Distinguished Alumni Award - 2019

Each year, we recognize a truly outstanding Wisconsin Technical College graduates. It is very satisfying to read the nominations describing the great work and lives of our successful graduates. From the nominations, we select extraordinary graduates based on five criteria.

Those criteria are:

• The role that a technical college education played in the nominee's career and personal life;
• the nominee's accomplishments in his/her professional field;
• the nominee's community involvement;
• his or her support for the technical college system; and, finally,
• the nominee's commitment to continuing education and life-long learning.

This Year's Winner - Dan Hartwig, Lakeshore Technical College

Personal
Dan Hartwig graduated from Lakeshore Technical College in 1998 with an associate degree in Police Science (now known as Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement). He is a Manitowoc County native who never had the desire to leave his community. His mother and two brothers, all of whom graduated from LTC, were big influences on his choice to begin his education path at LTC. Dan also appreciated the fact he would be able to work in law enforcement sooner than those who attended four-year colleges, and graduate with far less debt. He was confident that with a great start at LTC, he would be able to fulfill his dream of getting elected sheriff of the county he always called home. Dan is thankful to LTC for opening many doors throughout his career, which began as a Deputy Sheriff with the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office immediately upon graduating. He fulfilled his goal of getting elected Sheriff of Manitowoc County in January 2019.

Occupation
Dedication and motivation have helped Dan advance his career and earn several awards recognizing his accomplishments. Most recently, he was selected to attend the National Sheriff’s Institute from where he graduated in April 2019. In 2018, he was selected to attend and graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, which was one year after he received the Trilogy Award from the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. Other awards include getting selected as a Future 15 award winner from the Manitowoc Chamber of Commerce in 2015, and being honored as Manitowoc County’s Officer of the Year in 2007. Over the years, Dan has very willingly taken on multiple roles and responsibilities in addition to his regular duties in law enforcement. He served 16 years on the Manitowoc County SWAT Team where he also was an assistant team leader. Training officers became more important to Dan over the years as he took on training duties for SWAT and the sheriff’s office. In addition, Dan also made time to be a Reserve Deputies Officer-In-Charge.

Community
When away from work, Dan finds it important to invest in the community that has served him so well. He is a high school football coach, a volunteer board member for The Haven of Manitowoc County homeless shelter for men, and a Kiwanis International member. Dan is also a top fundraiser in Wisconsin for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run benefitting Special Olympics.

Wisconsin Technical College System
More than five years ago, Dan realized he enjoyed his training responsibilities so much that he made returning to his technical education roots to teach law enforcement students a priority. He continues making time to serve as an adjunct instructor in the law enforcement programs both at LTC and Fox Valley Technical College. He teaches a wide variety of classes, from Defensive and Arrest Tactics to Professional Communications. Dan recently partnered with LTC to have his staff use LTC’s driving course for pursuit training emergency vehicle recertification. While coaching students, he enjoys the opportunity to share the benefits of LTC as students look to him for advice on furthering their education. He was named the college’s 2019 Alumnus of the Year and spoke in support of the college at its annual awards reception where he encouraged students to do three things: find someone to look up to as a role model, do something that makes a difference, and surround yourself with positive people.

Continuing Education
Dan knew back in high school that his goal of getting elected sheriff would require him to continue his education path after graduating from LTC. He began taking courses through Marian University in 2004 and graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice. His dedication to lifelong learning has also included completing the FBI’s Supervisor Leadership, Command Leadership, and Executive Leadership Institutes.