��Ƶ News - Jan. 9, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

��Ƶ News - Jan. 9, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

��Ƶ 2026: A Look Ahead

The upcoming year promises growth, celebrations and new beginnings. Take a look at what’s ahead for ��Ƶ in 2026.

Master’s in Occupational Therapy Program Granted Re-Accreditation

The independent agency for graduate Occupational Therapy degrees in the United States has re-approved ��Ƶ's program for accreditation for a 10-year period.

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) re-accredited ��Ƶ’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program in December. The program is one of nearly 300 accredited across the United States and one of only seven in New Jersey.

“This recognition reaffirms the outstanding work of our faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Ali Moradi, the interim dean of ��Ƶ’s School of Health Sciences. “This recognition reflects our continued dedication to preparing compassionate, skilled practitioners who make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities they serve, especially in South Jersey where they are sorely needed.”

New Partnership Will Revitalize Ocean Research Off Jersey Shore

A new partnership between ��Ƶ, Rutgers University, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and marine technology company Ocean Power Technologies Inc. will bring new life to a historic ocean research program off the Jersey Shore.

The collaboration is expected to deliver significant economic and innovation benefits for New Jersey. By combining cutting-edge marine technology with academic research, the project will create opportunities for workforce training, attract investment in ocean science and position the state as a leader in sustainable marine innovation. A critical component will be providing infrastructure and support for startups and inventors driving the ocean economy, fostering an environment where innovators can develop solutions that advance marine sustainability and growth.

The first step in the effort will be the deployment of a high-tech research buoy in early 2026 about three miles off the coast of the Rutgers Marine Field Station in Tuckerton.

The buoy, called the PowerBuoy® (pictured), will be anchored at the Long-Term Ecosystem observatory (LEO) site. Once in place, it will begin collecting real-time data on ocean conditions and provide additional ports for scientists and educators to connect their own instruments.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

: It's a #��ƵU tradition to start the spring semester with a day of giving at MLK Day of Service.

: How much do you know about ospreys? For #NationalBirdDay, we're sharing cool facts about the raptor and how the species made a comeback in New Jersey.

: Chasing sunsets and lake dreams. 🌊🌊

Your favorite lake's online... have you given a follow yet? 🌊

FROM THE SIDELINES

��Ƶ Men’s, Women’s Basketball Top Rutgers-Camden

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams were victorious over Rutgers-Camden on Jan. 7.

The men’s team for a 78-73 victory, improving to 7-6 overall and 4-2 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play. Six Ospreys scored in double figures, led by Tayvon Gaither with 17 points. AndrewCrawfordadded 15 points and six assists, while Justin Harper and Devon Johnson contributed 11 points each. ��Ƶ closed out the win at the free-throw line down the stretch to thwart the Scarlet Raptors’ comeback bid.

Earlier that evening, the women’s basketball team a 57-39 victory over Rutgers-Camden, also improving to 7-6 overall and 4-2 in NJAC play. ��Ƶ jumped out quickly, building a 15-point halftime lead and leading by double figures throughout the second half. The Ospreys’ defense held Rutgers-Camden scoreless in the second quarter and limited the Scarlet Raptors to under 40 points for the game.

Imene Fathi scored a season-high 20 points, highlighted by a perfect 4-4 from beyond the arc. With two treys in the first half, Fathi became the seventh player in ��Ƶ history to reach 100 career three-pointers. Additionally, Zemirah Enalls notched her second straight double-double with 11 points and a career-high 21 rebounds. The 21 boards by Enalls were the most by an NJAC player in any game this season and tied the second-highest total in ��Ƶ history.

Both teams will remain on the road Saturday when they travel to face Montclair State. The men’s game is set for a 1 p.m. tipoff, followed by the women’s game at 3 p.m.

Matthews’ Legacy Endures as Basketball Greats Return to Court

“Hey, did you guys raise the rims. Are these legal? They seem a little higher,” Chad Davis said with a chuckle as the former ��Ƶ basketball player ran down Gerry Matthews Court on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Davis ’09 was one of several members of the most successful men’s basketball team in school history who gathered at the Sports Center for an alumni scrimmage and a chance to catch up with Coach Matthews. The 2008-09 team advanced to the NCAA Division III men’s basketball championship game before losing to Washington (Missouri) 61-52. The team finished with a school record 30 wins and only three losses.

“You pick up right where you left off,” said Davis, of Vineland, who was a co-captain of the team and now works as a prosecutor in Cumberland County. “I played my freshman year through my junior year, but my senior year (the 2008-09 season) was fun. It was a brotherhood. Everyone got along. The trips were fun. It was a really special experience that year.”

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

STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS

Celebrating Our Accelerated BSN Graduates

��Ƶ at Manahawkin congratulates its December Accelerated BSN graduates. This cohort’s perseverance and achievements were honored with a celebratory luncheon on Dec. 8, followed by the Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Dec. 10 in the Campus Center Theatre.

The pinning ceremony is a time-honored tradition symbolizing the transition from student to professional nurse. Its roots trace back to Florence Nightingale, who awarded pins to her graduates as a mark of excellence and dedication. This year, 28 students received their pins, reaffirming their commitment to compassionate care and professional integrity.

📸 View more photos from the pinning ceremony on .

IN MEMORIAM

The Office of Human Resources shared the following message with the ��Ƶ community on Jan. 8:

We’re very sad to report the passing of Tomas Itaas, associate director of Academic Achievement Programs, on Jan. 6 following a long illness.

Tom joined the ��Ƶ staff in October 2008 as an assistant director in TRIO Student Support Services. During his tenure, he also served in the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Tom’s final role at ��Ƶ was associate director of Academic Achievement Programs, where he oversaw the Success Scholars Initiative, designed to proactively and holistically support students throughout their college experience.

In this role, Tom advanced the purpose of the initiative, which focuses on retaining first-time, first-year students, sophomores and new transfer students who require additional academic support. He paired students with personal coaches made up of faculty and staff members across the university to help them navigate and maximize their academic and student life experience. He always ensured the staff and faculty who supported his students were recognized at the end of each year. His goal was to empower students to excel both at ��Ƶ and beyond.

Tom was a mentor to countless ��Ƶ students during his years of service. According to his supervisor, Ian Bouie, Tom’s dedication to student success ran deep. “He consistently provided meaningful, thoughtful academic interventions that helped students who might otherwise have been at risk persist, graduate and earn their degrees. He was an exceptional professional and an empathetic and valued colleague,” Bouie shared.

Tom’s sincere belief in the potential of ��Ƶ students did not go unnoticed. As reflected by Assistant Vice President Ana Edmondson, “His work embodied the values of connection and belonging. Tom was part of the committee that started the Sankofa retention initiative in 2015. Notably, students who were in good academic standing often chose to remain engaged with Success Scholars simply to stay connected to Tom and the team. Some students have shared that Tom helped them make it to graduation. He created meaningful opportunities for students to give back through community service, shared his passion for teaching chess to young learners, and was known for small gestures, such as bringing sweet treats made by his wife, that lifted the spirits of colleagues across the university. Those who worked alongside Tom remember him as kind, assessment-driven, humorous, thoughtful and deeply invested in both his family and his students.”

Those of us in Human Resources who assisted Tom during his illness can attest to this same dedication. Every conversation included, despite all he was going through, his desire to continue supporting ��Ƶ students in any way he could.

Beyond his “huge heart” and kindness, Tom is also remembered by his colleagues as “unexpectedly very funny.” His sense of humor and quick wit brought a lightness to the workplace that will be deeply missed.

Tom’s services will be held next Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 14 and 15. The service details and obituary can be found .

The Itaas family has requested that any gifts in his memory go to the ��Ƶ Foundation . Our prayers and thoughts are with them, as well as his ��Ƶ friends and “work family” in the Division of Student Affairs.

OSPREY NOTES

Confirm Your Ospreys!

Are you teaching a Winter Session I or II course? If you answered “yes,” then this is for you!

Faculty are reminded to complete the Academic Engagement process for Winter Sessions by confirming student attendance/academic activity. The Academic Engagement process for Winter Session II is to be completed by today, Friday, Jan. 9. 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 go��Ƶ portal.

For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit .

🧠✨ “New year, new you” sound familiar? According to mental health professionals, the beginning of the new year often feels motivating because it acts as a psychological reset. Known as the fresh start effect, this mental shift can help people feel renewed and ready to move forward. We're nine days in; hope everyone is off to a good start!