2025 Golden Brick Awards program

4th Annual

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

GOLDEN BRICK AWARDS — Ceremony — June 4, 2025

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate achievements, aspirations, contributions and partnerships.

Explore, Connect, Indulge, Enjoy!

Let our students and faculty members show you their exciting work. Take in a few demonstrations and connect with fellow guests while enjoying the savory and the sweet. Your tastebuds will thank Blackhawk alumnus Joshua Pickering’10 for bringing a unique spin to this morning’s breakfast.

Celebrate and Honor

Each winner this morning exemplifies the importance of support to student success and a thriving community. We’re proud to honor these individuals and businesses for their commitment to creating opportunity through partnership with Blackhawk Technical College.

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Dr. Tracy Pierner President, Blackhawk Technical College

OPENING REMARKS Dave Holterman President, Blackhawk Technical College Foundation Board Cassie Hartje Director of Advancement & Foundation, Blackhawk Technical College Jeremy Shecterle Senior Vice President-Janesville Division, JP Cullen

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD Green County Human Services Presented by Jeremy Shecterle Senior Vice President-Janesville Division, JP Cullen

PHILANTHROPIC AWARD Phil and Karen Knudsen Presented by Jane Curran-Meuli President, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Janesville

K-12 PARTNERSHIP AWARD The Lincoln Academy Presented by Anna Gedman Chief Human Resources Officer, Blain’s Farm & Fleet

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI OF THE YEAR Brandon Giles Presented by Dave Marshick Senior Vice President, Director of Commercial Banking, First National Bank and Trust

RISING STAR ALUMNI AWARD Josh Lichtfuss Presented by Cassie Hartje

FACULTY MEMBER OF THE YEAR Melissa Dix Presented by Dr. Tracy Pierner

STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR Lena Verkuilen Presented by Dr. Tracy Pierner

Special thanks to our Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology, and Transportation (MATT) Division for designing and creating this year’s Golden Brick Awards.

Walk and Talk

Join us for tours of our newest spaces, including the Public Safety Building and Innovative Manufacturing Education Center (IMEC). Those planning to take a tour should meet at the check-in table.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

GOLDEN BRICK AWARDS

Thank you to our sponsors!

– Presenting Sponsor –

— Philanthropic Award Sponsor —

— Award Sponsor —

DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS • Eric Thornton, Chair • Barbara Barrington-Tillman, Vice Chair • Rich Deprez, Secretary • Kathy Sukus, Treasurer • Rachel Andres • Robert Hendrickson • Suzann Holland • Mark Holzman • Dave Marshick

— Award Sponsor —

FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS • Dave Holterman, President • Jill Leitzen, Vice President • Frank McKearn, Treasurer • Sue Ripsch, Secretary • Gretchen Burgess • Sharon Cox

• Laura Cullen • Gregg Dickinson • Jeff Garde • Renae Henry • Sue Ripsch • Kara Sankey • Angela Slagle • Phil Whitehead

Thank you for joining us today!

Save the date for the Autumn Harvest Dinner, October 14, 2025, benefiting the Culinary Arts Fund.