Stockton News - Oct. 30, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Oct. 30, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

A Painting of Hope Earns Art Student National Recognition

Stockton University senior Sandy Hanna thought submitting her work for the annual AXA Art Prize U.S. would be a long shot.

One of the nation’s leading student art competitions, the contest celebrates emerging undergraduate and graduate student figurative artists from across the country. The top 40 finalists are featured in an exhibit at the New York Academy of Art and the winner receives a $10,000 prize. Exhibition Jurors included curators from esteemed art institutions and museums such as MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“(Stockton Associate Professor of Art) Marianna Smith sent out an email that was like, this is a long shot. And I was like, ‘You know what, I might as well try,’” said the Egg Harbor Township native.

Selected from nearly 600 submissions from 132 schools, Hanna became the first Stockton student whose work has been selected as one of 40 finalists. Her painting “Our Lady, Queen of Palestine” is currently on display in New York until Nov. 19. The winner will be announced on Nov. 5. Hanna is the only student selected from a New Jersey university and one of only 10 who doesn’t attend a major art school.

Future Educators Conference Welcomes Nearly 350 High School Students

As New Jersey continues to face challenges recruiting and retaining teachers, Stockton is helping strengthen the educator pipeline by introducing the next generation to the profession.

The university’s Teacher Education program hosted nearly 350 students from 19 regional high schools on Oct. 21 for its third annual Future Educators Conference, an event that has more than tripled in participation since its launch in 2023.

Sponsored by Stockton’s School of Education in collaboration with the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), the conference brought together aspiring educators, university students, school administrators, practicing teachers and education advocates for a day of inspiration, professional insight and exploration. This year’s attendance was significantly higher than last year’s, reflecting growing interest in the event and the importance of building pathways into the teaching profession.

Assistant Professor of Education Stacey Culleny and Professor of Education Meg White organized the conference to strengthen connections among South Jersey schools and encourage students to consider careers in education. Many of the participants are already taking an important first step through Stockton’s dual-credit Pathways to Learning program, which allows high school students to explore teaching while earning college credit.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY

Stockton Community Day Strengthens Ties in Atlantic City

Nearly 300 Stockton University students, faculty, staff and community members joined forces across seven Atlantic City neighborhoods on Oct. 24 for the university’s fifth annual Community Day Cleanup and Party in the Park.

The annual event brings Stockton and its community partners together to beautify city neighborhoods, strengthen relationships and celebrate the university’s connection to Atlantic City.

For Atlantic City resident Patrick Ford, who volunteered to clean up the Orange Loop neighborhood, the event represents Stockton’s growing presence in the community.

“I’m a big proponent of being of service and this is my community now. This is where I live,” said Ford, who lives near the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall. “I want to see the city clean, and I think it’s great that Stockton does this. When I grew up it was a small school, now it’s a big university, and it’s good to see it thriving.”

Tennessee Avenue in the Orange Loop was one of seven city neighborhoods included in the cleanup. Brian Jackson, Stockton’s vice president for Community Engagement, said about 30 groups participated in the Oct. 24 event, including South Jersey Industries, Atlantic City Electric, the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City and the Chelsea Economic Development Corporation.

📸View more images of the Community Day Clean Up and Party in the Park

FRAME-WORTHY

No Tricks, All Treats 🎃

Students, faculty and staff were treated to elaborate trunk displays and sweet treats during Trunk or Treat on Oct. 26 in the D/F Circle.

Organized by Residential Life, the Stockton Entertainment Team (SET), and the Stockton University Police Department (SUPD), the event showcased the creativity of campus offices and amped up the Halloween spirit leading up to the holiday.

📸View more photos from the celebration on Flickr.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

Instagram: From cowboys to princesses, we all had that one nostalgic childhood Halloween costume! 🎃👻

LinkedIn: Every fall, Stockton's first-year students share a common reading as part of their First-Year Seminars. This year's selection, "Housemates" by Emma Copley Eisenberg, follows Bernie, a film photographer, and Leah, a writer, as they navigate art, relationships and their place in the world.

FROM THE SIDELINES

Let's Get Loud! Cheer On our Ospreys 📣

Get hyped up for the start of the college basketball season and show your Stockton University spirit during the annual Osprey Madness at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Sports Center.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community are invited to show their Osprey pride and cheer on the men's and women's basketball teams as they get ready for the 2026-27 season.

The free event will feature a variety of fun activities, including a skills challenge, fan involvement contests, an intrasquad scrimmage and plenty of free food and T-shirts. There will also be appearances with Stockton mascot Talon, and performances by the Stockton Cheerleading squad and Dance Team.

Award-winning student athletes from all of Stockton’s 2025-2026 teams will also be recognized during the event.

Stockton Conquers Kean 3-1

Stockton University defeated Kean University 3-1 for an important conference victory that moved the Ospreys into a three-way tie with the Cougars and William Paterson for second place in the league.

Nicole Palmer led Stockton with match highs of 19 kills and four aces. Olivia Magro spiked 12 kills and tied her career high with eight digs.

Ariana Bongiovanni notched a double-double of 18 assists and 11 digs. McKenna Ritchie tied Bongiovanni for team high with 11 digs and Kristen Burton handed out 17 assists.

Stockton dropped the first set 25-19 despite seven kills by Palmer. The Ospreys used a 15-5 run to take the second frame 25-18 and even the match as Palmer led the way with four kills.

Stockton will host RIT and Albright at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in a tri-match on Saturday.

Stockton Ties TCNJ 1-1 in Season Finale

Stockton University concluded the 2026 season with a 1-1 tie against unbeaten The College of New Jersey, which received votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division III poll.

Chris Krall scored his first goal of the season in the ninth minute to give the Ospreys an early 1-0 lead.

Owen Edwards fed Krall for a shot from the top of the box that found the bottom right corner of the net. TCNJ's Finn McCarthy tied the game for TCNJ in the 29th minute.

Stockton goalkeeper Dan Raivitch made three saves in the draw. The shots on goal were 4-3 in favor of the Lions.

The young Stockton team with 16 freshmen and eight sophomores finished the season with three wins and seven ties. Five of the team's defeats were by just one goal.

🦅 Athletics News and Upcoming Game Information🦅

STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS

Hughes Center Poll: N.J. Voters Split on Data Centers Nationally, Oppose Them Locally

New Jersey voters are evenly divided over data center development nationally, but opposition grows considerably when proposed facilities move closer to home, according to the latest poll from the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University.

Voters are evenly split on the construction of data centers in the United States, with 40% in support and 40% opposed. When asked about data center development in New Jersey, opposition rises to 52% compared with 29% support, and when it comes to construction in their own town, nearly two-thirds (65%) oppose development while just 18% support it.

Read the November SCOSA Newsletter

Read the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA)'s November newsletter for interesting upcoming events and newly added programming.

OSPREY NOTES

Call for Nominations: 2027 Commencement Speaker and University Honors 🎓

Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations for Commencement Speaker, Honorary Degree recipients, and Presidential Medal of Distinction honors for the 2027 Commencement. Each of these honors provides an opportunity to recognize people whose achievements, leadership and service reflect Stockton's values.

All nominations will be reviewed by the Honorary Degree Committee, which will recommend finalists to the Office of the President and the Board of Trustees for final selection. Nominations are due by Dec. 10.

It’s Almost Time to Confirm your Ospreys in Fall Sub-Term B!

Hey, faculty! As fall Sub-Term B has begun, it’s almost time to confirm your Ospreys!

Faculty are reminded to complete the Academic Engagement process by confirming student attendance/academic activity.

The Academic Engagement process for fall Sub-Term B is to be completed by Wednesday, Nov. 11. 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.

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 at stockton.edu/contactfinaid.

Reminder: Roll Back Those Clocks! Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m. 💤