Lorene Asay, 92, of West Windsor is the last surviving member of the Citizen Study Committee, a group of Gloucester County residents who lobbied in the 1960s to build a county-operated community college. She recently visited Gloucester County College in Deptford.
“I wanted a picture with me in front of the plaque because I am so proud of having been a part of that,” Asay told reporters. “For posterity, for people to come, they should know I had something to do with something so worthwhile.”
Asay, the chair of the county-wide PTA, thought it was important to educate those who could not afford to leave what was a mostly agricultural county for college.
Several of her offspring have attended the school. Her daughter, Shirley “Pat” Sutherland, took classes there, and her granddaughter, Tracy Gilman, graduated in 1987 with a degree in office system technologies.
When Gilman was a student she discovered a plaque on the wall with her grandmother’s name. When she spoke to her grandmother about it she learned the story.
Though Asay talked about revisiting the college for many years, Gilman connected with school officials who arranged the visit. Asay met with Fred Keating, the college’s president, and John Henzy, the provost.
“It’s a wonderful feeling, and I’m so glad I was a part of it,” she said. “It was a thrill to go back there and see it.”
In college: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth: Emily C. Looney, a 2003 graduate of High School South, received her M.D. and will be doing her residency in family medicine in Boise, Idaho.
Oxford College of Emory University: Neha Kamat of West Windsor was named student leader of the month for her service to Volunteer Oxford, an alternative spring break trip to provide service. She is also in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” A sophomore, she is the daughter of Madhuri and Prakash Kamat.
Rhodes College: Colin Antaya of West Windsor received the Peyton Nalle Rhodes Phi Beta Kappa prize given to the graduating senior who has best demonstrated an exceptional combination of scholarship, creativity, achievement, and commitment to the liberal arts. His seminar paper on propaganda in World War I America was presented at a national scholarly conference before it was published as this year’s lead article in the Rhodes Historical Review.
Antaya also received the John Henry Davis award, given annually to the outstanding senior history major. A member of Phi Beta Kappy honor society, Antaya graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and history. He is the son of Julie and Scott Antaya.
Rowan University: West Windsor graduates include Laura Anne Slatas, a major in elementary education; Jose Antonio Calves, a major in teaching history; and Melanie Rachel Pauker, a major in teaching English. Plainsboro graduates include Katherine Irene Lacenere, a major in English; and Kristine Jennifer Lepelis, a major in studio art.
Vassar College: Timothy Liam O’Connor, a 2008 graduate of High School North, graduated with both departmental honors in film and general honors. He was awarded the Eloise Ellery Fellowship Award, which will be used for his continued studies in film directing at Columbia University in the fall.
