Stockton News - Sept. 27, 2024 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Sept. 27, 2024

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Constitution Day Speaker Explores Voting Rights

The United States Constitution does not guarantee individuals the right to vote. That came as a surprise to the crowd at the 19th annual Constitution Day lecture Tuesday, Sept. 24, in the Campus Center Event Room.

Holding one of the pocket copies of the U.S. Constitution distributed to all attendees, election law expert Richard L. Hasen challenged anyone to show him where the Constitution gives Americans voting rights.

“Where we live tells us a big part of how protected our right to vote is. There is no affirmative right to vote in the Constitution,” Hasen said, noting America’s founders made voting a states’ right.

Hasen delivered the annual keynote address based on his book “A Real Right to Vote: How a Constitutional Amendment Can Safeguard American Democracy.” Hasen is the Gary T. Schwartz Endowed Chair in Law, Professor of Political Science, and Director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA School of Law. He also writes the Election Law Blog, which tracks current developments in voting rights and access around the country.

“As an institution of higher education, it is our responsibility to provide the setting for democratic participation; to offer opportunities for our students and our community to converse with those with differing viewpoints and life experiences,” President Joe Bertolino said in introducing Hasen. “The Stockton community is one that values inclusivity, providing an environment where all voices can be heard.”

Stockton Up to No. 81 on U.S. News Top Public Universities List

Stockton continues to soar higher in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report College Rankings released Sept. 24.

Stockton ranked No. 81 out of 225 public colleges and universities in the nation and No. 152 of 436 on the Best National Universities list. Last year, the university was ranked No. 84 and No. 159, respectively. This is Stockton’s third year in a row in the website’s national rankings. Previously, Stockton was included on the top 10 Best Regional Universities-North.

“My No. 1 priority is making Stockton a place where everyone can truly thrive, and these rankings are proof that the University is continuing to improve on accomplishing that mission,” said President Joe Bertolino.

Study Abroad Fair Inspires Students to Think Globally

According to the Office of Global Engagement, the idea that studying abroad is an experience exclusive to the most privileged of students is not only a myth but a harmful one at that.

“I want students to know that education abroad can be accessible, affordable and for every student,” said Patty Sagasti-Suppes, the office’s director.

She made her point by simply gesturing to the jam-packed hallway of the Campus Center, where Thursday, Sept. 19’s Study Abroad Fair took place.

Tables lined the hallways as students perused and received resources from representatives of different education abroad agencies, including Semester at Sea and the Center for International Studies.

The meeting rooms hosted workshops that explored topics including passport and visa processes, programs that enable students and faculty to study abroad – such as the Benjamin A. Gilman and Fulbright programs – and how to advise students on best practices as a staff or faculty member.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY

Board of Trustees Hears Recommendations for A.C. Campus

Following a yearlong study, a higher education consultant shared recommendations for the future of Stockton's presence in Atlantic City at the Sept. 11 Board of Trustees meeting.

“Stockton is not ready to proceed with Phase III expansion in Atlantic City at this time, as the University must first establish a clear identity and purpose for Atlantic City,” said TJ Logan of Brailsford & Dunleavy. Phase III is currently a 2.25-acre parking lot between Hartford and Albany avenues owned by AC Devco.

Logan said Stockton could do that by repositioning the Atlantic City campus, which includes two residential buildings and an academic center, as a pre-professional and professional campus to support upper-division, graduate and nontraditional students in advancing their post-graduate careers.

This would allow the University to position the Galloway campus as a starting point for undergraduate students, Logan said.

The Brailsford & Dunleavy presentation was the culmination of the work of a task force chaired by Trustees Jose Lozano and Ray Ciccone that President Joe Bertolino established last summer.

“To be clear, these are recommendations based on the research and study completed by this group,” Bertolino said.

FRAME-WORTHY

First-Ever Drum Circle is a Big Hit on Campus

After a misty and overcast morning, the clouds parted and allowed the sun to shine on the D/F Plaza for an evening of music and camaraderie during Sankofa’s first-ever Drum Circle on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Jayden Hamlet, a member of Sankofa — an initiative that mentors Stockton men of color — got in contact with esteemed drummer Baba Paul with the help of his mentor in the program, assistant professor of Africana Studies Kimoni Yaw Ajani. They then invited him to teach over 30 students the significance and utility of the various instruments he brought to campus, including several types of drums, bells, hoe blades and shekeres, which are gourd-like instruments covered in beads.

After introducing each instrument, Baba Paul established different rhythms for the participants to follow, starting with the big drums and concluding with the smallest of the bells and shekeres.

By the time the drum circle concluded, the sounds of the plaza outside of the Multicultural Center had shifted from the uncoordinated beats of a rhythmically challenged group to a unified song that brought laughter and joy to the group.

📸 View more photos on flickr.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

Facebook: President Joe’s Ice Cream Social was the sweetest way to build relationships with the Osprey community on campus!

X: Hispanic Heritage Month has been filled with plenty of ways to connect with Hispanic and Latino clubs on campus. Here are a few scenes from last week's "Chalk the Block"

Instagram: Talon stays busy 📚🙌🏽

FROM THE SIDELINES

Women's Volleyball, Soccer Teams Visit Costa Rica

The women's volleyball (pictured right) and women’s soccer teams each embarked on an incredible trip to Costa Rica this summer. The idea and purpose of the trips were to give the teams an opportunity to compete internationally while fostering team bonding and cultural immersion.

“I always say that with my sports programs, and all the women's sports programs here, we're trying to build strong women leaders,” said women’s volleyball coach Allison Walker.

Walker and the volleyball team traveled from May 12 to 17. The trip was funded by a $15,000 grant, combined with 14 months of team fundraising initiatives.

“The grant was crucial in allowing us to take this trip and engage in team bonding,” Walker said.

The soccer team, led by head coach Nick Juengert, traveled from Aug. 5 to 14 and funded its trip through team-driven goal fundraising.

Stockton Opens NJAC Play with 3-1 Win Over Rowan

The volleyball team began conference play with a 3-1 triumph over Rowan University on Sept. 24 that was the eighth consecutive win for the Ospreys overall. The victory also was Stockton's 16th straight in NJAC regular season matches.

Nicole Palmer became the 11th NCAA Division III player to record multiple triple-doubles this year with 14 kills, 13 assists and 11 digs for her second of the season. Palmer also served six aces.

Jaylah Rolle spiked a season-high 11 kills and led all players with eight blocks, one off her career high. Rolle made just one hitting error and finished with a .476 hitting percentage. Read more game coverage here.

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

OSPREY NOTES

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 Chocolate Milk Day! Some may be surprised to learn that the delicious drink is of Jamaican origin. In 1687, Irish botanist Hans Sloane was appointed a physician to the Duke of Albemarle in Jamaica. While there, he was introduced to Jamaican chocolate water. Sloane found the drinks too bitter and added milk to neutralize the flavor. He realized that chocolate milk tasted good and was also very healthy due to the calcium and protein. He eventually brought the beverage back to Europe; the rest is history. Learn more interesting chocolate milk trivia here.