Stockton Circle K Club Honored with Top Awards
Stockton University's chapter of Circle K International was recognized for its various accomplishments during June's Kiwanis International Convention in Pittsburgh.
Galloway, N.J. – Stockton University’s Circle K International chapter brought home several awards following their attendance at June’s Kiwanis International Convention (ICON) in Pittsburgh.
Circle K International is an international student organization that emphasizes the importance of service, leadership and fellowship.
Stockton’s chapter of nearly 200 students meets on Wednesdays throughout the academic year to complete local service projects and hosts a variety of projects in conjunction with Stockton’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in January.
🏆 The chapter received the following honors:
- First Place – Club Single Service Award
- Strive for 10 Initiative Membership Award
- First Place – Outstanding Club Achievement Award (Gold Category)
- Distinguished International Committee Chair – Samuel Zheng
- Distinguished District Committee Chairs – Mariann Delgado & Dylan Caraballo
- Distinguished District Editor – Samuel Zheng
In addition to Stockton’s chapter being recognized for the Day of Service, successful recruitment efforts and excelling in service and leadership development, individual students were honored for their contributions to the chapter.
“Stockton Circle K shines as a beacon of service — dedicated volunteers who pour their hearts into uplifting our campus family and the broader community, creating lasting change in the lives of our students and neighbors alike,” said the club’s advisor, Brian Pluchino, director of Residential Operations, Facilities and Retention. “I couldn’t be prouder of all they do to make Stockton a kinder, stronger place for everyone, and these tremendous recognitions serve as proof of the kind of student leaders they are.”
“These awards reflect a remarkable level of dedication, not only from our student leaders, but from the entire Circle K membership,” said Matthew Greer, the club’s Student Development advisor. “Their efforts continue to bring pride to Stockton and show what our students can accomplish on an international stage.”
Health Sciences senior Mariann Delgado, Biology senior Samuel Zheng and incoming transfer student Dylan Caraballo were all recognized for their efforts as district committee members overseeing the New Jersey district of Circle K International.
For Delgado, representing Stockton on an international stage like ICON was an “incredible honor,” and she “couldn’t be prouder” of the hard work that Stockton’s chapter completed this year.
She also described an action-packed three days, saying, “We participated in workshops, a service project with nonprofit group Caitlin Smiles, heard from keynote speaker Terry Bradshaw, and explored the city of Pittsburgh! It was so fun getting to know members from Circle K clubs around the world and being able to share ideas to help one another.”
Zheng echoed her sentiments, calling his experience attending ICON “phenomenal.”
“I had the opportunity to meet and interact with other members from across different states, participate in engaging workshops, and win awards recognizing my hard work this past service year. These three days have meant to me that when we come together, we can truly make a difference in the communities we serve,” Zheng said.
As for Caraballo, who will join Stockton’s Political Science program this fall, he was “extremely grateful” to meet the hardworking students of Stockton’s chapter of Circle K.
“As the current district governor for the New Jersey District of Circle K International who oversees all Circle K clubs in our state, it was a pleasure to attend the 2025 International Convention this past weekend,” Caraballo said. “While I can't speak to representing Stockton at ICON just yet, seeing them win as many awards as they did, and representing our district in a proud capacity, was truly remarkable. I hope that they will consider applying for just as many, if not more, next year for our International Convention in Dallas."
– Story by Loukaia Taylor
Stockton Students Reflect on Attending National Accounting Convention
July 1, 2025
Galloway, N.J. – Twenty Stockton University students got the chance to look at “Accounting for the Future” by attending the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) Convention and Expo on June 4 in Atlantic City.
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa hosted the convention, which was attended by students from 11 different institutions of higher education in New Jersey.
In addition to networking, attendees had the opportunity to listen to five different keynotes and attend industry breakout sessions.
According to Associate Professor of Business Studies Barry Palatnik, Stockton’s Accounting and Finance Society student club has represented the university at the convention since 2017.
“This event bridges the gap between accounting practice and academics,” said Palatnik, who is the advisor for the society. “The students get exposed to hundreds of CPAs and vendors and create networking opportunities. Most importantly, bringing students to the convention helps the pipeline for the CPA profession.”
Stockton Community Gives Back to Local Community
January 20, 2025
Galloway, N.J. – By 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, nearly 900 volunteers – which included Stockton University students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as local community members – hit the ground running to join the various service projects hosted in memory of the late civil and social rights champion the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The service projects, ranging from craft projects that will line the halls of local schools, hospitals and senior living communities to packaging hygiene and wellness kits for local rescue missions, were available on the Galloway, Atlantic City, Hammonton and Woodbine campuses.
“We have a big array of our campus clubs and organizations participating and hosting these projects,” said Taylor Coyne, coordinator of Service Learning for the Stockton Center of Community Engagement and Service-Learning (SCCESL). “Whether it be benefitting or assisting senior living facilities, local hospitals, animal shelters or other organizations, this is a great effort from our Stockton community and surrounding communities.”
The annual day of service, which celebrates 21 years on campus, is a beloved staple and tradition for the Stockton community, as evidenced by the continued support of the student organization Stockton Circle K.
Every year, they host a variety of projects, including making blankets, friendship bracelets, clay hearts and stuffed animals that will be donated to local nonprofit organizations. Their continued dedication to community service and engagement was what earned the organization this year’s Community Engagement Award.
