Atlantic Cape Dedicates Bench in Memory of Late Professor Emerita Dr. Louise Kaplan

MAYS LANDING — Under befitting clear blue skies and a warm autumn sun, a group of close former coworkers, colleagues and guests gathered at Atlantic Cape Community College’s Mays Landing Campus Quad on October 30 to dedicate a memorial bench in honor of the beloved late Professor Emerita Dr. Louise Kaplan.

Kaplan, who passed away on April 14, 2019, began her distinguished teaching career at Atlantic Cape (then known as Atlantic Community College) in 1968 as an adjunct professor. Over the course of her 44 years in the Anthropology and Bioethics department, Kaplan earned the admiration of many of her students, who years later, still talk glowingly of their favorite professor. Her former colleagues remembered Kaplan for her fierce commitment to education and her students, for “keeping the administration in line,” and for her uncommon, yet beautiful attire.

“It is so nice to see so many retirees here this afternoon. I think we all have very fond memories of Louise Kaplan. She was the consummate professional,” Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Josette Katz said. “She was one of those people who you wanted to be when you grew up. She was a passionate teacher, lover of anthropology and she left a distinct impression on not only her students, but on all of us.”

During her time at Atlantic Cape, Kaplan became the first faculty member to receive a mid-career Fellowship to Princeton University and was honored with the prestigious Lindback Award for teaching excellence in 2005. Kaplan retired in 2012 and was subsequently granted the rank and distinguished honor of Professor Emerita in 2018.

Those in attendance on this day remembered Kaplan with numerous stories, both funny and touching.

Former Associate Professor of Biology Dennis Huey jokingly recalled Dr. Kaplan’s penchant for cooking pasta with ketchup since that was what her family loved most. Former Vice President of Academic Affairs Art Wexler stated that through Dr. Kaplan’s teaching, and her pedagogical approach to learning, she left her students with a broader worldview of things beyond what they would see in their day-to-day lives. Former Professor of History Ron McArthur applauded her lifelong commitment to learning, as witnessed by her two master’s degrees and a doctorate, and her willingness to serve on many committees and always being available to consult with.

Located on the east side of A Building and adjacent to a Magnolia tree that is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Godfrey R. Cris Barlatt, Dr. Kaplan’s bench is engraved with the words, “In Memory of our Beloved Colleague Dr. Louise Kaplan, Professor Esteemed Faculty Member 1968-2012” and surrounded by two silhouettes of her beloved great apes.

“I hope that this bench serves as a lasting legacy,” Wexler concluded.

View a photo gallery of this event here on Flickr.

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.