Galloway, N.J. —  With tears in her eyes, Billie Staller read the poignant words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children.”

These lines, from the poem “Success,” hold a deep personal meaning for Billie, who received the poem after her son Paul’s passing. Billie presented a copy of it to Lydia Pool, the newest recipient of the Paul D. Staller '97 Writing Center Tutor Award, at the award’s annual ceremony on Aug. 23.

The ceremony has become more than just a tradition — it’s a celebration of a legacy that continues to touch lives at Stockton University, 10 years after Paul’s passing. 

Billie and Alan Staller, of Atlantic City, shared memories of Paul, reflecting on his sense of humor and passion for helping others as a tutor.

“When my son passed away, we didn’t know what to do to keep his name alive,” Alan said. “Today, the Paul D. Staller '97 Writing Center Tutor Award and the writing center room in his name serve as a lasting tribute to Paul’s life and the impact he made.” 

Paul, who aspired to be a writer, found fulfillment in tutoring students. The Staller family ensures Paul’s memory endures through this monetary award, now in its seventh year, which recognizes tutors who embody his passion for helping others succeed. 

"I never had the pleasure of knowing Paul. To me, Paul is a legend," said Eddie Horan, writing center coordinator. "From the stories and love his family has expressed year after year, I take the awarding of the Paul Staller Award very seriously. It’s for Paul’s legacy to live on." 

Pool, a senior Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management major with a minor in Spanish, is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her mother, Kathleen, flew in for the ceremony, and joined former Writing Center coordinator Pat Cross, and Lydia’s boyfriend, Ben Yandell ’23, who was also a tutor at the Writing Center.

“For Lydia, being a tutor is not just a resume builder or a paycheck. She sees it as a duty to help others,” Horan said.

Pool expressed her gratitude for the award and reflected on the significance of the tutoring center.

“As a student who has sat in the Paul Staller room year after year, I can see what the tutoring center means to students and faculty alike — a chance to succeed and not be held back by unknown concepts; an opportunity to express interest in a multitude of ideas and viewpoints; and a place where students of all backgrounds can gather without feeling judged,” she said. “I am extremely grateful for the chance to continue Paul’s legacy at Stockton. As someone who has lacked resources like this in the past, I look forward to dedicating more time to helping my fellow students." 

The Staller family’s annual ceremony guarantees that Paul’s legacy continues to inspire and support future generations of Stockton students, reflecting the values of community and care that Paul embodied. 

Contributions to the Paul D. Staller '97 Writing Center Endowed Fund can be made through the Stockton Foundation’s website.

About the Stockton University Foundation  

The Foundation’s mission is to remove barriers to student success at Stockton, providing resources to make higher education more attainable. The Foundation awards more than $1 million annually in scholarships directly to Stockton students and supports faculty research and other programs at the University with equipment and other support. To learn more about naming opportunities, memorials, and tributes through Stockton University Foundation visit: www.stockton.edu/foundation.