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Schools

Atlantic Cape Honors Prominent Galloway Graduates at Commencement

Katherine Morris and Charles Pessagno were recognized.

Two prominent alumnus of from Galloway Township were honored during the school’s 45th commencement ceremonies this week, the school announced.

Atlantic City attorney Katherine Morris, of Galloway, received the President’s Distinguished Alumni Award; and Charles Pessagno of Galloway, a member of the Atlantic Cape Foundation Board of Trustees, regional vice president of Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC and cabinet member for Create Opportunity: The Capital & Scholarship Campaign for Atlantic Cape Community College, received the second President’s Distinguished Foundation Board Member Award during ceremonies held May 17.

The award bestowed upon Morris, a 1990 graduate of the school, recognizes an Atlantic Cape graduate who has distinguished him or herself through professional, personal, public or community-based accomplishments, according to the school.

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Pessagno was honored with an award that recognizes a current or past member of the board who has demonstrated leadership, advocacy and support on behalf of the college and its students, the school said.

Honorary Associate’s Degrees in Arts were presented to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Executive Director and Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Board of Trustees member Dr. Rod A. Risley and Kathleen Graber, who served as this year’s Beacons by the Sea Visiting Professor. Risley also delivered the keynote speech.

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The school awarded 947 Associate’s Degrees in arts, applied science and science.

High honors student Melanie Leventhal, of Wildwood, delivered the class farewell. Leventhal received an associate in science degree in criminal justice, and achieved a 4.0 average, according to the school.

Leventhal, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, joined the college in 2010, the school said. She intends to continue her military and law enforcement career in counter-intelligence and aims for a federal position in the civilian sector, according to the school.

“I am truly thankful for the opportunity that Atlantic Cape has given me and my experience here will most definitely stick with me throughout life as I use what I have gained to help me set and achieve my goals. In addition, the warm, family-like environment that the faculty and staff provided made my time here enjoyable and made me look forward to going to class,” Leventhal said.

“Student Government has been a major part of my college experience and has made a difference in my life,” Student Government Association President Amanda Gulig, of Hammonton, said.   “Because of it, I became more confident in my choices, no longer second guessing every choice I made. I was able to have a better understanding of the student body and their needs, and I was able to meet our administration and work collaboratively with them.”

The student body elected Nicole Schoenstein, of Mays Landing, to serve as alumni representative to the college’s board of trustees. She earned an Associate’s Science Degree in general studies.

Note: The list of graduates is available on Atlantic Cape’s website:

www.atlantic.edu by selecting Class of 2012 List of Graduates from the Headlines. The list includes students who have or are expected to complete the requirements for an associate degree in the 2011-2012 school year.

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