Stockton News - Nov. 21, 2025
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Spencer’s and Spirit Donations to Stockton Foundation Reach $1M
For the fourth straight year, Spencer’s and Spirit have donated $250,000 to the Stockton University Foundation, bringing the company’s total giving to $1 million.
Spencer’s and Spirit President and COO Ike Silvera presented President Joe Bertolino with the company’s latest gift on Nov. 13 at a ceremony at Spencer’s and Spirit’s newly renovated headquarters. Several employees who are Stockton alumni also attended.
“It’s always exciting to host the Stockton team. Our connection to Stockton runs deep,” said Spencer’s and Spirit CEO Steven Silverstein, adding that 18% of the company’s home office are proud Stockton alumni. “We’re incredibly proud to invest in the next generation of leaders right here in South Jersey, our home.”
This year’s donation will go toward the Spencer’s and Spirit Endowed Scholarship at Stockton, the Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy, Stockton’s School of Business and a new digital innovation hub that’s being created as part of the renovation of Stockton’s Richard E. Bjork Library.
Hughes Center Honors Five, Including One of its Founders
The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University honored one of its founders on Nov. 13 as part of its biennial honors ceremony.
Edward H. Salmon, the center’s Advisory Board Emeritus Founding Chair, received the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Civility in Politics and Government Award for his contributions to New Jersey public life at the Hughes Center Honors.
Before a crowd of more than 225 people in the Campus Center Event Room, the ceremony acknowledged outstanding New Jerseyans for excellence in their field. The event also recognized its honorees for a commitment to public service, civility and bipartisanship — all characteristics of Hughes, whose distinguished career included service in the U.S. House of Representatives representing southern New Jersey, Ambassador to Panama and as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Stockton.
Other honorees included Christina M. Renna, the president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey; Cassie Iacovelli, the former executive director of MainStreet Hammonton; Jessica Ramirez ’98, an attorney at D’Arcy Johnson Day and a New Jersey District 32 Assemblywoman; and Vlad Vasylyk, a Stockton junior Political Science major with a concentration in International Affairs and a minor in Global Studies.
Student Service Projects Emphasize Importance of Community Partnerships
Students at Stockton engage in service-learning, a concept that combines community service with experiential learning through student-led projects.
Recognizing their efforts in the local community, the William T. Daly School of General Studies hosted an evening of student presentations in the Campus Center on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The projects represented a broad range of courses within the Schools of General Studies, Health Sciences, Education and Natural Science & Mathematics.
For Laura Penepentto, an Environmental and Marine Science junior from Staten Island, New York, the idea of participating in service-learning for her Physics course was unusual but ultimately fulfilling.
She and her group worked with Tech Trek, a collaborative program between Stockton and the American Association of University Women that selects female students from across the state for a week of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities on Stockton’s campus.
“To prepare the girls for their experience over the summer, we built Lissajous figure apparatuses. We attached little lasers and, depending on the frequencies or wavelengths, we can make cool and interesting shapes. They were able to learn about radio and light dynamics and also play with lasers, so it was a win/win,” Penepentto said.
📸View more photos on Flickr.
FRAME-WORTHY
Latino Visitation Day Continues to Break Barriers
For over three decades, Stockton has invited local high school students to learn more about the impact of pursuing higher education.
This year’s Latino Visitation Day, hosted in the Sports Center on Nov. 18, included 600 students from 10 high schools across the state. The program featured a passionate keynote speech, a tour of the campus and opportunities to interact with current students.
As the program began, Admissions Recruiter Michelle Puerta shared that she credits the event’s founder, Heather Medina, and the Educational Opportunity Fund for helping her attend Stockton and earn her degree. “We want to show you all that there is strong Latino representation here at Stockton – no matter your background, Stockton has resources to help you succeed,” Puerta said.
📸View more photos on Flickr.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
Facebook: President Joe Bertolino met with alumni and friends in New York City to hear their Stockton stories and share updates about the future of the university.
TikTok: What do you think an Osprey sounds like?
Instagram: Time flies when you’re an Osprey soaring higher.
Your favorite lake's online... have you given @lakefred1969 a follow yet? 👀
FROM THE SIDELINES
Ospreys Sweep Home Openers With Men’s, Women’s Basketball Wins
Stockton opened its home basketball schedule with a pair of wins Nov. 19, as both the men’s and women’s teams earned victories.
The men’s team posted an 81–74 win over Swarthmore. Stockton led 44–34 at halftime and maintained its advantage throughout the second half to secure the home-opening victory.
Tayvon Gaither led with 17 points, and Eriq Campbell added 16 markers while Charlie Bell had 13 points and eight rebounds. Jahmir Payoute tallied 12 points and a team-high nine boards.
The women’s team followed with a 57–48 win over Washington College. The Ospreys used strong defensive pressure to build and protect their lead, forcing turnovers and converting key opportunities to remain in control.
Imene Fathi led the Ospreys with 14 points, as six players scored six or more markers for Stockton. Haleigh Schafer and Fathi scored the final five points of the quarter to give the home team a 12-10 lead that they would not relinquish.
The men’s team plays next on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Kean University. The women’s team returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. at FDU-Florham.
Four Ospreys Secure USTFCCCA All-Region Honors
Four Stockton cross country runners, two men and two women, earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the 2025 season.
Conor Clifford, Josh Corsentino, Rachel Hayes and Kayla Kass received All-Region recognition for Stockton.
All-Region status went to the top 35 finishers at the NCAA Metro Regionals, which were hosted by Rowan University at Dream Park on Nov. 15. The Stockton women placed fifth out of 25 teams, and the Osprey men finished eighth out of 26 teams.
🦅 For more athletics news and upcoming game information, visit here.🦅
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
Read the SCOSA December Newsletter
Read the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA)'s December newsletter for interesting upcoming events and newly added programming.
OSPREY NOTES
Reminder: Complete Your Fall Mandatory Compliance Training
A message from Human Resources: We’re over halfway through the fall training period, and completion rates are currently at 35–45%. Thank you to everyone who has already completed your assignments — your commitment helps keep Stockton compliant and our community safe.
If you haven’t finished yet, please log in to Vector Solutions and complete your assigned trainings by Dec. 19, 2025.
Required for ALL employees:
- Active Shooter: Run, Hide, Fight
- Cybersecurity Awareness
- Title IX & Sexual Harassment Prevention
Additional trainings for select roles:
- Campus Security Authorities: Roles & Responsibilities
- Hazing Awareness and Prevention
Weekly reminder emails will continue to be sent to anyone with outstanding assignments. Let’s work together to reach 100% completion.
Thanksgiving Shuttle Schedule; Dining Information
The Atlantic City shuttle will stop operating at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, and will not run Thursday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 30. Service will resume at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1.
The Galloway shuttle will stop operating at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, and will not run Thursday, Nov. 27, through Saturday, Nov. 29. Service will resume at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.
Visit the Chartwells Dining website for updated hours of operation next week.
ICYMI: Latest Eye on Stockton is Here
From Ospreys showing up and showing out, to moments that made us proud, this fall had it all! In this latest episode of Eye on Stockton, we’re highlighting some of the big wins, great gatherings, and behind-the-scenes work that’s shaping Stockton’s future.
Catch up on just a few of the exciting things happening on campus, get a peek at our regional impact efforts, and hear what’s ahead as we keep soaring.
🦃 Macy’s Parade Turkeys Don’t Fly, But…
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons used to be released into the sky at the end of the event. Whoever found one could mail it back for a reward. 👀 Imagine stumbling on a giant floating Popeye in your backyard. However, the practice ended in 1933 after a balloon caused a plane crash, rendering it dangerous and costly.
Check out photos of these parade balloons dating back to 1927.
POLLING ALL OSPREYS
(I bet you're glad you're an Osprey and not a turkey… those guys have a rough week ahead.) What are you MOST looking forward to devouring on the Thanksgiving table? 🧈 Stuffing or bust, 🥔 Give me all the mashed potatoes, 🦃 Gobble ’til ya wobble, and 🥧 Pies & sweet treats all day.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Professional Development Opportunities
🖼️ Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
Nov. 26-Dec. 1: 🥧 Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 3: Board of Trustees meeting
Dec. 4: 🥂🎓 Grad Toast
Dec. 4-6: 🩰 Fall Choreography Project
Dec. 7: 🕎 The Leevees: A Hanukkah Party For All!, 🎶 Stockton Holiday Choral Concert
Dec. 11: ❄️ Stockton Holiday Reception
Dec. 12-13: 🩰🎁 The Nutcracker
Dec. 14: 🎤🎵 Sing in the Holidays
Dec. 15: 🎷🎄 A Charlie Brown Christmas: Ed Vezinho & The Jim Ward Big Band
Dec. 17: Fall Semester ends
