May 2024 Commencement Program

~ 2024 ~ Commencement

SATURDAY, MAY 18

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

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Welcome

Rebecca Barnett, WTCS State Ambassador

National Anthem

Ashley McCarthy, Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator

Vice President's Welcome

Dr. Karen Schmitt, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Student of the Year Speaker

Passion Tann, Business Management Graduate

Distinguished Alumni Speaker Tinika Kilgore, Nurse Practitioner at UW Health

Presentation of the Class of 2024 9:00 AM Greg Phillips, Dean of Manufacturing, Apprenticeship, Technology and Transportation

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11:30 AM Moira Lafayette, Dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety

Conferring Degrees

Dr. Karen Schmitt, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Closing

Dr. Karen Schmitt, Vice President of Academic Affairs

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A Special Welcome

On behalf of the District Board and the entire Blackhawk Technical College community, I welcome you to the May 2024 Commencement Ceremony.

Today is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, while also expressing gratitude to all who have contributed to their journey – parents, family members, friends, instructors, and staff alike. I am proud of the achievements of our graduates and eagerly anticipate commemorating this significant milestone with each one of you.

Graduates, take pride in the perseverance and dedication that have led you to this day. Your education is an invaluable asset that will serve to empower you over the months and years ahead. And when you reflect back on your experience at Blackhawk, may you find inspiration in the challenges you've overcome, pride in the knowledge you've gained, and gratitude in the connections you've forged.

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.

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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 Mark Holzman Dave Marshick

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 2024

Rebecca Barnett WTCS State Ambassador

Rebecca Barnett, a current Substance Use Disorder Counseling/Human Services student, is the Blackhawk Ambassador to the Wisconsin Technical College System and president of the Student Government Association. She also serves as the Student Representative to Blackhawk’s District Board, works as a Peer Advisor, and is the treasurer of Blackhawk’s Multi-Cultural Alliance and Phi Theta Kappa chapters.

When asked about her drive to take on so much, Rebecca reflects on her mental health struggles that have altered her perspective. Every opportunity she encounters is a privilege, she said.

Rebecca graduated from Union County High School in Maynardville, Tennessee, and moved with her children to Wisconsin in 2021 to be closer to her father and stepmother. After her own graduation from Blackhawk in spring 2025, Rebecca plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to pursue a degree in Community Engagement and Education. She hopes to one day work in higher education and work to advocate for special needs families and transgendered youth.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

Ashley McCarthy National Anthem Singer

Ashley McCarthy is the Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator at Blackhawk Technical College, and when she’s not busy talking to prospective Blackhawk students, she’s singing!

A graduate of Milton High School, Ashley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater from Columbia College in Chicago and a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Ashley has been singing since she was little, performing in musicals, show choir and coffee shop recitals. She also has performed with several bands and at several venues, including Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair.

Ashley said she loves Blackhawk because it’s a welcoming environment where staff truly care about students, and it’s a great place for students to find their path.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

Passion Tann Student of the Year

Passion Tann, who is graduating today with an associate degree in Business Management, was named Student of the Year at this year’s Student Awards Ceremony on April 30.

Passion, who is a graduate of Beloit Memorial High School, has been an active member of Blackhawk’s Business Professionals of America chapter and the Student Government Association, serving as the parliamentarian. She also has served as the president of Blackhawk’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter and has been a student worker in Blackhawk’s CARE Center.

Passion is headed to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the fall to earn a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She hopes to eventually earn a master’s degree in either Psychology or Counseling, and to live abroad for at least a year.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

Tinika Kilgore

2024 Alumni of the Year

Tinika Kilgore, a nurse practitioner for UW Health, 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.

Following her graduation from Beloit Memorial High School, Tinika was working at a restaurant, with aspirations of making culinary arts her full-time career. But at the advice of a cousin, she opted to work at a nursing home and come to Blackhawk to become a certified nursing assistant. Tinika’s work ethic was quickly noticed, and she decided to get an associate’s degree in Nursing from Blackhawk.

After graduation in 2004, Tinika started what would become a 20-year career at the Beloit Health System. In December 2022, she moved on to UW Health and is now considering a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Cooking remains a passion for Tinika, and she hopes to one day become a personal chef.

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

ACCOUNTING Associate Degree Brittany A. Donovan Amanda R. Elmer* Joseph M. Jarstad Austin J. Johnson* Ethan Mesner* Robert E. Miller Amanda Newell* Kathleen A. Pawluk* Mia C. Rice* Destiny N. Studinger* Meaghan E. Sweeney* Laura G. Wenger ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT One-Year Technical Diploma Joy L. Trudeau AGRIBUSINESS SPECIALIST One-Year Technical Diploma Owen P. Heussner Jason Hunt Nicholas D. Roe* AGRIBUSINESS/SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Breanna R. Brooks* Marie Harried* Leslie Reinke Nicholas D. Roe* ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE Jacob S. Grebner* Brooke A. Pehl* AUTOMATION SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Samuel L. Hoffland* Owen J. Milligan

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN Two-Year Technical Diploma Adriel Gonzalez Rodriguez Josiah L. Kloepping* Rafel Vasquez Licea BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN Associate Degree Amanda J. Draeving*+ BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Associate Degree Shanice Adams Alexia J. Cuazozon Bridget M. Deltgen* Kaitlyn Elgin* Brisa S. Garnica Pina Amanda J. Gerber* Isabella Gilmour Nic J. Huber Giovanni Jaimes* Lindsay Larson* Roselyn M. Mata Boehme Tadyn McCann Hannah V. Pautsch* Evelyn Portales* Cristian Rodriguez Aranda* Passion T. Tann* Sierra L. Vogel* BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Technical Diploma Melanie Hathaway* CENTRAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN Technical Diploma Jovan Gonzalez COMPUTER SERVICE TECHNICIAN Technical Diploma Johann Lozano Bret Paulson* Abigail Trojniar Samuel E. Van Fossen*

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES Associate Degree Amanda R. Beggs* Savannah L. Bliss* Briannah M. Lamasters* Emily E. Maroon* Brooklyn Powers* Melissa K. Rogge* Joanna Rojas* Alyssa Shire* Alisha J. Young-White CULINARY ARTS Associate Degree Garett M. Brittingham Marcus L. Evans Nicholas M. Risseeuw* Emily A. Roessler* Paige Salic* Nick J. Upmann DENTAL ASSISTANT One-Year Technical Diploma Carissa Carney Kylie L. Cole* Regina N. Gillen Zaria L. Holbrook* Madyson Mitchell Melody A. Ramirez Riley F. Runkel* Jessica L. Seuser* Jenna M. Shinkus* Kyla A. Stacy* Julianna Verduzco* Tove L. Westermeyer* DENTAL HYGIENIST Associate Degree Lisa Anderson* Karson R. Bailey* Morgan M. Berg* Mackenzie S. Byrne* Haley E. Dunphy* Nancy Espana*

Sara M. Gibson* Gracie M. Hill* Brittany Oren* Miranda Slaback* DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY AND VASCULAR TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Lynn M. Heidt* Gabrielle L. Hoffmann* Kayla Johnson* Morgan M. Landess* Erin Lee* Hannah N. Mansur* Cara Wood* Olivia Zimmermann* DIESEL & HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN Two-Year Technical Diploma Joel Eddy* Alexander L. Gehrke+ Bowe M. Graves Jhermaine Harris James W. Osinga* Maverick J. Wileman DIGITAL MARKETING Associate Degree Annie R. Barnes* Aden Carlson* Samantha K. Kotlarek* Patrick J. Licari* Stacie Schmidt* Zachary S. Tuma* Bryce Wunschel* EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Associate Degree Haley I. Bain Taylor Burrell* Ieshia L. Cornell* Katelyn E. Haried Rylee J. Kerl* Megan Laws* Grace R. McIlheran

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, CONT'D Associate Degree Kaylee L. Meade-Hughes* Maria M. Mielke Doris Perez* Celeste Salazar* Sierra K. Sherman Miranda Swenson ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION One-Year Technical Diploma Camren W. Conklin* Dylan DuClos Logan J. Frei* Rusty L. Klitzman* William S. Ley* Cameron D. McGowan Joel Palomares Marcus Pletcher* Benjamin A. Pyka Carter Ritter Kaleb Rosenbrook* Konnor K. Rosenbrook* Nicholas A. Sittner* Isaiah D. Westrick* ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Hannah C. Davis* Logan T. Fischer Hunter L. Peters* FIRE PROTECTION TECHNICIAN Associate Degree Jonathan R. Cummins Alex J. Hoey Abel J. Turner* FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHER EDUCATION Associate Degree Tara A. Greely Veronica H. Hatch* Kaleb M. Manthei Elijah D. West*

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT Associate Degree David M. Jaeckel* HUMAN RESOURCES Associate Degree Jacqueline Galvan Guzman* Jaci A. Goodwin* Claudia Roesner* Randi R. Schultz HUMAN SERVICES Associate Degree Trae Birkholz* Kathleen O. Bond-Crull* Brittney A. Hollman* Melisa J. Richardson Brianne H. Schumacher Natalia S. Shepherd Mark Van Dyke* HVAC/R Associate Degree Michael J. Evers* Felipe Gonzalez Tyler J. Mathias* Brian K. Nunn INDIVIDUALIZED TECHNICAL STUDIES Associate Degree Marelvi Gaxhaj INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE MECHANIC Two-Year Technical Diploma Michael Hall Mitchell A. Parr IT - MICROCOMPUTER SPECIALIST Associate Degree Michele G. Hollenbach IT - NETWORK SPECIALIST Associate Degree Ethan Dieckhoff* Jovan Gonzalez

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

IT - NETWORK SPECIALIST, CONT'D Associate Degree Lee H. Haralson* Tristan I. Miller Vega Russell* Noah B. Schwark* Nicholas Voss* Adam M. Walters* Blake M. Wegner* LABORATORY FOOD SCIENCE TECHNICIAN Associate Degree Stacy Jackson* Lily R. Leedle Rachel M. Randell Bjorn E. Unseth* MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Associate Degree Logan C. Runde MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST Associate Degree Hollie L. Dohner Asiuna N. Nelson* Mary J. Ramage Kristina Tatge* MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE CODER Associate Degree Hunter E. Baars* Michelle L. Brace* Christy A. Byrne Hollie L. Dohner Brianna M. Farrey* Michele G. Hollenbach Ava M. Kelly Ashley K. Mahan* Jennifer L. Schultz* Tara M. Shallcross* Alexandra P. Stover* Kristina Tatge*

MEDICAL ASSISTANT One-Year Technical Diploma Iris L. Arango* Millicent Bryant* Lizette Calixto* Kacey A. Charron* Claire E. Collison* Mercedes B. Givemore* Alexis H. Hafemann Angelica Hernandez-Saldivar* Austin L. Horner Melissa Lomas* Dakota L. Masterson Amanda L. Portwine Jessica M. Reyes-Aquino Rachel A. Risse* Mattiana C. Stackhouse MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN Associate Degree Amber N. Goggin Timothy E. Rodden* NURSING Associate Degree Makenna Balch* Kassandra A. Berget* Ashlie E. Doolan* Cassidy M. Frey* Sierra M. Hill* Jenna G. Jordan* Cassie L. Kapaun* Megan Lallier* Leslie Lavariega* Kassandra Marler* Melissa M. Nandory* Helly S. Patel* Jenellan I. Reetz* Tara k. Schenk* Kailee A. Schimelpfenig* Grace L. Schrenk* Abbie L. Stubbendick* Dakota Thompson* Mariana Tinajero- Espinoza* Mara Wanninger* Tasha Zimmerman*

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Commencement 2024

PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN Short-term Technical Diploma Angelica L. Bautista Hernandez* Sarah E. Mabie* Tori C. McKnight Samantha R. Whitley

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COUNSELOR Associate Degree Kristie Martin Rachel A. Olin* Katrina M. Steiner Maria I. Torres-Bolanos

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT Associate Degree Emily G. Allbee* Alex R. Dewitte Leah N. Keirn* Mathew Marty Lindsay C. Reuter*

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Associate Degree Tara J. Rocheleau*

RADIOGRAPHY Associate Degree Kaylyn J. Algrim-Bender* Jacquelyn Corpus* Stefanie Holloway Claire L. Kueng* Lauren M. Liva* Nikole M. Meske Elizabeth J. Nguyen* Talia E. Perez Sarah G. Rogalla* Courtney Seichter* Valerie L. Stewart Linh Trinh* Kristina R. Vanaken SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION Technical Diploma Carmen K. Decker*+ Kristie Martin Joyce A. Myers* Melisa J. Richardson

SURGICAL TECHNICIAN Associate Degree Aradai Bruno*+ Lorena Guarneros Moron* Chelsea L. Kluesner Melissa R. Marsch* Sarah K. Nyen* Tyler J. Ruggerio* Daniela M. Snyder* WEB SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Associate Degree Nathan Camm Michael E. Johnston* Konley E. Lokrantz Dustin M. Sokolik* Jesse Worden WELDING One-Year Technical Diploma Gerardo Baylon Evan B. Ellis* Kaden J. Fluckiger* Noah Gillespie Kaden Jacques Matthew J. McCullough*

*Honor Cord Recipient (3.5 or Higher Program G.P.A.) +Veteran

Stay Connected

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blackhawk.edu Career Services CareerCenter@blackhawk.edu

Blackhawk Foundation/Alumni Lhurda@blackhawk.edu

Photos will be taken during this event and are subject to use in college marketing materials.

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