— DECEMBER 2023 —
Commencement
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Commencement 2023
E National Anthem
Kwamesha Milsap, Alumna
President's Welcome Dr. Tracy Pierner, President
Alumni Award Address
Kaleb Shafer, Rising Star Alumni Award Winner
Student Speaker
Skila Burlingame, WTCS Ambassador
Presentation of the Class of 2023
Dr. Karen Schmitt, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Conferring Degrees Dr. Tracy Pierner, President
Closing
Dr. Tracy Pierner, President
E
A Special Welcome On behalf of the District Board and the entire Blackhawk Technical College community, I welcome you to the December 2023 Commencement Ceremony. Your presence today is truly appreciated as we come together to commemorate this special occasion, marking not only the culmination of hard work but also the commencement of a new chapter in the lives of our graduates. This celebration is aptly named commencement because it signifies the beginning of a journey filled with endless possibilities. While we take pride in acknowledging the dedication and effort that have brought us to this moment, our focus today is on the potential that lies ahead for our graduates. Graduates, as you stride confidently into the future, draw strength from the achievements you've unlocked and the support Blackhawk has provided. Your education is a powerful tool that can elevate your understanding and empower you to turn your greatest dreams into reality. Through your knowledge, you have the capacity to contribute to a better world, foster stronger communities, nurture meaningful relationships, and continually improve yourself. Heartfelt congratulations on reaching this momentous milestone, graduates! Exciting new adventures await you, and I am confident that you will continue to exemplify the values of Blackhawk Technical College, making us proud at every turn.
Dr. Tracy Pierner Blackhawk Technical College President
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Mission
We help you build your future with flexible education in a supportive environment.
Vision
Delivering innovative education to enrich our communities.
E
Values
Responsive • Collaborative Empowering • Strategic Process-driven • Inclusive
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
District Board
Barbara J. Barrington-Tillman, Chairperson Eric A. Thornton, Vice Chairperson Rich Deprez, Secretary Kathy Sukus, Treasurer Members: Rachel Andres, Robert Hendrickson, Suzann Holland and Mark Holzman
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Executive Council Members Dr. Tracy Pierner, President Dr. Karen Schmitt, Vice President of Academic Affairs Jim Nemeth, Vice President of Finance and Operations/CFO Anthony Landowski, Executive Director of Student Services Kathleen Broske, Executive Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development Dr. Jon Tysse, Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Liz Paulsen, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Julie Barreau, Assistant to the President and District Board
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Commencement 2023
Kwamesha Milsap
Alumna/National Anthem Singer
Kwamesha Milsap graduated from Blackhawk's Nursing program in 2020 and currently works as a registered nurse for Mercyhealth. At Blackhawk, Kwamesha built relationships with staff and students. She said that she remains forever grateful for what she considers the “best experience” at Blackhawk. This is Kwamesha’s third time singing at Blackhawk’s commencement ceremony. Singing is something she regularly does as the lead singer for the local funk band Playing for Keeps.
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Commencement 2023
Kaleb Shafer
Rising Star Alumni Award Winner
Kaleb Shafer is the recipient of Blackhawk Technical College’s Rising Star Alumni Award, an annual award that recognizes exceptional alumni who graduated from the college within the past decade. Kaleb received an associate degree in IT-Network Specialist from Blackhawk in 2014. He worked in IT for The Diamond Center before joining Prent Corporation as a network analyst. In May 2017, he started his own company, Superior Technologies, to offer a variety of technology services to help both residential and commercial clients achieve their goals. Kaleb was nominated for the Rising Star Alumni Award by Lisa Hurda, the Director of College Advancement & Foundation at Blackhawk, and unanimously chosen by the college’s Executive Council for his entrepreneurial spirit and his work in the local community.
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Commencement 2023
Skila Burlingame
Student Speaker WTCS Ambassador 2023-2024
Skila Burlingame is a Janesville native and graduate of Parker High School. She is graduating today with an associate degree in Business Management. In March 2020, Skila was in a car crash that left her in critical condition. It was during her healing process that she decided to attended Blackhawk because it was closer to home, and she was still apprehensive about driving. Skila chose the Business Management program because she has felt passionate about it since she was a child. During her time at Blackhawk, Skila has been a peer advisor, an intern in the Registration Office and is an honor student. Skila plans to continue working at Blackhawk while attending UW-Whitewater to earn her bachelor’s degree with a focus on leadership.
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Commencement 2023
ACCOUNTING Associate Degree Lillyann R. Baertschi* Gritly Mcnett Seriphin Barbara J. Rutherford* Shalu Thankan ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT One-Year Technical Diploma Jacqueline Colquhoun AGRIBUSINESS SPECIALIST One-Year Technical Diploma Jason J. Hunt Gavin H. Jenson Troy Nickels ASSOCIATE OF ARTS Kayla Mcdevitt* ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE Allison J. Franks Tatum Novak* AUTOMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Alexander D. Flesch Eric Thompson* AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN Two-Year Technical Diploma Tony A. Cerros Jonathan A. Manriquez Juan U. Olvera*
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Associate Degree Brandan L. Annen Skila M. Burlingame* Chanel J. Dietzman Wendpagnagde S. Gamene Amanda M. Kalas* Lindsey A. King Wendel Welter BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Technical Diploma Cynthia Rodriguez CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES Associate Degree Saharra M. Cappis Maxwell A. Greco Logan R. Huffman* Benjamin K. Jacobs* Triston M. Koch+* Isiah McGhee Matthew Wilson* CULINARY ARTS Associate Degree Jackilyn R. Bailey Tammy K. Peters* Devin J. Rozell* Paige M. Salic
At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates and faculty will recess and connect with family and friends in the Conference Center for refreshments.
*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Commencement 2023
DIESEL & HEAVY
HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation,
EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN Two-Year Technical Diploma Abraham R. Alexander*
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration) Two-Year Technical Diploma Nijel D. Anderson Jarred A. Bartz* Lloyd Pelly* Adam M. Steiner
Jarod Schmidt DIGITAL MARKETING Associate Degree Randi L. Gonsior* EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Associate Degree Mackenzie J. Bruns ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION One-Year Technical Diploma Joseph M. Kaht ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Hatsady Xayasaeng FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHER EDUCATION Associate Degree Madisin J. Parmer* Nicole K. Weber HUMAN SERVICES Associate Degree Heather M. Armstrong Kathleen O. Bond-Crull
INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE MECHANIC Two-Year Technical Diploma Christopher G. Campos* Cordell L. Dixon IT-NETWORK SPECIALIST Associate Degree John Bartholme Connor F. Delaney* Ethan Dieckhoff Adam Fletcher Jordan Gould Devin R. Kuqo Sarah Potter* Jacob A. Rhyner IT-WEB SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Associate Degree Emmanuel Noriega* Desirae D. Stiefel MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN Associate Degree Katie L. Raskovic
At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates and faculty will recess and connect with family and friends in the Conference Center for refreshments.
*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Commencement 2023
NURSING Associate Degree Alannah M. Bennett* Itzel G. Bernal-Flores* Jordyn E. Bickle Jordan A. Calley* Nicole L. Cawkins* Lauren E. Comella Whitney N. Connors Jeanette M. Coppernoll Carolina E. Delgado-Vazquez* Rachell S. Draper* Lexis C. Duncan Hanna K. Field* Mallary Fox Darcy L. Fredrickson* Rachael B. Goff Destiny Hambrock* Angel M. Hayward* Elena C. Herrera* Heather M. Holbrook Jessica Keller* Laci McKaig* Cori Nolan* Julianna E. Poe Emilio J. Ramirez Carson E. Richards* Kristen Rinehardt* Laurisha P. Rosario* Kirsten Rudnitzki* Dana R. Sayles* Melanie M. Schmidt* Cheyenne M. Stewart* Jacob C. Warthen* Jill Winslow*
PARAMEDIC TECHNICIAN Technical Diploma Travis L. Downing Nicholas Keating RESIDENTIAL HVAC/R Technical Diploma Erik J. Hillstrom Jesse Washington SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION Technical Diploma Brooke I. Guenther* Naja Yarbrough* SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COUNSELING Technical Diploma Jacqueline L. Lucas* Rachel A. Olin* Katrina M. Steiner* Mark A. Van Dyke* WELDING One-Year Technical Diploma Louis R. Chase* Bryan Cruz Noah Gillespie Brody L. Metcalf*
At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates and faculty will recess and connect with family and friends in the Conference Center for refreshments.
*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran
Stay Connected blackhawk.edu
E E
Career Services CareerCenter@blackhawk.edu
BTC Foundation/Alumni Lhurda@blackhawk.edu
Commencement Program This Commencement Program lists the names of individuals who have applied for graduation on the presumption that all the requirements have been, or will be, met by the end of the semester. To be listed in this program, individuals were required to apply for graduation by the respective posted dates. Names listed in this program are subject to verification that all graduation requirements have been met. Nondisclosure of Directory Information In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students who have chosen not to release directory information to public disclosure (which includes, but is not limited to, degrees conferred) will not appear in this program. Blackhawk Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to manage inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer, 6004 S County Road G, P.O. Box 5009, Janesville, WI 53547-5009, (608) 757-7796 or (608) 757-7773, WI Relay: 711
6004 S County Road G • Janesville, WI 53546