The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
SCSU president steps down after 7 years
Joe Bertolino named president of Stockton University in New Jersey, his home state
NEW HAVEN — Southern Connecticut State University President Joe Bertolino was appointed as Stockton University’s sixth president Friday morning after nearly seven years in Connecticut.
The New Jersey native, who was born and raised in Glendora, N.J., said Friday during his acceptance speech: “I am humbled and excited and I’m glad to be home.”
Bertolino was hired from a pool of more than 80 applicants. The New Jersey university’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment. His husband, his father, his sister and his godsons were present for the appointment. His tenure starts July 1.
“Today is all the more special because of the people in my life who have helped to make this possible,” he said. As his mother graduated from Stockton with a nursing degree in 1977, he said “To serve her alma mater as its president is both meaningful and an act of love.”
The SCSU president acknowledged his “good friends” in New Haven. He said the university community has been supportive and he’s grateful for the seven “amazing years.”
The university said Friday afternoon Connecticut State College and University System will announce the appointment of an interim president soon.
The search for a new president at Stockton came as incumbent President Harvey Kesselman announced he will retire at the end of June. Bertolino said Kesselman’s shoes are too big to fill.
“So I have purchased a pair of blue and white running shoes so that the team and I can continue to move forward in the race as you pass the baton,” he told Kesselman.
Bertolino expressed his commitment in Stockton’s continued presence in the surrounding communities of Galloway, Atlantic City, Hammonton, Manahawkin and Woodbine — especially with the university’s “exciting future,” the Atlantic City campus.
Academically, Bertolino said he will work to ensure that a Stockton degree will continue to grow in value every day. Having been a top leader for two universities in the last decade, Bertolino said Stockton will face challenges higher education is facing head on.
Raymond Ciccone, chair of the Board of Trustees, said Bertolino was drawn to Stockton’s commitment to creating a caring community for teaching, learning and academic excellence. He noted the newly appointed president has “an impressive background.”
Bertolino came to New Haven in July 2016, after serving as president at Lyndon State College in Vermont for four years.
During his presidency, the university began a process of creating a new strategic plan, established partnership with Yale New Haven Health, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and Long Wharf Theatre, created the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and opened a new university magnet elementary school on campus.
“I am particularly proud of the productive relationships that we have built with our neighbors in New Haven and beyond,” he said.
In a letter to the SCSU community Friday afternoon, Bertolino said the news of his pending departure will bring uncertainty but it’s also a critical time for the university, referring to the continuation of the strategic plan.
“I will be here through the end of the semester, and so we will save goodbyes, thank yous and recognitions for a later date,” Bertolino said.