Stockton University News - August 2017
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Greetings from Stockton University! As we welcome the start of a new academic year, I am excited to share our new mission statement, which is to “develop engaged and effective citizens with a commitment to life-long learning and the capacity to adapt to change in a multi-cultural, interdependent world. As a public university, Stockton provides an environment for excellence to a diverse student body, including those from underrepresented populations, through an interdisciplinary approach to liberal arts, sciences and professional education.” Here are just a few examples of our mission in action:
Stockton Project Launches to Space
An experiment developed by two Stockton University students and a faculty mentor landed at the International Space Station earlier this month. The project studies fungus as a potential force for improving agriculture in space.
Two Stockton University students are ready to find out if the experiment they designed on Earth will work on the International Space Station (ISS).
Long-term space travel and the need for astronauts to sustain their food supply in space led Stockton University students Danielle Ertz of Woodlynne, N.J. and Valkyrie Falciani of Hammonton, N.J. with faculty mentor Tara Luke, associate professor of Biology, to develop an experiment that studies fungus as a potential force for improving agriculture in space.
The project was accepted by the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program and successfully launched at 12:31 p.m., Aug. 14, from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on the SpaceX-CRS-12. The capsule containing the project docked at the ISS at 6:52 a.m. on August 16.
The students and Luke were in for Florida along with Peter Straub, dean of the School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, and Norma Boakes, associate professor of Education, to watch the launch.
Their experiment uses a mycorrhizal fungus species and flax. Flax was chosen because its seeds are edible, the plant can be used to make cloth, its extensive taproot system allows growth in limited space and it is proven to grow in space.
The experiment consists of a fluid mixing enclosure (FME) mini-lab that will hold enough water, fungi spores and flax seed to grow for four to six weeks on the International Space Station (ISS). The same experiment will be conducted on Earth simultaneously as a scientific ground truth for later comparison.
The Stockton Student Spaceflight Experiments Project has been selected for Mission 12, starting this fall through spring of next year. Learn more here.
University Wins National Award in Civic Learning & Community Engagement
Stockton University received the Civic Learning & Community Engagement Award, one of the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU) Excellence and Innovation Awards.
Stockton University received the Civic Learning & Community Engagement Award, one of the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU) Excellence and Innovation Awards. This was the inaugural year that AASCU awarded the recognition in Civic Learning & Community Engagement.
“Innovation at America’s state colleges and universities is focused on advancing the quality of the educational experience for their students and the distinction of their institutions in service to their communities,” said AASCU President Muriel A. Howard. “The programs for which these universities are being honored will inspire not only their AASCU colleagues but all of higher education.”
The winning entries required evidence of top-level administrative support; connection with an institution’s mission and strategic agenda; contribution to significant institutional improvements or programming; and grounding in research and best practices. Multiple awards were given in certain categories.
Stockton’s American Democracy Project “Gateway to Community Service” was selected by the Awards Committee as an exemplary one that can serve as a model for other institutions and help to advance practices in the field.
This award honors institutions that prioritize and advance student civic learning and community engagement at regional, state and national levels. Our application profiled a range of activities … under the umbrella of the American Democracy Project. This work would not be possible without the commitment and contributions of our faculty, staff and students who support engagement in so many ways. Special kudos to Daniel Fidalgo Tomé, director of Service Learning, Merydawilda Colón, executive director of Stockton Center for Community Engagement, and Michelle McDonald, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, for assembling and submitting the application.
Associate Professor Kristin Jacobson Receives Fulbright Grant
Kristin Jacobson, associate professor of American Literature, received a 2017-18 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece. Jacobson will be housed in the University’s Department of American Literature and Culture during the Spring 2018 semester.
Kristin Jacobson received a 2017-18 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece. Jacobson will be housed in the university’s Department of American Literature and Culture during the Spring 2018 semester.
Jacobson’s project, titled, “Building and Sustaining Environmental and University
Partnerships,” aims to add environmental perspectives to the university’s program;
offer professional development workshops; grow Stockton’s existing exchange with
Aristotle University; and research and develop connections with environmental agencies
working in Greece.
As part of her Fulbright, Jacobson will work to advance the existing exchange between
Stockton and the host institution as well as initiate service-learning opportunities
with an environmental focus.
During the spring term, she will teach two courses, an American environmental literature course as well as a course on the research paper.
“I greatly appreciate the work and support of Stockton’s faculty and administration,” said Jacobson. “I would not be able to pursue this opportunity without the support of my Literature and American Studies faculty; the ARHU dean, Dr. Lisa Honaker; and the Dean of General Studies, Dr. Rob Gregg.
“I also want to recognize the work of my colleagues in the Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies [ICHS] — especially Professors David Roessel, Tom Papademetriou and Katherine Panagakos,” continued Jacobson. “I am benefiting from Stockton University’s sustained relationship with the Greek community—both here in South Jersey and in Greece. The ICHS and the faculty and administration involved with the Aristotle-Stockton exchange play a key role in my success.”
Ospreys Take Flight
Earlier this summer, I had the unique opportunity to get up close with our mascot in its natural habitat. Several members from the Stockton community joined me on a trip out on the water to survey osprey nests along Absecon Creek.
Earlier this summer, I had the unique opportunity to get up close with our mascot in its natural habitat. Several members from the Stockton community joined me on a trip out on the water to survey osprey nests along Absecon Creek.
We were invited by Thomas “Tim” Glenn III, president of Glenn Insurance and a Stockton University Foundation Board member, to join Ben Wurst, habitat program manager for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey (CWFNJ), to survey osprey nests along Absecon Creek. This year, CWFNJ’s New Jersey Osprey Project is conducting a statewide census of nesting ospreys.
Glenn, a wildlife advocate, has supported CWFNJ’s conservation efforts and is an environmental steward who participates in local projects ranging from installing nesting platforms to monitoring local birds.
Read more and view photos from our adventure.
I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter!
Harvey Kesselman
President, Stockton University
