CAPE MAY POINT — On a sunny weekend in early October, Atlantic Cape Community College hosted its 4th Annual Guided Beachcombing Walk at the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center on October 4 where students, alumni and guests explored the beach in search of natural treasures under the direction of College Professors Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby and Richard Perello.
The day began with a short speech about the College’s Environmental Studies Program, which works in collaboration with the Arts and Science Center to provide conservation and educational courses that aim to inform and enlighten students and the community on the types of land, air and sea life that permeate the Cape May Point environment.
“When they (President Bob Mullock) took over the Science Center, they wanted to have a presence with Atlantic Cape. Our first year they hadn't even opened the doors yet, but they allowed us host an event here,” said Dr. Hamby. “We try to showcase what Atlantic Cape does and we have a lot of our students here. We want to promote the community, teach them about the environment and why it's important. It’s a multi-purpose gathering."
Perello handed out magnifying glasses and guides to a group of six students before escorting them down to the beach. Before they had even touched the sand, more than a dozen additional students and alumni had joined the group.
Once on the beach, the groups split up, with some staying near the dunes, others walking along the beach finding dozens of burrows, and the rest jetting right to the jetties looking for critters. While children stuffed rocks and shells in their parents' pant pockets, former students showed up with cameras and binoculars for a glimpse at dolphins and to snap pictures of the surrounding wildlife.
Atlantic Cape alumnus Anthony Burges, who is currently a forester with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, cherished the relationships he forged while at the College.
"I have a lot of good relationships here, good relationships that I wanted to keep after graduating,” said Burges. “I went to Stockton [University] and I was able to succeed. I've become a forester now for the state, so I am here to maintain relationships and maybe saying something that clicks with an environmental student.”
Environmental Studies major Grace Hurley, 18, showed up for her class’ first trip to the Arts and Science Center.
“My environmental science professor promoted it as an opportunity to kind of mix what we were learning with a more practical experience,” said Hurley. “I was looking forward to meeting my classmates in a more outdoor setting and bond. I always love getting out in Cape May."
Professors Hamby and Perello examined everyone’s findings as the groups returned to the Science Center after their beach excursion. Perello, who afterwards took pictures with the former environmental studies students and alumni, was very pleased with this year’s event.
"I couldn't have imagined it going any better than it did. The families that also showed up really made it extra special,” said Perello. "Having last year's environmental science class here was very special too."
Visit catalog.atlanticcape.edu/environmental-science to learn more about Atlantic Cape’s Environmental Science program. Learn more about the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center by visiting capemaypointsciencecenter.org.
(Atlantic Cape Review Contributor and Alumnus Shayne Crowley wrote the original version of this story, which appeared in the Review’s Fall 2025 issue.)
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
