Schools

BCCC Dedicates Pavilion in Honor of Former President

College officials on Thursday dedicated a new 9,000-square-foot addition in honor of its third president.

Bucks County Community College officials on Thursday, April 11 dedicated a new 9,000-square-foot addition in honor of former BCCC President Dr. James J. Linksz.

The Dr. James J. Linksz Pavilion, honoring the college’s third president who retired last year after 20 years of leading the institution, connects the Rollins Center with the Gymnasium and Pemberton Hall.

“I see how this is going to be a link between so many different places on the campus,” said Linksz. “This promises to be a new heart of the campus, opening a new experience for students, faculty, and staff.”

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Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt, who succeeded Dr. Linksz as college president last fall, opened the dedication ceremony, which included Blake Eisenhart, chair, BCCC Trustees; Robert Loughery, Commissioner Chairman, County of Bucks; Dr. Annette Conn, the college’s Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs; Professor John Strauss, President, BCCC Federation of Teachers; and Student Government Vice President Rachel Becker, class of 2014.

“It is wonderful to see the vision of so many talented people come to fruition in the creation of this dynamic gathering space for our students,” Shanblatt said during the dedication ceremony.

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“It is fitting that the trustees name this pavilion in honor of President Linksz, because in many ways, this building is about new beginnings, possibilities and optimism and applied creative spirit—all attributes which have always been exemplified by Dr. James J. Linksz as leader of this institution,” said Eisenhart, the trustees’ chairman.  

In addition to the public meeting spaces, the Linksz Pavilion adds faculty offices, new restroom facilities and central air conditioning throughout. The heating and air conditioning are run by a new geothermal heating system. The exterior of the building opens out to a plaza on the campus quadrangle, allowing for outdoor performance or meeting spaces, according to information from the college.

The $8.5 million project, funded through state, county, and college capital improvement funds, took 20 months to complete, college officials said.


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