By Avri Zmuda
CCC Journalism Program
CHERRY HILL – The Camden County College Cherry Hill campus hosted a spring fling with food, music, giveaways and donations for the CCC food pantry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 23.
The spring fling was “for students to have fun and get information, such as career services, college services, plus services from outside vendors,” said Sherri Bonafiglia, student support specialist. Most of the vendors were academic partners with CCC, the rest were advertising to students and staff.
Thirteen organizations participated and provided information to students:
- Healthy Women Healthy Families
- Wilmington University
- CCC Transfer Services Team
- CCC Career Services
- Hampton Behavioral Health Center
- U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Services
- Camden County Board of Freeholders: Making It Better, Together
- AKA Theta Pi Omega AKA Connection
- PNC Bank
- Police and Fire Federal Credit Union
- Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing Cooperative Program with Camden County College
- Lourdes Institute of Wholistic Studies
- CCC Tutoring Center
The CCC Tutoring Center’s table provided pamphlets about the center’s services. “We have tutoring for all three campuses, free for all currently registered students. (If the students need certain tutoring that isn’t offered at the campus they’re at,) they can take the shuttle to and from each campus. It runs every half hour,” said Barbara A. Palmer, coordinator of tutoring.
Sgt. Autumn L. Davis, who was at the U.S. Marine Corps recruiter’s table, said her job was to “find individuals that are looking for growth in life, to better themselves” and to offer “whatever opportunities they want out of life,” considering the Marines offer 300 jobs. The giveaways included lanyards, stickers and brochures on Marine career options.
The Police and Fire Federal Credit Union, which is a non-profit bank, was “offering a $55 membership to the credit union” for students and staff of CCC, said Kira Orzechowski, senior business development officer. The giveaways included pens and Bluetooth speakers.
The Camden County Board of Freeholders: Making It Better, Together’s table informed visitors of health services and alcohol and substance abuse prevention. BettyAnn Cowling-Carson, municipal alliance coordinator, said, “The thing right now is (preventing) overdose.” The giveaways were tricolored highlighters.
AKA Theta Pi Omega AKA Connection’s table had information on voting. Sharron L. Hopson, president of the AKA Theta Pi Omega Chapter, said the group was there to inform students about “voting and the importance of voting, especially for African-American students, but not just for president, but for local and state officials.” The giveaways were water bottles, candy, flyers and voter registration forms.
Mary E. Sauter, coordinator of enrollment services for the Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing’s Cooperative Program with Camden County College, provided information about the nursing program. “Nursing is a popular profession, just bringing some information on becoming a nurse,” she said about her role at the spring fling. The giveaways were pens with the school’s logo.
John Tucker, who finished a bachelor’s degree in business management at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City but returned to CCC to take a computer technical support specialist course, said the spring fling was “informative and friendly.”
Matt Blaker, who is in his second semester pursuing a health and exercise science degree at CCC, said, “I thought it was fun. I got some cool free stuff.”
Andrea Finley, instructor coordinator for Lourdes Institute of Wholistic Studies, gives a massage to Sherri Bonafiglia, student support specialist for Camden County College. By Avri Zmuda, CCC Journalism Program