Bucks County Community College Honors Historic Class of 2020 with Virtual Celebration

Bucks County Community College posted the below to its Facebook page on Thursday, May 28, echoing the sentiment of so many in our community. We know that graduation celebrations aren't what we'd hoped for and planned this year, but our graduates are still worthy of praise. They should be so proud of their accomplishments.

Bucks County Community College celebrated its 54thannual commencement Thursday, May 28, in a first-ever virtual ceremony.

The prerecorded ceremony, produced to honor more than 1,000 graduates as buildings remain closed amid the Coronavirus pandemic, premiered on the college’s website, bucks.edu, and simultaneously on the college’s YouTube and social-media channels. The ceremony, which included announcing every graduate’s name and showing their picture if available, can be viewed on youtube.com/BucksCCC. Bucks County Community College PresidentStephanie Shanblatt, Ph.D., presided over the ceremony, introducing each speaker and conferring degrees.

President Stephanie Shanblatt, Ph.D., donned her academic regalia in her home office to virtually host Bucks County Community College’s 54th annual commencement.

“Education…will open doors, and help keep you safe.”

Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, Bucks County Commissioner, was the featured keynote speaker. Marseglia’s message to the class of 2020, whose semester was shifted to remote learning in March amid the pandemic, was about the importance of kindness, truthfulness, and working for justice.

“As we walk through our lives, whether we face a personal or public crisis, we have to rely on our strengths,” Marseglia said. “Education is one of them, and it will open doors and help keep you safe.”

She also urged graduates to share their talents and newly acquired knowledge close to home. “Stay in Bucks County; we need you!”

Diane Ellis-Marseglia, chair of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners, delivered the keynote address to Bucks County Community College’s class of 2020.

Student speaker urges introspection amid historic semester

Evan Brooks, who graduated with honors, was the student speaker for Bucks County Community College’s 54th annual commencement.

The class of 2020 – which earned 899 associate degrees and 109 certificates – also heard from one of its own. Evan Brooks was selected to address his classmates in recognition of his outstanding academic and campus achievements.

The Perkasie resident urged fellow graduates to approach the future with introspection, asking, “what will make you feel fulfilled in life,” especially amid this historic semester and first-ever virtual graduation.

“We have been given a new opportunity and direction of what learning means and how to learn, presented during these unique circumstances,” Brooks reflected. “It has instilled in us a higher level of responsibility to oneself to learn, and to get work done, forcing us to think of new ways to accomplish the same goals we had in mind.”

Brooks earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts: General Emphasis with honors, and intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business and economics. The Pennridge High School graduate plans to then get more involved in politics, eventually running for office, in order “to provide the best solutions, no matter their political origin, to the problems at hand.”

Brooks already had a taste of politics at Bucks, serving as president of the Student Government Association. He also was active in the Upper Bucks Campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and several other clubs. He co-founded three new clubs, including Students Talking Politics and the Debate Club, and helped revitalize the Honors@Bucks club. His academic success combined with campus involvement earned him the President’s Cup award from Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt this year. Brooks, who has 10 siblings, also volunteers as a docent at Pearl S. Buck International.

Notable alumni, retiring professors honored

In addition, the Bucks County Community College Alumni Association presented its Alumni Achievement Awards during the ceremony to the following:

President’s Distinguished Service Award – Dr. John Woznicki, ’87, academic administrator and Delaware Valley University faculty member
Community Service Award – David Feinman, ’13, entrepreneur and community volunteer
Professional Achievement Award – Glenn Bostock, ’81, entrepreneur
Centurion Award – Marianne Kepler, ’83, Bucks faculty member

As has been the tradition at the 56-year old college, the ceremony recognized distinguished retiring faculty members. Each received the title of Professor Emeritus/Emerita. Retiring professors are: