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Bertolino Outlines Plans to Be South Jersey’s College of Choice

President Joe Bertolino highlighted accomplishments from the previous year and focused on the needs ahead as he  his vision for �鶹��ý���� in his second annual State of the University address on Nov. 12.

“I set out in my first year to truly listen to our community, and saw our campus come alive with the energy of students, faculty and staff. Every conversation I have, every story I hear, deepens my admiration for �鶹��ý����,” Bertolino told the audience of faculty, staff and students.

He shared institutional highlights from each department during the past year before outlining his priorities that would lay the foundation for �鶹��ý���� to become the college of choice in South Jersey, recognizing both internal and external challenges facing the University.

“Higher education institutions across the nation, the Northeast and, yes, New Jersey, are experiencing a series of compounding challenges. We must continue to work diligently to ensure our own success,” he said. “In this time of rapid change, increasing competition and the need to be more nimble, it is important that we focus our work on the areas most critical to �鶹��ý����’s future success.”

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‘Indigenous Approaches, Sustainable Futures’ Programs Draw Over 1,000 Visitors

An  unlike any other in the �鶹��ý���� Art Gallery will officially close its doors on Sunday, Nov. 17.

In celebration of the conversations on Indigenous identity that it sparked and the programming that welcomed over 1,000 community members both inside and outside of �鶹��ý���� to campus, the team behind “Indigenous Approaches, Sustainable Futures” hosted a closing reception on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

The evening began with students presenting the artwork they created in the exhibition’s associated workshops. Pieces included painted gourds from artist Tyrese “Bright Flower” Gould Jacinto’s course, bandanas that were colored with natural dyes and screen-prints of turtles and trees.

Shortly before his performance of a traditional honor song, Ty “Dancing Wolf” Ellis of the Lenapehoking Revitalization Project (LRP) expressed gratitude for being a part of “Indigenous Approaches, Sustainable Futures’” programming on behalf of the project’s youth program, which visited the campus to perform traditional dances for Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 15 and participated in some of the associated art workshops.

�� View more photos from the closing ceremony on . 

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Inaugural ‘Success Pitch 2024’ Draws Student Entrepreneurs

The �鶹��ý���� Entrepreneurship Club  with its inaugural pitch competition, "Success Pitch 2024," on Nov. 8. 

The Shark Tank-style event began with presentations in the Campus Center Theatre with a welcome from club President Lydia Kai Adjetey. Dinner and an awards ceremony in the Board of Trustees Room with remarks by Provost Michael Palladino followed. 

The competition aimed to spark innovation and entrepreneurship among �鶹��ý���� students, showcasing creative business ideas in front of a panel of judges composed of faculty members and community leaders.  

“Participants captivated the judges with pitches that spanned diverse industries, reflecting ingenuity and problem-solving skills,” said Adjetey.