The inaugural Black & Gold Celebration recently raised more than $43,000 for the Black Hawk College Foundation, according to a news release from the college.
The fundraiser featured the 2023 BHC Alumni Hall of Fame induction, a silent auction and live music by the BHC Jazz Ensemble. Chad Pregracke, BHC Alumni Hall of Fame member and founder of the Quad Cities environmental organization Living Lands & Waters, was the keynote speaker.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of the Black & Gold Celebration,” Zenaida Landeros, executive director of the Black Hawk College Foundation, said in the release. “We were able to add $43,123 in funding for student emergencies, student scholarships and mini-grants for staff and faculty.”
The event also celebrated three new members joining the BHC Alumni Hall of Fame: Kenneth E. Allison of Aurora, Colorado, class of 1977; Kay Hazen of Palm Springs, California, attended 1973-74; and Robert “RB” Thompson of Woodstock, Illinois, class of 1962.
“All three of these alumni took advantage of their time at Black Hawk College and made their mark throughout the country,” Ms. Landeros said. “It was an honor to induct them into the Hall of Fame.”
Black & Gold Celebration sponsors included: MetroLINK, Russell, Pappas Wright, Morgan Stanley, Dr. Richard Bush and Suzanne Mohr, IHMVCU, Tyson, IMEG, Rock Valley Physical Therapy, Steve & Christy Layer, Tri City Building Trades Council, Chris and Pam Ontiveros, Ascentra Credit Union, Crawford Company, Lori and Dave Emerick, Wes and Susan Llewellyn, Wipfli, Carol Lyon, SMART Local 91, Carol Lewis and Rose Vasquez.
