Stockton News - June 5, 2025
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Two Juniors Win Gilman Scholarship to Study Abroad
Two Stockton undergraduate students were awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad this summer.
Juniors Shakila Riaz (pictured right), of Atlantic City, and Victoria Ottinger (pictured left), of Middletown, were selected for the prestigious scholarships. Awarded by the U.S. Department of State, the scholarships were given this spring to 3,500 students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to study abroad in more than 170 countries.
Riaz, a Literature major and Anthropology minor, is traveling to Rabat, Morocco, to study language, society and culture.
“The Gilman Scholarship is the key that’s opening a door I’ve knocked on my whole life,” said the first-generation student. “This isn’t just about studying abroad, it’s about becoming the version of myself I’ve always dreamed of.”
Ottinger, a Business Administration major, will take international business and marketing classes in Florence, Italy.
“After studying abroad in Florence, I will be more prepared to enter the extremely globalized world of business as I am gearing up to enter post-grad life,” Ottinger said. “I’m looking forward to using this opportunity to build my Italian language skills and learn more about my Italian heritage.”
New Library Partnership Will Expand Electronic Access
Stockton's Richard E. Bjork Library recently became the 80th member institution of the Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation (PALCI).
Stockton joins PALCI’s growing consortium of academic and research libraries working together to provide cost-effective, sustainable access to academic resources and services across the region.
As a mission-driven institution dedicated to inclusive access to higher education and student success, Stockton brings a powerful commitment to academic excellence and innovation in library services. PALCI membership will expand Stockton’s access to affordable electronic collections and interlibrary loan services, including the consortium’s expedited EZBorrow system.
These enhanced capabilities are especially critical this year as Stockton undertakes a $19.5 million renovation of the Bjork Library — ensuring continued access to research materials while physical collections are temporarily displaced.
Campus Access Restricted During FIFA Club World Cup Training
Stockton has been selected as a Team Base Camp for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
The university will host one of the world’s most popular professional sports teams, CR Flamengo of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which has more than 57 million social media followers.
CR Flamengo is scheduled to arrive on campus Thursday, June 12, to begin training. All practices and training sessions will be closed to Stockton employees and the general public. No credentials or passes will be issued to access the secured perimeter surrounding the Sports Center and G. Larry James Stadium during the team’s stay.
The Sports Center, including all offices, the Trustees Memorial Fitness Center, athletic training areas and the arena, will be closed from 5 p.m. June 11, through the end of the day June 23. Lot 4 and Athletes Way will be closed beginning June 12, through June 23. The road and lot will remain closed during this time.
Increased police activity is expected throughout the duration of Flamengo’s visit, including presence from the New Jersey State Police, Homeland Security, Stockton Police and other local authorities in and around the secured area.
PHOTO: The athletic field is prepped for the arrival of CR Flamengo of Rio de Janeiro.
SPOTLIGHT ON: ROB MEJIA
Rob Mejiahas been planted in the roots of Stockton’s cannabis education landscape for more
than five years. The adjunct professor of Hemp and Cannabis Business Management recently published a book, “Cannabis Careers: The Insider's Guide to a Budding Industry,” which examines
professional trends and unearths some unexpected surprises along the way.
In an interview, Mejia shared how the book came to be, some industry outlooks and how students at Stockton are growing in the field. Read the full Q&A here.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
LinkedIn: Get ahead, catch up, or explore something new with Stockton’s summer courses! ☀️
Facebook: The Pine Barrens Bird Nerds competed in @njaudubon’s World Series of Birding this May.
InstaFred: Have you met Pam? Pam says I get too much attention. I told her it’s not my fault I have better reflections.🪞
FROM THE SIDELINES
Tramp Becomes Stockton’s First Softball All-American
Senior softball player Nerina Tramp made history as the university’s first-ever softball All-American with her selection to the NFCA All-America Third Team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Stockton Athletics now boasts at least one All-American in 14 of its 19 intercollegiate sports.
The All-America honor capped a standout senior season in which Tramp was named NJAC Pitcher of the Year, earned spots on the NFCA Region IV First Team and NJAC First Team, and was selected College Sports Communicators Academic All-District. She was also named NJAC Pitcher of the Week twice during the season. Tramp led the Ospreys to a 26–15 record and a tie for third place in the NJAC standings.
One of the top pitchers in the nation this spring, Tramp ranked in the top 30 in NCAA Division III in eight statistical categories: third in WHIP (0.74), sixth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (9.19), 11th in hits allowed per seven innings (4.34), 14th in complete games (20), 16th in ERA (1.23), 17th in shutouts (7) and walks allowed per seven innings (0.82), and 29th in strikeouts (147).
DeMilio Earns CSC Academic All-District Recognition
Junior baseball playerStephen DeMilio received Academic All-District recognition in baseball from College Sports Communicators for the 2025 season. DeMilio earned the academic honor for the second consecutive year.
To qualify for College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA, sophomore or higher standing, and must have played in at least 90 percent or started at least 66 percent of their team’s games. Pitchers must have made at least 17 appearances or pitched 35 innings.
DeMilio, a digital studies major, led the Stockton pitching staff in innings pitched (52.2), strikeouts (47), opponent batting average (.223) and WHIP (1.14). The right-hander also tied for the team lead in wins (4), made a team-high nine starts and posted a 3.59 ERA.
He pitched at least five innings in eight of his nine appearances, struck out at least four batters in six outings and allowed three runs or fewer six times. He tallied three consecutive wins in starts against Keene State on March 1, Western New England on March 9 and McDaniel on March 22.
DeMilio tied for the NJAC lead in doubles allowed (3), tied for fourth in hits allowed (44) and home runs allowed (2), tied for sixth in walks allowed (16), and finished sixth in opponent batting average (.223).
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
OGE Hosts Two International Dignitaries
The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) hosted Zhenishkul Moldokeeva from the International University of Kyrgyzstan (IUK) on Friday, May 30, when a new partnership agreement was signed. Additionally, faculty member Kristin Jacobson, who served as a Fulbright Scholar in Kyrgyzstan, and Andrea Celestino, a former study abroad student, along with Khrystyna Svystovych, an international student and student worker on campus, provided a comprehensive campus tour in Russian to make the visitor feel more welcome.
On Monday, June 2, OGE hosted Aase Galteland, pictured right, from the University
of Agdar (UiA) in Norway. On this visit, Galteland met with Betsy Erbaugh, associate professor of Sociology; Chris DiSanto, associate professor of Music; Provost Michael Palladino, and Associate Provost Ariane Hutchins-Newman. She also received a full tour of the Atlantic City and Galloway campuses.
Stockton will continue its partnership with UiA and IUK, allowing students from both institutions to participate in exchange programs, faculty members to collaborate on scholarly works, and eventually, faculty-led programs in various disciplines.
OSPREY NOTES
🎬 Latest Eye on Stockton is Here
What a spring it's been! From fresh beginnings and bold planning to powerful celebrations and moments of pride, this episode of Eye on Stockton recaps a few highlights from the second half of the semester. Take a look for updates on our vision and strategic planning process, cheer on some of our talented student athletes and relive the magic and excitement of Commencement.
Requesting Your Feedback on Mission, Vision, Values
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee invites you to provide voluntary feedback on proposed updates to the University's mission, vision, values and guiding principle.
These updates were developed by the Mission, Vision, Values Working Group, who conducted surveys and community feedback sessions to gather input and suggestions.
Please review these proposed updates and provide feedback by Friday, June 13 through our Mission, Vision, Values and Guiding Principle Feedback Survey.
🎬🖱️ One-Click Break: Need a midday reset? Check out this live view of Ocean City’s beach and boardwalk: 🌊 Let the soothing sights and sounds of the shore provide a quick mental getaway. Watch here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
👩💻Professional Development Opportunities
🖼️Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
Now - Aug. 1: Art Exhibit: The Dean’s Showcase
June 14:🚲 G. Larry James Legacy Bike Ride, Stockton Reunion at Bar-A
July 12: 🦋 Second Saturdays in AC: Flight of the Butterfly
July 16-30: Children’s Summer Playhouse
July 17:🍺Young Alumni Pour & Explore: Dr. Brewlittle's Beer Co.
July 18:Pinelands Summer Short Course
