MAYS LANDING – On Aug. 8, Atlantic Cape Community College’s Mays Landing Student Center was filled with a profound sense of reverence and remembrance as more than a hundred people gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Peter Louis Mora.
Family, friends, colleagues and students came together in the college’s Student Center to honor the man who had dedicated 41 years of his life to the institution, including 11 years as its president.
Dr. Mora died June 30, 2024, at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness.
The celebration of life was a heartfelt event, with the Student Center adorned with posters showcasing pictures of Dr. Mora and detailing his many accomplishments. As attendees mingled, sharing memories and stories of the late president, the atmosphere was one of both reflection and celebration.
The ceremony began with an emotional rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by guitarist Reid Alburger, setting the tone for an afternoon of tribute and admiration for a man who had left an indelible mark on the college and its community.
Mora grew up in Atlantic City, where he was raised by his parents Louis and Beatrice. He received his master’s degree at Rowan University and completed his doctorate at Virginia Polytechnic University. It was here he met his wife Theresa and shortly after fell in love. Theresa, with their daughter Judy, son John and grandchild Emily, were just a few of the family members in attendance for the event.
Mora’s journey at Atlantic Cape began in 1974 when he joined the faculty. Over the years, his dedication and leadership saw him rise through the ranks, ultimately becoming the college’s eighth president in 2005, a position he held until his retirement in 2016. During his tenure, Mora was a driving force behind numerous initiatives that significantly enhanced the college’s infrastructure and academic offerings.
One of his most notable achievements was the launch of “Blueprint 2020: Building a Better Future,” a $65 million capital expansion and renovation project that transformed all three campuses in Mays Landing, Atlantic City, and Cape May Court House. This ambitious plan included the construction of a state-of-the-art STEM facility and the very student center where his life was celebrated. Mora also played a key role in upgrading the college’s athletic and fitness facilities, expanding performing arts programs in music, dance, and theater, and establishing a partnership with Rutgers University.
Tammy DeFranco, Dr. Mora’s sister-in-law and a counselor at Atlantic Cape, shared a touching story that highlighted his kindness and approachability. She recalled how a campus gaming club had created an honorary award for Mora, recognizing the warmth and acceptance he showed them.
“They wore costumes to represent their game characters,” DeFranco said. “They held their meetings and played their games in the cafeteria. Every time Pete saw them, he’d stop and talk to these students. They gave him that award as an honorary member. They told me the president of the college made them feel accepted. That was Pete.”
Jean McAllister, another colleague, remembered a simple yet profound gesture from Mora.
“Before he retired, he gave me a football,” McAllister said, pulling out the football. “He would say things like, ‘When a team works together well and is led by good coaching, it’s amazing what can be done and what can inspire greatness.’”
Raising that football, McAllister said. “Here’s to you Pete. You’re one of the great ones.”
Another, heartfelt story came from Art Wexler, friend and colleague, who worked alongside Mora since the 1970s. Wexler spoke of his admiration for his colleague and friend.
“He was an educator, a leader, but most of all, he was my friend, and I will miss him,” Wexler said. “He was instrumental in bringing on programs like Beacons by the Sea and Student Success programs. He looked at every aspect of student access to find ways to break through the barriers of financial and academic obstacles. He was a pillar of this college and of what community colleges stand for.”
Trustee Don Parker from Atlantic Cape’s Board of Trustees also shared his thoughts, encapsulating Mora’s unique blend of humility and ambition.
“Pete was humble, but he had ambition. He had ‘humbition.’ … He listened to people. He got their input. He sought out their input. People felt that they mattered to Pete. People felt that the leadership of this college was listening to them. By his wisdom, his insight, and most of all, by his ability to listen, that’s what made Pete special,” Parker said.
As the celebration of life came to a close, it was clear that Dr. Peter Mora’s legacy at Atlantic Cape Community College would endure. In the words of those who knew him best, he was an educator, a leader, and a true friend. He was a man who not only led but listened, who not only guided but inspired. His impact on the college and the countless lives he touched will be felt for generations to come.
– By EDDIE D’AMICO/For the Sentinel
