Residents & Students Need Closer Ties.

As a member of the Galloway Township Business Association, I am glad that the Richard Stockton College of NJ is being so supportive and involved with our new group.

Stockton is growing rapidly, with its involvement with the Noyes Museum, the NextGen Project and recent purchase of the Seaview Resort; they have become the major socio-economic force in Galloway Township.

Though Stockton has been around since 1971 and is now expanding throughout parts of Galloway, relations between the student body and local residents have been remote.

Few Galloway residents have ever walked through the campus, cheered on the Ospreys at a collegiate sporting event or attended a performance at the PAC. I have met many students from Stockton over the years who know virtually nothing of our town and some even thought they lived in the town of Pomona, because that is their campus mailing address.

Also, most of the student body has never been to, or heard of, the Historic Town of Smithville or the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. During the recent Mayfest in Smithville, I did not see one college aged person in Stockton logoed clothing or fraternity/sorority letters.

Nor do I ever remember there being an informational booth or table representing Stockton at any Smithville or Galloway community event.

Galloway Township and Stockton should make every effort to try and close the invisible divide between the students and locals that now exists. Closer ties between the community’s residents and students can add an extra layer of fulfillment to a student’s college experience as well as provide Galloway with large pool of consumers and a youthful workforce looking to help with charitable and community service projects as well business internships.

With a little planning and cooperation, I believe Stockton and Galloway could create a great “College Town” environment. Every fall, Galloway Township should hold a “Stockton Day” at our fairground and invite all incoming freshman students to a free event that features all that Galloway has to offer and educate them on their new home for the next four years.

In turn, Stockton should host a yearly open house to all Galloway residents to come and tour the campus and learn about the new and exciting events and programs the college has to offer.

Having closer relations between Galloway residents and Stockton students would be mutually enriching and beneficial to all, whether you call Galloway home for a lifetime or for only four years.