County to Name College Center for McCaffrey Sr.

(Deptford, NJ) A founding father of Gloucester County College will aptly have a building named in his honor the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced today.  Freeholder Director Stephen M. Sweeney said that the College Center at GCC will be named the Eugene J. McCaffrey, Sr. College Center as a tribute to the late leader.

"Mr. McCaffrey touched so many people's lives in a positive way throughout his years of public service.  His family and friends know what a remarkable man he was, and now every student who passes through the GCC campus will be part of that tradition too," said Freeholder Director Sweeney.
McCaffrey Sr., known as Gene to many, passed away in April 2010. Throughout his lifetime he held many prominent public roles, including six years as Freeholder Director (1967 to 1972) where he spent much of his time working on the creation and construction of Gloucester County College.  In February 1970, ground was broken for the first buildings on the new campus and GCC held its first graduation for 180 men and women that May. In autumn 1970, students began attending classes in the Instructional Center, the first building to be completed. The College Center and Physical Education Center opened in January 1971.
"Gene left his mark on Gloucester County and he was a great leader who had vision," said Sweeney.  He was the kind of man who wanted to make the world a better place.  We will have a record enrollment at GCC this September with more than 6,000 students, that is the real tribute to Gene, naming the building is our way to honor his life,' stated Sweeney.
"It was an honor to have known Mr. McCaffrey, said Freeholder Joseph A. Brigandi Jr.  "As a lifelong resident of Gloucester County whose family was also dedicated to public service, I always held respect for him.  We are all grateful for the work he did in making Gloucester County College a reality."  Freeholder Brigandi is the liaison to the Department Education, which includes GCC.  
"Our family is truly honored by this recognition and grateful to Freeholder Director Sweeney, The Freeholder Board and the Board of Trustees of Gloucester County College for recognizing our father's contribution to the College.   The College was undoubtedly one of my father's proudest achievements as Freeholder Director," stated Michele McCaffrey of Mantua, a daughter of Eugene McCaffrey Sr.
The GCC Board of Trustees is expected to formalize the naming of the Eugene J. McCaffrey, Sr. College Center at their September 1, 2010 meeting.   A ceremony unveiling the new name on the College Center should take place in October.

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