‘Salute to Stockton’ Speaker Series Continues with Presentations on Women in Sports, Community Projects and Freedom Songs

For Immediate Release; with speaker photos on flickr

Contact:         Maryjane Briant
                        News and Media Relations Director

                        Galloway, N.J. 08205

                        Maryjane.Briant@Stockton.edu

                        (609) 652-4593
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Galloway, N.J. -  Stockton University faculty members will give presentations about gender equity in sports, the impact of community involvement, and African American gospel music and freedom songs as Temple Emeth Shalom continues its 19th annual “Salute to Stockton” lecture series, in conjunction with Congregation Beth Judah in Ventnor, N.J.

The public is invited to this free series of events, to be held at Beth Judah, 700 N. Swarthmore Ave. in Ventnor. The programs will begin at 7:30 p.m. during Friday evening Sabbath services in August, and will feature a question-answer session following the presentations.

The schedule for August is:

Friday, Aug. 5:  “Women in Sports- Eileen Conran-Folks, director of Stockton’s Hammonton & Manahawkin Instructional Sites, will speak about Title IX in education and sports and gender equity in sports.

Conran-Folks is director of Stockton’s Hammonton & Manahawkin Instructional Sites and has worked as a higher education administrator for 34 years, including 25 years at Stockton. She holds a doctorate in Education and has served in several key positions at the university, including: dean of Students and assistant vice president for Student Affairs. She is a member of Stockton’s Title IX practitioners group and a member of the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies faculty. She lives in Ventnor with her husband, Lonnie Folks, director of Athletics and Recreation at Stockton.

Friday, Aug. 12: “The Powerful ‘Town-Gown’ Engine” - Laurie Greene, associate professor of Anthropology, will speak on “Community Engagement: Connecting College & Community to Effect Change.”

This presentation will discuss the challenges and prospects for joint projects which connect universities to their local communities. Greene will look at the role that Stockton plays in the redevelopment of the Atlantic City region, the impact on quality of life, and how community organizations might help cultivate this mutually beneficial relationship.

Greene holds a Ph.D. from Tulane University.  A Ventnor resident, she also owns the local business, Yoga Nine. Though specializing in Linguistic Anthropology, she has been active in area nonprofits and, through partnerships with local organizations and community members, has helped to created ongoing programs which connect Stockton students and faculty to community partners.

Friday, Aug. 19:  “Summer Songfest” - Beverly Vaughn, professor of Music, will host the festive finale to the series with a program of African American spirituals and songs focusing on freedom, deliverance, brotherhood and joy.

Vaughn, a mezzo-soprano known for her velvety tone and vibrant personality, is Music program coordinator as well as Vocal/Choral program coordinator at Stockton. She has won numerous awards and citations for her teaching and has also received several awards from the regional organizations for outstanding community outreach and service.

She holds a master’s degree in voice performance and a doctoral degree in musical arts, both from Ohio State University.

Vaughn conducts the College Chorus and the Stockton Chorale along with both The Stockton Oratorio Society and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, which she founded. These choral organizations have traveled to Europe and have enjoyed overwhelming regional acclaim under her direction.