Stockton News - Oct. 9, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Oct. 9, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

Activist Urges Students to Carry Hamer’s Legacy Forward

“It’s not about ego. It’s about we-go.”

That’s the slogan that Kenneth Salaam repeatedly came back to during his talk on Oct. 6 at the 23rd annual Fannie Lou Hamer Human and Civil Rights Symposium at Stockton University.

Salaam, also known as Freedom Smitty, is a Philadelphia-based civil rights activist who has protested alongside Hamer and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He urged the crowd of students in the Performing Arts Center to follow their example by confronting racism and working for change.

“The future is yours, whether you like it or not,” said the 77-year-old. “I’ve got more time behind me than I’ve got in front. I’m on my way out of here, that’s a fact, not an opinion. It’s going to be you guys. You’ve got to get up and go to work.”

During his 30-minute talk, Salaam frequently encouraged and called on the students to respond to his words, saying they need to understand “the psychology of racism.”

“Racism is a science. It’s a subliminal, seductive science. Why does white cake equal angel food cake, while black cake is devil’s food cake,” he said. “It’s going to take each and every one of you to change that narrative.”

Enterprise Mobility Donates $25,000 to Support Career Education

Stockton students will have access to expanded career development resources thanks to a $25,000 donation from the Enterprise Mobility Foundation.

The gift was presented during the Fall Career and Internship Fair in the Sports Center organized by Stockton’s Career Education and Development office on Oct. 8. It will support initiatives that help students prepare for internships and employment, including Stockton’s Suit Closet, a professional headshot station and programming focused on leadership, professional growth and workforce readiness.

The donation builds on a partnership between Stockton and Enterprise Mobility that spans more than 20 years and has helped students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed professionally.

Among the collaborative initiatives is the Networking Bootcamp, which provides hands-on opportunities for students to practice networking, strengthen their communication skills and learn how to present themselves to prospective employers.

The partnership has also created employment opportunities for Stockton graduates. Currently, 72 Stockton alumni work at Enterprise Mobility locations nationwide.

📸View more photos from the fair on Flickr.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY

Panelists: Entertainment and Conventions Drive Atlantic City’s Future

The city’s entertainment industry is thriving, attracting thousands of visitors to major concerts, festivals and sporting events. But beneath that success, there are signs that the resort's economy is facing challenges.

That's the assessment of tourism and economic experts who discussed the state of Atlantic City's economy during the seventh annual Jersey Shoreview panel discussion at Stockton University’s Atlantic City campus on Oct. 8. The event was co-hosted by Stockton’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) and Visit Atlantic City.

While representatives of the city's entertainment and convention industries described a successful summer and an encouraging outlook for the coming year, Stockton Associate Professor of Economics Oliver Cooke offered a more cautious assessment.

"I think that my theme for the summer was that it was kind of a very cautious summer," Cooke said.

Cooke pointed to employment data showing that summer employment was approximately 3% lower than the previous year, representing about 5,500 fewer jobs. Total casino employment in the summer was down 1.1%, while employment in restaurants and bars declined approximately 6%.

Stockton Atlantic City Hosts Housing Initiative Program

On Sept. 16, the Stockton University Atlantic City campus served as the host site for the Atlantic City Housing Accelerator, a collaborative initiative designed to bring together community leaders and stakeholders to address the city’s housing challenges. Discussions focused on strategies to rehabilitate aging and abandoned properties, expand homeownership opportunities and increase access to affordable housing for moderate- and lower-income families.

The full-day program featured presentations, panel discussions and working sessions, bringing together community development corporations, financial institutions, local government officials, community leaders, developers and residents to explore actionable strategies for advancing these goals.

Stockton University’s Division of Community Engagement, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Midtown Community Development Corporation and Chelsea Economic Development Corporation served as members of the advisory committee and co-sponsors of the event. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Atlantic City neighborhoods and expanding housing opportunities for residents.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

Facebook: (OspreyPrez) Thank you to Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Senator Joe Cryan for the opportunity to testify about the future of higher education funding in New Jersey this week.

TikTok: Calling someone just to tell them you love them!

Instagram: Sensory room in Stockton’s library! It includes a sensory touch wall, fidget toys, coloring books, and comfy chairs for a relaxing atmosphere! Have you been here before?

FROM THE SIDELINES

Stockton Wins Fifth Straight Match, 1-0

The women's soccer team downed Rutgers-Newark 1-0 at G. Larry James Stadium for its fifth straight win and fifth consecutive shutout on Oct. 7. As a team, the Ospreys have not allowed a goal in the last 510 minutes.

Stockton controlled the play throughout the game, outshooting the Scarlet Raiders 14-3 and generating seven corner kicks, yet the match was scoreless for more than 81 minutes.

The Ospreys finally capitalized on their sixth corner kick of the night. Megan Morris took the kick and Bella Bednarz pounced on the loose ball in the box and volleyed it home with 8:02 remaining in the contest.

The goal was the first of the season for Bednarz, and the game-winner in the 1-0 triumph. Stockton goalkeeper Tori Vliet extended her personal shutout streak to 420 minutes and recorded her league-leading sixth shutout of the season with two saves, both in the second half.

Stockton's next game will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Montclair State.

Stockton Downed by Rutgers-Newark 3-0

The men's soccer team was downed 3-0 by Rutgers-Newark in a game that was scoreless with less than 20 minutes remaining on Oct. 7. Late goals by the home team ended Stockton's three-game unbeaten streak.

Stockton goalkeeper Cole Butler made three saves in 76 minutes of action. Dan Raivitch played for the first time since suffering an injury a month ago and recorded two stops in the last 14 minutes of the match.

Aiden Hoenisch came inches from giving Stockton an early lead on a 16-yard shot that bounced off the left post with 15:55 gone in the first half. Overall, the Ospreys fired five shots on goal, led by Cooper Adinolfi with three.

Stockton returns home to host Montclair State at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10.

🦅 Athletics News and Upcoming Game Information🦅

STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS

Noyes Museum Celebrates Hamm-O-Ween

The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University took part in Hammonton’s Hamm-O-Ween on Oct. 3. The free event on Horton Street featured art, live music, fire dancers, local vendors, food trucks and costume contests, along with activities for families.

Pictured behind table from left: Stockton student and Noyes Museum intern Kate Leeds, volunteer Isabella Cagno, Noyes Museum Director Michael Cagno and volunteer Angeles Cruz.

OSPREY NOTES

Meet Our New Faculty: Part 4

Each week we’ve been highlighting faculty members beginning new roles at Stockton, sharing details about their work on campus and interests beyond it. Today, we spotlight Christa DiMarco, assistant professor of Art History.

What courses or subjects will you be teaching at Stockton?

I am teaching art history. This semester, I have two survey courses: Art History I: Ancient to Medieval and Survey of Western Art History. Both have been going well and I am enjoying the students.

What is your area of research or professional specialty?

I research modern art. I am currently working on Vincent van Gogh’s two-year stay in Paris. I consider some of his lesser-known works and conduct archival research into the neighborhoods in which he lived. It’s been a great project because I have had the opportunity to travel and to stretch my initial approach to the artist’s work. I consider, for example, how the failure of reform efforts regarding brothels and working-class unions inform his imagery. I could not have imagined where this research would have taken me, literally and figuratively, when I began.

What drew you to Stockton?

The amazing faculty, staff and leadership in Visual Arts and ARHU, as well as the exceptional level of support available at Stockton. For example, I am interested in helping students apply to internships and experience rewarding study-abroad experiences. I have a whole team in ARTV and ARHU cheering me on, which just makes me want to dig deep and help our students chart meaningful professional pathways.

What’s on your Kindle or nightstand right now?

David Reynolds’ biography of Walt Whitman. I love reading biographies. I am always surprised to learn that someone with international fame had struggles, doubts and fears. It’s inspiring to see how writers and artists surmounted obstacles.

What’s one fun fact about you that students or colleagues might be surprised to learn?

I love to cook and bake. I come from a family of home cooks, and we all have signature dishes that we make. For fall, my spiced ginger cookies are a staple. And my husband loves my homemade pizza baked in a cast-iron pan.

It’s FAFSA time!

The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now at fafsa.gov.

The FAFSA is a student’s application for all federal, state and institutional need-based financial aid programs. All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA each year.

Please encourage your students to file their 2027-2028 FAFSA early to avoid missing any deadlines. Learn more at stockton.edu/fafsa.

Students who identify as a New Jersey Dreamer will not complete the FAFSA. They will complete the NJ Alternative Application for Financial Aid at hesaa.org.

Financial Aid is here to help. Anyone who needs assistance with their application for financial aid can schedule a FAFSA Completion appointment with our office. Students can make an appointment beginning Oct. 16 at stockton.edu/contactfinaid.

Did You Know?Oct. 9 is World Post Day, recognizing the role postal services have played in connecting people and communities around the world for more than 150 years. Consider it a good excuse to send a note, postcard or little piece of actual mail to someone you’re thinking about. 💌