Stockton News - Friday, May 22, 2020
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
University Restart Operations Committee Developing Plans for Fall 2020 
Ceremonies Bring Graduating Students Together
There are many traditions for graduating seniors at Stockton beyond formal Commencement.
Faculty and staff organized a series of virtual events this year to make sure students did not miss out on these treasured experiences.
At the Rite of Passage eCeremony, Professor of Africana Studies and Communication Studies Donnetrice Allison said the event originated with Distinguished Professor Patricia Reid-Merritt as a way to recognize a significant milestone in students’ lives.
“It began as an effort to bring students back to their heritage where significant events were celebrated as a rite of passage,” Allison said.
PHOTO: Victoria Johnson, who received her master's degree in Social Work, spoke to students during the Rite of Passage event.
Online Summer Enrollment on the Rise
What do you do when you can’t leave the house? More Stockton University students are deciding to continue taking classes.
Stockton is offering more than 350 classes online this summer and students are responding. Enrollment for summer classes, which started May 18, is already 11 percent ahead of Summer 2019, with more than 2,500 students taking classes as of May 12. The total number of credits being taken has increased 14 percent.
How We Are Helping #StopTheSpread
This week's #StopTheSpread feature highlights Chartwells Higher Education at Stockton University recently receiving 170 cases of Rich’s Food Products to distribute to the community.
On May 13, Stockton University Dining in partnership with the American Culinary Federation / Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey, distributed 75 of the cases to the Salvation Army and Atlantic City Rescue Mission to be prepared and provided to out-of-work area residents. The remaining cases will be distributed later this month. Products included pizza dough, cookies, whole grain bread dough, whipped topping and biscuit dough.
The Press of Atlantic City featured the story.
Have a story to share? We want to hear it! If you, or someone you know in the Stockton community, is doing something to help, let us know by emailing Diane D’Amico or sharing on social media and tagging @stockton_edu or #stocktonu. Don’t forget to include a photo!
International Exchange Students Overcome Pandemic Challenges
Laure-Anne Bleuset, 23, arrived at Stockton University in January as an international exchange student
from France. It's fair to say, her experience was very different than she anticipated. Fast forward to March and cue a global pandemic unfolding…
“I had to pack my things and leave the U.S. in one day,” Bleuset said. “It was a really stressful day/adventure back home.” Home happens to be La Rochelle, France, a bit of a trek.
While adapting to completing her semester from home was challenging, Bleuset said she was happy overall with the work she produced. She found her own way to navigate the five courses she was taking.
STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY
Stockton A.C. Parking Opens to Public for Summer
Stockton University has opened its parking lot and parking garage in Atlantic City to the public through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
The rate for the parking lot on Hartford Avenue and the Boardwalk (3601 Boardwalk) is $5 a day Monday-Friday, and $10 a day Saturday and Sunday. Special rates may be in effect for events.
StocktonAC's Instagram post wished graduates well with a 10-block bike ride on the Boardwalk from campus to historic Boardwalk Hall.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
Resources Available to Staff, Faculty During COVID-19
The Office of Human Resources offers online Training Options for Stockton Employees. In case you missed it, this week's online training spotlight focuses on how to support yourself and others during this challenging time: Psychological First Aid: Supporting Yourself & Others during COVID-19, Resources for Supporting and Leading Your Team in Challenging Times and Remote Work Best Practices,and Wellness & Self-Care Resource.
SPOTLIGHT ON: BRIAN JACKSON
Brian Jackson, chief operating officer of Stockton University Atlantic City, was named to the Front Runner New Jersey 2020 African-American Power List in April.
FRAME-WORTHY
The confetti fell on the Class of 2020 at Stockton University on May 15, but it did so virtually, as the class celebrated eCommencement online at home, sharing their day on social media rather than at Boardwalk Hall.
The website went live at noon, when Commencement would have begun at Boardwalk Hall, and within the first two hours had 6,000 unique pageviews. That number grew to 11,500 through the weekend. Families also interacted on Stockton's Facebook page, where eCommencement reached 37,000 and had 15,000 video views.
#StocktonU2020 displays over 300 images on Instagram of graduates celebrating their day.
The Press of Atlantic City and The Daily Journal featured the eCommencement.
🎉 Congratulations to the following Stockton employees who received master’s degrees: Nicole Bogdan, staff accountant, Master of Business Administration; Mariah Duffey, assistant director, Office of Continuing Studies, M.A. in Instructional Technology; Ashley Jones, program assistant, Office of Military and Veteran Services, Master of Social Work; Ryan Orlando, program assistant, Academic Advising, M.A. in American Studies; Geoffrey Pettifer, executive director, University Relations and Marketing, Master of Business Administration; Heizel Prince, professional services specialist, Office of Human Resources, M.A. in American Studies; and Jessica Steffins, program assistant, Administration and Finance Office, Master of Business Administration.
WHAT’S TRENDING #STOCKTONU
Facebook: What was it like being among fewer than 200 students living on a college campus that normally accommodates almost 10,000? Quiet. Peaceful. Dark. Six students who had been working as Resident Assistants share what it was like to stay behind for the semester after all of their classmates moved home.
Twitter: When @ThePressofAC asked what the coronavirus is teaching us about sustainability, #StocktonU faculty and students had answers.
FROM THE SIDELINES
Dennerlein & McRae Earn USTFCCCA All-American Honors 
Stockton University Track & Field student-athletes Edward Dennerlein and Jessica McRaeearned All-American honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for the 2019-20 indoor season. Dennerlein and McRae, both seniors, received All-American recognition for the first time.
The Press of Atlantic City featured the athletes' honors here.
OSPREY NOTES
FAFSA Filing Deadline Extended to June 1
The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) announced on
April 1 that the deadline for current students to apply to renew their State financial
ai
d has been extended from April 15 to June 1.
Faculty, please encourage your students to file the 20-21 FAFSA by June 1. Anyone who misses this deadline will lose out on over $7,500 of free money for the 20-21 academic year, if eligible.
Please note: All remaining FAFSA Friday sessions for the Spring 2020 semester have been cancelled; however, the Office of Financial Aid is still available to help.
Remember, the State Won’t Wait! Students can apply at fafsa.gov.
Staff in the office are working remotely, so please have students contact us at finaid@stockton.edu with any questions they may have and someone will work to respond as soon as possible.
UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS
Upcoming Events Hosted by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations
🍃 Streaming with Stoler Schedule
May 28: The Liberators, Take A Poetry Break
May 31: Virtual Open House
