Retirement Celebration Held for Twenty-two longtime Stockton University Faculty Members Who Collectively Had Served Over 500 Years

On Friday evening, May 1st (MAYDAY!), the Stockton Federation of Teachers (SFT) hosted approximately 300 faculty and staff at the Stockton University’s Seaview Resort for an elegant sit-down dinner to celebrate (and mourn) the retirement of twenty-two of its members.  Individual booklets were provided for each of the retirees in which well-wishers could record their sentiments, and a videographer was on hand to tape congratulatory messages.  It was calculated by previously retired SFT member Tony Marino that collectively, the members had served for over 500 years at Stockton; there were even three members of the original, founding faculty present in the group – those who began teaching in 1971 when Stockton was housed at the Mayflower Hotel in Atlantic City.  

SFT Local 2275 has a unique Transition to Retirement program that made retiring for these twenty-two faculty members easy. The local views this program as a great benefit for all future retirees.

Speaking to the group, SFT President, Anne Pomeroy, likened the faculty and staff to a giant disco mirror ball, saying, “Each of us is one aspect of the collective shine.  Each of you, the 22, is one facet throwing off its own unique light in the overall dance.  Your faculty line may be replaced, your space on the mirror ball replaced, but there will never be another piece exactly the same size and shape, of the same clarity and luminosity, set at quite the same angle.  Your light has been unique, and will always be unique, and our dance will never be quite the same again without you.  We will never shine again in quite the same way.”  

Cocktails and dinner were followed by dancing to tunes played by the Stockton Faculty Band. Retiree, Bill Daly said, “Thank you so much for constructing and delivering yesterday's wonderful union party and bringing so many good friends and old friends together for it. Beautifully done. Much appreciated.”  The Local thanks their office manager, Sue Burrows for single-handedly organizing the entire affair!

The "500 Club" of Stockton Retirees

Linda Aaronson	Nancy Davis	David Lester	Rich Hager
Alan Arcuri	Penny Dugan	Lyn Mathis
Rogers Barlatt	Elaine Ingulli	Lance Olsen
Ada Casares	Cindy Jassel	Whiton Paine
Jack Connor	Will Jaynes	Carol Rittner
Al Corpus	Murray Kohn	Patrick Shields
Bill Daly	Elinor Lerner	Ralph Werner

The Council sends its best wishes for a very happy reirement.