Alumni Award Winners
2024 Winners
![](/discover/alumni/awards/Tom-Sofield-Web.png)
Alumni Association President’s Distinguished Award
Tom Sofield ‘12
Former Bucks journalism student Tom Sofield has found success as both a journalist and an entrepreneur. In 2013 he launched LevittownNow.com, which has since become one of the most comprehensive news sources in lower Bucks County. Since then, he has expanded his operation to include NewtownPAnow.com and the New Hope Free Press. At a time when many newspapers are facing massive staff layoffs, Tom's sites fill the void by providing up-to-date, objective information on events in our area.
Tom credits Bucks with giving him real world journalism experience as a student. Tom credits his achievements to the real-world journalism experience he gained as a student at Bucks. Despite his busy schedule, he often returns to Bucks County Community College to speak in journalism classes and offers summer internships to Bucks journalism students, helping the next generation of reporters.
![](/discover/alumni/awards/Nicole-Heary-Web.png)
Community Service Award
Nicole Heary ‘23
Nicole Heary, in every single aspect, has always put the community first. Through working at the Salvation Army as a volunteer to then working as a Social Worker at the Levittown Corp, Nicole has always lent a helping hand when it comes to her community. Outside the Salvation Army, she has assisted fellow church members whether it was babysitting children for parents juggling work commitments or donating baby clothes and hand-me-downs to those in need.
Through working as a Social Worker and attending school, Nicole was able to find her self-sufficiency and graduated not only through A Woman’s Place R.I.S.E. Program (Redefining Independence, Safety, and Empowerment) but will be graduating from Buck County Self Sufficiency Program in May 2024. Nicole has also previously spoken at Bucks, sharing her journey to becoming a student and inspiring many with her story.
![](/discover/alumni/awards/Dolan-headshot.jpg)
Centurion Award
Jean Dolan ‘88
Jean Dolan graduated from BCCC in 1988 with an Associates of Arts in Journalism. She earned her Bachelor's of Arts in English and Master's of Arts in Communication from LaSalle University. She was hired at BCCC in 2001 as the college's first-ever assistant director of public relationship helping bring media relations into the digital age and attracting news coverage by regional, national and international media.
In 2021 she transitioned to admissions, assisting with recruitment efforts, communication and community outreach. She also took on the role as the designated school official for the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Program. In her current role, Jean has spearheaded DEI programming and outreach. Among her first projects was having the college recognized as the site of one of the earliest gay rights protests in the U.S. Jean has been an adjust faculty member since 2008 and is former communications head for the Department of Arts and Communications.
Her volunteer efforts at the college include past officer of the Administrative Employees Committee, past chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee and faculty advisor for the Catholic Students Association. She has a wide and diverse history of community volunteering at LaSalle University, the Newtown Library Company, Council Rock North Band Parents Association, Youth Orchestra of Bucks County and Boy Scout Troop 29. She has also served as an Election Day poll worker, clerk or machine inspector in Newtown Township and Borough.
![](/discover/alumni/awards/Joseph-Sauder-Web.png)
Professional Achievement Award
Joseph Sauder ‘93
Joseph Sauder is a founding partner at Sauder Schelkopf LLC, a national plaintiffs’ law firm. Mr. Sauder attended Bucks County Community College from 1991 to 1993. He became a first-generation college graduate when he received his Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude in Finance from Temple University in 1995. He graduated from Temple University School of Law in 1998, where he was a member of the Temple Law Review. He handles complex cases on behalf of individuals, victims of sexual misconduct, consumers, small businesses, and employees. He has successfully litigated cases against some of the largest companies in the world. Sauder Schelkopf has recovered over $1 billion for its clients and class members.
Mr. Sauder started his legal career as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office where, from 1998 to 2003, he successfully tried hundreds of criminal cases to verdict, including sexual abuse cases.
His pro bono activities have included serving as a volunteer attorney with the Support Center for Child Advocates. This nonprofit organization provides legal and social services to abused and neglected children. He represented a survivor of clergy sex abuse in a diocese-established compensation fund and assisted local businesses impacted by COVID-19.