Alumni Award Winners
2024 Winners
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 significant staff layoffs, Tom's sites fill the void by providing up-to-date, objective information on events in our area.
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 to journalism classes and offers summer internships to Bucks journalism students, helping the next generation of reporters.
Community Service Award
Nicole Heary ‘23
Nicole Heary has always put the community first. From volunteering at the Salvation Army to working as a social worker at the Levittown Corps, Nicole consistently lent a helping hand to her community. Beyond her work with the Salvation Army, she has helped fellow church members by babysitting for parents juggling work commitments and 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. She graduated from A Woman’s Place R.I.S.E. Program (Redefining Independence, Safety, and Empowerment) and is set to graduate from the Buck County Self Sufficiency Program in May 2024. Nicole has also spoken at Bucks County Community College, sharing her journey to becoming a student and inspiring many with her story.
Centurion Award
Jean Dolan ‘88
Jean Dolan graduated from Bucks County Community College in 1988 with an Associate of Arts in journalism. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Arts in communication from La Salle University. She was hired by Bucks in 2001 as the College's first assistant director of public relations, helping to 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 spearheads diversity, equity and inclusion 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 United States.
Jean has been an adjunct faculty member since 2008 and is the former head of the communication area in the Department of Arts and Communication.
Her volunteer efforts at the College include past officer of the Administrative Employees Committee, chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee, and faculty advisor for the Catholic Students Association and Indian Student Union. She has a wide and diverse history of community volunteering at La Salle University, the Newtown Library Company, Council Rock North Band Parents Association, the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County, and Boy Scout Troop 29. Jean has also served as a poll worker for the Bucks County Board of Elections.
Professional Achievement Award
Joseph Sauder ‘93
Joseph Sauder is a founding partner at Sauder Schelkopf LLC, a national plaintiffs’ law firm. He attended Bucks County Community College from 1991 to 1993. Joseph 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 more than $1 billion for its clients and class members.
Joseph 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.