Ocean County College Foundation to Host Symposium on Margaret Atwood’s Impact

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Ocean County College Foundation will host a full day of conversations exploring the influence of writer Margaret Atwood on Thursday, April 23, 2026 on the College’s main campus in Toms River. The symposium will feature a series of panel discussions, followed by a screening of the 2019 documentary “Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power.” Afterwards, guests are invited to attend a livestream broadcast of Margaret Atwood’s moderated conversation. (Tickets to the in-person talk are sold out at this time).

Please note this event is separate from Margaret Atwood’s moderated conversation and she will not be in attendance for the symposium.

Panel Discussions
Students and distinguished scholars will come together to discuss the author’s impact and explore topics and issues through the lens of her works. The panels will take place in the Grunin Center (Building 11), Main Stage, according to the following schedule:

9:45-10:45 a.m.  Speculative Fiction
Texts include The MaddAddam Trilogy, The Robber Bride, Hag-Seed, Half-Hung Mary.
Panelists:

• Dr. Christine Kephart, assistant professor, Rutgers University
• Dr. Pamela J. Rader, professor of English and director for the Center for Teaching & Learning, Georgian Court University
• Dr. David Bordelon, professor of English, Ocean County College
• Dr. Jen Dellner, professor of English, Ocean County College

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  Reproductive and Human Rights
Discussion will focus on The Handmaids Tale.

Panelists:

• Dr. Cynthia R. Daniels, professor of Political Science, Rutgers University
• Lynn M. Paltrow, J.D., founder of Pregnancy Justice

12:30-1:30 p.m.  Environmental Sustainability
Texts include Oryx and Crake.
Panelists:

• Dr. Peter J. Jacques, Rechnitz Family/UCI Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy, Department of Political Science and Sociology, Monmouth University
• Dr. Jason Adolf, Endowed Associate Professor of Marine Science, Program Director of Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy, Monmouth University.

2:00-2:45 p.m. Student Panel: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of The Handmaid’s Tale
Panelists:

• Sabrina Watts, president of Sigma Kappa Delta (OCC Chapter); president of Phi Theta Kappa (OCC Chapter); Ocean County College student
• Hunter Dolci, editor-in-chief of Seascape; Kean Ocean student
• Tristan Basile, member of Sigma Kappa Delta (OCC Chapter); Ocean County College student
• Frida Islas, member of Phi Theta Kappa (OCC Chapter); Ocean County College student

Documentary Screening
Join the OCC community from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the Gateway Building Lecture Hall (Building 101, Rm. 104) for a screening of the 2019 documentary, Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power.

Moderated Conversation Screening
The day will conclude with a free livestream screening of the 6:00 p.m.moderated conversationfeaturing Margaret Atwood (a separate ticketed event).

Due to overwhelming demand, tickets for the in-person conversation are currently sold out. However, attendees are invited to watch the talk via livestream in the Gateway Building Lecture Hall (Building 101, Rm. 104), where it will be screened for additional guests.

For more information about the symposium or to register, please visit occfoundation.org/event/symposium/ or contact the Ocean County College Foundation at 732-255-0492.

About the Ocean County College Foundation
Since 1965, the Ocean County College Foundation has been a cornerstone of student support, awarding more than$23.5 million in scholarships and special program funding. Through the generosity of its donors, the Foundation continues to strengthen the College and enrich student life by supporting initiatives such as the Helping Hands Food Pantry, Blauvelt Speaker Series, Grunin Center for the Arts, Global Travel Experience, Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC), Robert J. Novins Planetarium, Viking Athletics, and many other college and student‑led programs. Together, the OCC Foundation and its supporters are building brighter futures—one student at a time.