By Carly Q. Romalino

nj.com/south

Four months and $33,550 later, Eric Archer can take a deep breath.

The Franklin Township native has kept the details of his “Wheel of For-tune” winnings under wraps since the Los Angeles taping of his game in February.

But the secret was out Tuesday night when his episode of the show finally aired.

As his cash tally stacked up on

TV, the Archer family, and dozens of friends who packed Chickies and Pete’s in South Philadelphia, jumped out of their seats with chants and cheers.

Franklin man’s letters bring $33K on ‘Wheel’

(See WHEEL, Page A-5)

By Andy Polhamus

nj.com/south

More than 250 students gradu-ated from the Gloucester County Institute of Technology Tuesday. But the students filing neatly into the gym weren’t just leaving high school. They were partici-pating in a night rich with mile-stones – not just themselves, but for GCIT.

The Class of 2012 is the largest so far to graduate the school. It is also one of the highest-achiev-ing. For just the second time in school history, the seniors at GCIT earned a 100 percent grad-uation rate.

“That feels good,” said Tyler Robinson. “There’s a lot of good kids here.”

Robinson is the first student

at GCIT to earn the National Merit Scholarship. Though he studied culinary arts at GCIT, he developed an interest in the sciences during his time in high school. He now intends to study

Class of 2012 departs with 100% grad rate

(See GCIT, Page A-7)

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WEDNESDAY June 13, 2012 BREAKING NEWS: nj.com/south

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115th year: No. 114 n Copyright 2012 Gloucester County Times n Woodbury, N.J. n SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

POWERING

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GCIT GRADUATION

Go to nj.com/sjgraduations for galleries of Washington Twp.,

Kingsway ceremonies tonight.

GRADUATION COVERAGE ONLINE

■ The state senator says a proposed joint board will gain legislative approval

A PERFECT NIGHT

ROWAN-RUTGERS MERGER

WASHINGTON TWP.

Bookmark this site!

To see a photo gallery from the GCIT graduation, plus a list of graduates, go to nj.com/south

✕

Governor back in South Jersey

Staff Photos by Tim Hawk

Lauren Fredericks, 18, Daniela Funicello, 18, and Caitlin Geisser, 18, from the Academy of Performing Arts, cheer as they begin the processional for the Gloucester County Institute of Technology’s Class of 2012 Commencement on Tuesday evening.

Sen. Donald Nor-cross said the Rowan-Rutgers bill would have some amendments, but the idea of a joint governing board will remain intact.

School of Culinary Arts graduates Tif-fany Camara and Kristy Chimenti, both 18, hug each other fol-lowing Tuesday’s commencement.

By Jessica Bautistanj.com/south

At his 83rd Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday as head of the state, Gov. Chris Christie borrowed a line from a familiar movie when pitching tax relief for New Jerseyans: “Help me help you.”

It was a full house of hun-dreds at the Haddonfield Central Middle School as taxpayers from the region gathered to hear what the governor had to say, and vice versa.

With only 19 days left in this year’s Legislative ses-sion, Christie’s foremost concern was the proposed $32.1 billion budget and his plan to provide more tax relief for New Jersey’s families.

“You helped to make sac-rifices in the last two and a half years [with] the cuts we’ve made and the things we’ve had to do to restore ourselves. ... Now it’s time for us to give you some of your money back,” Christie said.

“It’s time to cut taxes in this state and we have to do it for two reasons. One, because we owe it to you and it’s fair,” he said. “Secondly, because we’re competing. We’re compet-ing with Pennsylvania and New York and Delaware for jobs. And we still have higher tax rates than any of those states.”

Christie pushes tax cut strategy

(See CHRISTIE, Page A-4)

By Jessica Driscoll

nj.com/south

State Sen. Donald Nor-cross said Tuesday he believes both Senate and Assembly versions of a bill proposing that Rowan Uni-

versity and Rutgers-Cam-den consolidate under a joint governing board will pass through the full legis-lature by June 30.

The Senate version – introduced by Norcross, D-5, of Camden; Senate Presi-

dent Stephen Sweeney, D-3, of West Deptford; and Sen. Joe Vitale, D-Middlesex last week – has been challenged by the Rutgers’ boards of governors and trustees, the Rowan University Board of Trustees and the Rowan

Faculty Senate.Last Wednesday, the Rut-

gers’ boards approved a list of terms members say must be met before they sign off on the restructuring plan – which includes a merger

Norcross: Alternate bills will pass

(See NORCROSS, Page A-5)

Bookmark this site! To see a photo gallery of Archer’s cel-ebration of his ‘Wheel’ appearance, go

to nj.com/gloucester/photos

✕

Eric Archer, of Franklin Town-ship, reacts after winning more than $27,000 in one round of ‘Wheel of For-tune.’ Archer taped an episode of ‘Wheel’ four months ago, and on Tuesday held a viewing party with family and friends to watch the episode air at Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Philadel-phia. Archer won a total of $33,550.

Staff Photo by Lori M. Nichols

By Jessica Beymnj.com/south

WASHINGTON TWP. — With roughly 2,800 students in the halls of Washington Township High School, it can be hard to find a familiar face – especially when you’re a freshman.

But for the last four years, 27 students of the Class of 2012 haven’t had that problem.

They’re multiples.Tonight, Gloucester County’s

largest high school will confer 666 diplomas to the graduating seniors. Among them are 12 sets of twins and one set of triplets.

“The best thing about being a triplet is you make a lot of friends,” said Dave Carlin, who is graduating today with his sis-ter Sarah and brother Brian, all 18 years old.

“With three different kids in three different cliques in the high school, you make a lot of friends. We’re friends with everyone,” Dave said.

Since they’re not identical, the three Carlin kids haven’t had the luxury of being able to play tricks on their teachers or friends. But being a multiple has had its advantages, said Brian.

“Homework has always been easy,” he said. “We had a lot of the same classes freshman and sophomore year, so we’d trade

Grad list full of twin billings

(See TWINS, Page A-5)

■ The Class of 2012 includes 12 sets of twins – and a set of triplets