Blackhawk Technical College accepted the 2021 Large Business of the Year at Forward Janesville’s annual awards luncheon Tuesday.

This award is presented each year to a business of 50 or more employees that recognizes business success and community involvement as two vital components of its business strategy.

Blackhawk was chosen in part for its support of policies, practices and attitudes for the advancement of women, social justice and racial equality and diversity throughout the community. It also was chosen for its corporate culture of volunteering to improve the quality of life in the community.

Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk, accepted the award on behalf of the college.

“At Blackhawk, we believe that we play a large role in lifting all members of our community - helping them achieve their goals and aspirations. Through education, we can directly impact lives, change a family’s destiny, improve a community, and change a nation,” Pierner said.

Pierner described the college’s impact on the community over the past five years, especially the work of the college during the pandemic. From hosting the state’s first community vaccination clinic to making education accessible to all students regardless of their location, Blackhawk has put its students and the community at the forefront.

The College also continues to serve as a critical resource in the region’s workforce. The first phase of construction for BTC’s new Public Safety + Transportation Center is near completion. This state-of-the-art, comprehensive facility will enhance training for the region’s first responders and transportation workers.

“This recognition is a testament to an incredible Blackhawk team - their talent, their focus on service to our community. It is also a testament to our students and tens of thousands of our alumni – who are the foundation of our workforce - and their impact on making our community better. We thank Forward Janesville and all of you for this recognition – it means a lot to us,” Pierner said.