Stockton Board members, administrators and construction officials take part in groundbreaking for new Residence Halls.

The Stockton Board of Trustees, administrators, students, faculty and staff were all represented on February 21 when the College officially broke ground for the new Residential Complex.

The ceremonies took place under unseasonably warm and sunny skies at the construction site adjacent to the Lakeside Center on campus.

“The groundbreaking marks another significant step in the progress of our Facilities Master Plan,” said President Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr. “More of our students are requesting the total college experience of living on campus. When this project is completed it will add more than 375 beds to our housing inventory and will make us a much more residential campus.”

President Saatkamp said students, College representatives, architects and construction company officials worked in focus groups that helped to design the complex.

“The results will create an environment to promote the ‘living-learning’ philosophy of the residential experience at Stockton,” he said. “More than residence halls, these building will comprise an academic village.”

The initial phase of the complex consists of four three-story, wood frame buildings each with a gross area of approximately 26,000 square feet, and will house 64 students each. The Board of Trustees approved funding for two additional buildings for the second phase for a total of 6 new buildings. The project began in January 2007 with a completion schedule of two buildings by January 2008 and four additional buildings to be completed by Summer 2008 for a total of 384 new student beds with 4 beds allocated to live-in staff.

Rendering of new “Learning Community” at Stockton.

Such features as social lounges, laundry facilities with televisions, “study pods” and quiet study areas are just a few of the innovative features of the buildings. Each residential suite will include four single bedrooms and a shared kitchen, living room and bathroom facilities.

The building also reflects Stockton’s longstanding commitment to Green Technology and sustainability. They will be heated and cooled with a geothermal system similar to the one that serves the main campus buildings. Sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality were addressed in the design phase.

“This is really a great day in the history of Stockton,” said Student Senate President Nick Sena. “When these units are completed, some of our students will have the opportunity to live in some of the best campus residence halls in the country.”

Neil Sedaka

The Stockton College Foundation and its Benefit Committee have announced that Neil Sedaka, one of rock and pop music’s legendary pioneers, will be the featured performer for the Stockton College Scholarship Benefit Gala set for April 21, 2007.

A performance by Neil Sedaka will culminate a spectacular evening of dining and live and silent auctions at the Trump Taj Mahal. Trump Entertainment Resorts Chief Operating Officer Mark Juliano is Honorary Chairman of the Benefit Gala. The Gala was held in Atlantic City for the first time last year, and that event raised more than one-half million dollars for student scholarships.

“We are grateful for the overwhelming community support that has made this event one of the most anticipated of the year,” President Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr. said. “Funds raised through the Stockton Scholarship Benefit Gala enable the College to attract the brightest and most deserving students. Over the years these scholarships have helped thousands of our students reach their goals.”

The announcement of Neil Sedaka continues a 27-year tradition of hosting an accomplished entertainer for the College’s major annual fundraiser. Past performers have included Harry Connick, Jr., Marvin Hamlisch, Judy Collins, Ben Vereen, Joel Grey and Roberta Flack.

For over four decades, Neil Sedaka’s timeless standards have helped change the face of popular music. He broke through as one of the brightest stars during the formative years of rock and roll with memorable hits such as “Calendar Girl,” “Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” and “Oh Carol.” He wrote the timeless classics “Laughter in the Rain” and “Love Will Keep Us Together,” which won a Grammy Award as performed by the Captain and Tennille.

Sedaka also composed hits for the 5th Dimension, The Monkees, and Tom Jones, and has collaborated with such musical luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, Neil Diamond and Cher. Contemporary artists he has worked with include Rita Coolidge, ABBA and Clay Aiken. Neil Sedaka’s musical journey began with classical training in piano at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music.

“It is hard to imagine the history of rock and roll without the many contributions of Neil Sedaka,” said Kay Seelig, a board member of the Stockton College Foundation who is this year’s Benefit Chairperson together with her husband Mac Seelig, President of AC Coin & Slot.

Proceeds from the event support the Stockton College Foundation, which helps Stockton to offer student scholarships each year. To become a sponsor or reserve tickets for the Stockton Scholarship Benefit Gala, contact the Stockton College Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at (609) 652-4658 or visit www.stockton.edu/springbenefit.

Brian K. Jackson

Brian K. Jackson, Executive Assistant to the President has been selected to receive the prestigious George Lynn Volunteer of the Year Award. This award is presented annually by the United Way of Atlantic County to a volunteer who shows an extraordinary commitment to the organization and to the general well-being of the community.

Mr. Jackson has been an active volunteer in the United Way for more than twelve years. In 1995 he worked as the Workplace Campaign Chair with the United Way of Atlantic County. He signed on as an allocations volunteer and was recruited to Board Membership in 1997. Brian has chaired the Community Initiatives Committee for the past seven years, which has been the driving force behind the Community Needs Assessment. This assessment is a community survey designed to ensure that the programs and services that the Atlantic County Chapter provides will meet the community's changing needs.

In 2003 under Brian’s leadership, United Way of Atlantic County undertook the Success by 6 Initiative, which has flourished over the years. Success By 6 involves a partnership of individuals from businesses, education, health care, government, media, and service organizations who share the goal of having children prepared to succeed when they enter school.

Other initiatives that have launched under Brian’s direction are the All Wrapped-Up holiday program and new efforts related to building community awareness around Earned Income Tax Credits.

Brian has been an invaluable link between United Way and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, where he is Executive Assistant to the President, Second Vice President of the Council of Black Faculty and Staff, a member of Leadership NJ and also serves on the College’s Steering Committee.

The award will be presented to Mr. Jackson at the United Way’s 70th Annual Meeting & Campaign Awards Celebration on March 6, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the Atlantic City Hilton. For more information, please call (609) 404-4483 x13 or e-mail rterramagra@unitedwayac.org

Dr. Herman J. Saatkamp (left) signs a letter of agreement with Belinda Manning of the Pop Lloyd Committee while Library Director David Pinto looks on. At right is a portrait of “Pop” Lloyd.

The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey signed a memorandum of agreement with the John Henry “Pop” Lloyd Committee at the College Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, February 21, designating Stockton’s Library as the archive for the collection of the Committee.

The “Pop” Lloyd archives contain a variety of baseball publications, photographs, media, documents and memorabilia pertaining to one of Atlantic City’s most historic sports figures, Baseball Hall of Famer, “Pop” Lloyd. The goal of the College and the Committee is to preserve the collection and to make it more accessible for public education and research.

“Pop Lloyd has a rich and fascinating history with Negro League baseball and sports in the Atlantic City region,” said David Pinto, Director of the Library at Stockton. “We are delighted to make available these archives which highlight the man, his era, and the educational programs of the Pop Lloyd Committee. This collection fits perfectly with our materials on Atlantic City history and Southern New Jersey history that are currently held in our Archives.”

John Henry “Pop” Lloyd (1884-1965) was born in Palatka, Florida and played for 12 different Negro League teams and managed four teams during a baseball career spanning four decades. A left-handed-hitting shortstop, he was a great fielder who was favorably compared to the best white player at that playing position in his era, Honus Wagner.

Wagner is quoted as saying “I am honored to have John Lloyd called ‘the Black Wagner,’” according to the Hall of Fame Web site. “It is a privilege to have been compared to him.” Also known for his speedy and aggressive base running, Lloyd was dubbed “El Cuchara” (The Shovel) for his fielding prowess by Cuban fans during Lloyd’s days with the Cuban X-Giants. He once caught a game while wearing a wire wastepaper basket to protect his face because his team could not afford a real catcher’s mask.

Lloyd’s Atlantic City connections include stints with the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants in 1922, 1924-25, and 1931-32. Pop Lloyd Field in Atlantic City is named in his honor, and he is depicted on a sculpture and on a mural at Bernie Robbins Stadium, home of the current Atlantic City baseball franchise, the Atlantic City Surf of the Canadian-American League. Lloyd passed away in Atlantic City on March 19, 1965.