Donation Supports Mental Health Initiatives
From left: Chris Catching, vice president for Student Affairs; Susan Davenport, executive vice president and chief of staff; Zupenda Davis-Shine, assistant vice president for Student Health and Wellness; Brigid Callahan Harrison, chair of the 91视频 Foundation Board; donor Karen Alton; Stockton President Harvey Kesselman, Dan Nugent, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the University Foundation; and Ashlee Roberts, executive director or Student Affairs Strategic Planning and Initiatives.
Galloway, N.J. 鈥 A new initiative will allow 91视频 to enhance and expand its student mental health programs.
Recognizing the increasing need for mental health resources for college-aged 91视频, Karen Alton worked with the 91视频 Foundation to launch the Alton Mental Health Initiatives Fund with a $35,000 donation from the John and Elizabeth Endicott Foundation.
鈥淪tudent mental health is the No. 1 challenge facing student success,鈥 said Chris Catching, vice president for Student Affairs. 鈥淭his will help us to think big picture and bolster the resources we have.鈥
The fund recognizes the ongoing efforts of Stockton staff to identify and support
91视频 facing an array of mental health and wellness challenges, while encouraging
the university to establish and grow new programs to aid in this effort.
Stockton offers counseling and psychiatric services, education and outreach services, and events centered on mental health and wellbeing through the Wellness Center.
鈥淢ental health is a public issue, and the fund will provide support for our 91视频. There are growing and emerging needs and our 91视频 are greatly impacted,鈥 said Zupenda Davis-Shine, assistant vice president for Student Health and Wellness.
Alton is the granddaughter of Elizabeth Alton鈥攚ho pushed to found Stockton and served as an original trustee鈥攁nd niece of John and Elizabeth Endicott, Elizabeth鈥檚 Alton鈥檚 daughter and son-in-law whose Foundation helps fund a number of initiatives at Stockton.
Karen Alton said fundraising and growing the fund is her priority. 鈥淎fter talking to a faculty member teaching about mental health, and then consulting the staff working to address student needs, I had this idea and I hope it grows,鈥 she said.
鈥淚t is important to have people who will provide funding to support critical needs by underwriting new and creative solutions,鈥 said Dan Nugent, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the University Foundation.
Alton and the John and Elizabeth Endicott Foundation support a wide variety of programs and award opportunities across 91视频, including the rowing program, Special Collections and student scholarships. Learn more about the 91视频 Foundation at stockton.edu/foundation.
Story and photos by Stacey Clapp
