Bucks County Community College is celebrating its 56th annual commencement on Thursday, May 19. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m., and again at 6 p.m., in the gymnasium on the campus at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown.
The class of 2022, which includes 444 associate degree graduates and 52 graduating with a certificate, will hear from two of its own. Patrick Finnegan and Jasmine Ramos were selected to address their classmates in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Finnegan will address the graduates at the 2 p.m. ceremony and Ramos at the 6 p.m.
Finnegan is a music major who is very involved with the Music Society Club and participates in the Madrigal Singers and Ensemble, while performing in many venues, including the 2022 commencements. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Finnegan tutors his fellow students and has also participated in sports and served as a student worker. He will be transferring to Cairn University in Langhorne, where he will major in music composition with the goal of becoming a music director at a church.
Ramos is an early childhood education major. She has been very involved in the Student Government Association and served as a board member, director of off-campus programming and, this year, serves as vice president. Ramos also participates in foundation activities through her role as a student member of the Alumni Association. She looks forward to finding employment as a lead teacher for infants and toddlers while maintaining her connection with the college as a proud Bucks alumna.
In addition, the Bucks County Community College Alumni Association is presenting its Alumni Achievement Awards during the ceremony to the following people:
– President’s Distinguished Service Award – John Cordisco, Esq., ‘75, attorney, Cordisco & Saile
– Community Service Award – Katie Matarazzo, ‘11, executive assistant and project manager, United Way of Bucks County
– Professional Achievement Award – Marjorie McKeone, ‘87, director, Children & Youth Bucks County
– Centurion Award – Dr. Toni McCormick, ‘10, faculty of associate degree nursing, Bucks County Community College
The ceremony will feature live music from the Bucks County Community College Madrigal Singers performing the national anthem and the college’s alma mater. In addition, Professor Jeff Baumeister will lead the Bucks Graduation Ensemble in performing his own jazzy arrangement of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Professor John Strauss, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service to Bucks, will serve as commencement marshal at 2 p.m. and Dr. Lois Gilmore will serve as marshal at the 6 p.m. ceremony. Strauss and Gilmore, along with Provost Lisa Angelo and Professor Denise May, will be named Professors Emeriti during the ceremony.
Nursing graduates were honored with a pinning ceremony on Wednesday, May 18, at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium. The 56 students who completed the college’s associate degree nursing program are poised to become registered nurses upon completion of the state licensing exam.
Fire Safety Training graduated 188 firefighters at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 17, at 7 p.m. in the Newtown Campus gymnasium.
