VINELAND — His name is pronounced sec-ke-NE-be, and it’s a moniker that will be pronounced countless times in this area and beyond.

On Dec. 15, the Cum­berland County College board of trustees unanimously ap­proved a motion to authorize the Association of Community College Trustees, the consultant for CCC’s national presidential search, to enter into negotiations with Dr. Thomas Iseke­negbe for the position of president of CCC.

The board chose Dr. Iseke­negbe, who was among four finalists, after meeting for about a half-hour in executive session during the mid-December monthly meeting. 

The national search began last June, and Isekenegbe has been serving as interim president since July 1 after President Kenneth Ender vacated the position he had held for a decade to become president of Harper College in Palatine, Ill. The CCC board had granted Ender permission to be released from his contract several months earlier so that he could begin his new positon in July.

“I’m humbled, and I’m honored,” Isekenegbe said when the approval was an­nounced. 

After the meeting he shook hands with trustees and others present.

Board of Trustees chairman Charles Thomas feels the board made the right decision. 

“Dr. Isekenegbe is a respected leader on campus and in the community,” Thomas said.

Isekenege becomes the fifth president of the college, which was founded in 1966.

The other presidential candidates included Dr. Jose Adames, an administrator at Union County College; Dr. Doreen Larson, an administrator at Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Mass.; and Dr. Ronald Natale, former president of Georgia Technical College in Macon, Ga.

Isekenegbe has served as CCC’s vice president of Academic Affairs & Enrollment Services since 2002. 

He has also held senior administrative positions at Hudson County Community College, Coastal Carolina University and Sussex County Community College.

Also during the meeting, the board approved:

• the employment of Betti-Jo Williams as secretary I of Talent Search, Student Support Services.

• the employment of James Piccone as dean, Arts & Humanities.

• the employment of Marion Rosario as custodian I, Facilities & Grounds.

• tenure status for Deborah Brooks-Flaherty.

• tenure status for John Lore.

• and accepted the audit report for fiscal year 2008-2009 as submitted by Martini & Martini CPA of Vineland.  Accountant William Martini Jr. said the college is in outstanding fiscal condition, and he recognized Vice President John Pitcher and Director Angelia Kracke for their fine work.

• John Nichols as director of Public Relations.