Atlantic Cape Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Party in the Quad; Worthington Campus Block Party Celebrates 40 Years in AC

MAYS LANDING & ATLANTIC CITY — The nascent idea of the community college first saw the light of day in 1947 as part of then-U.S. President Harry S. Truman’s commission report on the state of higher education in America. A six-volume report suggested the establishment of a network of public community colleges across the country that would be free of charge for all youth who could benefit from a higher education.

Here in Atlantic County, various groups urged that a college be established with the goals of providing an educational service to the entire community that would discover and develop individual talents at an affordable cost with easy access. The combined efforts of educators, legislators and individuals in the community resulted in the passage of the New Jersey County College Act in 1962.

Following the act’s passage, a special committee of County Freeholders and educators prepared a study, which showed the need for a community college in Atlantic County. In December 1963, the State of New Jersey Department of Education granted approval for the establishment of Atlantic Community College, thus becoming the second community college to be organized by the state on April 14, 1964. Since its passage in 1962, 16 community colleges have been established in New Jersey.

The site for the college was selected on November 19, 1964 and the official groundbreaking ceremonies for its nine-building complex in Mays Landing were held in November 1966. Atlantic Community College opened its doors to students in September 1966, using facilities rented at the original Atlantic City High School location on Albany Avenue. In February 1968, the college moved to its permanent campus location in Mays Landing.

To recognize Atlantic Cape’s long-standing dedication to higher education in both Atlantic and Cape May counties, Atlantic Community College officially became known as Atlantic Cape Community College in February 1999. The Cape May County campus, located on Court House-South Dennis Road, officially opened in August 2005. Atlantic Cape will celebrate the Cape May campus’ 20^th anniversary in 2025.

Between June 1968 and December 2023, Atlantic Cape has awarded 29,640 associate’s degrees to 28,537 students, 677 professional series certificates to 610 students and 63, 30-credit certificates to 61 students.

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Atlantic Cape celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding on May 4 as hundreds of attendees, including students, alumni, staff, faculty and residents of its surrounding communities, descended upon the Mays Landing campus Quad for a day filled with free food, live musical entertainment, representatives from various college departments, games, demonstrations, a campus tour and much more.

Despite the cold, blustery winds and light rain, the mood was not dampened the least. Many of the college’s academic departments, student clubs and athletics program set up tables with free giveaway items and informational literature. The renowned Academy of Culinary Arts brought its Food Truck where nachos with melted cheese and salsa wowed the palettes of many. For those seeking a non-vegetarian option, the barbecue grill was aglow with hot cheeseburgers and hot dogs. To soothe the sweet tooth, an ice cream truck offered soft serve cones and cups.

Young and mature alike engaged in fun pickup volleyball games, rode the elusive mechanical bull, and played corn hole and other games. Physics Professor Frank Toriello conducted a physics in-motion experiment, STEM Interim Dean Dr. Jolie Master displayed how the winds affect the shape and motion of large bubbles, and Professor Dr. Bojan Zilovic and his band, The Educators, brought its rock, jazz, blue and pop infused sound to the Quad.

View a photo gallery of this event at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBpmTA.

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Atlantic Cape celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Worthington Atlantic City campus by hosting a free and open-to-the-public Block Party on May 1 that brought college students, staff, faculty, alumni and many members of the community together to recognize the campus’ history of innovation and excellence.

More than 300 residents attended the event, which featured free food courtesy of the Academy of Culinary Arts Food Truck and Dunkin’, giveaway items, live musical entertainment from DJ Dahve, numerous outdoor games for the kids, dance performances by the Sovereign Avenue School Asian Club and student Ana Celia Torres, and tours of the college campus.

View a photo gallery of this event at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBoFKW.

In the Spring of 1982, the former Atlantic City Electric Company building was purchased by Atlantic County for Atlantic Cape’s permanent Atlantic City campus, which opened in 1984 after a $4 million renovation project transformed the aging building into a beautiful modern facility that hosts the Casino Career Institute (CCI), the country’s first higher education affiliated gaming school. In April 2001, the campus was renamed in memory of Atlantic County’s first county executive, Charles D. Worthington.

A second major renovation was completed in 2008 to house the Health Professions Institute (HPI). Another expansion project commenced in 2013 and by 2015, the college added the Caesars Entertainment Wing for Hospitality and Gaming Studies, and brought the college’s renowned culinary and hospitality training programs to Atlantic City.

The 78,000-square-foot Worthington campus serves as a hub for affordable, quality education and career training programs that supports the needs of area employers and students. It is home to the CCI, HPI, Nonprofit Resource Center and English as a Second Language Program. A wide range of affordable and flexible courses and services are offered right in the heart of downtown Atlantic City. Day and evening classes, credit and non-credit, community activities, tutoring, academic advising, counseling, full-access library, and financial aid are all available for students.

Visit atlanticcape.edu for more information on all three of our campus locations.

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 33 certificate and 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 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.