More than 200 students graduated Saturday, May 14, from Blackhawk Technical College at its spring 2022 commencement.

The college held two ceremonies at the Dream Center Auditorium at Central Christian Church in Beloit where students from Health Sciences, Business, Public Safety, Manufacturing, Technology and Transportation accepted their diplomas surrounded by family, friends and instructors.

“Today is for celebrating you and your accomplishments,” said Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk. “Tomorrow starts a new challenge – a challenge to keep pushing yourself, keep growing, keep developing.”

Saturday’s commencement ceremonies were the first graduations the college has held in person without significantly limiting attendees since spring of 2019. Blackhawk held its 2021 spring graduation at the Dream Center but required masks and reduced the number of guests each student could bring. It also limited staff and faculty participation. And the college held a virtual commencement for those who graduated in the spring of 2020.

Graduation speakers this year were Dustin Williams, Faculty of the Year, Stephanie Hanson, Alumni of the Year, and Amy Powell, Wisconsin Technical College System 2022 Ambassador.

“The Blackhawk experience helped make my dreams a reality,” Hanson, who is a graduate of Blackhawk’s Early Childhood Education program, said in her address. If there is one thing that I hope you take away from my speech, please work hard to make your dreams a reality. Even if they seem impossible, keep pushing forward. You can do it!”

Congratulations to all of Blackhawk’s graduates!

View a replay of the ceremonies and a photo gallery