On Monday April 8, 2024, some serious Osprey history was made. Many staff and faculty, as well as hundreds of students came out to the Health Sciences Center Academic Quad to enjoy some fresh air and watch the breathtaking solar eclipse. 

Stockton University Physics Professor, Dr. Trout arranged the event and Rosemary Trout donated snacks & treats to the event’s participants. The quad’s field served as a great place for students to get together and socialize among the eclipse viewing. Dr. Trout handed out solar eclipse glasses to many participants. In addition, the physics program had two large telescopes and a television screen to project a larger image of the solar eclipse. There was also a large black inflatable dome that projected the image of a planetarium. 

“I think it’s fantastic that we’re here today with folks who really know about this, and who can give us good information about what is actually happening, because this is the kind of thing that people will remember.” Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean Amanda Norvell told The Argo.

Norvell was very excited for this phenomenon and was glad to see the students enjoying themselves and creating long-lasting memories. “Everybody got to hang out, it’s a beautiful day, the sun’s out, there’s snacks and fun, a little science, you can’t go wrong with that, it’s great stuff.”

Across the campus happening concurrently, was another solar eclipse viewing party hosted by the Stockton Action Volunteers for the Environment club. S.A.V.E hosted their event from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., and provided free food to all their attendees. Students sat together on the Arts & Humanities Field and enjoyed lunch on the grass awaiting the eclipse. Students were astonished as the solar eclipse began moving, every student rushing to whip out their reflective solar eclipse glasses. Unfortunately clouds began to cover up the sun just in time for the eclipse’s peak.

While clouds covered up a large part of the sky, students were still able to capture some pictures of the eclipse. Each event held had a successful turnout.