Plaque honoring William Spangler installed outside library

A plaque recognizing the contributions of William Spangler, Atlantic Cape Community College’s first library director, was installed in the entryway to the library named in his honor during a ceremony Tuesday, April 26 on the Mays Landing campus.

The plaque was donated by the Atlantic Cape Library with the support of the Spangler Beautification Committee. Committee members are Chairperson Janet Hauge, Katherine Aikens, Rick Anzelone, Tonya Cooper, Sandra Criscione, Denise Coulter, Cheryl Knowles-Harrigan, Lydia Lehr, Rita Michalenko, Ed Perkins, and Mariann Sozio.

“It's an honor to collaborate with the members of the Spangler Beautification Committee with the common goal of beautifying the campus, one project at a time, thanks to the incredible generosity of Bill Spangler,” said Hauge, Director of Academic Support Services. “I hope that as people enter the library, they take a moment to read the plaque and learn a bit about the library's namesake.”

The plaque dedication falls in line with the 30th anniversary of the library being named for Spangler on April 28, 1992 and the 56th anniversary of the library building being named for Daniel Leeds.

Josette Katz, Atlantic Cape Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, read aloud a resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees in 1992 naming the library.

According to the resolution, prior to his death in 1988, Spangler donated a sum of money to Atlantic Cape to establish a fund for campus beautification. The funds are dispersed through the Committee.

Projects to beautify the campus have included new plantings outside of Daniel Leeds and Richard Somers Halls, patios and tables at the entrances to the building, the Cat sculpture in the library, art gallery pedestals, the Japanese garden by the Academy of Culinary Arts, butterfly bushes in the courtyard outside of the Ruth Lee Health Building, trees in front of Parking Lot 4.

 “In creating this fund, Mr. Spangler has demonstrated the importance of leaving a legacy that continues to improve the college for the benefit and enjoyment of our students, visitors, community members, and employees for years to come,” said Dr. Barbara Gaba, Atlantic Cape president.

Past library directors in attendance included Paul Rigby (1984-2001) and Janet Marler (2014-2018).