Frank Eckert, a Bucks alumnus,
recently donated $7,500
to the college library for
books, electronic resources
and periodicals that can be
accessed by the community
for up-to-date information.
Eckert, a 1973 Bucks graduate,
came back to the library
two years ago and was not
happy with what he saw. “He
was frustrated because he
came across outdated books,”
said Maureen McCreadie, the
dean of learning resources.
“He wanted to update them,
especially in areas such as
business and accounting
where things change frequently.”
Eckert’s donation will be
used to enhance online
resources where students and
members of the community
can access current information.
“Books can take a long time
to get into the library’s system,”
said McCreadie. “When
you need something current,
electronic materials are better.”
Eckert began attending
Bucks after moving to the
area from Long Island, New
York. He currently resides in
Levittown with his wife
Barbara, who also attended
Bucks and graduated in 1983.
Eckert originally hesitated
to help fund e-learning
because he believed students
benefit more from in-class
discussions. However, he
soon came to realize that elearning
can be better for discussions
because students
who are typically shy in the
classroom setting can participate
comfortably online.
Eckert’s donation will also
be used to upgrade the technology
area. “An extra user
will be added to the college’s
current database, Safaritech
Books Online, to enable more
people to access it,” said
Linda McCann, the director
of library services.
“Because Bucks is a community
college, the library is
open to the public, so the
donation benefits not only
our school’s population, but
the entire community,” said
Tobi Bruhn, the executive
director of the Bucks
Foundation. The Foundation
is a non-profit, educational
trust to provide expanded
resources for the college’s
growth and development.
Last year, Eckert donated
$2,000 to the library. This
year he increased the amount
of his donation with the
intent to help expand the
electronic resources. Eckert
hoped to get others interested
in his cause, and he was
pleased with the results. The
Friends of the Library group
came close to matching
Eckert’s donation last year by
sponsoring numerous
fundraisers. “He provided
seed money to encourage others
to make donations,” said
McCann.
This year, the group is
again attempting to match
Eckert’s donation. On Oct. 26,
the group hosted a concert in
the Gateway Auditorium.
Richard Hodges played the
saxophone with John Forconi
on piano and John Enz playing
cello.
Last year, a historic walking
tour of Newtown was held to
help match Eckert’s donation.
Because of its success, the
Friends of the Library are
holding a reception and historic
walking tour of
Wycombe on Nov. 8 from 4-
7:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per
person. For more information,
or to make a donation,
contact Linda McCann at
(215) 968-8003 or
[email protected].