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Bucks County Community College Library Marks 60th Anniversary
The celebration included a tribute to founding librarian Lester Minkel, whose family and friends were among the honored guests
The Bucks County Community College Library celebrated its 60th anniversary September 29 with a presentation on the life and legacy of Lester Minkel, the College’s first librarian. Minkel’s family members were in attendance while librarian Kelly Deeny presented an overview of Minkel’s significant contributions, including the purchase of reference books displayed at the 1964 World’s Fair by the American Library Association, and partnering with the Bucks County Free Library. Bucks County Community College opened its doors to students on September 29, 1965, part of a sweeping movement to increase access to higher education across the nation.
Librarian Kelly Deeny researched the life and legacy of Lester Minkel, the first librarian at Bucks County Community College, to commemorate the library’s 60th anniversary. Born in Iowa, Minkel broke from the family’s farming tradition to pursue an education, and established a reputation as a beloved educator, friend, and family man who loved to travel and cook. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
Archival photos are displayed at the Bucks County Community College Library in Newtown to commemorate its 60th anniversary. Community members and alumni are invited to help identify students and staff depicted through the years. The library and college opened its doors on September 29, 1965, part of the burgeoning community college movement in the United States that opened access to higher education for thousands. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
The Bucks County Community College Library celebrated its 60th anniversary with cake – of course! – on September 29. The event included a presentation about the life and legacy of Lester Minkel, the founding librarian.(CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
Award-Winning Authors Launch Fall Wordsmiths Series
Jennifer Tseng and Amy Small-McKinney came to Bucks County Community College September 26 for a reading, reception and book-signing Bucks County Community College, which has a 60-year history of bringing world-renowned authors to Newtown, launched the 2025-26 Wordsmiths Reading Series Friday, September 26, in historic Tyler Hall on the college’s Newtown Campus. Pictured (left-right) are poet and fiction writer Jennifer Tseng, Professor Ethel Rackin, and poet Amy Small-McKinney. The series continues at 12:30 Thursday, October 23, with poet Lynn Fanok. All readings are free and open to the public. Learn more by visiting the Wordsmiths webpage. (CREDIT: Jean Dolan, Bucks County Community College)
About Bucks County Community College
Founded in 1964, Bucks County Community College is a two-year, public institution offering more than 90 programs of study that lead to either an associate degree or certificate, as well as many workforce training programs on campus, on site, or online. Successful graduates directly launch a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree, depending on the major. Classes are offered on campus in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and worldwide through Bucks Online. To learn more, visit the Bucks County Community College web page.
“Real Diamond” Brings “Sweet Caroline” to Newtown October 11
Neil Diamond tribute concert features many of the legendary singer’s top hits, part of the Bucks Live! series of cultural events Bucks County Community College, which has a long tradition of bringing high-caliber performances to the region with Bucks Live!, proudly presents “Real Diamond” – a tribute to the legendary Neil Diamond – at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 11.
Fronted by Curt Di Domizio, “Real Diamond” delivers a stunningly realistic interpretation of one of America’s most beloved singer-songwriters. The performance includes timeless hits such as “Kentucky Woman,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Song Sung Blue,” “America,” and many more.
Neil Diamond’s music has spanned more than five decades, with record sales of over 130 million worldwide. Inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Diamond is known for his poetic lyrics and infectious melodies that have become part of the soundtrack of American life.
“Real Diamond is more than a tribute – it’s an experience,” said Pete Chiovarou, director of community programming and college events at Bucks County Community College. “Audiences will be transported back through Neil Diamond’s incredible career with a show full of energy, authenticity, and heart.”
Tickets for “Real Diamond” are $27 (free for current BCCC students with ID) and can be purchased at bucks.edu/tickets or at the box office.
The concert takes place in the Zlock Performing Arts Center on the Newtown Campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking. For directions and a campus map, visit bucks.edu/newtown.
“Real Diamond” is part of the Bucks Live! series of innovative programs that entertain, inspire, and enrich Bucks County’s cultural landscape. For a full schedule of Bucks Live! performances this season, visit bucks.edu/tickets.
About Bucks County Community College
Founded in 1964, Bucks County Community College is a two-year, public institution offering more than 90 programs of study that lead to either an associate degree or certificate, as well as many workforce training programs on campus, on site, or online. Successful graduates directly launch a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree, depending on the major. Classes are offered on campus in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and worldwide through Bucks Online. To learn more, visit bucks.edu.
Find Your Roots at Family History Event
Bucks County Community College invites you to learn from historical and genealogical societies Thursday, October 2 To mark the start of Family History Month, the Bucks County Community College Library invites the public to celebrate Thursday, October 2, to learn about how to trace your family tree and more.
“Whether you’re an avid genealogy enthusiast or just starting out, we will have plenty of resources to help you in your family history journey,” said Kelly Deeny, the librarian who organized the event. “We will have several genealogy and history organizations on hand from throughout our region to help you find your roots or guide you in the right direction.”
Event Details
From noon to 2 p.m., guests can visit information tables from the following organizations:
The Bucks County Genealogical Society
The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
The Bucks County Historical Society - Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle
The Bucks County Free Library
The Bucks County Community College Library
The Volta Center for Writing Arts
The free genealogical research assistance is not limited to Bucks County or even this country; help is available with research that extends to other countries as well, Deeny noted. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about the historical significance of Bucks County, while writers can work creatively with writing prompts suggested by the Volta Center.
Visitors can also learn about the archives and cultural heritage collections available at the BCCC Library, where Bucks County residents can check out materials at the Newtown Campus, the Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks in Bristol, and the Upper Bucks Campus in Perkasie.
“The Bucks County Community College Libraries are a hidden gem of resources,” said Director of Libraries Monica Kuna. “With over 100,000 volumes, a Celtic collection, an Italian collection, and an African Diaspora collection, we support learning for not only our students but also the community.”
When & Where
The Family History Event takes place from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, October 2, in the Gallagher Room, located in the Rollins Center building on the Newtown Campus. Admission is free. For more information, contact the BCCC Library at 215-968-8009 or library@bucks.edu.
The Newtown Campus is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940, where there is ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit bucks.edu/newtown.
To learn more about the Bucks County Community College Library, visit bucks.edu/library. To apply for a community library card, visit bucks.edu/library/services/community.
About Bucks County Community College
Founded in 1964, Bucks County Community College is a two-year, public institution offering more than 90 programs of study that lead to either an associate degree or certificate, as well as many workforce training programs on campus, on site, or online. Successful graduates directly launch a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree, depending on the major. Classes are offered on campus in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and worldwide through Bucks Online. To learn more, visit bucks.edu.
Bucks County Community College Authorized to Open Municipal Police Academy
Bucks County Community College has moved a step closer to opening a police training academy following a crucial vote by a state commission, College officials announced.
On September 11, the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) voted unanimously to establish a new police academy in Bucks County. Although the initiative is in its early stages, the commission’s vote supports opening the academy at Bucks County Community College, which has campuses in Bristol, Newtown, and Perkasie.
“We are pleased that our application has taken the next step toward bringing vital law enforcement training to Bucks County,” said Bucks County Community College President & CEO Patrick M. Jones. “It’s notable that our initiative received letters of support from all three Bucks County Commissioners, all 13 members of our state legislative delegation, the police chiefs of Bucks County, and the Bucks County Sheriff.”
The concept was initially raised by faculty in the College’s criminal justice program, according to Dr. Samantha Gross, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
“The idea of having a police academy at our college is something that’s always been on the radar of our criminal justice faculty,” noted Gross. “Several of them are former police officers and made us aware of the opportunity to apply. We worked as a team on the application, and our faculty’s knowledge and expertise were indispensable throughout the process.”
Those faculty members included Professor Robert J. Ritchie, Dr. Robert F. Ritchie, Professor Al Sigafoos, and Professor Sarah Jakub, Gross added.
The municipal police academy will offer the state’s Act 120 basic police officer training, a comprehensive, mandatory, 919-hour program designed to prepare an individual for certification to become a police officer within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, according to Gross, adding that both full- and part-time training schedules are planned.
The academy will be housed at the Newtown Campus, where there is ample classroom space and facilities. The nearest such training facilities are currently in Philadelphia and Montgomery County.
MPOETC, which establishes the minimum curriculum and training standards for municipal police officers, also approved Luzerne County Community College’s application to establish a police academy to serve northeastern Pennsylvania.
