BCCC Gets Second-Largest Gift In College History

Bucks County Community College has received a quarter of a million dollar donation and will rename a building on the Newtown Campus in honor of the donor's late wife.

The donation is the second-biggest in the college's 52-year history, officials said.

Trustee Otto Grupp III has pledged a $250,000 gift to name one of the college’s main academic buildings on the Newtown Campus in memory of his late wife, Jean H. Grupp. This fall, Penn Hall will officially be dedicated Jean H. Grupp Hall, college officials announced this month.

“The gift, matching the second-largest single donation to the college in our 52-year history, supports our plans to further strengthen academic and professional programs, ensure student success through support services and scholarship opportunities, and become a greater regional asset for workforce development,” said Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt, college president.

Jean Grupp is a long-time Langhorne resident who graduated from Bensalem High School. She continued her education at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Nursing and passionately served her profession while raising her family, the college said in an announcement.

"After her passing in 2011, Otto Grupp established the Jean H. Grupp Memorial Nursing Scholarship which provides tuition and fees to one Bucks Associate Degree Nursing student for his or her final year of study. Penn Hall was chosen to be renamed in her honor as it houses the college’s well-regarded nursing program," the college announced.

Otto Grupp has served Bucks as a member of the Board of Trustees since 1992. He also served on the BCCC Foundation Board of Directors from 1992 to 1995, and again from 2012 to 2013.

“On behalf of the entire college community, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Grupp and his family for their generous support of our students and belief in our Bucks mission,” Shanblatt said.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: Otto Grupp III (left), a longtime trustee at Bucks County Community College, has announced a $250,000 gift Bucks County Community College.