Bucks County Community College recently celebrated the remarkable contributions of its graduates by honoring four distinguished individuals at the Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony in historic Tyler Hall on the Newtown Campus.
Presented by the BCCC Alumni Association, the annual awards recognize alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional success, and dedication to both their communities and their alma mater.
Walter Stoertz, Jr., Credit: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College
This year’s top honor, the Alumni Association President’s Distinguished Award, was presented to Walter Stoertz, Jr. (’77) of Washington Crossing. Stoertz built a distinguished 35-year career within the United States Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, rising to high-level administrative positions including chief deputy clerk and acting clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. A Lifelong Fellow of the Institute for Court Management, Stoertz currently serves on the college’s Board of Trustees and remains deeply active in local civic life through board roles with Foundations Community Partnership, the Bucks County Playhouse, and the Bucks County Herald Foundation.
Ed Tokmajian.Jr. Credit: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College
The Community Service Award went to Ed Tokmajian, Jr. (’77) of Bensalem, currently serving as Bensalem Township Council President. Tokmajian has spent nearly three decades in public service, beginning with early efforts on the Central Park Task Force to his current membership on the Bucks County Planning Commission. A former recipient of the college’s President’s Cup during his student days, Tokmajian was appointed to the BCCC Board of Trustees in 2024, where he now serves as Chair of the Finance Committee.
Steven Coyne Credit: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College
Steven Coyne (’73) of Feasterville received the Centurion Award, which honors alumni who demonstrate outstanding engagement as college employees. After completing degrees at West Chester University and The College of New Jersey, Coyne returned to Bucks in 2006 as a faculty member in Kinesiology and Sport Management, serving until his retirement in 2026. Beyond the classroom, Coyne coached men’s basketball and tennis, served as Intramural Director, developed open educational curriculum, and helped create the department’s first student scholarship in memory of a former student.
Sydney Brooks Credit: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College
Emerging filmmaker Sydney Brooks (’21) of Bristol was recognized with the Professional Achievement Award. Brooks produced the short film “Óménàlà,” which won the drama category at the 45th College Television Awards presented by the Television Academy Foundation. Her filmmaking journey began in 2016 when she helped her hometown win the national Small Business Revolution contest, leading her to establish 1681 Digital Media to support local small businesses.
Together, the four honorees reflect the diverse career pathways and community impact rooted in a Bucks County Community College education.
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