On Feb. 18, 2015, there was standing room only in the Campus Center Grand Hall as the Stockton community gathered to celebrate their college becoming a university.
Every phone camera was watching the second-floor balcony to capture history unfurling on a banner announcing the new name and logo. Rainbow confetti exploded like fireworks, Talon took selfies and baseball caps sporting the new name in embroidery were tossed into the crowd.
As Stockton embraced its new name and designation, one thing did not change. Stockton would remain a place for students from all backgrounds to reach for their career aspirations in a friendly, academically challenging and socially engaged community. Stockton has always been a place large enough to explore the depth and breadth of each major and small enough for all voices and perspectives to be heard.
The “Stockton Idea” we were founded upon was to offer a first-rate, individualized liberal arts education at an affordable price, and that mission has stayed on course. Over the past decade, Stockton has made college dreams come true for first generation students, celebrated a 50th anniversary of teaching, built high impact experiences to prepare students for future success and expanded throughout the region to reach more students.
Stockton brought higher education to Atlantic City, added more than a dozen new degrees, demonstrated resilience and adaptability during a global pandemic, nurtured advocacy and continues to be an environment for excellence in an ever-changing world.
The year after Stockton became a university under the leadership of President Herman J. Saatkamp Jr., one of its Mayflower students, Harvey Kesselman, was inaugurated as fifth president.
The year 2018 was defined by growth that brought beachfront living and learning to Atlantic City, more space and resources for the Nursing program in Manahawkin and two new buildings to the Academic Quad in Galloway. This expansion allowed for new academic programs to follow and opportunities like the “Live, Work, Learn” program that employs students in South Jersey during the summer and allows them to live at the beach while taking discounted summer classes.
Source: https://stockton.edu/news/2025/stockton-celebrates-10th-anniversary-of-becoming-a-university.html