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Stockton prepares for 39th annual scholarship gala

  • Downbeach

The Midtown Men will perform at the Stockton Gala.

ATLANTIC CITY - Stockton University's 39th annual Scholarship Benefit Gala will be held 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

A special new addition this year is an opportunity to win the Ultimate Tour of Atlantic City, which includes gifts valued at $3,000 for items like Tim McGraw tickets, a $500 Tanger Outlet gift card, an overnight stay and dining in Atlantic City and much more. Tickets for this ultimate' prize can be purchased in advance of the gala and participants need not be present to win.

The evening features Stockton-inspired cocktails in the Osprey signature lounge and a Beer and Spirit Garden featuring specialties from Cape May Brewing Co., Garden State Beer Company, Little Water Distillery, Pinelands Brewing Company and Tuckahoe Brewing Company.

Net proceeds raised through the event support the Stockton University Foundation Benefit Gala Endowed Scholarship Fund, which last year provided more than more than $123,500 in scholarships to more than 115 students.

Every scholarship made possible through the generosity of our donors makes it easier for our students to focus on their studies, President Harvey Kesselman said. We are very appreciative of the continued support our students receive from the community.

The evening will start with a cocktail reception including hors d'oeuvres, carving stations, a raw bar and decadent desserts.

Prepare to pack the dance floor with special performances by the Philadelphia String Quartet, Stockton a capella group Stockapella, DJ Blaze, and The Midtown Men, four stars from the original cast of Broadway's Jersey Boys.

Between dancing and performances, guests can capture the fun with photos at and interactive photo booth or try their luck at the raffle station to win items from the Spirit Grab, cash from the 50/50 raffle or gift baskets filled with an array of fun prizes.

Tito's Handmade Vodka is a primary partner for this year's event and has agreed to match the first $10,000 raised through the auction, while the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 351 has signed on as the Platinum Record Sponsor.

New sponsors this year include Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, Cooper University Health Care, Legacy Treatment Services, and Clover Health. Other sponsors include ACUA; AtlantiCare; Avalon Flooring; Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa; Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers; Caesars Entertainment; Capaldi Reynolds & Pelosi; Chartwells; Cooper Levenson; Dean and Zoe Papas Family Foundation; Dr. Howard and Gayle Gross; Falasca Mechanical Inc.; Follett Higher Education Group; Glenn Insurance, Inc.; Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Keystone + Mountain + Lakes Regional Council of Carpenters & Carpenters Local 255; Local Union #322 Plumbers & Pipefitters; M&T Bank; Marathon Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.; Park Place Parking; Pennoni; Pennsylvania Trust; Pepsi; Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP; SOSH Architects; South Jersey Industries; The Azeez Foundation; The Press of Atlantic City; and Wells Fargo.

Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available and can be purchased at stockton.edu/gala.

For more information or to purchase raffle tickets for the Ultimate Tour of Atlantic City, contact Alicia McMackin '03, associate director of special events, at 609 652-4861.

For those who can't attend but would like to make a donation, please visit stockton.edu/give.

Since 2007 the Benefit Gala has added more than $3 million to the endowment in support of student scholarships. The endowment is a part of the Foundation, which has grown its net assets from $3 million in 2003 to nearly $40 million today. More than $820,000 was awarded by the Foundation to deserving students this year.