Camden County College is pleased to announce 47 student-athletes have obtained a 3.0 GPA or higher during the Fall Semester. The Fall 2018 Student-Athlete Athletic Director Honor Roll can be found at camdenccathletic.org. Congratulations to our students!
CCC returning to the national stage for a sixth straight year
The Cougars open the NJCAA Division III national championship against Cayuga on Thursday
By Matthew Ralph
www.brotherlygame.com
When you turn over rosters the way teams competing at the junior college level do, finding consistent success can be a challenge.
But that’s exactly what Camden County College has done over the last six seasons, making it to the biggest stage year after year. By winning the Region XIX championship last week, the Cougars advanced to the NJCAA Division III national championship for the sixth straight season.
“The program has storied success so I’m just lucky enough to take over and continue building on that in my first year,” said head coach Kevin Nuss, who had only six returners heading into his first season at the junior college level. “We’re young so we’ve had our ups and downs but ultimately we’ve been able to find ways to win and develop as a team and grow.”
Nuss spent one season as an assistant in the program before coaching at Rutgers Camden, Saint Joseph’s and Brown University. He’s also spent summers coaching with the Ocean City Nor’easters in the Premier Development League.
In his first season as head coach of the Cougars, the team finished with a 15-2-1 record, reaching as high as No. 5 in the national rankings. Moving beyond just making it to nationals, where the program lost its last finals appearance back in 2016, and winning a national championship would be a leap for a program that often operates off the radar in a Philadelphia region with no shortage of college soccer.
Success this season has come from a core group of international players, led by Argentinian forward Lautaro Berisso, the Region XIX player of the year.
“The futbol here has been great, I’m loving it and each day we’re getting better and better,” said Berisso, who had eight goals and three assists as a freshman. “The life here is beautiful.”
Freshman defender Tobias Rawson Paz is also from Argentina and other leaders on the team have been Brazilians Lucas Pecegueiro (18 goals, 12 assists) and Lucas Teixeira (3 goals, 8 assists) and forward Ismail Kaya from Turkey (9 goals, 5 assists).
One of the draws of the program for international players is the opportunity to learn English, adjust to life in the United States and continue playing while completing a bachelor’s degree at another school. Being located near so many four-year schools in the Philadelphia region increases the opportunity for exposure.
“The program doesn’t have huge resources so it’s been a unique experience to try to take what we have and make the most of it,” said Nuss, who takes a similar professional approach to coaching at Camden County as he did in the NCAA and the PDL. “We’ve been able to do that, the program has been able to do that for several years now and I’m just happy to be part of it. “
The Cougars begin their quest for a trophy on Thursday as a No. 4 seed in the eight-team field in Herkimer, New York, where they’ll play fifth seed Cayuga at 1:30 p.m. Visit the NJCAA website for more information.
Blackwood’s Tiffaney Tango Named 2018 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar
Tiffaney Tango from Camden County College is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society members named a 2018 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Tango, a Human Services major from Blackwood, was excited and shocked when she heard the news. “I am in recovery now and have been clean for five years. My sponsor was president of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society at CCC and she told me about the organization, so I joined and when I was on the website I saw the scholarship and applied.”
Tango also received two other scholarships from CCC, the Addictions Counseling Club Scholarship and one of the Riletta L. Cream Scholarships. “I feel proud because of how far I have come in life,” states Tango. She will graduate this spring as a dual major in Human Services and Addictions Counseling and plans to continue her education at Rowan University next fall.
The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are also encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. More than 1,200 applications were received.
“Camden County College is proud to hear Ms. Tango is one of the 2018 recipients,” states CCC President, Donald A. Borden. “As a community college, we always strive to not only provide excellent academic programs that lead to jobs, but also opportunities for students to enter leadership roles that prepare them for their chosen careers. The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise national scholarship is a wonderful resume builder for our students and Ms. Tango certainly exemplifies the qualities of the scholarship.”
Tango’s professor, Leroy Stanford offers his congratulations and support, stating, “Tiffany has served as co-secretary for the Addiction Counseling Club as well as a member of the Diversity Club here on campus. Tiffany participated in various community support advocacy projects the Addiction Club support last year and I look forward to having her back in a leadership role for the club and the next phase of success for the Addiction Counseling Program and Camden County College.”
A total of $207,000 is awarded through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the U.S. military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, Executive Vice President and President-Elect of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa, make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals, and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”
“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations. Learn more at ptk.org.
50th Commencement Activities
Please join us Friday, May 11, 2018 at 10 a.m. in the Truman Courtyard on the Blackwood Campus on College Drive and Peter Cheeseman Road in Blackwood, NJ.
This year marks the 50th commencement at Camden County College. To celebrate, we have created four videos highlighting the impact of the College on our students.
Other highlights include:
- Congressman Donald Norcross will announce the winner of the Alumni Trustee for 2018-2019 and provide remarks about the importance of civic leadership.
- Keynote speaker William J. Wilhelm has a long and rich history with Camden County College as a student, an administrator, a faculty member, and a volunteer. He is a living record of the history of the College.
- Gloucester Township Chief of Police, Harry Earle, will accept the 2018 CCC Outstanding Alumnus Award. Chief Earle graduated from CCC in 1992 and served in various positions throughout his career with the Gloucester Township Police Department including Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant assigned as a Watch Commander, Lieutenant assigned as the Traffic Safety Bureau Commander, Captain assigned as the Operations Commander, and Deputy Chief of Police before becoming Chief of Police in 2010.
- Student speaker George Givens, a Business major from Camden, offers his remarks to the graduating class.
- CCC student, Caitlin Hoffman, will perform the National Anthem.
Interesting facts about our 2018 graduating class:
- There are 1,626 graduates.
- The class of 2018 is one of the largest graduating classes of Camden County College and perhaps the brightest, having earned well over $2.5 million in scholarships.
- Two-thirds are women; one-third are men.
- 71 are graduating with more than one degree or certificate.
- The youngest is 17 and the oldest is 67.
- Most are natives of Camden County. Some are from other areas of New Jersey. Some are from other states including Pennsylvania, Delaware, California, Florida, and New York. A number of you have travelled quite a bit farther – from twenty-three countries to include Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Greece, Hong Kong, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
- Quite a number of our graduates serve in a branch of the United States military, and 40 are veterans
- 155 graduates earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
- 75 graduates are nursing graduates who have completed requirements for an associate in science degree while also earning a diploma in nursing from Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and 4 have completed certificates in Nursing.
- Over 80 percent of our graduates have juggled the responsibilities of the classroom with the responsibilities of the working world, holding part-time or full-time jobs while pursuing a degree or certificate.
Calling All Students! Deadline extended.
Do you want a career in acting or visual communications? Now is your chance to get noticed. Camden County College is looking for eight CCC students to serve as student ambassadors in videos we are shooting the first week in April.
The process to apply is easy:
- Film yourself reading the demo script below. A smart phone video is fine, but just make sure we can see and hear you well.
- Upload your video to YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram and send a link to your video to jyankanich@camdencc.edu and smatteo@camdencc.edu.
Please note: Your video must be public so we can view it. Make sure you include your contact information. - Wait to hear from us about Round 2 in-person testing in front of our cameras.
All submissions are due by March 21. You will be contact via email or phone so make sure your contact information is included in your email submission.
CAMDEN COUNTY STUDENT DEMO SCRIPT
At Camden County College, we provide a safe environment, so you can concentrate on your studies and your future. We would like to acquaint you with some of our safety measures, as well as, provide some helpful tips on what you can do to ensure that you and your fellow Cougars stay safe, both on and off campus.
The number one crime on campus is theft. The easiest and best way to protect your computers, mobile devices, and other belongings is to be on guard and lock them up. Always lock your doors, windows, and cars. If you have something valuable in the car, always hide it or put it in the trunk.
Together, we can keep our Cougar Nation safe!
Four CCC Athletes continue at NCAA Level
Four Camden County College student athletes have signed national letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our student athletes,” stated William Banks, Director of Athletics. “I know they will excel at the next level academically, as well as athletically. Camden County College has laid a solid foundation for these individuals to succeed.”
Three of the CCC athletes are on the women’s soccer team.The teammates played two seasons for the Lady Cougars–Fall 2015 and Fall 2016. In 2016, the team advanced to the Region XIX Championship Game where they lost to the defending National Champs, Brookdale Community College. During their time at Camden County College, the team went 18-13-1, making the playoffs both seasons.
Rachel Ingram is a 2015 Pennsauken High School graduate and is currently in her second year at Camden County College studying Biology. During Ingram’s career at Camden County College she has played in 32 games making 28 starts at midfield and defense. In her career she has scored two goals and two assists. Today she signed with St. Peter’s University.
Lauren Larmanis and Emily Goeltz signed with Goldey Beacom College (NCAA DII). Larmanis is a 2013 graduate of Timber Creek High School and is currently in her second full year at Camden County College studying Psychology. During her career at Camden County College she played in 32 games making 30 starts. She has five career goals and 10 assists. In her final season at Camden County College Larmanis was named 1st Team All Region XIX and 1st Team All GSAC. Emily Goeltz is a 2014 graduate of Haddon Heights High School and is currently in her second full year at Camden County College studying Liberal Arts and Science. During Goeltz’s career she played in 26 games making 13 starts. In her career she has scored five goals and dished out four assists. Her nickname on the team is Rocky.
“I am so happy and wish them the best of luck as they move onto the next stage of their academic and athletic careers. I hope they can come out and make an impact for their new schools,” states Madison Gregory, CCC Assistant Women’s Soccer.
Wrestler Dymere Rappa signed with Lindenwood University (NCAA DII). Rappa is a 2011 graduate from Paulsboro High School. His path to Camden County College is a long traveled road. Rappa original started at Gloucester County College in Fall 2011 and wrestled for the Roadrunners before an injury cut his freshman year short. After going to school and taking some time off, Rappa decided to attend Camden County College after he heard the wrestling team was brought back under Head Coach Gary Papa. Rappa enrolled at Camden County College Fall 2015 and had to sit out the fall to re-establish his eligibility. When Spring 2016 hit, Rappa was on the mat ready to go.
Spring 2016 saw Rappa go undefeated on his way to winning the 197lb NJCAA National Championship. Over the summer Director of Athletics, William Banks was able to obtain a NJCAA Medical Redshirt for the 2011 season at Gloucester County College, so Rappa was able to wrestle an additional year at the Junior College Level. The 2016-17 season saw Rappa finish the year at 27-5 overall and taking a 3rd place finish at the NJCAA National Championships at 197lb and helping the team to place 10th overall Nationally and was one of four All-Americans on the Wrestling Team. During Rappa’s career, Camden County College he has an impressive 41-5 record, was named 1st Team NJCAA All-American (2015-16) and named 3rd Team NJCAA All-American (2016-17).
“Dymere was a pleasure to coach and I wish him all the best at Linwood. I know he will succeed in the classroom and on the mat.” stated Gary Papa, Head Wrestling Coach Camden County College.
Commence counseling: Addictions program graduates look forward
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