ATLANTIC CITY – Atlantic Cape Community College Professor of History and Government Dr. Augustine Nigro was presented with the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition of his 20 years of teaching excellence during the 59th Annual Commencement Ceremony in Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City on May 21.
The Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award is presented to an Atlantic Cape educator who has contributed significantly to the education of the College’s students. The honoree is a role model, an individual who stands out from the rest, whose accessibility to students, high standards, and openness to new ideas and new ways of teaching stand as a shining example for others in our community of scholars.
Dr. Nigro, who is also the chairperson for the Arts and Humanities Department, has served the College and its students since 2006. He became an associate professor in 2015 and earned the rank of professor in 2021.
“This is a great honor. The people (award winners) who came before me, they're some of my mentors and heroes in teaching, and to be mentioned in the same light as them, it feels really rewarding.”
Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba presented Dr. Nigro with the Lindback Award.
“The Lindback Award affirms that our highest recognition of individual merit is found within the realm of teaching excellence. It reinforces the notion that our core central purpose is excellence in teaching and learning. This award recognizes an esteemed faculty member who has significantly challenged the process of student learning, affected the motivation to learn, inspired a greater interest in academic pursuit and influenced the lives of students in a very meaningful way,” said Gaba.
Nigro, a native of Allentown, PA, who currently resides in Marlton, NJ, grew up in a household with a mother and father who were both educators. He knew from an early age while in elementary school that he wanted to become a history teacher one day.
“My parents showed how rewarding it (teaching) could be. I would hear their conversations at the dinner table of them impacting students' lives and how rewarding they thought the job was. It was just something that I thought I would like to do too,” said Nigro, who wore his father’s 1960s Ph.D. robe from the University of Maryland during the ceremony.
Nigro earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Kutztown University, his Master’s Degree in History from Villanova University and his Doctorate in American History from West Virginia University in 2001.
“As soon as I got to Atlantic Cape, I thought that it was perfect. It was exactly what I was looking for and I've been here ever since. It's diverse, you can help the students and lead them. You can see the impact you make with the students here and that's why I love it.”
This year’s Lindback Award nominees also included Professors Keith Forrest, Dr. Raymond Keller, Dr. Francis Toriello, Chris Weisbecker and Dr. Bojan Zilovic.
Previous winners of the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award include:
- 2023 Stephanie Natale–Boianelli, professor, English
- 2020 Richard Russell, assistant professor, English
- 2017 Rita Michalenko, associate professor, Art
- 2014 Marty Marino, professor, Social Sciences
- 2013 Amy Shelton, associate professor, Mathematics
- 2011 Cheryl Knowles Harrigan, assistant professor, Art
- 2009 Donna Vassallo, assistant professor, Hospitality
- 2008 Christina Cavage, associate professor, English as a Second Language
- 2007 Marilyn Malerba Keiner, associate professor, Paralegal Studies
- 2006 Ethel "Effie" Russell, professor, English
- 2005 Dr. Louise Kaplan, professor, Anthropology and Bioethics
- 2004 Richard Benner, assistant professor of Philosophy and Religion
- 2003 Donna Albano, assistant professor of Hospitality Management
- 2002 Regina Van Epps, assistant professor of English
The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation of Philadelphia endows this award, which recognizes outstanding teachers at certain colleges and universities in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, to an esteemed member of the faculty who has significantly enhanced the process of student learning, effected the motivation to learn, inspired the greater interest of academic pursuit, and influenced the lives of students. The award has been presented for more than 40 years and comes with a $4,000 stipend.
Learn more about the Lindback Award at atlantic.edu/lindbackaward.
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About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States-accredited, Hispanic-serving institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and 34 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City, and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and to its highly acclaimed Nursing program for more than 60 years. 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.
