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Artist-Led Hand Sewing Workshop Marks Closing Day of 'Visions of America'
As the acclaimed exhibition "Visions of America" comes to a close, Bucks County Community College's Hicks Art Center Gallery will host "In Plain Sight," a hands-on textile workshop led by exhibiting artist Duwenavue Santé Johnson on Saturday, July 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The three-hour workshop coincides with the exhibition's final day, offering visitors a unique opportunity to learn directly from one of the artists whose work is featured in the invitational multimedia exhibition celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
Johnson, joined by artist Rae Burns, will guide participants in creating an original stitched artwork inspired by the botanical studies of historic Newtown Quaker artist Mary Ivins Cunningham and the area's rich local history. Johnson recently discovered that Cunningham is a distant relative.
Using marbled fabric paper, silk, tulle, beads and other traditional materials, participants will explore 19th-century hand-stitching techniques while reflecting on stories, images and natural elements that often remain "in plain sight" but are easily overlooked. Johnson will discuss how her own textile installation in "Visions of America" was inspired by Cunningham's work and demonstrate how historical research can be translated into contemporary fiber art.
The workshop costs $20 for adults and $10 for youth ages 12–16 and students, with payment collected on the day of the event. All materials are included. Advance registration is requested by emailing gallery@bucks.edu.
Curated by Clifford Eberly, Senior Manager of Galleries and Exhibitions, "Visions of America" brings together contemporary artists and historical artifacts to examine the nation's past, present and future through diverse perspectives. In the exhibition, Johnson's textile work symbolically evokes the ethereal spirituality found in Cunningham's observational artwork, making the closing-day workshop a fitting culmination to the show.
The Hicks Art Center Gallery is located on the east end of Bucks County Community College's Newtown Campus, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa. 18940, where there is ample free parking. Admission to the gallery is free. "Visions of America" is on view through July 25.
Bucks County Community College Announces Spring 2026 Honors Lists
Bucks County Community College congratulates the 2,143 students who were named to the President’s Honor List and Dean’s Honor List for the Spring 2026 semester.
The President’s Honor List includes 1,198 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 945 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, Ph.D. “We are here to support their journey, whether their goal is to pursue a more affordable bachelor’s degree, launch a career with a job-ready degree, or to gain an edge in the workplace with a certificate.”
View the full list of President's and Dean's List honorees, organized by each student's hometown, on the Academic Honors page.
BCCC Graduates 28 Practical Nursing Students to Ease Healthcare Shortage
Bucks County Community College, which has been training practical nurses for nearly 25 years, honored the class of 2026 with a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, at the Newtown Campus. The 28 graduates of the full-time, one-year accelerated program are prepared to take the NCLEX state licensing exam to become licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, and meet the high demand for nurses in our community. The class ranged in age from 21 to 50 years old, and hailed from the U.S., Liberia, Georgia, Nigeria, South Korea, Russia, and Ukraine. Meanwhile, the next class in the PN program starts in mid-July. Pre-admission testing for the 2027 cohort begins in September. Learn more by visiting the practical nursing program page or by emailing pnursing@bucks.edu.
At least one graduate of Bucks County Community College’s Practical Nursing Program is ready to rest after completing the 12-month, full-time accelerated program that included early morning classes and clinical rotations. A ceremony took place July 1 at the Newtown Campus for 28 graduates, who are now poised to take state licensing exams to become Licensed Practical Nurses, or LPNs. Last year’s class had an NCLEX pass rate of 100%, with an average of a 98% pass rate over the last five years. (CREDIT- Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
Ma’Laye Carter (center) and her family celebrate after the July 1 graduation ceremony for Bucks County Community College’s Practical Nursing Program. She’s among 28 graduates of the highly rated program and is prepared to take the NCLEX state exam to become a licensed practical nurse, or LPN, helping to alleviate the nursing shortage. (CREDIT- Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
Autumn Petrey (right), who was chosen as one of three student speakers, is greeted by her family after the July 1 Practical Nursing Graduation ceremony at Bucks County Community College. Each of 28 graduates of the one-year, full-time, accelerated program received a pin welcoming them to the nursing profession, in addition to their certificate of completion and a celebratory white rose. (CREDIT- Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
BCCC and Temple University Create New Pathway for Honors Students
Bucks County Community College has strengthened its partnership with Temple University, a top 50 public institution, ranked in the top quartile of all national universities, to create a new pathway for Honors@Bucks students to smoothly transfer into the Temple University Honors Program. The Honors-to-Honors Agreement, signed on Thursday, June 25 at Bucks County Community College’s Newtown Campus, enhances collaboration between the two institutions in support of high-achieving, highly motivated students.
“The Honors-to-Honors Agreement with Temple University is a testament to the high caliber of the Honors@Bucks program,” said Bucks County Community College President & CEO Patrick M. Jones, Ph.D. “This partnership with Temple will provide the opportunity for our top academic performers to continue their education as honors students at one of the finest public universities in the country.”
Students who take advantage of the agreement will benefit from academic excellence, research opportunities, and being part of a scholarly community in the honors programs at both institutions. In addition, aligned advising, curriculum planning, and student support services will enhance their experience.
“We are delighted to partner with Bucks County Community College to create this new Honors-to-Honors Agreement that will ultimately bring more highly talented, motivated students to North Broad Street,” Temple President John Fry said. “One of the distinguishing ideals and values of Temple Honors is Access Reimagined, as we want to embrace a flexible model where students can enter our program through multiple entry points. This initiative directly supports that approach.”
The Honors-to-Honors Agreement comes at a time when Temple’s Honors Program has significant momentum as it is in the process of transitioning to a formal honors college. Earlier this spring, Temple announced that a historic gift from Jane Creamer Sullivan, KLN ’70, will lead to the creation of the Jane Creamer Sullivan and Thomas J. Sullivan Honors College. The college is expected to launch in fall 2027.
The creation of the Sullivan Honors College will elevate and reimagine Temple’s existing honors program as it will embrace an approach that is shaped by the university’s strengths, values, and character. Currently, Temple’s Honors Program enrolls approximately 2,100 undergraduate students. The establishment of the Sullivan Honors College will dramatically expand opportunities for top students.
Bucks County Community College serves more than 11,000 credit students and 25,000 non-credit students annually. “Each year, we graduate over 400 students who earn Latin honors in our rigorous academic programs,” said Jones. “This Honors-to-Honors Agreement will provide these graduates with new opportunities as members of a scholarly community at one of the country’s most dynamic universities.”
The Honors-to-Honors Agreement is also the latest example of an ongoing partnership between Bucks County Community College and Temple. In addition to 15 active degree program-to-program agreements, a 2+2 dual admission agreement is already in place allowing students to be dually admitted to both institutions and save almost $30,000 by completing their first two years at Bucks before transferring to Temple for their last two years.
BCCC and Ursinus Sign New Dual Admission Transfer Agreement
Bucks County Community College, which consistently ranks among the best value two-year colleges in the state, has signed a transfer agreement with Ursinus College, a top-ranked liberal arts college in nearby Collegeville, Pa.
The dual admission and core-to-core agreement will allow graduates from Bucks to seamlessly transfer to Ursinus. The dual admission agreement goes even further allowing students to be simultaneously admitted to both institutions and includes generous merit scholarship opportunities, particularly for honors students who can receive $43,000 per year.
"This is a unique educational opportunity of high academic quality," noted Bucks County Community College President and CEO, Patrick M. Jones, Ph.D. "In addition to our dual admission agreements with top-ranked national universities, such as Penn State, Drexel, and Temple Universities, students at Bucks will now have the opportunity for dual admission to one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the country."
Ursinus is ranked in the top 100 of national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report, Jones noted, and is one of only 40 institutions chronicled in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" by Loren Pope.
"This new partnership reflects our shared commitment to expanding educational access and opportunity and to supporting student success," said Ursinus President Gundolf Graml, Ph.D. "By establishing a direct and supportive transfer pathway to Ursinus College, we are helping students continue their academic journeys with confidence at a college where an applied liberal arts approach and immersive experiential learning opportunities prepare graduates to think critically, lead effectively, and thrive in whatever careers they pursue."
The presidents of both colleges signed the agreement Wednesday, June 10, in a ceremony at Ursinus in Collegeville.
Kids on Campus Offers a Variety of Youth Specialty Programs
Bucks County Community College’s Kids on Campus offers a wide variety of enriching and exciting day camps for students ages 5 to 15. A new selection of topics is available each week, so kids can choose which camp sparks their interest or curiosity, while giving families the flexibility to choose which weeks fit their summer schedule.
“We’ve added a variety of creative options this year that will enrich your child’s summer,” said Michael Hughes, Community Program Manager for Kids on Campus. “Topics range from arts and crafts, science and STEAM, theatre, sports, and more.”
For example, some of the new offerings include:
Cultivating Connection (ages 5-6) Two-Week Camp June 15-26 – This unique camp blends art, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning to help campers build meaningful connections with themselves and others. Through creative projects and group activities, each day encourages self-expression, kindness, and collaboration to help campers grow as artists and as individuals.
Beginner Printmaking (ages 7-9) July 6-10 - Campers will discover exciting printmaking techniques like monoprinting and stamping using kid-friendly materials such as cardboard and foam. Each day brings a new way to create bold patterns and images, encouraging creativity and exploration.
Eco-Artists (age 5-6) Two Week Camp July 13-24 - Campers will create art based on plants, animals, and outdoor textures while using a mix of natural and recycled materials. From sculptures to nature-inspired pieces, campers will connect with the environment through hands-on projects, encouraging curiosity, imagination, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us.
Mixed Media (ages 5-6) July 27-31 - Campers will combine materials like paint, paper, fabric, and found objects to create unique works of art. They will explore texture, layering, and creative problem-solving while making imaginative projects like mash-up creatures and expressive collages.
Beginner Painting (ages 10-12) August 3-7 – For young artists who love to paint or want to try it for the first time, campers will explore color mixing, brush techniques, and creative expression while working with watercolor, tempera, and acrylic paint. Each day features a new project, from landscapes to imaginative scenes, helping campers build confidence and skills.
More examples include Super Slimy Smokey Science, Pickleball, Flag Football, Intro to Film and TV, Lego and Stop Motion Animation, and Minecraft Architects. Each camp is taught by a certified teacher or a highly qualified individual in their field.
Summer adventures for ages 13 to 15 are also on hand with Teens on Campus. Each week offers a variety of activities and experiences, such as Bucks Book Club, Cardboard Creations, and Fabulous Fishing.
Kids on Campus runs from June 15 to August 7, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To accommodate working parents, aftercare is available for an additional fee, providing extended supervision from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Camp will not be held Friday, June 19, or Friday, July 3, in observance of Juneteenth and Independence Day.
Enrollment is limited; however, registrations continue until each camp is filled. For more information, including the full schedule of camps, fees, policies and online registration, visit Kids on Campus. To register by phone, call 215-968-8409.
Kids on Campus takes place at Bucks County Community College, 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940.
