2023 Golden Brick Awards Ceremony

AWARDS CEREMONY

Recognizing industry partners and individuals going above and beyond.

April 26, 2023

Paving the Way

On behalf of Blackhawk Technical College, I am thrilled to welcome you to the 2nd Annual Golden Brick Awards ceremony. This event is an opportunity to recognize our industry partners and individuals who have gone above and beyond in the past year to advance Blackhawk’s mission and vision of preparing students for work and life.

It’s truly an honor to recognize these organizations and individuals who have provided exceptional service to the college, helping us to uphold our mission of providing a flexible education in a supportive environment. Their support has expanded student access, enriched our outstanding academic programs and provided the handson experiential learning that prepares our students for the ever-changing workforce.

I extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for each of these award winners for the significant contributions they have made to strengthen Blackhawk. As we continue to create the Blackhawk of the future, our strength lies in these exemplary community partnerships and in the unwavering commitment of Blackhawk’s faculty, staff, students and alumni.

I also invite each of you to consider a donation today for the Blackhawk Foundation’s Coins for Caring program, which is designed to help students who are experiencing unanticipated expenses that may otherwise hinder their ability to complete their studies at Blackhawk. From transportation and food insecurity to utility expenses, auto repair, internet service, or childcare, the Coins for Caring program provides support for students experiencing “little bumps in the road.”

You can support the Coins for Caring program by placing a donation in the envelope at your table or by scanning the QR code on the Coins for Caring page in this program. Together, we are transforming this region and providing a pathway to opportunities for students paved by the college’s values and the hard work of so many.

Thank you once again for your continued support of Blackhawk, and for joining us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of our award winners at the 2nd Annual Golden Brick Awards.

Dr. Tracy Pierner, Ph.D. Blackhawk Technical College President

2023 Golden Brick Awards

President’s Welcome

Dr. Tracy Pierner

President, Blackhawk Technical College

Presenting Sponsor’s Opening Remarks

Marissa Young

Business Development Director, JP Cullen

Presentation of Awards

Lisa Hurda

Director of Advancement & Foundation, Blackhawk Technical College

2023 Golden Brick Awards

Technical Education Champion Award ~ James Otterstein

Philanthropic Award ~ Mick & Jane Blain Gilbertson

Community Partnership Award ~ HealthNet of Rock County, Inc.

K-12 Partnership Award ~ Dr. Kolleen Onsrud

Distinguished Alumni Award ~ Kristine Corwin

Rising Star Alumni Award ~ Emily Hopper

Distinguished Faculty Award ~ Michelle Weirich

Distinguished Staff Award ~ Laura Becker

Closing Remarks

Lisa Hurda

Director of Advancement & Foundation, Blackhawk Technical College

Hors D’oeuvres and Desserts prepared by Blackhawk’s Culinary Department & Students

The Blackhawk Technical College FOUNDATION

Technical Education Champion Award

James Otterstein

James Otterstein, Economic Development Manager for Rock County, is the recipient of Blackhawk’s Technical Education Champion Award, which recognizes a key community or industry leader who demonstrates an exemplary level of partnership with Blackhawk to promote technical education and economic development.

For more than two decades, James has led Rock County’s economic development efforts and has connected industry with Blackhawk Technical College through several talent pipeline workforce initiatives, including the Stateline Manufacturing Alliance and Rock Internship/Externship programs.

Whether talking to industry leaders or community members, James keeps Blackhawk at the forefront of his conversations, helping to increase awareness of Blackhawk as a premier education and training provider in south central Wisconsin.

Award Sponsor � JP Cullen

Philanthropic Award

Mick & Jane Blain Gilbertson

Mick and Jane Blain Gilbertson are the recipients of Blackhawk’s Philanthropic Award, which honors those whose generosity have made an impact on Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Foundation with their contributions to open doors for students, programs and facilities.

In early 2022, Mick, Jane and their daughters established the Blain Gilbertson Family Scholarship, which is a full-ride scholarship that provides financial assistance to students who are enrolled in the Agriculture, Business, or Transportation, Distribution & Logistics programs at Blackhawk.

The Gilbertson Family through Blain’s Farm & Fleet also invested in the naming rights for the overhead commercial doors at Blackhawk’s Center for Transportation Studies building within the new Public Safety + Transportation Complex. The gift supports Blackhawk’s automotive and diesel programs, which provide skills in service and repair of transportation, construction, industrial and farm equipment and provide a foundation on the latest technologies.

Award Sponsor � SSM Health

Community Partnership Award

HealthNet of Rock County, Inc.

HealthNet of Rock County is the recipient of Blackhawk’s 2023 Community Partnership Award, which honors organizations that have made significant contributions through a sustained and reciprocal partnership with Blackhawk.

HealthNet is a key partner for Blackhawk's dental and nursing programs by providing job-shadow, clinical and training opportunities for Blackhawk students. HealthNet and Blackhawk also have partnered to provide phlebotomy refresher training for HealthNet's staff.

HealthNet of Rock County, Inc. is a free and charitable clinic that opened in 1994 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization through the results of a needs assessment which identified a lack of affordable health care as one of the major challenges of Rock County. HealthNet of Rock County, Inc. is dedicated to excellence and innovation in the provision of primary health and dental care and health education, delivered free or at low cost, to enhance the quality of life for the underserved residents of Rock County.

Award Sponsor � Blain's Farm & Fleet

K-12 Partnership Award

Dr. Kolleen Onsrud

Dr. Kolleen Onsrud, the principal at Rock University High School in Janesville, is the recipient of the inaugural K-12 Partnership Award from Blackhawk Technical College, which recognizes an exceptional K-12 school partnership with the college.

At Rock University High School, which is a tuition-free, public charter school through the School District of Janesville and located on Blackhawk’s campus, Kolleen has been instrumental in building dual credit opportunities in partnership with Blackhawk. In fact, five RUHS students will graduate this spring with an associate’s degree in addition to their high school diploma.

This middle college model is the first of its kind in Wisconsin, and Kolleen’s vision for building programs that give students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school also played a key role in Blackhawk’s success with its new Associate of Arts and Associate of Science programs.

Award Sponsor � Angus Young

Distinguished Alumni Award

Kristine Corwin

Kris Corwin, the Trauma Program Coordinator at Mercyhealth Rock County, is the recipient of Blackhawk’s Distinguished Alumni Award, which honors an outstanding Blackhawk graduate who has demonstrated the value of a technical college education through career accomplishments, community service, continued personal and educational growth, and support of the technical college system.

Kris received an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Blackhawk in 1991. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Viterbo University in La Crosse in 2004 and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006. She also holds multiple certifications, including Trauma Certified Registered Nurse, Certified Emergency Nurse and Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse.

Kris has worked in the pediatric unit and the emergency department before becoming the Trauma Program Coordinator. Her career path as a nurse and her community involvement demonstrates how her Blackhawk education provided a foundation to not only succeed but also make a difference.

Award Sponsor � First National Bank and Trust Company

Rising Star Alumni Award

Emily Hopper

Emily Hopper is the recipient of Blackhawk’s Rising Star Alumni Award that recognizes alumni who graduated from the college within the past decade.

Emily received an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from Blackhawk in 2010 and an associate’s degree in Business Management in 2012. Her first job was at Café Belwah, which is now Merrill and Houston’s. She worked there throughout her high school and college years, learning all aspects of the restaurant business before joining Geronimo Hospitality Group’s Lucy’s #7 Burger Bar where she served as the General Manager and Executive Chef. She currently is the People + Culture Specialist with Geronimo Hospitality Group & Hendricks Commercial Properties. The position puts together all of her years of experience by ensuring employees work in a supportive environment.

Since graduation, she has been a strong supporter of the college’s culinary program by serving on their advisory committee, hiring numerous culinary students, and gladly giving her time to provide tours and explanations of the hospitality opportunities, within Geronimo Hospitality Group, that are available to Blackhawk students. In addition to her continued support, she has inspired so many of our Rock County’s youth by her active leadership and ability to connect with our county’s youth. Lastly, about a year ago, Emily also had the opportunity to compete on the Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games.

Award Sponsor � JF

Ahern

Distinguished FacultyAward

Michelle Weirich

Michelle Weirich, Early Childhood Education instructor, is the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award, which honors an instructor who contributes in significant ways to their respective program, division/department, or the larger Blackhawk community. This year, the winner of this award was chosen by students as part of the annual Student Awards Ceremony.

Students chose Michelle for her inspiration and commitment to Blackhawk as well as her ability to make learning fun and engaging.

Since she was a child, Michelle wanted to be a teacher. She worked for more than a decade in a childcare center before joining Blackhawk Technical College. She recently celebrated her 20th anniversary at the college. She has been a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Early Childhood Education State Curriculum Committee since 2005. In addition, she also led the efforts with University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to develop an articulation agreement for Blackhawk students  in the Early Childhood Education program to earn a bachelor's degree with a dual teaching license in both Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.

Award Sponsor � Nowlan Law Firm

Distinguished StaffAward

Laura Becker

Laura Becker is the recipient of the Distinguished Staff Award, which honors a Blackhawk staff member who contributes in significant ways to their respective program, division/department, or the larger Blackhawk community. This year, the winner of this award was chosen by students as part of the annual Student Awards Ceremony.

Students chose Laura for her ability to help students navigate their college journeys. She is a go-to person for many students.

Laura joined Blackhawk in 2019 as a student success coach and transitioned into her current role as Blackhawk’s student counselor and case manager in 2020. She is a member of Blackhawk’s Careers, Advocacy, Resources, and Engagement (CARE) Center Team, which helps students on their path to academic and career success by helping them access external and internal services, including the Student Cupboard and the Career Closet.

Award Sponsor � Seneca Foods

Past Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award

Stephanie Hanson

Brittany Kelly

Shawn Lerch

Dave Hataj

Sharon Cox

Barbara BarringtonTillman

Chuck Williams

Kim Hesgard

Kevin Murray

Kimberly Hawkins

James Freeman

Community Partnership Award

KANDU Industries, Inc.

Rock County Health Department

Beloit Health System

Hendricks Family Foundation

Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board

UW – Extension Green County

Hunter Engineering Company

The Monroe Clinic

Philanthropic Award

Wayne & Janet Albertson

Dr. Gregg & Helen Dickinson

Technical Education Champion Award

Scot Forge

Frito-Lay

Hendricks Family Foundation

Beloit Health System

JP Cullen

School District of Janesville

UW – Rock County

Alliant Energy

Lab Safety Supply

Faculty of the Year Award

Dustin Williams

Kathleen Fratianne

Kristine Weir-Martell

Deb Heder

Rubina Jan

Upcoming Event

the

Meet our Board Members

District Board Members

Barbara Barrington-Tillman

Eric Thornton

Rich Deprez

Rick Richard

Rachel Andres

Robert Hendrickson

Suzann Holland

Mark Holzman

Kathy Sukus

BTC Foundation Board Members

Dave Holterman

Jim Nemeth

Sue Ripsch

Phil Whitehead

Gretchen Burgess

Sharon Cox

George Cullen

Gregg Dickinson

Renae Henry

Jill Leitzen

Kara Sankey

T hank you

2023 SPONSORS

— Refreshment Sponsor —

What is the meaning behind the name Golden Brick Awards?

When building a house, all bricks are structural, practical. While all bricks are acknowledged and needed for any house to stand, some bricks go above and beyond...they also shine.

These “golden bricks:” vaunted faculty, alumni, community leaders, and industry partners go above and beyond, leveraging their beliefs and values alongside the mission of Blackhawk Technical College, to create a strong and vibrant workforce for our communities.

— Presenting Title Sponsor — blackhawk.edu

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.