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BCCC Launches America 250 Celebration with Civics Series Kickoff
Bucks County Community College officially launched a year-long American Civics Series in celebration of America 250 with a forum titled “Why Civics Now? The Role of Informed Citizens in Democracy” on Thursday, January 29 on the Newtown Campus. The forum and Q&A featured Former Governor Mark Schweiker, a BCCC alumnus who serves as honorary co-chair of the statewide America250PA effort, and State Representative Tim Brennan (D-29).
The event also introduced upcoming America 250 programming, including an eight-week civics education course from March through May. For event details and registration information, visit Bucks Celebrates America 250.
Former Governor Mark Schweiker, the honorary co-chair of America250PA, and State Representative Tim Brennan (D-29) kicked off the College’s America 250 celebration at the official launch of a year-long American Civics Series on January 29 at the Newtown Campus. Members of the College’s Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff, and community members were in attendance. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
Former Governor Mark Schweiker, honorary co-chair of America250PA, spoke about the pivotal role citizenship plays in today’s society at Bucks County Community College January 29. The BCCC alumnus emphasized that civic-minded action is what drives the robust volunteer sector across the United States, and highlighted how engaged, informed citizens strengthen communities and our democracy. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
At a public forum January 29 at Bucks County Community College, State Representative Tim Brennan (D-29) noted that a strong culture of volunteerism is at the very core of citizenship. State Representative Brennan reinforced the idea that civic participation, whether through service, voting, or local engagement, is essential to sustaining a healthy democracy. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
Bucks County Community College Announces Fall 2025 Semester Honors Lists
Bucks County Community College congratulates the 1,986 students who were named to the President’s Honor List and Dean’s Honor List for the Fall 2025 semester.
The President’s Honor List includes 1,079 students. For this honor, the College recognizes students who have accumulated 12 or more credits, earned a grade-point average of 4.0, and were in good academic standing for the semester.
The Dean's Honor List includes 907 students who have completed 12 or more credits, earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher with no grade below C, and were in good academic standing for the semester.
“All of us at Bucks take great pride in our students’ academic success,” said President & CEO Patrick M. Jones. “We are here to support their journey, whether their goal is to pursue a more affordable bachelor’s degree, an occupational degree in a high-demand field, or a certificate to gain an edge in the workplace.”
The full President’s and Dean’s List honorees, grouped by each student’s hometown, are available on the Academic Honors page on the Bucks website.
BCCC Honors Four with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Leadership Awards
Various dignitaries assembled at Bucks County Community College on January 22 to celebrate four recipients of the College’s fifth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Awards. Honored were (front row, left-right) Community Leader Marlene Pray, Corporate Leader Angèle Bell, Student Leader Kayla Wulffleff, and Humanitarian Leader Barbara Simmons. On hand to congratulate the recipients were (back row, left-right) Bucks County Community College President & CEO Dr. Patrick M. Jones, Bristol Township Councilwoman Marcia Dunlap, Seth McLean from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s office, Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, State Representative Perry Warren (D-31), State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Bucks County Sheriff Danny Ceisler, Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan, and Bensalem Township Supervisor and Bucks County Community College Trustee Ed Tokmajian. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
Bucks County Community College, which has been making the dream of higher education a reality for more than 60 years, paid tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 22 with its fifth annual MLK Leadership Awards. The celebration on the Newtown Campus honored corporate, community, humanitarian, and student leaders, and attracted dignitaries and elected officials from across Bucks County. Learn more about the honorees by visiting our MLK Leadership Awards page
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Angèle Bell (center), Community Engagement Lead at Merck – West Point Site, was recognized at Bucks County Community College on January 22 with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Corporate Leadership Award. Dr. Patrick M. Jones (right), the College’s President & CEO, presented the Skippack resident with an engraved bell from Malmark Bellcraftsmen in Plumsteadville. Bell was also congratulated by Dr. Vail Garvin (left), recipient of the 2023 Corporate Leadership Award. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
Marlene Pray (center), founder and director of The Rainbow Room at Planned Parenthood Keystone and a volunteer on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, was recognized at Bucks County Community College on January 22 with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Leadership Award. Dr. Patrick M. Jones (right), the College’s President & CEO, presented the Doylestown resident with an engraved bell from Malmark Bellcraftsmen in Plumsteadville. Pray was also congratulated by 2025 Community Leader Angela Nutter (left). (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
Barbara Simmons (center), executive director of The Peace Center, was recognized at Bucks County Community College on January 22 with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Leadership Award. Dr. Patrick M. Jones (right), President & CEO of the College, presented the Newtown resident with an engraved bell from Malmark Bellcraftsmen in Plumsteadville. Simmons was also congratulated by 2025 Humanitarian Leader Damita Harvey Harris (left). (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
Kayla Wulffleff (center), an early education major at Bucks County Community College, was recognized on January 22 with the College’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Student Leadership Award. Dr. Patrick M. Jones (right), President & CEO of the College, presented the Quakertown resident with an engraved bell from Malmark Bellcraftsmen in Plumsteadville. Wulffleff was also congratulated by 2025 Student Leader Leah Lovelace-Square (left). (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
BCCC Launches America 250 Celebration with Civics Series Forum
Bucks County Community College is launching its America 250 celebration with a timely public forum — “Why Civics Now? The Role of Informed Citizens in Democracy” — on Thursday, January 29 from 11 a.m. to noon marking the official kickoff of the College’s year-long American Civics Series. The free event will be held in the Gallagher Room of the Rollins Center on the Newtown Campus (275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa.).
The opening event features a forum and Q&A with former Pennsylvania Governor and Honorary Co-Chair of the statewide America250PA effort, Mark Schweiker, and Pennsylvania House Representative Tim Brennan, focusing on the importance of civic knowledge, informed participation, and community engagement in sustaining a healthy democracy.
“This conversation is a fitting way to begin our America 250 commemoration,” said Dr. Patrick M. Jones, president and CEO of Bucks County Community College. “As we reflect on 250 years of American democracy, it is essential that we also look forward — examining how civic understanding, dialogue, and participation shape the future of our communities. Civics is not abstract; it is lived every day, and education is essential to keeping it strong.”
The January 29 forum will frame today’s civic challenges, encourage active participation, and introduce the College’s upcoming Civics Education course, an eight-week community program running March through May. The course anchors a broader series of civic programming designed to expand civic literacy and engagement throughout the America 250 year.
Former Governor Schweiker emphasized the importance of grounding civic discussions in real-world experience. “Understanding how our institutions work — and why they matter — is critical at every level of government,” Schweiker said. “Civic knowledge empowers citizens to participate thoughtfully and effectively.”
Representative Brennan added, “Democracy depends on informed citizens who are willing to engage, ask questions, and stay involved. This series creates space for those conversations at a moment when they matter deeply.”
The American Civics Series is open to community members and students and reflects Bucks County Community College’s commitment to education, dialogue, and civic leadership as part of the national America 250 celebration.
Additional American Civics Series events include:
February 18 – “From Courtroom to Lab: Forensic Science and Community Safety” Panel Discussion
March 25–May 13 – “Civics Education: So You Think You Know Your Government,” an 8-week community education program
April (date TBD) – Public film screening and discussion on civic participation
In addition, there will be several student-led civic engagement activities including mock trials and historic site visits throughout the spring semester. For event details and registration information, visit the Bucks Celebrates America 250 webpage.
Fifth Annual MLK Jr. Leadership Awards
Bucks County Community College pays tribute to the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Thursday, January 22, with its fifth annual MLK Leadership Awards.
“Dr. King challenged us not only to dream, but to act,” said Dr. Patrick M. Jones, president and CEO of Bucks County Community College. “The recipients of this year’s Martin Luther King Leadership Awards embody that challenge through their commitment to economic mobility and civic engagement. As an institution founded in 1964 committed to open access to higher education, we are honored to recognize leaders who share our belief that education and opportunity are powerful forces for improving lives, both for individuals and communities.”
This year’s honorees are:
Corporate Leadership – Angèle Bell, Community Engagement Lead, Merck - West Point Site
Community Leadership – Marlene Pray, Founder and Director of The Rainbow Room, Planned Parenthood Keystone
Humanitarian Leadership – Barbara Simmons, Executive Director, The Peace Center
Student Leadership – Kayla Wulffleff, Bucks County Community College class of 2027
The four will be honored with a reception and ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, in the Gallagher Room of the Rollins Center on the campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa. The ceremony, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., will be livestreamed. Special thanks to presenting sponsor Parx Casino.
Bucks County Community College Graduates 62 Volunteer Firefighters
Bucks County Community College President & CEO Patrick M. Jones (from left) joined Pennsylvania State Representative Perry Warren (D-31) and Pennsylvania State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in congratulating two volunteer firefighters who were among those recognized as outstanding students at a December 16 graduation ceremony at the College’s Newtown Campus. Receiving awards were (from fourth left-right) Zachary Depew of North Wales, a volunteer with the Enterprise Fire Company in Hatboro; and Brainsley Mundley of Bristol, a volunteer with the Newportville Fire Department. Both completed Basic Fire Academy/Firefighter 1 certification and were among 62 graduates receiving certificates of completion. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC).
Bucks County Community College¸ the largest provider of fire and emergency services training and certification in Pennsylvania, graduated 62 volunteer firefighters in a December 16 ceremony on the Newtown Campus. The firefighters received certificates of completion from Dr. Patrick M. Jones, President & CEO of the College, and were congratulated by Pennsylvania State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Pennsylvania State Representative Perry Warren (D-31), who each addressed the audience in the Zlock Performing Arts Center. The training took place at the Lower Bucks County Public Safety Training Center in Croydon and the Bucks County Public Safety Training Center in Doylestown. The national certification enables the volunteers to help protect their communities and fill the critical shortage of first responders.
Supportive friends, family, and crew members cheer on 62 volunteer firefighters who graduated from Basic Fire Academy/Firefighter 1 and Advanced Fire Academy/Firefighter 2 certification classes in a December 16 ceremony at Bucks County Community College. The College, which operates Bucks County Public Safety Training Centers in Doylestown and Croydon, is the largest provider of fire and emergency services training and certification in Pennsylvania. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC).
Paul McCann of Hatfield, a volunteer with the Colmar Fire Company, received an outstanding student award during a December 16 graduation ceremony at Bucks County Community College. McCann, who completed the Advanced Fire Academy/Firefighter 2 certification, was congratulated by (from left) Pennsylvania State Representative Perry Warren (D-31), Pennsylvania State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), and Bucks County Community College President & CEO Patrick M. Jones. McCann was among 62 volunteer firefighters who received certificates of completion at the ceremony. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC).
