For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: April 16, 2024
Southwest Tech Commencement planned for May 18
Guest speakers selected
Fennimore -Spring Commencement at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is set for Saturday, May 18. This year’s commencement will include three ceremonies. The day will begin at 8 a.m. with the Nursing-Associate Degree Pinning and Commencement. Subsequent ceremonies will be held at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Ag/Auto Building on campus. Specific programs for each ceremony can be found at www.swtc.edu/graduation.
Each ceremony will be streamed live on the college’s Facebook page.
Student speakers for each of this year’s ceremonies include:
Ceremony 1 – 8 a.m.
Steven Kliebenstein
Hometown: Potosi, Wisconsin
Program: Nursing-Associate Degree
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program?
Southwest Tech has a strong reputation in the community for health sciences education, and having come up in some of those programs, I was able to see first-hand that the instructors are not only highly regarded in their fields, but also have a community-minded approach as well.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech?
Having the smaller class sizes that allow you to get to know your instructors and peers was important and to get that time to have real discussions was important. Getting to complete clinical rotations in the areas that I will be working in, both in the departments and within the actual facility has been a great stepping stone.
What will be your message to the graduates?
I look forward to speaking on the path we have taken to reach this point, but also looking ahead at the even bigger road we are about to travel.
What are your plans after graduation?
I have accepted a position at Grant Regional Health Center as a med/surg and ER nurse and plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the near future.
Ceremony 2 – 10:30 a.m.
Jordan Scott
Hometown: Muscoda, Wisconsin
Program: IT-Network Specialist
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? I was a correctional officer at the state and local level for seven years and I wanted a change that allowed me to explore my interest in technology. I also had a personal goal of obtaining a college degree.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I had a great time as the president of the student senate and with the technology club. I felt compelled to help my fellow students as much as I felt that SWTC had helped me. My instructor (Aaron Holverson) was a driving factor for my success, and I enjoyed every class I had with him. I would not have excelled the way I did without him.
What will be your message to the graduates? My message is that it is okay to have a “do over.” I am 32 and came back to college to improve my life and gain more value. You never have to become stagnant in a career you are not happy with. College isn’t just available for recent high school graduates. It should be readily available for any age that someone wants to make a change or learn something new. There is nothing wrong with building your own future, no matter how many times you make changes.
What are your plans after graduation? I am already employed prior to graduation by TC Networks. I am working towards elevating my role within the company as well as taking on some cybersecurity duties.
Ceremony 3 – 12:30 p.m.
Andrea Carter
Hometown: Gary, Indiana, – Currently lives in Dallas, Texas
Program: Direct Entry Midwifery Program
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? I have always been drawn to midwifery since I was a little girl. When I experienced childbirth for the first time for myself, that passion for natural physiologic birth grew deeper.
What drew me to Southwest Tech was a testimonial from another student. She had so many wonderful things to say about the Midwifery program and instructors here. When I started to do my own research about the program, what drew me here the most was the ability to do distance learning but still be able to get the hands-on experience that is needed in this field.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I enjoyed spending time with my cohort during test outs. The relationships that I was able to build with such amazing women throughout my time here has made a lasting impact on me. I really enjoyed the sense of community that is fostered between the students and teachers.
What will be your message to the graduates? In short, my message to the graduates will to be to never give up and follow your dreams.
What are your plans after graduation? My plans after graduation will be to sit for the NARM to become a certified professional midwife. Once I obtain licensure, I will be a staff midwife at the birth center that I did my apprenticeship with – Swiss Avenue Birth and Wellness in Dallas, Texas. I am very excited to serve women in my amazing community.
Ceremony 4 – 2:30 p.m.
Ty Gaffney
Hometown: Barneveld, Wisconsin
Program: Agricultural Power and Equipment Technician
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? The reputation of the college, with a strong agriculture value. Additionally, knowing many successful graduates coming directly out of the program in my interest.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? Crafting relationships that will last a lifetime, along with the opportunity to learn from the variety of experienced instructors.
What will be your message to the graduates? To live a life worth living!
What are your plans after graduation? With two primary roles – the first is centered around Gaffney Family Cattle, ranging from daily cattle chores to long hours in the fields. The second is noted as the owner and operator of my independent service repair business – TG Services.
This year’s alumni speakers include:
10:30 a.m. – Kaye Woodke – Southwest Tech Recruiter
What program/year did you graduate from Southwest Tech? Administrative Professional, 2016
What did you enjoy about your time as a student at Southwest Tech? The people I was able to meet and the knowledge I was able to gain as a student worker. The support I received both as a student and a student worker helped me to grow as a person and professional. I don’t know where I would be if it weren’t for Southwest Tech, and I am grateful every day to have the opportunity to impact others’ lives in the same way.
What will your message be to the graduates? A message of congratulations, and how achieving your goals is possible when you trust in yourself, find people to support you, and help others along the way.
12:30 p.m. – Sheriff Mike Peterson – Iowa County Sheriff
What program/year did you graduate from Southwest Tech? I attended SWTC Criminal Justice from 2001 to 2003. I graduated the Law Enforcement Academy in 2003.
What did you enjoy about your time as a student at Southwest Tech? I really enjoyed the connections that I made – a lot that I still have today – from instructors to students. When you are in class, you don’t realize how important those lifelong connections are.
What will your message be to the graduates? I have been thinking a lot about this, and it may change, however it will include “Why.” When things start getting tough, why did I start in this field in the first place? Second will be “open mind.” Everything that we do we need to have an open mind. If we have a closed mind in our professions, what type of barriers does that create?
Anything you’d like to add? I am honored to be asked to do this for SWTC. SWTC has played a huge role in my life and I am excited to see the path that it is taken, especially within the criminal justice program. They play a critical role in what we do everyday, and training students to become excellent law enforcement officers and leaders within our communities.
2:30 p.m. – Matt Althoff – Journeyman Lineman at Maquoketa Valley REC
What program/year did you graduate from Southwest Tech? Electrical Power Distribution – 2016.
What did you enjoy about your time as a student at Southwest Tech? Constantly learning new things.
What will your message be to the graduates? Never give up.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |