Centurions Caring for Centurions

COVID Update

Spring classes will be mostly remote & online with designated hands-on classes meeting on campus.

Visit bucks.edu/coronavirus/ for more information.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Bucks, our learning environment encourages a diverse robust engagement among students, staff, and the community at large.

.bucks.edu/diversity

To Our Alumni Teachers:

We would like to give an enormous thank you to Bucks alumni who have careers in education! Whether you teach in public or private school, early education, elementary, secondary, or higher education, we thank you!

Educators are wearing many hats these days. Some are working remotely, some are back in the classroom full time, and others are hybrid -- teaching students in the classroom AND on a computer screen AT THE SAME TIME! It is truly heroic. In honor of National American Education Week, which was November 16-20, we THANK YOU!

Email [email protected] to give us the scoop about where you teach, how you modified your teaching approach due to the pandemic, and include a picture! We will feature your story in a future issue of the alumni e-newsletter!

Alumni Council Spotlight: Bill Robinson '73

Meet Bill Robinson '73, veteran of the U.S. Navy, retired railroad worker, and Vice President of the Bucks County Community College Alumni Council.

Fresh out of high school, Bill joined the armed forces where he spent almost four years in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman. After basic training and radio school, he served 18 months at the Naval Communication Station in Guam and 13 months in Naval Support Activity, in Danang, Vietnam.

After discharge from the Navy, Bill continued his communications training for two years in the Mass Media program at Bucks County Community College. This led him down the "track" for a career in the railroad. Over the course of his career, Bill worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central Transportation Company, then spent 39 years with Amtrak. Most of his time with Amtrak was in Philadelphia, except for four years in New Haven, CT, and six years in New York City.

Along his career route with the railroad, Bill added some VIP passengers -- his wife of 46 years, Donna, and his two children William and Courtney. William is married to Christine and they have two sons, Liam and Patrick, eleven and eight years old, respectively.

Now that he is retired, Bill has the freedom to choose any mode of transportation for his vacation travels with his wife, a hobby they both enjoy. They also enjoy following Philadelphia sports teams, and Bill volunteers his time supporting the Bucks County Community College Alumni Association.

Bill states, "I enjoy serving on the Alumni Council because it helps maintain my connection with Bucks. My time at Bucks allowed me to mature more fully, improved my writing skills, and helped prepare me for my future career in the business world, even though it was in an area different from my field of study."

What advice would Bill give to current students and graduates? He advises, "I would encourage new alumni to stay in touch with Bucks through its website, social media, the alumni e-newsletter, and continue to support the college in any way possible." Great suggestion from an alumnus lives that advice himself. We are grateful that he made Bucks a part of his professional journey.

Since 1983, the Alumni Council has provided leadership and a means for Bucks alumni to unite in their efforts to support and strengthen the institution. Bucks is always looking for passionate alumni to help expand alumni and student activities. If you are interested in becoming an active member of the Alumni Council, please contact the Alumni Office at [email protected].

Centurions Caring for Centurions: Food Drive

The Honors@Bucks Club and the Alumni Council worked together to support Bucks students in need this Thanksgiving holiday. Honors@Bucks President Samantha Gillespie '21 shared her perspective on the importance of the event, stating, "The food drive was a great way to get involved in the Bucks Community. There is nothing more rewarding then giving back to those in need, especially given the circumstances of this year. The holiday season is quickly approaching, and our goal was to make sure every Bucks student enjoyed the Thanksgiving that they deserved. I have never been more thrilled to take part in the planning and executing of such a heartfelt event."

Fellow Honors at Bucks member, Kristen Sonnie '21 was also happy with the success of the event sharing, "The drop off locations made donating safe and easy, given the circumstances we are facing. We offered several locations and multiple dates and times to accommodate the most donors. This allowed for effective community participation. Ultimately, the Food Drive was a great way to help families in need within our own community."

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Bucks Nursing Program Receives Increase in Scholarship Grants

Bucks County Community College has received a $22,559 award from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation’s Nurses for Tomorrow scholarship program to support eligible students in its associate degree nursing and practical nursing programs for the 2020-21 academic year.

The award represents a significant increase over last year’s grant, which will help more students cover tuition in the high-demand programs, according to Dr. Constance Corrigan, dean of the college’s Health Sciences department. More here...

Alumni Online Event

On November 17th Alumni and students gathered on Zoom to learn about the Bucks Alumni Association and listen to a panel of alumni speak about their Bucks journey and offer advice to current Bucks students. The panelists included: Walt Stoertz '77, Rebecca Schnitzer '12, and Razin Karu '17. In addition to Bucks+ points, student attendees received a Wawa gift card for participating. If you missed it, the Alumni Association plans to offer this type of event each semester and all alumni are invited to attend. If you have any questions or if you would like to be a panelist, email: [email protected]

More Than 50 Online Courses Offered During Winter Session

College students can make the most of winter break – and save a tidy sum on tuition – by earning up to eight credits in just four weeks during Winter Session at Bucks County Community College.

Registration is underway for online classes beginning Monday, December 21 and ending Sunday, January 17. Credits easily transfer to most four-year colleges and universities, enabling students to work toward their degrees at a lower tuition rate – just $165 a credit for Bucks County residents – and transfer credits back to their home school. Students with a satisfactory academic standing can take up to two courses during Winter Session.