Four outstanding Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Campus alumni were inducted into the 2019 Alumni Hall of Fame at a Sept. 25 ceremony.
Rick McGrath of Moline, Dan McNeil of Moline, the late Alan Perley and Tim Stout of East Moline joined 34 members of the Black Hawk College QC Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame.
“These alumni all took diverse career paths yet each achieved exceptional accomplishments in their respective industries. We proudly welcome them to the Alumni Hall of Fame!” said Maureen Dickinson, executive director of the Black Hawk College QC Foundation.
View photos from the event on Facebook.
ABOUT THE INDUCTEES
Rick McGrath – Earned Associate in Arts in 1977.
Member of BHC cross country and track teams. Cross country team made it to NJCAA championship in 1975. Has run more than 50 marathons and all 21 Quad Cities Marathons. Helped with many races in the Quad Cities. Assistant race director for Bix 7.
Worked for KJWW Engineering Consultants (now IMEG) for 40 years, retiring in 2017. Came out of retirement to work for ICC, Inc., another engineering consulting company. Contracted to the 3M facility in Cordova for 35 years in project manager/construction management position. Engineer of the Year Award from 3M, an award specifically for 3M employees. For a contractor to receive this award, it says a lot about how 3M values Rick.
Dan McNeil – Earned Associate in Arts in 2005.
Program manager, fundraiser and executive director in the nonprofit sector for 14 years. Executive director of the Spring Forward Learning Center in Rock Island last four years. Increased SFLC budget from $150,000 to $618,000 and increased staff from two to five. SFLC serves more than 600 children in after-school and summer enrichment camps. More than 90% of campers maintained or gained in reading level. Created partnership with the Rock Island Futbol Club that engaged 45 young athletes to learn the important lessons of teamwork, dedication and sportsmanship.
2017 Rock Island Citizen of the Year Award for Spring Forward Learning Center. 2018 Bi-State Literacy Council Award. Community Partner with RockTown Reads.
Alan Perley – Graduated in 1980.
Explorer Scout with Moline Police Department at age 16. After BHC graduation, served on East Moline Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Awarded L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year, Lomita Station, in 1989. Worked for several departments in Chicago area and special agent for the U.S. government. Served as patrol deputy, patrol officer, detective and group supervisor, Special Operations Unit and SWAT team leader, field training deputy/officer and firearms coordinator and principal firearms instructor.
Principal bodyguard for Tiger Woods Foundation, serving as personal, facility and bodyguard to Woods at nationwide foundation events.
Received more than 15 awards during law enforcement career. Finished his career with Lake County Sheriff’s Department in July 2018.
Tim Stout – Earned Associate in Arts in 1973.
At age 19, director of 1972 Arrowhead Wheelchair Games Track and Field meet at Black Hawk College. First handicapped outreach recruiter-peer counselor at BHC. Member of National Wheelchair Basketball Association as player, coach, official and administrator since 1968. Member of NWBA Judicial Committee since 2010 and NWBA historian since 2013. Member of NWBA Hall of Fame. Member of United Township High School Hall of Fame for 1969-70 boys basketball team and 1969 boys track team. Both finished second in state.
Technical writer/editor at PECO Enterprises from 1977-84. Logistics management specialist U.S. Army TACOM-ACALA at Rock Island Arsenal from 1984-98, receiving more than 20 awards. EEO collateral duty counselor and served on Disabled Employees Committee.