Harvey Kesselman to Continue as Acting President at Stockton Beyond July 1

Dr. Harvey Kesselman will remain Acting President at Stockton University while Herman Saatkamp is on medical leave, the University announced Wednesday morning.

Kesselman took over as Acting President on April 28, but had been scheduled to take over as President at the University of Southern Maine on July 1.

However, the Stockton University Board of Trustees asked Kesselman to stay on board as it deals with some of its current issues, including plans to develop a campus at the former Showboat Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.

Board Chair Madeline Deininger had written to the University of Southern Maine on behalf of the trustees, asking that Kesselman be allowed to withdraw from his contract to become their President. The University of Southern Maine agreed, and Kesselman’s contract as Acting President has been extended.

“Harvey Kesselman’s long, capable service and dedication to Stockton University were among the qualities that made him such an appealing choice to join our leadership team in Maine,” Dr. James Page, Chancellor of the University of Maine System, said. “While we sincerely enjoyed getting to know Dr. Kesselman and looked forward to working together, we respect his decision and admire his devotion to Stockton. We wish Dr. Kesselman and the entire Stockton University community all the best.”

Kesselman praised the University of Southern Maine leadership for their support.

“I want to acknowledge Chancellor Page’s extraordinary sensitivity and understanding of my need to remain at Stockton at this time in the institution’s history,” Kesselman said. “This decision allows the Chancellor and his staff to come up with the best solution for USM and permits me to concentrate my full attention on the issues facing Stockton.

“Stockton has been a part of me since its founding, and I cannot walk away now. With President Saatkamp on medical leave, the trustees felt they needed someone with thorough knowledge of the University, the region and the state to ensure continuity as we enter the next academic year and maintain our tradition of excellence in education.”

Now that Kesselman has agreed to remain Acting President for the immediate future, the University is under no time constraint to commence a costly, national search for an Interim President. She also praised Kesselman.

“Dr. Kesselman has the confidence not just of the Board and the Stockton community, but business and government leaders throughout the region and state,” Deininger said. “Harvey is known and respected by all, and is immensely qualified to keep Stockton moving forward on all fronts.”

She added that Stockton’s executive leadership situation will be re-evaluated, with input from the Stockton community, after Saatkamp’s resignation takes effect.

State Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senators Jim Whelan and Christopher Connors praised Kesselman’s decision on Wednesday.

“Dr. Kesselman has the experience, the skills and the commitment to educational excellence that will enable him to provide Stockton with the leadership needed to meet the university’s challenges and continue its progress,” Sweeney said. “He possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and a thorough knowledge of the school’s assets. He will provide top leadership at one of New Jersey’s great universities.”

“Stockton’s importance to the region has grown over the years with key contributions in education, the economy and the quality of life,” Whelan said. “He has a complete knowledge of the school and the region and he has demonstrated an ability to work well with the entire university community. And his energy and enthusiasm are a positive influence on others. I look forward to working with him.”

“Dr. Kesselman’s institutional knowledge of Stockton as well as the region, coupled with the tremendous respect he has garnered over the years, will serve as an asset to the University,” Connors said. “I am confident that Stockton will thrive under Dr. Kesselman’s leadership and that the university will remain a leader in the state’s higher education community.”

Kesselman stressed that Stockton will maintain its unequivocal commitment to teaching, learning, research and community service.

“I will work with all the stakeholders: Stockton students, faculty and staff, local, county and state officials and other interested parties, to ensure that Stockton continues to provide the highest quality education, as well as economic, civic and cultural resources to the region,” Kesselman said. “Stockton will come out of its current challenges as a stronger institution, proud of its traditions and positioned for an exceptionally bright future.”

When Saatkamp initially announced his resignation, he intended to stay on board until Aug. 31 to “give Stockton time to initiate a plan for situating an interim president while a search for the next president was underway.”

But on April 28, he said his health status required immediate attention. He resigned effective that date, and Kesselman took over as Acting President.

Saatkamp was Stockton President for 12 years. He led a massive campus expansion that included an upgrade to University status.

Kesselman was one of Stockton’s first students in the 1970s. He earned his doctorate in higher education administration from Widener University.

Kesselman has served Stockton in many roles in his 35-year career, including Dean of the School of Education, Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance, Vice President for Student Affairs, Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center, Director of Institutional Research and Planning and Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program.

He also served on the state College and Career Readiness Task Force, and as a member of the N.J. Higher Education Student Assistance Authority which oversees the state’s student financial aid program. He was also active in the development of the NJSTARS community college scholarship program.