Skip to content
BCCC Announces Opening Reception for Annual "Show Some HeART" Exhibition
Bucks County Community College is excited to announce the opening reception for its annual Show Some HeART exhibition, a celebration of local talent and creativity. This highly anticipated event will feature over 200 works of art created by regional artists, with all pieces priced at $150 each. A portion of the proceeds will go towards funding scholarships for Bucks County Community College students.
The exhibition will be on display from January 27 through March 13, 2025, at the Gene and Marlene Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks, with the Opening Reception taking place on Friday, January 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
In addition to enjoying the vibrant array of artwork, guests at the opening reception will have the opportunity to mingle with artists, purchase works of art, and enjoy light refreshments. All pieces in the exhibition are available for purchase, and each sale contributes to scholarships that support the community college’s students.
The Gallery at Lower Bucks Campus plays a vital role in providing accessible and affordable cultural opportunities to the Lower Bucks County community. Through exhibitions like Show Some HeART, the gallery increases visibility and awareness of the arts and local artists while raising important resources for Bucks County Community College and its students. The gallery’s exhibitions are open to individual artists and artist groups, further fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for creativity.
Exhibition DetailsOpening Reception Date: Friday, January 31, 2025Time: 6-8 p.m.Location: Epstein Campus at Lower BucksExhibition Dates: January 27 – March 13, 2025Cost: FREE and open to the public
For more information about the exhibition, including details on purchasing artwork, visit the Gallery at Lower Bucks or call 215-968-8425.
BCCC to Host A Woman’s Place Young Adult Advisory Board’s Art Showcase
The Bucks County Community College School of Arts and Communication is pleased to announce that the Hicks Art Center will be the host venue for this year’s A Woman’s Place (AWP) Young Adult Advisory Board’s 2nd Annual Art Showcase on February 6 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. All are invited to purchase tickets ($5, ages 17 and under, $10, ages 18+) to attend this one night only pop-up exhibition. Tickets can be purchased by emailing Rachel Wortham at rwortham@awomansplace.org or calling (267) 780-7481.
AWP’s Young Adult Advisory Board (YAAB) is made up of teens from across Bucks County dedicated to raising awareness and preventing youth dating violence and unhealthy relationships. In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, YAAB is thrilled to host their 2nd Annual Art Showcase event at Bucks County Community College in the Hicks Art Center on the Newtown Campus located at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa. 18940.
Join us for an inspiring event featuring local art from artists of all ages, artist spotlights with talented creatives, interactive activities, and light refreshments. All funds raised will directly support AWP’s important work in the community.
Founded in 1976, A Woman’s Place is the only domestic violence community benefit organization in Bucks County. AWP provides a comprehensive range of programs and services to individuals experiencing domestic violence, their children, and the community, including a 24/7 hotline, shelter, legal, educational, and counseling services.
Image courtesy of A Woman’s Place Young Adult Advisory Board
Dr. Charles Beem Receives BCCC’s 2024 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award
Bucks County Community College is pleased to announce that Charles Beem, Ed.D. has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award which recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and student impact. The award, which includes a cash stipend, was presented earlier today.
“As a proud graduate of Bucks County Community College, it is truly a joy to work with our students along the pathway of their educational journey,” Beem said. "It is also with a debt of gratitude that I recognize, and wish to thank, everyone at the college who has inspired me to improve my skills in teaching, so that our students can make the world a better place.”
The Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award is presented to faculty members at colleges and universities throughout the Greater Delaware Valley through the generous support of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation.
Bucks County Community College President & CEO Patrick M. Jones said, “We are blessed to have extraordinary faculty such as Dr. Beem at Bucks. Professor Beem is such an ardent supporter of our students—both inside and outside of the classroom. His passion for student success is infectious and his tireless efforts are remarkable.”
Beem’s teaching career began in 1981 at Bucks County Community College as a part-time instructor and eventually as professor. He began teaching at Delaware Valley University in 2000 and still does so on a part-time basis. He has also taught at the University of St. Francis, Rider University, and La Salle University.
Beem teaches business courses, primarily marketing and management. He has served 37 years as the faculty chapter advisor of Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society for two-year college students, for which he was recognized with the prestigious Outstanding Advisor Award at both the regional and national levels. He was instrumental in founding BCCC’s Kappa Beta Delta Nu Chapter, an international honor society for business majors, and the College’s Lions International Chapter — the first of its kind among community colleges in the region. He also was the club advisor for the Bucks Business Association and co-advisor for the National Society of Leadership and Success, embodying a commitment to cultivating leadership, scholarship, and community engagement in students.
Beem served as the Management/Marketing Area Coordinator at Bucks from 2000 to 2015 and has enthusiastically served on countless committees throughout his career. In addition, he has planned more than 30 regional and international student trips. According to one letter of recommendation, Dr. Beem always puts students first with a commitment to student engagement and passion for creating learning opportunities outside of the classroom.
A 1974 graduate of Bucks County Community College, Dr. Beem went on to earn his bachelor's and master’s degrees in business administration as well as another master’s degree and his doctorate from Delaware Valley University.
Beem is a resident of Northampton Township where he also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Free Library of Northampton Township.
About the Lindback AwardThe Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award was established by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. The late Mr. Lindback was the president and principal owner of Abbotts Dairies, Inc., and a trustee of Bucknell University. He, along with his wife, Mary F. Lindback, generously created a foundation that bears their names and the award to honor excellence in education. Since 1961, the foundation has been recognizing outstanding faculty members at colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Lindback is awarded every other year at Bucks.
Hicks Art Center Gallery Announces First-Ever Virtual Reality Exhibition
The Bucks County Community College School of Arts and Communication is pleased to announce that the Hicks Art Center Gallery will host its first virtual reality exhibition, Reality’s Fugue: Virtual Reality Meets Art & Philosophy from February 10 through March 1, 2025. An author and artists’ talk with author F. Samuel Brainard, artist Carol Cruickshanks and designer Christian Kowalchuk will be held on February 12 at 2 p.m. in the gallery followed by an opening reception, 4–7 p.m., on the same day. Both events are free and open to the public.
Based on his book, “Reality’s Fugue: Reconciling Worldviews in Philosophy, Religion, and Science,” the author F. Samuel Brainard collaborated with David Tamés to produce and direct the approximately 10-minute VR experience which features immersive and dynamic visuals, realistic audio narration, and motion tracking without hand controllers. Carol Cruickshanks hosted the premiere exhibition as Executive Director of New Hope Arts in January 2024. Since April of 2024, she has been the co-producer of the current exhibition, the staging, refined installation, and new collaboration. As exhibition designer, Christian Kowalchuk has worked with Brainard to re-envision the upcoming installation at Hicks Art Center to include two rooms within the gallery to enhance the individualized experience.
Unlike gaming VR environments where the goal is usually to successfully achieve a task, Reality’s Fugue: Virtual Reality Meets Art & Philosophy guides participants through nonhierarchical worldviews of the universe demonstrating an origin story illustrated by our creatively shared experiences. Both the book and the VR production strive to prove how we are simultaneously individuals and collective beings.
F. Samuel Brainard, Ph.D., is an independent scholar of Asian and Western religions and philosophy. He has taught at Temple and Rutgers Universities. His work has been published in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion as well as in his prior book, Reality and Mystical Experience (Penn State University Press, 2000). This is his first book for both general and academic audiences, and several of the concepts that it develops reveal connections to his earlier work.
Reality’s Fugue: Virtual Reality Meets Art & Philosophy was produced and directed by F. Samuel Brainard and David Tamés. The contributing artists include Carol Cruickshanks, Susanne Pitak-Davis, Aurelle Purdy Sprout, and Stacie Speer Scott. Patrick Nugent served as the developer and the 3D artists were Patrick Nugent and Katerina Pak. The composer was Linda Erickson and the narration was written by Jenny Paschall with Fran Perlman narrating. Technical consultants included Danger Donaghey, Oscar Keyes, and Matt Seibert. Special thanks go to New Hope Arts, Stanley Timek and the Bucks County Community College Media Center, Robert Bullington and Front Row Seat Productions, LLC, Susan Bindig, Jeffrey Jacobson, Ryan Murray, Carol Parker, Celia Pearce, and Elizabeth A. Stier.
Hicks Art Center Gallery275 Swamp RoadNewtown, PA 18940
Gallery hours during the exhibition: Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturdays February 15, 22 and March 1, 12–4 p.m.
For more information please contact: gallery@bucks.edu
Image credit: Patrick Nugent
Bucks County Community College Graduates Firefighters
Bucks County Community College graduated more than 120 firefighters on Tuesday, December 17, at a Newtown Campus ceremony that drew an overflow crowd of family, friends and fellow first responders. The volunteers completed Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 national certification training, in addition to First Aid, CPR/AED, and Hazmat training, at the College-run Public Safety Training Centers in Doylestown and Croydon. The graduates hail from 29 fire companies, 23 of which are in Bucks County.
Three firefighters, one from each battalion, were recognized with Outstanding Student awards. Honored were Alex Armstrong of Ottsville, a member of Palisades Regional Fire Rescue Station 49; Peter Horvath of Bristol, a member of Third District Volunteer Fire Company Station 14; and Philip Kim of Wycombe, a member of Lingohocken Fire Company Station 35.
Alex Armstrong (second from left), a volunteer with Palisades Regional Fire Rescue Station 49, received an Outstanding Student Award from Bucks County Community College at a firefighter graduation ceremony on December 17. The Ottsville resident was congratulated by (from left) Matthew Hatrak, Executive Director of Public Safety Training; Dr. Patrick M. Jones, the College’s president and CEO; and instructor Matthew Traynor.
Peter Horvath (second from left), a member of Third District Volunteer Fire Company Station 14, received an Outstanding Student Award from Bucks County Community College at a firefighter graduation ceremony on December 17. The Bristol resident was congratulated by (from left) Matthew Hatrak, Executive Director of Public Safety Training; Dr. Patrick M. Jones, the College’s president and CEO; and instructor Charlie Simpson.
Philip Kim (second from left), a volunteer with Lingohocken Fire Company Station 35, received an Outstanding Student Award from Bucks County Community College at a firefighter graduation ceremony on December 17. The Wycombe resident was congratulated by (from left) Matthew Hatrak, Executive Director of Public Safety Training; Dr. Patrick M. Jones, the College’s president and CEO; and instructor Matthew Traynor.
BCCC Nursing Grads Achieve 100% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
The most recent graduates of Bucks County Community College’s Associate Degree in Nursing program achieved an impressive 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), college officials announced.
“This is an extraordinary first-time accomplishment with the new concept-based curriculum,” noted Dean of Health Sciences Constance Corrigan, Ed.D., at the public, two-year college. “We're so proud of these 60 grads as well as our faculty and staff who prepared these students well to enter the nursing field.”
The graduates tested between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
The NCLEX-RN exam assesses a candidate's nursing competence to determine if they can practice as an entry-level nurse. To become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Pennsylvania, students must successfully complete an approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX before they can apply for their nursing license and begin practicing as an RN. The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
“We are thrilled about our nursing graduates achieving their life-changing professional goal,” said the College’s President & CEO Patrick M. Jones, Ph.D. Dr. Jones continued, “Bucks also offers successful programs in other high-demand healthcare fields such as Practical Nursing, Radiography, and Medical Lab Technician. All of these programs help us meet employer needs and prepare students for great career opportunities.”
Virtual information sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about the Associate Degree Nursing Program and the application process. Information sessions are scheduled for:
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 12-1 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 12-1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Visit the Associate Degree Nursing Program for more information.
Practical Nursing Program at Bucks
The Practical Nursing program—a full-time, face-to-face 12-month program that prepares students to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)—had a NCLEX pass rate of 93% in 2024, which was 3.3% above the national average. That program had pass rates of 100% in each of the previous two years and has scored above the national average for nearly ten years.
The Practical Nursing program at Bucks is ranked #2 for excellence out of 52 LPN programs in Pennsylvania. Applications are now being accepted for the July 2025 program start date.
The next virtual information sessions for the Practical Nursing program are scheduled for:
Wednesday, January 8, 10 a.m.
Monday, January 13 at 1:30 p.m.
Visit the Practical Nursing program for details.
