Atlantic Cape Awards $322,046 in Scholarships to 286 Students During 56th Annual Scholarship Recognition Banquet

MAYS LANDING — The 56th Annual Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation Scholarship Recognition Ceremony recognized the generosity of the college’s sponsors and donors along with the tremendous academic achievements of Atlantic Cape’s students by awarding 286 individual scholarships worth $322,046 on May 15 in the Jonathan Pitney Hall Gymnasium on the Mays Landing campus.

“Our donors and our recipients come together here tonight, and we can’t do this without either of you. Our donors have created the opportunity to make it possible for our students to pursue their academic dreams,” said Atlantic Cape’s Chief of Staff and Chief Advancement Officer/Atlantic Cape Foundation Executive Director Jean McAlister.

The evening’s festivities were attended by 115 students, their guests, nearly 60 donors, and college faculty and staff. Several donors spoke to the positive benefits gleaned from giving to such a worthwhile cause.

“An investment in education pays the best interest and we acknowledge our investment in our students,” said Atlantic Cape Foundation Vice President, Donor and Alumnus Terry Budd ‘78.

“We are proud to support organizations and their causes, such as education here at Atlantic Cape Community College, that really are the backbone of our communities. Giving to charities and organizations is our social responsibility,” said Atlantic Cape Foundation Trustee and Senior Vice President & Retail Market Manager, Republic Bank Leslie DiLuigi.

“The benefits of being a donor to Atlantic Cape are knowing you have changed someone’s life forever and the generations to come, knowing that donors can spread hope, change today’s world and change the perspective in society today, and lastly, giving opportunities to individuals who may never have a chance,” said Atlantic City Electric Workforce Development Manager Rachele Dorsey.

The outpouring of giving from such donors has allowed the Atlantic Cape Foundation to support thousands of Atlantic and Cape May County students over the past 56 years and given them the financial means to pursue their academic dreams.

This year, Lower Cape May Regional High School (LCMRHS) senior Moustafa Nasr and Atlantic Cape Academy of Culinary Arts graduate Jocelyn Caceres are two such examples. Nasr and Caceres spoke on behalf of all scholarship recipients on this night.

Nasr earned his Associate in Science Degree in General Studies by taking part in Atlantic Cape’s Early College Program, becoming the first LCMRHS student to do so. Nasr, who credited his mother for helping to keep him on task and motivated through the tough times, is choosing either Rutgers Honors College or Princeton University to continue his studies at this coming fall.

“This is such an important moment in my educational career. My pathway as a first-generation student from LCMRHS to Atlantic Cape could not have been possible without the help of the Atlantic Cape Foundation. My passion for education escalated by leaps and bounds. I had a hungry desire to learn and refused to accept any restrictions,” Nasr said. “The Foundation has gracefully funded nearly 90% of my 60 college credits I have earned at Atlantic Cape. Future success is not something that I just strive for, but feel obligated toward fulfilling. It is the best way to show my gratitude to those who aided in my journey.”

Caceres earned her Associate in Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts and will continue to apply her newly-acquired knowledge in the workforce.

“Between scholarships and grants, Atlantic Cape and its donors made it possible for me to attend culinary school completely free,” Caceres said. “Coming from an impoverished family background, it means a lot to me and my family. Not only have these grants taken a huge load off of mine and my family’s shoulders, but they have encouraged me to push forward towards my goal of making everyone proud.”

In Giving Year 2022, the Foundation awarded 696 scholarships worth $634,633 to Atlantic Cape students. The Foundation received $678,202 from 554 donors and sponsors. Meanwhile, $35,000 was raised in direct support for Atlantic Cape, $12,850 was raised for emergency funds and $5,658 for the Campus Food Pantry.

Since the Foundation’s beginning in 1978, it has raised more than $5 million for student scholarships and improvements at Atlantic Cape’s three campus locations. The Foundations’ mission is to provide funding and support to the college, its students and educational endeavors through special event fundraising and community philanthropy.

Visit www.atlanticcape.edu/give to help support the Atlantic Cape Foundation.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape is a comprehensive two-year community college serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. The college offers over 40 career, transfer and workforce development programs to more than 8,000 students annually at three campuses in New Jersey: Atlantic City, Cape May Court House and Mays Landing.

About Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation

Atlantic Cape established the Foundation in 1978 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity to build a broad base of financial support for its programs and services. Foundation members are drawn from local industry and small businesses and represent a broad cross-section of active leaders in the community. The Foundation has raised more than $5 million for scholarships, Foundation operations and to enhance academic programs and the campus environment. Annually, the Foundation provides nearly $600,000 for institutional scholarships, grants and emergency help.