President's Distinguished Alumni Award

Terry Budd, Class of 1978
Business Administration 

Terry Budd graduated from Atlantic Cape in 1978 with an Associate in Science in Business Administration.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from Stockton University in 1987.  Terry began working at Atlantic Cape in 1974 as a clerk and rose to Dean of Administration during her tenure until retirement in 2014. While at the College, she was responsible for the planning of the Cape May County Campus, the Worthington Atlantic City Campus expansion, and the STEM Building on the Mays Landing Campus. 

In 2012, Terry was awarded the New Jersey Council of Community Colleges (NJCCC) Community College’s Spirit Award as her enthusiasm for the betterment of community colleges as a whole had shown through in her work at the College and across the State.

As an employee and even now in her retirement, Terry has volunteered for many college and Foundation events, such as the Annual Golf Tournament, Restaurant Gala, and alumni events.  Terry and her family continue to support the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, through the college’s capital campaign, naming opportunities, and many signature events which raise money for scholarships and emergency funds.

Terry is an Atlantic Cape Foundation Board member, President of the Cape May County Chamber Education Foundation, and Co-Chairperson of the Restaurant Gala Committee.  She is a dedicated alumna of Atlantic Cape and a true Buccaneer through and through.

Gregory Lasher, Class of 1997
Business Administration

Gregory Lasher earned a Business Administration Associate in Science degree from Atlantic Cape Community College in 1997.  He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Business at Cabrini College and later a Master of Arts degree in School Administration at Rowan University.

Greg is the Principal of Richard M. Teitelman Middle School in Cape May.  Before his role as principal, he was a math teacher and Assistant Principal there. 

His dedication to Cape May County youth is evident in the innovative programs he has instituted at RMT Middle School such as a successful Positive Behavior Supports in Schools program that encourages students to think about the consequences of their good and bad behavior which has led to fewer disciplinary issues and suspensions.  Greg also continues to be an advocate for Atlantic Cape, coordinating middle school student visits to the Cape May County Campus and bringing Atlantic Cape staff to RMT to discuss college and career options.

Greg has served on both the Juvenile Conference Committee and Juvenile Justice Reform Board for Cape May County.  He also participated in the Atlantic Cape Community College Math Advisory Board in 2017 and 2018.  Greg is known to promote Atlantic Cape whenever he has the opportunity.

Chef William McCarrick, Class of 1984
Culinary Arts

Chef William McCarrick completed the Culinary Arts program in 1984.  During his time as a culinary student, he was the President and Accountant of Young Chefs of South Jersey.

Chef McCarrick’s exciting culinary career has taken him to restaurants and hotels around the world. As an executive pastry chef, his skills have been essential in the opening of very successful hotels such as the Grand Hyatt in Taipei and the Ritz-Carlton in Dubai.  Chef McCarrick was the Executive Pastry Chef at Harrods in London, England from 2001-2005, the Chocolatier and Managing Director for Sir Hans Sloane Chocolates, also in London, from 2005-2012, and the Executive Pastry Chef and Chocolatier for Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul, Turkey. 

In 2014, Chef McCarrick took on a new role, as professor, at The Culinary Institute of America.  He was selected as the 2019 “CIA Faculty Member of the Year” for outstanding achievement in support of the college and its students. In 2020, Chef McCarrick was promoted to Associate Professor.

Chef McCarrick was a guest teacher at the Academy of Culinary Arts during its 25^th anniversary year.  He promoted and attended the 39^th Annual Restaurant Gala held on March 31, which honored the Academy’s 40^th anniversary.  Chef McCarrick credits the ACA with being the driving force of his success in the culinary field.

Jerome S. Ingram, Jr., Class of 2004
Liberal Studies

Jerome Ingram graduated from Atlantic Cape Community College in 2004, earning an Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts.  Jerome also earned an Emergency Medical Technician Certificate from Atlantic Cape in 2005.  He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, graduating with highest honors, from Thomas Edison State University in 2014.  Jerome is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies, also from Thomas Edison State University, and expects to graduate in December 2022.  In September 2021, he was selected to serve as the Student Trustee on Thomas Edison State University’s Board or Trustees.

Jerome enlisted in the United States Army National Guard as a Private First-Class Soldier in September 2005.  In his nearly 17 years of services, Jerome has served as a Company Commander, Captain, and was recently promoted to the rank of Major.

Jerome has worked for Atlantic Cape Community College since 2018, starting as a part-time Admissions Assistant and then a full-time Enrollment Navigator.  In July 2021, Jerome became Atlantic Cape’s new program coordinator for athletes and veterans.  He provides crucial support and guidance to service members, veterans and athletes as they pursue their educational goals at Atlantic Cape.

Jerome was a mentor for the students in the Men of Atlantic Cape (MAC) program and has participated in various races for local charities. 

Taylor Henry, Class of 2016
Communication

Taylor Henry earned an Associate in Arts degree in Communication from Atlantic Cape in 2016, graduating with honors.  While studying at Atlantic Cape, Taylor was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, served on the Communication Awards Committee, acted as President of the Atlantic Cape Radio Club, and was on the Atlantic Cape Review team.  She was also the recipient of many Communication Awards including, the Mentoring Award, Volunteer Service Award, Communication Major of the Year Runner-Up, and Alumni Pioneer Award.

Taylor transferred to Rowan University where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing Arts with a Minor in Journalism, graduating magna cum laude in 2018.  Three years later, she obtained a Master of Arts degree in Writing, also from Rowan University.

Taylor is the author and illustrator of “Wildwoods Houses Through Time,” a 128-page paperback book calling for preservation of vernacular residential architecture in the Wildwoods. She is an adjunct instructor at both Atlantic Cape and Rowan University, President of the Wildwood Historical Society, and a freelance journalist for the Cape May County Herald, South Jersey Times, NJ.com, and the Wildwood Sun-by-the-Sea Magazine.

She is a co-founding member of the Atlantic Cape Communication Alumni Council and member of the Communication Program Advisory Board.  Taylor continues to serve as an ambassador and mentor for students considering and pursuing the Communication Program.

President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Madeline Quinn Seidenstricker '71

Donna Vassallo '85

Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Pamela Shute '06

Harry Walk '09

2021 Award Ceremony

President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Mayor Beth Holtzman '82

Dennis Kelly '78

Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Richard Russell, Jr. '99

Kyle Schachner '16

Top row from left: Chad Affrunti '05, James Hennessey '00, Deputy Chief James Sarkos '96, and Nathan Evans, Jr '15.

Bottom row from left: Freeholder E. Marie Hayes '79, Toshira Maldonado-McIntosh '08, Atlantic Cape president Dr. Barbara Gaba, Felix Contreras-Castro '14, and Bert Lopez '81.

Raymond Davis, '92

Maria Mento, '77

Dr. Robert L. Vogel, '68

Dr. Brian Kirchner, '78

MaryAnne Figueroa, '86

Chef Joseph Sheridan, '96

Dr. Carole Dieterly, '08

Kimberly Richardson, '10

Gloryvie Reyes, '01

Terri Lu Schieder, '79

Stephen Dunn, '68

Thomas Innocente, '71

Dr. Valerie Travis-Reese, '82

Katherine M. Morris, Esq., '90

Michael R. Rann, Esq., '88

Janice DeCicco Fipp, Ed.D., '70