Stockton News - Jan. 16, 2026
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Stockton’s Maple Project Yields More Than Syrup
Now in its sixth year, the Stockton Maple Project continues to grow, not just in how much maple syrup it produces, but in how it involves Stockton University students in the process.
The project recently received a $273,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Acer Access and Development program, and a portion of that funding strengthens student research and involvement.
“The program supports projects that strengthen the domestic maple syrup industry through research, education, natural resource sustainability, marketing and maple-sugaring activities,” said Mariam Majd, associate professor of Economics, who explained that Acer is the Latin name for the maple tree genus.
Majd said each year the project has at least 10 students working in Stockton’s maple grove — just off Vera King Farris Drive on campus — to tap trees, collect sap, and help bottle and label the syrup. Students have also been hired through the grant to promote the project and help with educational and community engagement efforts. There are also several active student research projects that the grant helps fund.
📺 In the News: PHL17 Philadelphia
New Center Gives Voice to Parkinson’s Disease Patients
After receiving $50,000 from a national nonprofit, Stockton recently opened the New Jersey SPEAK OUT!® Therapy & Research Center, the only center in the state, to help those with Parkinson’s disease, the world’s fastest-growing neurological disorder.
In early 2025, the Texas-based Parkinson Voice Project designated Stockton to represent New Jersey and join 27 other centers throughout the country. The center opened last summer, providing no-cost individual and group sessions led by Michelle Swartz, assistant professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Kelly Maslanik, a clinical specialist with Stockton’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program. More than 30 people have signed up for the intervention at the clinic at 10 W. Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway.
For Paul Chaballa, 75, the sessions have been invaluable. He noticed a few years ago that he was having tremors and that his voice would taper off. His voice was strong during a recent session as he explained that he’s very much aware of what’s happening to him.
Robots and Using AI Responsibly Headline Tween Tech
Using artificial intelligence tools responsibly and learning how to program a robot were just some of the new seminars offered at the annual Tween Tech event on Jan. 9 at Stockton.
About 150 girls from six South Jersey middle schools participated in the day-long event to engage girls in fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Claudine Keenan, the former dean of Stockton’s School of Education and now a professor of Instructional Technology, has organized the event since its inception in 2017 with the Atlantic and Cape May county branches of the American Association of University Women.
“Each year, hosting Tween Tech affirms Stockton’s commitment to opening STEM pathways for South Jersey girls right at the age when they are deciding what is possible for their futures,” Keenan said. “By welcoming these middle school students into our laboratories and classrooms, we help them see themselves as scientists, engineers and problem-solvers, and many of them later return to Stockton as college students to continue that journey.”
📸View more photos from the day on Flickr.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
InstaFred: A lake full of quiet moments 🦆💙
Facebook: Have you tried maple syrup made from Stockton's red maple trees yet? We highly recommend it.
Your favorite lake's online... have you given @lakefred1969 a follow yet? 🌊
FROM THE SIDELINES
Ospreys Roll Past Rowan in Men’s and Women’s Basketball
The men’s and women’s basketball teams each picked up key New Jersey Athletic Conference wins over Rowan University on Jan. 14 at The Sports Center in Galloway.
In the men’s game, Stockton shot a blistering 61.3 percent from the field and rolled past Rowan, 107-82. The Ospreys led by double digits for most of the contest, turning a tightly contested early stretch into a commanding lead with a 32-21 run to close the first half. Four Stockton players scored in double figures, paced by senior Tayvon Gaither’s 21 points. Justin Harper added 20, Charlie Bell scored 17 and Logan McKee contributed 10. Stockton also got balanced contributions from Andrew Crawford and Alex Fessel, who each provided key minutes off the bench.
On the women’s side, Stockton used a decisive third quarter to pull away from Rowan, outscoring the Profs 15-2 in the
period on the way to a 55-43 victory. Bre Evans led the Ospreys with 19 points, and Zemirah Enalls posted her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 19 rebounds.
Stockton held a nine-point lead entering the fourth and maintained control down the
stretch.
Next up: Both Stockton men’s and women’s basketball teams will play on Saturday, Jan. 17. The men will travel to Ramapo College for a 1 p.m. tip-off, and the women follow at 3 p.m.
🦅 For more athletics news and upcoming game information, visit here.🦅
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
Parkway Building Elevated to Additional Location
Stockton's Parkway Building has been formally reclassified as an additional location, effective Jan. 2, 2026, allowing the University to offer 50% or more of the M.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders program at the site. The designation reflects the growth of programs and clinical services housed at Parkway, including the Speech & Hearing Clinic, the SPEAK OUT! Therapy & Research Center NJ, and the Southern Regional Institute and the Educational Technology Training Center (SRI-ETTC), bringing students, faculty, coursework and hands-on learning together in one place.
Read the SCOSA January Newsletter
Read the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA)'s January newsletter for interesting upcoming events and newly added programming.
OSPREY NOTES
Participate in MLK Day of Service Jan. 19
The Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning will host a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19, with projects taking place in Galloway, Atlantic City and Hammonton.
The program begins at 9 a.m. with registration and breakfast, followed by opening remarks at 9:30 a.m. Service projects will run from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants are invited to complete an end-of-event survey and pick up giveaway items from noon to 1 p.m. Walk-up registration is welcome.
For a full list of service projects and additional information, visit stockton.edu/engagement/mlk-day.html.
FAFSA Completion Appointments Available
Do your students need assistance completing their 26-27 FAFSA? The Office of Financial Aid is hosting several FAFSA Completion Appointments throughout the spring semester to assist students in completing their application for financial aid.
Appointments are available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon on Feb. 3, Feb. 23, March 3, March 31 and April 14. Additional appointments are offered at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Feb. 19, March 19 and April 9. Evening appointments will be held at 6 p.m. on March 4 and April 1.
Students and their FAFSA contributors are encouraged to attend ahead of the state’s April 15 deadline. Appointments can be scheduled at stockton.edu/contactfinaid through Ospreys Navigate using goStockton portal login credentials.
Spring 2026 Dining and Bookstore Hours Announced
🍽️⏰ Spring 2026 dining hours have been posted for campus locations, including the Campus Center, Lakeside and Stockton Atlantic CIty dining options and weekend schedules. Hours vary by location and day. Visit the Stockton Dining website for complete details and updates.
📚⏰ The Stockton Bookstore has announced its Spring 2026 operating schedule. During the semester start, the bookstore will be open Tuesday, Jan. 20 through Thursday, Jan. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular spring hours will run Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from Jan. 26 through June 30. Adjusted hours are scheduled for special events. The bookstore will be closed Jan. 19 (MLK Day), March 9–14 (Spring Break), May 15 (Baccalaureate Commencement Ceremony) and May 25 (Memorial Day).
Confirm Your Ospreys!
Welcome back, faculty! As the spring semester is about to begin, it's almost time to confirm your Ospreys.
Faculty are reminded to complete the Academic Engagement process by confirming student attendance/academic activity beginning after the add/drop period on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The Academic Engagement process is to be completed by Monday, Feb. 2. The Office of Financial Aid will use this information to make adjustments to student financial aid disbursements based upon each student's confirmed number of credits.
Each instructor will be responsible for confirming student attendance or participation in an academic activity. For online courses, faculty are reminded to include an assignment or discussion activity during the add/drop period so that the student's attendance can be confirmed.
The link to complete the Academic Engagement process can be found under the faculty tab within the goStockton portal.
For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit stockton.edu/academicengagement.
Did you know? Today is officially National Nothing Day: A quirky “holiday” created in 1972 as a reminder that it’s OK to do nothing once in a while. Unlike most observances, the idea is literally to celebrate a day with no celebration at all: no events, no expectations, just space to relax and reset. Perfect timing, too, right before the spring semester begins. Observe accordingly. 😉
UPCOMING EVENTS
Professional Development Opportunities
🎭 Spring Programming at the PAC
🖼️ Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
Jan. 10-March 29:Camp Boardwalk: Atlantic City During World War II exhibit
Jan. 14: 🏀🎉 Alumni Basketball Reception | Ospreys vs. Rowan
Jan. 16-19: Murphy Writing Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway
Jan. 18: Bay Atlantic Symphony: Swinging into a New Year
Jan. 19: 🤝🏽🤍 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Jan. 20: Spring Semester begins
Jan. 24: 🎶🐾 Pete the Cat” by TheaterWorksUSA
Jan. 27-28:Get Involved Fair
Feb. 6: 🎭🎼 Verdi's Rigoletto
Feb. 9: ⚛️🌌Faculty Forum - Atom, Man, Universe with Yitzhak Sharon
