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The Search Is On for the 50th Bucks County Poet Laureate
Bucks County Community College is searching for a scribe who will be named the 50th Bucks County Poet Laureate. County residents over the age of 18, who have not previously earned the title, are invited to submit 10 original poems in any style by Friday, September 25.
The winner of the competition will receive a $500 honorarium, and a plaque from the county commissioners, and will be honored with a November reading and reception at Bucks County Community College with 2025 Poet Laureate Madeline Marriott and contest runners-up.
The Bucks County Poet Laureate program, which began in 1977, is the longest-running poet laureate contest in Pennsylvania. Administered by Bucks County Community College, the program also holds the Bucks County High School Poet of the Year contest every spring.
The poems entered will be read by a preliminary judge who will narrow the entries down, and a final judge, who will determine the winner and runners-up.
The preliminary judge will be Michelle Messina Reale, a poet, writer and professor at Arcadia University. She is the 2026 Poet Laureate of Montgomery County, the director of Arcadia University's low-residency MFA program, and the author of several poetry collections including her latest, “Let it be Extravagant” (Bordighera Press, 2025). She is the founding and managing editor of both “OVUNQUE SIAMO: New Italian-American Writing” and “The Red Fern Review.”
The final judge will be Jeanne Marie Beaumont, the author of five books of poetry, including “Placebo Effects,” a winner of the National Poetry Series, and most recently “Lessons with Scissors.” She is coeditor of “The Poets’ Grimm” anthology and author of the verse play “Asylum Song.” She formerly served as director of the Frost Place Seminar and has taught at Rutgers University, the Stonecoast MFA program, and the 92nd St. Y. Born and raised in Delaware County, Pa., she has lived in New York City for over 40 years.
There is no fee to enter the Bucks County Poet Laureate contest. The entry requires 10 poems, in any style, form, or length. All work must be original, published or unpublished, typewritten or word-processed, with one poem per page, in black ink. Poems and entry form must be submitted online.
For more information, contact Dr. Ethel Rackin at ethel.rackin@bucks.edu.
BCCC and Warrington Township Partner on Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition
Bucks County Community College and Warrington Township have partnered to present a unique outdoor sculpture exhibition at Lions Pride Park through August 15.
The exhibition, installed along the park’s walking trails, showcases three collaborative sculptures created by current Bucks students and two works by alumni. Visitors are invited to vote for their favorite sculpture, and the piece with the most votes will be purchased by the township for permanent installation in the park, located at 3129 Bradley Road in Chalfont.
For a closer look at the artwork and the creative process behind them, Professor Jon Burns will lead a guided Sculpture Walk from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 26. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required through Warrington Township Parks & Recreation under "Community Events."
During the walk, Burns will discuss the inspiration behind each sculpture, the materials and techniques used, and how the College's 3D Arts curriculum prepared students and alumni to bring the large-scale pieces to life. Burns has taught in Bucks' 3D Arts program for many years, including a course on large-scale, site-specific sculpture.
The exhibition reflects the College's commitment to experiential learning and community engagement while enhancing the local cultural landscape, noted Carolina Blatt, Ph.D., dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
"Once we were approached by Warrington Township with this idea, we started thinking about how to get our students involved with this opportunity, and at the same time, highlight our programs and the fact that we have some really unique facilities," said Blatt. "We have a foundry, a wood shop, and all these amazing studios that people might not know about, so it seemed like a natural fit to show what we're doing while also helping Warrington add engaging public art to its trails."
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.
