Galloway, NJ ‒ The upcoming year promises celebrations and new beginnings. Take a look at what’s ahead for Stockton University in 2024: 

20^th MLK Day of Service 

One of Stockton’s most enduring traditions is the act of serving one’s community and taking a day “on” in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January. This upcoming MLK Day of Service – hosted by the Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning – will mark the twentieth year and will include over 15 different projects on the Galloway, Atlantic City and Hammonton campuses. In addition to service projects, several students, faculty and staff will be honored during the morning’s Community Engagement Awards Ceremony. 

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Multicultural Center's 1^st Anniversary

In the span of a year, the Multicultural Center has become a hub for inclusion on Stockton’s Galloway campus: the center is used daily to host educational programs and as a space for community-building amongst one another.

The center’s director, Jovin Fernandez, and her team plan to throw the center its first official birthday party in February, and the whole campus community is invited to take part in the celebration. Expect to enjoy cake and music and visualize the future of the center together; whether the party can be contained inside the center or taken outside, like last year’s Block Party celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary, will be left to them. 

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A Presidential Inauguration

The Board of Trustees and Stockton University invite the community to celebrate the Presidential Inauguration of Dr. Joe Bertolino on April 12 at the Galloway campus. Bertolino became Stockton’s sixth president on July 1. There will be a series of events and festivities to keep an eye out for. Follow @OspreyPrez on Instagram, Facebook and X for updates. 

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Stockton University Foundation Scholarship Benefit Gala

The Stockton University Foundation Scholarship Benefit Gala returns on April 20 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. The annual event supports the Benefit Gala Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides more than $150,000 in student aid annually. Since 2007, the gala has added more than $3 million to Stockton’s endowment.

The event will be held after President Joe Bertolino’s inauguration and will provide another way to welcome him to Stockton. 

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Africana Studies' 40^th Anniversary

Before the creation of the Africana Studies major, students in the 1980s who were interested in taking a deep dive into the history, culture and experiences of African Americans took courses in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences under “Topical Concentration in Afro-American Studies.” Since then, the program has undergone different iterations – including a certificate program and a minor – under the stewardship of dedicated Stockton faculty and staff. In April, the Africana Studies program is set to celebrate its journey to 40 years on campus, complete with music, dancing, good food, honoring faculty and more. 

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Commencement

The Class of 2024 will notice some changes to the spring Commencement ceremonies this year. A separate ceremony for doctoral and master’s students will be held Tuesday, May 7, at the Sports Center on the Galloway campus. Baccalaureate students will be honored in two ceremonies at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Friday, May 10. Look for ceremony times to be shared in mid-February. 

– Story by Stacey Clapp, Mark Melhorn and Loukaia Taylor

– Photos by Susan Allen and Stockton staff

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