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Galloway, N.J. — Two ΢��è students received the Arcuri Wharton Pre-Law Fund Award on April 25 during the annual Political Science Faculty Spring Reception.

Junior Damaris-Anne Spring, of Willingboro, is a Sociology and Anthropology major. Spring wants to pursue law because of her passion for advocacy and justice, especially regarding health care disparities within marginalized communities. Spring’s goal is to become a medical malpractice attorney who fights for those who have been wronged by negligent health care systems.

Between 2023 and 2024, Spring participated in an internship with the Maternal Health and Birth Equity Community-Based Social Research Collaborative at ΢��è. During her internship, Spring examined the intersections of maternal health, race and socioeconomic class. She also serves as Team Lead at Stockton Center’s for Community Engagement and Service Learning.

Junior Dhikrat Odutayo, of Newark, is a Political Science major with minors in and . Odutayo plans to become a prosecutor and focus on representing cases that involve vulnerable populations, in hopes of contributing to a more just and equitable legal system. Odutayo currently serves as secretary of Minorities in Law and also volunteers at her local community’s food pantry.

“I am eager to immerse myself in the study of law, to learn from supportive mentors and to build the skills necessary to become an effective prosecutor. I am confident that my dedication, practical experience and passion for justice make me a strong candidate for law school,” Odutayo said.

The award is named after two former Stockton Political Science professors — Alan F. Arcuri, who was known for his efforts in advising pre-law students and starting the pre-law program, and Linda Wharton, a former Pre-Law advisor. It provides the recipients with a stipend to cover the cost of a prep program for the LSAT exam and mentors for them as they apply to and attend law school. The endowed fund has given out a total of 29 awards since 2019, following the creation of the fund by Arcuri’s wife, Kris.

This year, both mentors are ΢��è alumni. Spring’s alumni mentor is Ifrah Qadir, who will soon be graduating from Cornell University Law School. Odutayo’s alumni mentor is Briana Davis, who is a student at St. John’s University Law School.

In addition to the Arcuri Wharton award winners, the department recognized student leadership and research accomplishments, including the 2024 Constitution Day Fellows: Detty-Maidanove Exantus, Lindsay Grande and Ashley Ramirez, as well as Political Science majors and minors who served leadership roles in the Student Senate, Model United Nations and the newly formed Estudiantes Unidos de Atlantic County. 

“Political Science students are serving in leadership positions throughout Stockton University, and interning for U.S. Senators, courthouses and nonprofit organizations. They are participating in international and national competitions, such as Model United Nations and Mock Trial,” said Lauren Balasco, chair and associate professor of Political Science. “And they are also getting accepted into graduate schools such as Northeastern University and Rutgers University as well as law schools such as New York Law and Delaware Law.”

Tina Zappile, associate professor of Political Science, also recognized the research conducted by students in the Political Science senior seminar, a course all Political Science majors are required to take to graduate. Students conduct their own research projects, working together in a team model and present their own analyses and findings to their peers.

Also at the ceremony, Balasco led the induction of nine students into the Alpha Zeta Rho chapter of , the National Political Science Honor Society: Camille Benoit, Austin Eckert, Ryan Kilpatrick, Nicholas Lare, Isabella Marinello, Dhikrat Odutayo, Hunter Pico, Eline Xia and Alexa Zambino.