Message from the Coordinator of Alumni Engagement

Hi, Alumni!
"And all at once summer collapsed into fall." - Oscar Wilde

Happy Fall! There are so many reasons to love this season, from leaf peeping, to pumpkin picking. I hope you and your family find ways to enjoy the season, while social-distancing, of course!

At the start of this new season, I am excited to announce our new alumni student representative for this school year is Samantha Gillespie '21. You can read Sam's bio in this issue of the Gazebo. In the Student Spotlight section, Samantha will feature a student who is an active participant in student life activities, and highlight details about the many clubs and activities offered at Bucks. This month, meet Christian Huber '21, and learn more about the Disability Pride Club.

Thank you to everyone who took the Alumni Survey! It was encouraging to receive all of the comments and suggestions. The Alumni Council is looking forward to strategizing so we can further meet your needs. Stay tuned later this season for updates and additions to the Alumni Association.
All My Best,

christine.harvie@bucks.edu

COVID Update

Fall 2020 will be mostly remote & online with designated hands-on classes meeting on campus.

Visit bucks.edu/coronavirus/ for more information.
BUCKS sheild - inverted B & W
Diversity & Inclusion
Following the murder of Mr. George Floyd, mass protests have brought attention to the brutal (and often fatal) police tactics commonly used on African-Americans & people of color. It's the obligation of Bucks to use this opportunity to support our faculty, staff, students, & people of color in our community. 
Alumni Council Student Representative
Samantha Gillespie '21

My name is Samantha Gillespie. I am a sophomore at Bucks County Community College with a major of Health Science. I have plans to transfer next year and continue my education to become a nurse! I currently work as a cardiac technician at a local hospital.

At Bucks, I am a part of our honors program as well as President of the Honors@Bucks Club. I am also a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Both of these have been great experiences so far! I am also a student athlete as I played tennis for our women’s team, and I am also a member of our dance team. Lastly, I am a member of our Student Government Association. I’m honored to be the student representative for the Alumni Council. I can’t wait to be involved in all the great things this council does this school year. 

I am very excited to begin assisting with the Gazebo e-newsletter! I will be taking over the "Student Spotlight" section. I plan to highlight students who are involved in clubs at Bucks. We want you, our alumni, to continue to feel proud about your alma mater. Not only will our readers get to know a little bit about our wonderful Bucks students, but this will give us a chance to show off some of the many clubs and activities that Bucks currently offers to its students.
Student Spotlight: Christian Huber '21
Disability Pride Club Member

My name is Christian Huber, and I am a music major at Bucks County Community College. I sing and play the piano, and I enjoy writing original songs in my free time. Since I have a disability, I am also a part of the Bucks Disability Pride Club.

The Disability Pride Club supports the inclusion of disabled students and their allies, and creates and promotes events and activities that facilitate positive relationships. This club provides a safe space to discuss disability issues and culture. As a member, I have been fortunate enough to raise awareness for the disability community while making some good friends.

I've also started a new club named after the Peyton Heart Project, where we promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness using virtual GIF hearts.

Currently, I am training to become a writing tutor at Bucks. When I finish college, my goal is to become a teacher since I have always had a passion for education ever since I was little. I enjoy helping others learn as much as they can, and inspiring them to live an enjoyable, fun life. 
Support the Honors@Bucks Club Food Drive
Help provide Bucks students in need with a Thanksgiving meal

The Honors@Bucks Club and the Alumni Council will be working together to support Bucks students in need this Thanksgiving holiday. The food drive will run from Oct. 12th to Nov. 12th. Help us add grocery store gift cards to the food the students are collecting by making a donation HERE.
Alumni Council Spotlight: Laura Talafous '08
Alumni Council President
By Kim Kratz '11
Students who attend Bucks County Community College arrive for their education from all sorts of paths and that of Laura Talfous is no exception. Hers began after she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Crime, Law and Justice, with minors in Photography and Psychology at Penn State.

While working a full-time job and attending LaSalle University for her MBA, Talafous also enrolled part-time in the paralegal program at Bucks.

"My whole experience at Bucks was positive."

"I had some great adjunct professors who were either currently practicing or had practiced law. Being able to have conversations with them about what they do for a living- it's real world experience," she said.

Her positive experience at Bucks led her to assist in the reconstitution of the Alumni Council where she has volunteered for nearly a decade. "When I worked for Comcast, I was approached by Charlie [then council president Professor Charles Beem] to be on the council. He was re-establishing it. I thought it was a good initiative and I saw potential."

Now the Alumni Council president, Talafous finds it an exciting endeavor. "Right now, looking back to where we started and seeing how it has grown, how much we are doing, I recognize how much further we can go with the foundation we've built."

Talafous believes its possibilities are endless. She hopes to see continued growth in the board and council with the addition of new members who can bring current perspective to those who've been a part of it for a long time. She believes this will ensure that students remain involved and the council remains focused on the alumni.

"We have fun. It's a great group of people and we have common goals. Our collective goals got us here and will help us get even further."

Talafous currently works as an FSL Operations Specialist for a medical device supplier. In addition to her position as President of the Alumni Council at Bucks County Community College, she is a Bucks Fever FilmFest volunteer and Co-Directed WICT Philly Gives Back in 2016 and 2017.

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 alumni@bucks.edu or 215.968.8461.
What Does It Mean To Succeed At Bucks?
Our current campaign title inspired us to find out what success means to the students at Bucks. We were curious what Bucks students wanted from their college experience and what they are working towards professionally! Click on the video to hear what it "Means to Succeed" to Bucks student, Alison.

To make a donation to our campaign for the Student Emergency Fund to help students succeed, click here!
Big Laughs On Campus: Oct. 15th
Free Event

Bucks County Community College invites you to get your “humor degree” with “Big Laughs on Campus,” a monthly live virtual comedy series that gives back to Bucks students.

Hosted by comedy veteran Marc Kaye, the series features nationally touring comedians who are now headlining directly from their couches. The laughs get rolling from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every third Thursday through December. Tickets are free, but donations are suggested to benefit various fundraising campaigns by the Bucks County Community College Foundation to help Bucks students.

Learn more here...
Comedian Mark Kaye
Comedian Adrian Colon
Introduction of Bucks+

Bucks+ is a new co-curricular engagement program designed to help students find and participate in activities happening virtually, on-campus, throughout Bucks County, and beyond!

Students earn points for activities, event attendance, and accomplishments at varying levels. The program focuses on competency areas employers are looking for: Community Engagement, Financial Literacy, Global Awareness, Personal/Professional Development and Bucks Pride. Students track their progress and share their accolades with peers, advisors, and employers using Suitable, an impact measurement tool for academic institutions.

This platform gives student clubs an innovative way to reach out to students during remote learning. "Student organizations are going to play an important role this year. Clubs are one of the biggest activities holding the community together and are behind the scenes for a lot of campus events," said student life and athletics director, Matt Cipriano, at a recent welcome luncheon for students.

Here is information about Bucks+ on the Bucks website. Here is student Leah Miller's article about Bucks+ in The Centurion Newspaper.
Congressional Debate
Virtual Event Oct. 6

Bucks County Community College, whose mission is to prepare students to become responsible citizens, will host a debate between the candidates in Pennsylvania’s first congressional district at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 6.

Incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick and challenger Christina Finello will take questions from moderator Bill Pezza at the Epstein Campus; Event will be livestreamed on the web by three media outlets.

To learn more about the candidates, click here.
Bucks Book Club: Nov. 19th
Me and White Supremacy

One of the many perks of being a Bucks alumnus is that you can participate in the book club! Join staff, students and other alumni on November 19th for a virtual discussion of Me and White Supremacy Sign up by clicking on the flyer below. You will receive an email with the Zoom details the day before the event.
Remote vs Online Learning

Is there a difference between the two? YES! Bucks County Community College has both remote and online opportunities for learning.

Remote, also called synchronous, courses will use technology like Zoom for classes at designated times, as listed in the student's schedule. This means classes include regular, virtual class meetings where students can interact with instructors and fellow classmates. Classes previously designated hybrid or face-to-face will have a virtual meeting component that is outlined in the course syllabus. It may be all class time or a portion of the scheduled time, with the remaining learning time online.

Online, also called asynchronous, classes are taught using a Learning Management System (LMS) like Canvas. All materials are shared via this tool. These classes do not include a virtual meeting format. Designated meeting times are not required and all work can be done virtually. Online courses do have deadlines for submitting completed work and taking quizzes and exams; they are not self-paced.
Quick Certificates
Propel your career forward or in a new direction 

Bucks offers a series of certificates that can help prepare you for a variety of different jobs. From Computer hardware to digital marketing, Bucks can take you somewhere new - fast. Depending on the program, certificate requirements may be completed in as little as one semester. All required courses in certificate programs focus on developing occupational skills. Credits earned in a certificate program may be applied toward an associate degree.

To learn more, click here (and scroll down to the bottom of the page).
The Centurion Newspaper
Looking for passionate alumni to join our Alumni Council. Email your resume/bio to christine.harvie@bucks.edu.
Learn more about the Bucks Alumni Association.
Real world experience is priceless. Volunteer to speak to students in the classroom.
Interested in getting involved? Contact:
Christine Harvie
Coordinator of Annual Fund & Alumni Engagement
(215) 968-8461
Christine.Harvie@bucks.edu
Recently moved, new job, personal or professional news you'd like to share? Make an update and claim your Bucks Alumni digital badge.