President's Distinguished Alumni Award

Congratulations, 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients!

After reviewing nearly two dozen nominations for the 2024 awards, the Distinguished Alumni Award Selection Committee is excited to announce the following candidates have been selected for the Distinguished Alumni Award: Christian Bolf '93; Chef Michael D'Angelo '84; Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby '94, '98; Chef Deborah Pellegrino '92; and Dr. Antoinette Wilson '94. The nominee selected for this year's Young Alumni Achievement Award is Latoya Mcglone '17. These award recipients were honored during a special dinner at Careme's Restaurant on April 10. Awardees will also be recognized during the college's commencement ceremony in May 2024.

2024 Distinguished Alumni Group Photo with Dr. Gaba

From left to right: Latoya McGlone '17; Chef Michael D'Angelo '84; Dr. Antoinette Wilson '84, President Dr. Barbara Gaba; Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby '94 & '98; Chef Deborah Pellegrino '92, and Christian Bolf '93.

For more information about this award, please contact Kristin Jackson at
kjackson@atlanticcape.edu or (609) 463-3621.

Learn About the 2024 Award Recipients

Christian Bolf, Class of 1993
Business Administration, A.S.

Following Christian’s 1993 graduation from Atlantic Cape (and playing on the men's basketball team)  with an Associate in Science in Business Administration, he continued his education at Glassboro State College (Rowan University). Christian played on the varsity basketball team at Rowan, which made it to the Division III Final Four (finishing the season #3 in the nation). Christian earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting in 1995 and eventually was employed at Atlantic Cape and a large local accounting firm where he served as a CPA. Christian eventually decided to apply for the United States Secret Service, where he has been employed for nearly 25 years. He currently serves our nation as the Resident Agent in Charge for the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) San Juan, Puerto Rico Office. In that position he leads both investigative and protective missions of the USSS in the Caribbean region. In April 2024, Christian will be promoted and assigned as the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the William Clinton Division (Former President Clinton’s Protection Detail). He was heavily involved in the Hammonton Kiwanis Club from 2013-2020 and coached St. Joseph Elementary School’s varsity basketball team in 2018-2019.

Chef Michael D'Angelo, Class of 1984
Academy of Culinary Arts Certificate with Bronze Medal

Chef D’Angelo attended the Academy of Culinary Arts and earned a Certificate with Bronze Medal in 1984. He has been an Executive Pastry Chef since 1993. Early in his career, he led a team of over 40 employees that supplied four casinos and the Atlantic City Country Club with baked goods. Chef D’Angelo also received additional training in France for chocolate as well as sorbet and blown sugar education in Maryland. He has been awarded by the American Culinary Federation - Pastry Chef of the year three times and Chairman Award Winner for Team Achievement from Harrah's Casino Resort in Atlantic City. In his current role, he is the Executive Pastry Chef for Classic Cake based out of Philadelphia and Symphony Pastry based out of Morristown, NJ. He currently overseers 50+ employees. Chef D’Angelo was a Restaurant Gala committee member for years and continues to find time to serve his community through many volunteer opportunities in and around the Atlantic City area including supporting the Salvation Army Atlantic City Corps, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City and the Atlantic Cape Foundation.

Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby, Class of 1994 and 1998
Science & Mathematics, A.S. and Science & Mathematics - Biology, A.S.

Dr. Hamby started taking classes at what was then Atlantic Community College in 1991 after the birth of her first daughter and, through the work-study program, she secured a job as a lab assistant. It was in this position that she discovered her love of science and laboratory work. Her love of science inspired her to continue her education and obtain a second A.S. in Biology from Atlantic Cape, a Bachelor of Science in Math and Natural Science from Thomas Edison State College, a Master of Science in Geoscience from Mississippi State University and ultimately an EdD in Educational Leadership from the University of New England. Her work and academic journey has taken her from community college work-study student all the way to the Director of Science Labs at Atlantic Cape Community College. In addition to her dedication as an employee at Atlantic Cape, Dr. Hamby has been a steadfast supporter of the Atlantic Cape Foundation and its many fundraising efforts including helping to fund the Dr. Joe McGrellis Memorial Scholarship and the Dr. Louise Kaplan memorial bench and scholarship. She has also been instrumental in the annual Teen Tech and Tech-Trek programs designed to inspire young women to explore STEM careers.

Chef Deborah Pellegrino, Class of 1992
Academy of Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts, A.A.S.

After completing her studies at the Academy of Culinary Arts in 1992, Chef Pellegrino sought career opportunities in the culinary and hospitality field to include several years serving as a crew chef on the Motor Yacht Virginian which traveled to destinations throughout the world, pastry chef at Resorts International, Temple Bar, and Caesars Entertainment, and even opened her own dessert establishment, Made Atlantic City Chocolate Bar, with her husband Mark. The “bean to bar chocolate shop” made artisan chocolates on site and event created a special chocolate bar for Gordon Ramsay. In 2021, Chef Pellegrino was hired as the Executive Pastry Chef at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. In 2022, she was promoted to become the first female Executive Director Chef, overseeing the culinary operations at 16 restaurants on the property. Throughout her career, she has received many awards and accolades, including American Chefs Federation’s Pastry Chef of the Year in 2007,  Academy of Culinary Arts Restaurant Gala Honoree in 2012, Caesars Entertainment’s Chairman Award winner for Outstanding Accomplishments in 2015, and was honored in November 2023 through the naming of the Pastry Kitchen in the Academy of Culinary Arts courtesy of Borgata. She has also appeared on the Food Network in competition; Comedy Cakes in January 2011 and Chocolate Myths (winner) in July 2011. She is currently serving as the 2024 Restaurant Gala co-chair and manages to find the time to volunteer for local causes such as Sister Jean’s Kitchen and the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City.

Dr. Antoinette Wilson, Class of 1984
Liberal Arts, A.A.

Dr. Antoinette Wilson graduated from Atlantic Cape in 1984 with an Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts and transferred to Glassboro State College (Rowan University), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1987. After graduation, she began her career as a school counselor with Galloway Township Public Schools until 2001. She went on to serve as a teacher and school counselor at Winslow Township Middle School and Wildwood Public Schools until 2005, when she took the position of Supervisor of Instruction for Pleasantville Public Schools. In 2014, she moved to the school counselor role within the school district, providing guidance and counseling services to over 300 eighth grade students until she retired in 2022. Dr. Wilson has been an adjunct instructor at Atlantic Cape since 2019, teaching psychology courses in-person and remotely. In addition to her A.A. and B.A. degrees, Dr. Wilson earned a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Services from Rowan University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Capella University. She has received a number of awards over the years including the New Jersey School Counselors Association Counselor of the Year Award (Atlantic County) and Cape Atlantic School Counselor of the County Award (Atlantic County). She volunteers with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and the Juvenile Justice Committee in Egg Harbor Township, is an active member of Rowan University’s Alumni Association and has served as a member of the Atlantic Cape Alumni Association Advisory Board. She frequently assists with Atlantic Cape Alumni Association events and has been an advocate of Atlantic Cape to the many students she has counseled over the years.

Latoya Mcglone, Class of 2017
Liberal Arts - Psychology, A.A.

Latoya Mcglone graduated from Atlantic Cape in 2017 with an Associate in Arts, Liberal Arts-Psychology degree. During her time at Atlantic Cape, she was on the Dean’s List three semesters. She transferred to Rutgers University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May 2019 and two years later, she obtained a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. Latoya has worked with school age children as a substitute teacher, program specialist with Jersey Shore Council, early intervention child development specialist at TheraCare, and an individual/family counselor for Center for Family Services. In July 2023, she took on the role of Director of Behavioral Health for the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City. Latoya is also an adjunct at Atlantic Cape, teaching sociology, child psychology and general psychology courses in-person and online. She has served as a classroom parent for Davenport Primary School and Joy D. Miller School, is a judge for the Jersey Shore Science Fair (Behavioral Sciences) at Stockton University, and is the Intern Supervisor of Stockton University students at Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City.

About the President's Distinguished Alumni Award

Established in 2010, the President’s Distinguished Alumni Award has been presented annually to graduates of Atlantic Cape that have differentiated themselves through a combination of professional, academic, and community-based accomplishments and have also remained committed to supporting Atlantic Cape, its mission, and most importantly, its students.  

Distinguished Alumni Award

The President's Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to Atlantic Cape graduates who have made significant contributions in their professional field, community, and/or through humanitarian service.  A strong dedication to Atlantic Cape's mission, student population, and legacy, is also a key factor in selecting recipients.

Young Alumni Achievement Award

This honor is bestowed upon an alumnus/a who is 40 years of age or younger and has excelled in his/her profession, made positive contributions to his/her community, and remained connected to Atlantic Cape while supporting its mission and values.

Previous Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Dr. Ananda Davis-Wright '06

Chef Georgeann Leaming '99

Daniel L. Money '71

Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Nicholas LaRotonda '14

Zachary Pashley '10

President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Terry Budd '78

Greg Lasher '97

William McCarrick '84

Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Taylor Henry '16

Jerome S. Ingram, Jr. '04

President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Madeline Quinn Seidenstricker '71

Donna Vassallo '85

Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Pamela Shute '06

Harry Walk '09

2021 Award Ceremony

 

President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Mayor Beth Holtzman '82

Dennis Kelly '78

Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Richard Russell, Jr. '99

Kyle Schachner '16

Distinguished Alumni Group Photo 2019

Top row from left: Chad Affrunti '05, James Hennessey '00, Deputy Chief James Sarkos '96, and Nathan Evans, Jr '15.

Bottom row from left: Freeholder E. Marie Hayes '79, Toshira Maldonado-McIntosh '08, Atlantic Cape president Dr. Barbara Gaba, Felix Contreras-Castro '14, and Bert Lopez '81.

Raymond Davis, '92

Maria Mento, '77

Dr. Robert L. Vogel, '68

Dr. Brian Kirchner, '78

MaryAnne Figueroa, '86

Chef Joseph Sheridan, '96

Dr. Carole Dieterly, '08

Kimberly Richardson, '10

Gloryvie Reyes, '01

Terri Lu Schieder, '79

Stephen Dunn, '68

Thomas Innocente, '71

Dr. Valerie Travis-Reese, '82

Katherine M. Morris, Esq., '90

Michael R. Rann, Esq., '88

Janice DeCicco Fipp, Ed.D., '70