the student organization Los Latinos Unidos — has been raised to honor and acknowledge the many accomplishments and contributions of the Hispanic communities on Stockton’s multicultural campus.

The tradition also launches the beginning of a month-long celebration that includes programminguntil Oct. 15.

📸 View more photos from the flag raising here.

SPOTLIGHT ON: GINA MAGUIRE

Maguire Presents at Intergenerational Conference

Gina Maguire, senior operations specialist at Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA) and adjunct professor of Gerontology, presented her poster, "Reframing Aging through an Intergenerational Lens," during the Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference, which was held in July in Lancaster.
Maguire shared the Lives Well Lived Project, which involves her GERO2620 Therapeutic Arts with Older Adults students being paired with community older adults and the change in both the students' and elders' perceptions of aging and ageism.

"It's important for Stockton staff to have opportunities to share work and research with a larger audience, like I did at the conference," Maguire said. "Meeting new colleagues who are interested in promoting intergenerational programs and plans, learning from each other, and bringing best practices back to SCOSA and Stockton students, has rekindled my dedication to including intergenerational projects in my work."

For more information or to volunteer as a community elder in the Spring 2025 cohort, email Gina.Maguire@stockton.edu.

If you are a staff or faculty member who is interested in being considered for a “Spotlight On” feature, email Mandee McCullough at Amanda.McCullough@stockton.edu, editor of Stockton News, for more information and guidelines.

FRAME-WORTHY

Students Rock Get Involved Fair

Ospreys came out to the Get Involved Fair this week to explore the over 200 ways they can engage with the campus community during their time at Stockton. The fair was held Sept. 17-18 and offered opportunities to meet organizations, fraternities, sororities, community partners, Stockton offices, and more.

📸 View more photos from the fair here.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

Facebook: I am honored to be included in the 2024 NJBIZ Education Power 50 list alongside so many other higher ed leaders in the state, including Stockton’s own Monica Amadio and Jane Bokunewicz!

Instagram: It's gameday ⚽ Ospreys!

LinkedIn: Our Glow Up Fair 📚 showcased plenty of on-campus opportunities for students, including internships, jobs and study abroad trips!

FROM THE SIDELINES

Men’s Soccer Wins 1-0

The men’s soccer team scored on a penalty kick in the 81st minute to slip by Penn State-Abington by a 1-0 final on Sept. 19 with Ernst Louisius potting the game winner.

Stockton held a 9-2 advantage on shots in the first 45 minutes of play but could not find the back of the net in the scoreless first period. The Ospreys kept up the pressure squeezing off eight more attempts with five on net until the 80:24 mark.

After a foul inside the box was called, Louisius made the penalty kick count and the Osprey defense held on for the one goal victory.

Kyle Birmingham started in net making four saves and earned his first career win and individual shutout.

Stockton will travel to Aston, Pennsylvania to face Neumann University for their next tilt at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Stockton Sweeps Drew for Fifth Straight Win

The volleyball team extended its winning streak to five consecutive victories on Sept. 19 with a 3-0 sweep of Drew University by set scores of 25-15, 25-23, 25-15. The Ospreys controlled the play at the net with 37 kills on offense and 15 total team blocks on defense.

Nicole Palmer led Stockton with a triple-double of 13 kills, 13 assists and 11 digs. Palmer became one of just 23 players in NCAA Division III to record a triple-double this season. Her 13 kills were a match high, and she also served three aces.

Regan Mendick contributed a double-double of 14 assists and 10 digs. McKenna Ritchie scooped a match-high 15 digs and Jaylah Rolle led all players with seven blocks. Read more game coverage here.

Stockton will play a tri-match at Cedar Crest College on Saturday, Sept. 21, facing Penn State Hazleton at 1 p.m. followed by Cedar Crest at 3 p.m.

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

OSPREY NOTES

Singers Needed for Community Performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’

The Stockton University Performing Arts Program is recruiting singers for the 16th production of Handel`s “Messiah,” in December.

All members of the community interested in singing are welcome, no audition is required. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Theatre at Stockton and continue Sundays and Mondays until the performance at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. Solo auditions for the performance will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 13.

Stockton Professor of Music Beverly Vaughn will again lead the Stockton Oratorio Society community choir, which is open to all interested singers, regardless of the level of experience. The group includes Stockton students, members of area choirs and community members.

“The Stockton Oratorio Society and the School of Arts and Humanities have been involved in producing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ for 40 years,” Vaughn said. “We are anticipating that this year’s concert could be the largest in the university’s history.”

To sign up, or for more information, visit stockton.edu/oratorio or contact music@stockton.edu.

Stockton Celebrates National GEAR UP Week Sept. 23-27

The Stockton GOALS GEAR UP Program will celebrate National GEAR UP Week with the following events: Sept. 23, Behind the Scenes of GEAR UP: Meet the GEAR UP Counselors; Sept. 24, A Sweet Welcome Back: Cookie Cakes to Kickstart the School Year; Sept. 25, Building Brighter Futures Together: Highlighting our District Partners; Sept. 26: Champions of College Readiness: Taking Over the Stockton University Instragram; and Sept. 27: Show Off Your Alma Mater: Wear your college gear and tag @stocktongoals.

2025-26 FAFSA Available Dec. 1

The 2025-26 FAFSA will be available to all students at fafsa.gov beginning on or before Dec. 1, 2024. Students need to complete this application to be considered for financial aid for the 2025-26 aid year. More information on the application is available at stockton.edu/fafsa.

Fun Fact Friday: Today is National Queso Day! Cheese lovers who dig a little spice should rejoice and celebrate this Tex-Mex classic by heading to their favorite Mexican restaurant to indulge or making their own queso dip at home. Here’s a recipe that had the word “easy” in it that I thought was worth sharing! Enjoy, and happy Friday!