�鶹��ý News - Sept. 25, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

�鶹��ý News - Sept. 25, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

U.S. News Ranks �鶹��ý No. 8 in Public Regional North Rankings

�鶹��ý is in the top 10 of public regional universities in the North, including No. 1 in New Jersey for social mobility and veterans, according to the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best College Rankings released Sept. 21.

�鶹��ý is No. 8 among 48 schools in the Top Public Schools – Regional Universities (North) category and second in New Jersey. The university is also No. 19 among 155 schools in the Regional Universities (North) ranking and second in New Jersey.

�鶹��ý was No. 5 in Best Colleges for Veterans and No. 15 for Social Mobility in the regional universities North rankings.

The Social Mobility ranking evaluates how successfully �鶹��ý enrolls and graduates economically disadvantaged students, particularly those awarded federal Pell Grants, which are generally awarded to undergraduate students with significant financial need. �鶹��ý’s 72% six-year graduation rate for Pell recipients is nearly double the national average of 39.1%.

“These rankings are a wonderful reflection of the work happening every day at �鶹��ý to create opportunities for our students and help them succeed,” said �鶹��ý President Joe Bertolino. “I’m especially proud of our commitment to veterans and to first-generation and low-income students. �鶹��ý is a place where they, and all students, can thrive and leave us empowered to soar.”

Expanded Forensics Lab Brings Crime Scene Investigation to Life

Branna Foy audibly gasped as she toured �鶹��ý's new Forensics Lab, which made its debut this week.

As the Criminal Justice major from Brick Township passed an autopsy table heading into the mock crime scene area, she noticed yellow “Do Not Cross” tape, blood spatters on the floor and a mannequin on its back with a knife protruding from its torso.

She couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m very happy the lab is here. I’m so excited. It looks so awesome. It’s the first time I’ve seen it fully complete and I’m just really excited to be able to use it,” said the junior whose concentration is in Forensics Investigation and who hopes to work for the Ocean County Sheriff's Office in the future.

The lab likely won’t stay looking new for long.

“Don’t expect this room to stay this clean and new once we start doing blood spatter analysis,” Criminal Justice Teaching Specialist Barbara LeClair told Foy.

LeClair and fellow �鶹��ý teaching specialist Bill Dineen have pushed for years to get a larger forensics lab since the program outgrew its previous space.

��View more photos on Flickr from the .

$100,000 Raised at Annual Foundation Golf Classic

Nearly 200 community members spent a beautiful day on the course raising $100,000 for �鶹��ý scholarship and program support during the �鶹��ý Foundation’s annual Golf Classic at Renault Winery and Resort on Sept. 17.

“The golfers and volunteers who unite to support this event reflect our community’s commitment to �鶹��ý students. Their philanthropy empowers our Ospreys to soar higher by eliminating the barriers many students face today,” said Dan Nugent, �鶹��ý’s vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the �鶹��ý Foundation.

This year’s tournament featured contests for all skill levels, including Men’s and Women’s Closest to the Pin, Men’s and Women’s Longest Drive, Tournament Champion and a $10,000 Hole-in-One Challenge. Students on the �鶹��ý Women’s Golf team also led a putting contest, with the proceeds benefitting the team through new equipment and apparel. Off the course, participants tested their luck in the 50/50 raffle and Tito’s Spirit Grab.

The annual event raises funds for scholarships and essential initiatives powered by the �鶹��ý Fund, which helps �鶹��ý students access experiential learning opportunities, such as internships on and off campus.

�� View more photos from on Flickr.

SPOTLIGHT ON: KELLY OQUIST

Kelly Oquist, director of Academic Finance at �鶹��ý, has been selected for the National Association of College and University Business Officers’ 2026–27 Emerging Leaders Program.

Oquist is one of 76 higher education business professionals from across the country chosen for the leadership development experience. The program focuses on strengthening participants’ leadership skills, examining the changing landscape of higher education and building a national network of colleagues.

Oquist, who has worked at �鶹��ý since 2001 and recently completed her MBA, sees the opportunity as recognition of what she has accomplished and a chance to keep growing at the institution where she has built her career.

In this interview, Oquist discusses the collaborative work behind academic finance, what she hopes to bring back to �鶹��ý and why recipes have no authority in her kitchen.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

: Wishing you a peaceful day.

: The Ospreys volunteered for Access for Reel, an adaptive fishing tournament, in Long Beach Island this month to break down barriers for anglers with disabilities.

: (OspreyPrez): It was a pleasure meeting with Gov. Mikie Sherrill to share some of the momentum we’re seeing at �鶹��ý and talk about what’s ahead.

FROM THE SIDELINES

�鶹��ý Ties Penn State Abington 1-1

The men's soccer team and Penn State Abington a 1-1 draw on a windy night, Sept. 23, at G. Larry James Stadium. Both goals were scored in the second half.

Sophomore Christian Pereira scored his first career goal to tie the game for the Ospreys. Freshman goalkeeper Cole Butler made three saves on the night.

With the wind at their back, the Lions launched a long throw-in into the box and took a 1-0 edge on a goal by Shane Lachawiec just 1:32 into the second half. In the 61st minute, Pereira fired a 25-yard free kick into the top right corner for the equalizer.

�鶹��ý was on the attack throughout the second half, with eight shots and several forays into the box, but the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

�鶹��ý will continue its four-game homestand at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Ospreys host 19th-ranked NYU. The game will be �鶹��ý's third against a ranked opponent in the first month of the season.

�鶹��ý Opens 2026-27 Season at Arcadia

The women's tennis team the 2026-27 season on Sept. 23 with a 5-2 setback on the road at Arcadia University. The Ospreys and Knights split the four singles matches that were contested.

Arielis Martinez earned a 6-2, 6-3 victory at No. 1 singles and freshman Bryn Popdan made an impressive college debut with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph at No. 3 singles for her first career win.

A pair of forfeits in the singles rotation hampered �鶹��ý's chances to come from behind after Arcadia took the doubles point.

�鶹��ý's next match will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, at New Paltz.

🦅 For more athletics news and upcoming game information, visit .🦅

STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS

Noyes Brings Cyanokite Workshop to 48 Blocks Festival

The gave community members a chance to create and fly their own “cyanokites” during the 48 Blocks Festival in Atlantic City.

Visitors learned about the history and process of cyanotype printing before creating designs on paper-bag kites. Once the prints dried, participants cut and assembled their creations, added string and took them out to fly over the green.

The free, all-day community arts festival was organized by the Atlantic City Arts Foundation.

Michael Cagno, executive director of the Noyes; Sarah Lacy, liaison for Event Planning and Promotion; and Jenavieve Petrecca, education program assistant, led the workshop. Chung-Fan Chang, associate professor of Art, also participated.

Read the SCOSA October Newsletter

Read the �鶹��ý Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA)'s October for interesting upcoming events and newly added programming.

OSPREY NOTES

Meet Our New Faculty: Part 2

Casey Griffin Each week, we’ll highlight faculty members beginning new roles at �鶹��ý, sharing details about their work on campus and interests beyond it. Today, we spotlight Christophe Vieira, assistant professor of Marine Science, and Casey Griffin, assistant professor of Mathematics and First-Year Studies.

What courses or subjects will you be teaching at �鶹��ý?

Griffin: I’m an assistant professor of Mathematics and First-Year Studies. This semester, I’m teaching two sections of FRST 1130: Quantitative Reasoning, which is part of the First-Year Studies Program in the William T. Daly School of General Studies.

Vieira: This semester, I’m teaching Scientific Exploration (GNM 2165) and running labs for Biodiversity and Evolution (BIOL 1405). Next semester, I’ll be teaching Marine Botany, my field of expertise.

What is your area of research or professional specialty?

Griffin: My Ph.D. is in education with a specialization in mathematics education from the University of Delaware. My research focuses on students’ experiences in their undergraduate mathematics courses. For my dissertation, I investigated links between active learning pedagogies and students’ sense of belonging in mathematics, particularly among women. I’m really passionate about retaining underrepresented students in STEM majors and learning more about how I, as an instructor, can support their sense of belonging.

Vieira: I’m a marine biologist on a mission to map out the hidden diversity of the ocean’s marine flora. My work is at the crossroads of species discovery, evolution, biodiversity and biogeography. I use molecular tools and fieldwork to understand how macroalgae, or seaweeds, evolve and spread across the globe.

What drew you to �鶹��ý?

Griffin: Lots of things, but to keep it short, I would say the value �鶹��ý places on retention efforts for first-year students. Given my scholarship, I’m really excited to be part of the FRST Math group and join its efforts to support �鶹��ý’s first-year students in their transition to college.

Vieira: It was a combination of �鶹��ý’s strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching and the fantastic Marine Science (MARS) program, with the Marine Field Station right at our doorstep. Having that level of immediate access to coastal systems is incredible, both for bringing students into the field and for driving my own research forward. The welcoming atmosphere across the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics was icing on the cake.

What’s on your Kindle or nightstand right now?

Griffin: "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel is sitting on my nightstand, and I’m also listening to "Circe" by Madeline Miller on my way to and from work!

Vieira: Robert Sapolsky’s "Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst." It’s a great read if you’re curious about why we do the things we do, looking at human behavior through neuroscience and evolutionary biology.

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

Griffin: I taught at a university in Southern California for the last two years! While I was there, I picked up wheel throwing as a new hobby and spent lots of time visiting Joshua Tree National Park. But I’m happy to have returned to the greater Philadelphia area, which is where I consider “home.” Go Birds!

Vieira: When naming new species of seaweeds, I love linking science with human history by paying tribute to coastal cultures and historic seafaring traditions. Over the years, I’ve named species in honor of everything from Polynesian navigation heritage and 18th-century exploration vessels, such as HMS Endeavour, to the legendary Haenyeo free-diving women of South Korea!

Aubrey Hirsch Opens Stephen Dunn Visiting Writers Series

Nonfiction writer and graphic essayist Aubrey Hirsch kicked off the fall Stephen Dunn Visiting Writers Series on Sept. 23 in the Campus Center Theatre.

Hirsch shared graphic essays exploring women’s health, street harassment and reproductive rights. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vox and TIME and is featured in her new book, "Graphic Rage."

During the event, Hirsch answered student questions about learning to draw, navigating online responses to her work and staying hopeful during difficult times. She also encouraged aspiring creatives to persist through rejection.

The series continues at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 with a performance by Greek sophi-pop trio StarWound in the Campus Center Theatre, followed by a reception.

It’s FAFSA time!

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

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 .

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: Sept. 25 is National One-Hit Wonder Day, celebrating the songs that burned bright, ruled the radio and then mostly vanished from the charts. 🎶

Take a trip down one-hit wonder memory lane, . Sounds like the perfect Friday activity to me.