Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Spencer Spirit donates $250,000 to Stockton University Foundation
- Funding supports endowed scholarships, business programs, new digital innovation hub
- Total contributions to Stockton over four years reach $1 million
- Digital Innovation Suite at Bjork Library will offer students hands-on experience with emerging technologies
Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc., the parent company of Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween, made another $250,000 donation to the Stockton University Foundation.
Presented during a Nov. 13 ceremony at the company’s Egg Harbor Township headquarters, the funding will help support the Spencer’s & Spirit Halloween Endowed Scholarship. It will also benefit several initiatives at the university, including a summer entrepreneurship program and Stockton’s School of Business. Additionally, it will support a new digital innovation hub due as part of a library renovation project, according to Stockton.
The donation brings the total amount contributed to Stockton over the past four years to $1 million, the school said.
A Spirit-ed response
As a show of appreciation for Spencer Spirit’s generosity, Stockton President Joe Bertolino said the school will name the digital innovation hub after the company.
The space is part of a $19.5 million renovation project that will modernize the three-story, 100,000 square-foot Richard E. Bjork Library. The renovation is expected to be completed by the Fall 2026 semester.
According to Bertolino, the Spencer’s and Spirit Digital Innovation Suite “will give students hands-on access to emerging technologies and tools that inspire creativity, collaboration and discovery.”
“We’re excited to help shape this space together,” he said.
Bertolino went on to describe Spencer Spirit’s $1 million in support over the past few years as “more than a number.”
“It’s a lifeline of opportunity and a powerful vote of confidence in our students, our faculty and the future of this region,” the president explained.
Dan Nugent, executive director of the Stockton Foundation, said the latest gift is “a remarkable testament” to the company’s belief in the university’s mission.
“Their total contribution of $1 million reflects a deep commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and strengthening the university-community partnership that defines Stockton’s spirit,” he said.
[Spencer Spirit’s $1 million in support is] a lifeline of opportunity and a powerful vote of confidence in our students, our faculty and the future of this region.
– Joe Bertolino, Stockton University president
School spirit
Spencer Spirit CEO Steven Silverstein noted that about 18% of employees in the company’s corporate office are alumni of the university. “Our connection to Stockton runs deep,” he said.
“We’re incredibly proud to invest in the next generation of leaders right here in South Jersey, our home,” Silverstein remarked.
One such alumni is Ann Arena.
When she graduated in 1987, she immediately went to work at Spencer Spirit. Over the course of her 38-year career, Arena has held many roles. Now as division vice president of program management, she oversees project managers who run the company’s information technology projects.
Arena said she’s very proud to see both Stockton and the company she works for grow and come together in a collaborative way.
“It’s really become a natural synergy, and that starts with our CEO, Steven Silverstein. He’s been a real champion of deepening our relationship with Stockton and making sure we’re showing up for the community in a meaningful way,” Arena said. “Over the years, we’ve welcomed several Stockton alumni to our team and consistently partnered with student interns, and what stands out to me is the pride they bring with them.
“Stockton has grown beyond being a local university — it’s building an impressive reputation.”
Spirit Halloween is considered the go-to place for costumes, props, accessories and decorations. The banner typically opens more than 1,500 pop-up stores every year for spooky season. This year, it brought back a new Christmas-themed concept, too.
A shopping mall staple, novelty retailer Spencer’s has more than 630 stores across the U.S. and Canada. It sells gag gifts, décor, apparel, jewelry, backpacks, accessories and games.
