Inaugural Fundraising Event To Celebrate Student Success At Bucks

NEWTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Community College Foundation (BCCCF) will hold its inaugural fundraising event, “Celebrating Student Success," to benefit the Bucks Student Emergency Fund.

The inaugural celebration takes place at the Tyler Hall Mansion and inside the Tyler Gardens at the Newtown Campus on Saturday, November 5. Tickets, table sponsorship, and more information for the celebration can be found at www.bucks.edu/discover/foundation/events or call Andrew States, assistant director, at 215-968-8417.

The evening will be presented by Master of Ceremonies Charles Martin, Bucks County Commissioner Emeritus. In addition, Bob White and Gladys Mendieta White will be featured as guests of honor in recognition of their generous Gladys Mendieta White Scholarship Fund in support of Latino/a/x students. The scholarship has been awarded for the past three semesters to 10 students.

Festivities will include a cocktail hour with a special performance by the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County, a seated dinner, and an exuberant evening filled with dancing, live music performed by the award-winning nine-piece Uptown Band, plus auctions and raffles throughout the event.

The inaugural sponsors include: The First National Bank & Trust Co. of Newtown, Jim and Maureen Seibert/The Brian Seibert Memorial Fund and the Bucks County Herald as the media sponsor.

“We believe that education improves lives, and an exceptional educational experience can be transformative," said Executive Director Christina McGinley. "That sentiment drives our efforts to raise funds to support our students and the College. As the community’s college, we are proud to invest in the success of our students. The Bucks Student Emergency Fund connects students with direct resources to meet their basic needs and those of their families. We know that earning a degree or credential is life-changing, and we will not let our students’ educational plans be derailed over an unexpected expense. At Bucks, we are committed to being game changers, and game changers find innovative ways to support, to educate, and to empower. Join us at Celebrating Student Success, and together, we will create an environment that inspires success!”

Added BCCC President Dr. Felicia Ganther, “We are excited to host our inaugural Celebrating Student Success on Saturday, November 5. This event will be Bucks’ new biennial event intended to showcase the beauty of our Newtown campus and to bring people together to celebrate with a purpose. As president, I am extremely humbled that Bob White & Gladys Mendieta White have graciously accepted our invitation to honor their work in the community and their support of our students. Bob and Gladys have established the Gladys Mendieta Scholarship for Latino students attending BCCC. The Scholarship was created to highlight Gladys’ many years of service to the Latino community in Lower Bucks County and Metro Philadelphia. November 5th is truly going to be an epic event and will provide additional funds to support students in crisis.”

Awarding numerous scholarships each semester, the Student Emergency Fund was formed by the Foundation in 2020 as a collaboration between the Foundation, Counseling, Academic Initiatives, and faculty. The fund connects students in need with funds to aid them in their education through micro-grants. The micro-grants help pay for food, auto repairs, utility bills, and emergency childcare, anything that could stand in the way of Bucks Students pursuing and achieving their academic goals.

This nascent Bucks Student Emergency Fund is an expansion of the college’s efforts around food insecurity that began before the pandemic. The Foundation strives to grow this fund to become self-sustaining and provide micro-grants to students for as long as there is a need.