Tracey Brascom and Stacey Smith

Stacey Smith ’09 and Tracey Smith-Brascom ’09 are twins. They graduated in December 2009. Stacey majored in Criminal Justice and was mentored by Dr. Janice Joseph. Currently, she is an adjunct at the Department of Law and Justice at Rowan University where she teaches an upper-level course, “Specialization in Policing.” She earned her master’s at the University of Arizona. Stacey was recognized last November 2015 by the Council of Black Faculty and Staff as Distinguished Stockton Alumni.

Tracey majored in Biology at Stockton. Her preceptor was Dr. Pete Straub. She has returned to address classes at the invitation of Professor Tara Luke. Currently, she is a microbiologist with RLS Logistics in Newfield, NJ. She earned her master’s at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Tracey has applied to medical school and has received secondary applications from 11 of 15 submissions.

The Smith twins established a scholarship in memory of their maternal grandmother, Pauline Brown who died on January 6, 2009 – months before the girls’ graduation from Stockton. Pauline Brown was the foundation of their family and a staunch promoter of education. Born in Mississippi, Mrs. Brown was self-taught, and owned an extensive library of thousands of books. She came to New York and worked in nursing at Mount Sinai Hospital. At the gift signing, each girl wore around her neck a piece of her grandmother’s jewelry.

Each sister gave testimony to the strength and courage of Pauline Brown. “She taught us to be respectful of everyone while remaining humble,” said Stacey. And Tracey added, “My nana always told us, ‘Everyone who looks like you is not your friend and everyone who doesn’t look like you is not your enemy. You will be surprised who will help you out in life!’”