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The 2025 Black & Gold Celebration raised more than $56,000 for the Black Hawk College Foundation.
The third annual event featured the 2025 BHC Alumni Hall of Fame induction, live music from the BHC Jazz Ensemble and a silent auction. Fritz Larsen, chair of the BHC Board of Trustees and a 2013 BHC alum, was the guest speaker.
View photos from the event on Facebook
Alumni Hall of Fame
The BHC Alumni Hall of Fame welcomed eight new members at the celebration.
Inductees must have completed at least 30 credit hours at Black Hawk College and are selected based on two criteria – outstanding distinction and success in their chosen field and humanitarian service that has proven beneficial to society.
2025 Inductees
- Mark Drake
- Patrick Eikenberry
- Steve Layer
- Brett Lohman
- Gary Miller
- Jazmin Newton
- Kevin Nolan
- Greg Ryckaert
“These outstanding alumni made the most of their time at Black Hawk College and have gone on to make meaningful contributions in our community,” said Zenaida Landeros, executive director of the Black Hawk College Foundation.
“We’re proud to recognize their achievements and welcome them into the Hall of Fame,” she said.
2025 Black & Gold Celebration sponsors
The Black & Gold Celebration could not have happened without the support of many generous sponsors.
Changing Lives Sponsor
Group O Endowment Fund
Building Community Sponsors
Bally’s Quad Cities, Demonica Kemper Architects, Christy & Steve Layer, and Tyson Foods
Hope & Inspiration Sponsors
Ascentra Credit Union, Crawford Company, IHMVCU, IMEG, Local Union 91 Sheet Metal Workers, Metrolink, Newton Law, PLC, Quad City Bank & Trust, Tri-City Building Trades Council, and Wright Law Offices, P.C.
Helping Hands Sponsors
Dave & Lori Emerick, Hon. Linnea Thompson & Allen McCaulley, and Morgan Stanley The 801 Group
BHC Friends Sponsors
Diann Moore and Lisa Powell Williams