The Governor’s Higher Education Council accepts the Community College Spirit Award from the NJ Council of County Colleges for prominently featuring community colleges in its efforts to increase postsecondary attainment throughout New Jersey. Pictured, from left: Patricia Nachtigal, John Wefing, Dr. Richard Wellbrock, Council Chairman John McGoldrick, NJCCC Chair Helen Albright, Robert Campbell, NJ Community College Presidents Chair Dr. William Austin, and NJCCC President Dr. Lawrence Nespoli.

During its annual New Jersey Community College Awards Ceremony, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges presented the 2017 Community College Spirit Award to the Governor’s Higher Education Council for its exemplary support of New Jersey’s community colleges.

“Since its inauguration in 1993, the Community College Spirit Award has been an honor bestowed to those who embody the community college spirit – perseverance, dedication and excellence,” said NJCCC Chair Helen Albright.

The Governor’s Higher Education Council, which consists of five people, was recognized for featuring community colleges in its efforts to further postsecondary education in New Jersey.

Chairman of the Council is John L. McGoldrick, who previously worked as chairman of Zimmer Holdings and as executive vice president of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

Robert E. Campbell was vice chairman of the board of directors of Johnson & Johnson and chairman of the advisory council of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey prior to serving on the Governor’s Higher Education Council.

Patricia Nachtigal has served on the board of directors and as senior vice president of Ingersoll-Rand plc. She is a Rutgers Trustee Emerita, and has served on the board of governors, board of trustees and board of overseers at Rutgers University.

John B. Wefing is the distinguished professor of New Jersey law and history at Seton Hall University Law School. Wefing spent 45 years at Seton Hall, during which time he has served as a professor, associate dean and acting dean. His novel, “Life and Times of Richard J. Hughes: The Politics of Civility,” was chosen as a 2010 honor book by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Richard Wellbrock is the retired president of Wellbrock, Inc. He previously served as the chairman of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. Wellbrock also served as a trustee, vice chairman and chairman of the board at Raritan Valley Community College.

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges is the state association representing New Jersey’s 19 community colleges. As an independent, trustee-headed organization that joins the leadership of trustees and presidents, the Council is the voice of the community college sector before the state legislature and other branches of government.