Camden County College honors late Board of Trustee member, Louis Cappelli, Sr., with new student center dedication.
GLOUCESTER TWP. - Dozens of students, faculty and local officials packed together in Camden County College's student center on the Blackwood campus Friday afternoon for its dedication in honor of Louis Cappelli, Sr.
Cappelli served as a member of the college's Board of Trustees for 17 years until he died a year ago at the age of 80. Along with his work with the board, he was a prominent member of the Sons of Italy, a past president of the Collingswood Board of Education and worked at Triton High School for 34 years, serving the last 24 serving as vice-principal.
The ceremony was held in the recently renovated Taft building with his family seated near the podium and joined by friends, colleagues and students. The dedication served as not only a time to honor Cappelli, but to take time in remembering him as a pillar of the community during the one-year anniversary of his passing.
"Lou dedicated his life to education. And he dedicated his life to people. When you combined people and education together you have students, and that was really what he was focused on," said John T. Hanson, the chairman of the Camden County College Board of Trustees.
The chairman represented the Board of Trustees in paying tribute to Cappelli and was the first of many to speak about him.
Former U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews was among the guests who spoke about "Mr. Cappelli" and his dedication to education and helping students. He said that despite the many times that he was instructed to, "call me Lou," the congressman could not. Andrews explained that when someone is such a huge part of your development as a person, you will always address them with respect.
The ceremony ended with an unveiling of a portrait of Cappelli that will be displayed on the first floor of the student center.
Raymond Yannuzzi, the college president, shared that Cappelli was someone who always supported the students whether working with them in person or on the school board and that it is fitting that the student's center is being dedicated in his name.
"Lou's mark on education in Camden County will go on for years," he said.
Anthony Medina may be reached at amedina@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @theSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.