Written by Emma Desiderio for The Argo

The Board of Trustees announced at a public meeting Wednesday that the new Atlantic City dorm building will be named Kesselman Hall in honor of President Harvey Kesselman. There will be a ribbon cutting on May 3rd for the new building, which is expected to be operational for the Fall 2023 semester. Additionally, Kesselman will be recognized for his achievements at a ceremony for the naming of Kesselman Hall. “Dr. Kesselman is synonymous with Stockton University,” said Board of Trustees chair Raymond Ciccone. Kesselman, who has overseen the development and expansion of the Atlantic City campus as President, said the dedication is “an honor” and “humbling.” 

Kesselman was a member of Stockton’s first class in 1971. He resided in the Mayflower Hotel, where Stockton students were housed at that time. Kesselman held a variety of leadership positions at Stockton, including Provost, Executive Vice President, and Dean of the School of Education. The Board of Trustees appointed Kesselman President in 2015, following his involvement in resolving Stockton’s acquisition and sale of the Showboat hotel. 

Kesselman led the university to open the Atlantic City campus in 2018. In 2020, Stockton broke ground on the Phase II Residential Hall, which will have the capacity to occupy over 400 students. “This is something you don’t expect when you begin in a hotel in Atlantic City trying to figure out what to do with your life,” said Kesselman. The audience responded with a standing ovation for Kesselman. 

The Board of Trustees also inducted a new student Trustee at the meeting, sophomore Shalayby Parsons. Parsons, a political science major and Student Senate Finance Chair, thanked the board after taking the oath of office. “In the brief time I’ve had to get to know him, I know he’ll make a huge impact,” said chairman Ciccone in regards to Parsons. 

President Kesselman also recognized the loss of two faculty members and announced the Board’s plans to rename the School of General Studies to William T. Daly School of General Studies in his honor. Kesselman said that William T. Daly “embodied the spirit of Stockton like no other,” and recognized his lifelong dedication to Stockton as one of its founding members in 1971. 

The Board then recognized the opening of the Multicultural Center, which took place on Wednesday. Kesselman said the Multicultural Center “speaks to the atmosphere of inclusivity we strive for at Stockton.” He continued, “It is a vibrant and welcoming space designed to make everyone who enters feel like they belong,”

The Board of Trustees also approved a new Bachelor of Science in Esports Management program.

The next public Board of Trustees meeting will be on May 3 in the Board of Trustees Room. More information about the Board of Trustees can be found here.