News Release
Bucks County Community College Graduates Class of 2009
- More than 900 receive associate degrees or certificates
- Pearl S. Buck International CEO Janet Mintzer delivers commencement address, receives honorary degree
Bucks County Community College celebrated its 43rd graduating class Thursday, May 21, by welcoming Janet L. Mintzer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pearl S. Buck International, as keynote speaker.
Mintzer, who leads the not-for-profit organization dedicated to the humanitarian legacy of founder Pearl S. Buck, urged graduates to let what they love direct their career paths, and to consider serving others.
“I ask you to hold the highest vision possible for your life, give of yourself to the greater good, and you will achieve greatness,” said Mintzer. “And wherever you devote your time and passionately use your talents, I know that you will receive more in return.”
A native of Philadelphia, Mintzer received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Temple University, and also took courses at Bucks toward her undergraduate degree. She moved to Bucks County in 1979 where she has been an active community volunteer. Mintzer is Secretary of the Board for the Pennridge Chamber of Commerce and the Bucks County Women’s Fund, and is an active member of the Doylestown Rotary.
The college recognized Mintzer’s achievements by granting her an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree, presented by college president Dr. James J. Linksz and Board of Trustees chair Elizabeth Graver.
The Class of 2009 – which numbers more than 900 – also heard from one of its own. Ellen Bronckaerts was chosen to address her classmates in recognition of her outstanding achievements. Shortly after she arrived in the U.S. from Belgium in 2007, Bronckaerts immersed herself in academic and collegiate activities at Bucks. She became active in two honor societies, student government, several clubs, and as a student orientation leader. Bronckaerts advised the Class of 2009 to “go global” and see the world from another perspective.
“We all are aware that the world is getting smaller and smaller and that we cross borders more easily,” said Bronckaerts. “So I hope that you’ll never forget that people may have different views on the world that we live in, but that we need to respect their opinions and beliefs so that we can possibly learn something from them.”
In addition, the college honored eight retiring faculty members – Professors Jon Alley, Walter Alvey, Blaine Greenfield, Susan Jacobi, Linda MacGregor, Arta Szathmary, Merritt Whitman, and Jo Ellen Winters – by bestowing upon each the title of Professor Emeritus.
The ceremony featured live music from the BCCC Madrigal Singers under the direction of Music Area Instructor Rochelle Milhous, along with Instructor Jeff Baumeister leading the BCCC Faculty Jazz Ensemble.
Earlier Thursday, Bucks celebrated top students and faculty at its annual Honors Convocation ceremony, presenting more than $125,000 in scholarships and awards. All told, more than 150 awards were presented by President Linksz, Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Annette L. Conn, and Tobias Bruhn, Executive Director of the BCCC Foundation. Most of the funds came from the BCCC Foundation, a nonprofit educational trust which manages a $3 million endowment.
Nursing graduates were also honored with a pinning ceremony Wednesday, May 20. Keynote speaker was Amy Dailey, RN, BSN, a 2004 Bucks graduate. In addition to working at Aria Health (formerly Frankford Hospital), Dailey is a nurse examiner for the Bucks County Sexual Assault Response Team, administers first aid at Sesame Place amusement park in Middletown Township, and is an adjunct faculty member at Bucks. She addressed 114 graduates poised to become registered nurses.
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Assistant Director, Public Relations 215-968-8094/8093 |
