Schools

BCCC Graduates Encouraged to 'Follow Their Passions'

Keynote speaker John Parry, president & CEO of First National Bank & Trust of Newtown, gave an inspirational address at last week's graduation ceremony.

Approximately 900 students graduated from Bucks County Community College Thursday in the school's 45th annual commencement. John T. Parry, president and chief executive officer of the First National Bank & Trust Co. of Newtown, was the keynote speaker.

“Time is limited, so don’t waste it in a profession you don’t like,” Parry told the graduates in attendance and hundreds of their friends and family members. “Life is too short to go to work and not enjoy it every day.”

Parry spoke from experience, having worked at a job he loves for more than 38 years. After joining First National Bank in 1973, he worked his way up the corporate ladder from branch manager to president, CEO, and chairman of the board of directors. Parry also finds time to serve on several professional and community committees.  

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The college recognized Parry’s achievements by granting him an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree, presented by college president Dr. James J. Linksz and Board of Trustees chair J. Peter Dominick.

The class of 2011 – which numbers nearly 900, including those who concluded their studies last fall and summer – also heard from one of its own. Quakertown’s Kimberly Kratz was chosen to address her classmates in recognition of her outstanding achievements. The communication major, who intends to transfer to Gwynedd-Mercy College, served as vice president of membership for the college’s PiXi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honors society for two-year schools. She also served as a reporter and editor for the Centurion student newspaper, which earned her the Outstanding New Member award at the college’s annual student awards ceremony.

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Kratz urged her fellow graduates to follow the “SAFE” route to success, an acronym she created that stands for Surround yourself with intelligent people, Ask for criticism, Find your passion, and Embrace change.

The ceremony featured live music from the BCCC Madrigal Singers directed by Music Area Assistant Professor Rochelle Milhous, performing the National Anthem arranged by Professor Steve Bresnen. Also, Assistant Professor Jeff Baumeister led the BCCC Faculty & Friends Jazz Ensemble in a jazzy update of “Pomp & Circumstance.” The ceremony took place in the gym on the Newtown campus.

Earlier Thursday, Bucks celebrated top students, faculty and alumni at its annual Honors Convocation, presenting more than $125,000 in scholarships and awards in the Gateway Auditorium. 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 come from the BCCC Foundation, a nonprofit educational trust which manages a $4.5 million endowment.

Nursing graduates also were honored with a pinning ceremony Wednesday, May 18 in the Gym. Keynote speaker was James M. Gentile, RN, MS, CPAN, CAPA, while the student speaker was Richard Mohammed. The 110 students who completed the college’s associate degree nursing program are poised to become registered nurses upon completion of state licensing exams.


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