The association members recommend colleagues who have made particularly important contributions to our cause as board members and as an association. |
The Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association has selected Gateway Technical College Board of Trustee member Ram Bhatia as the 2024 Board Member of the Year. Bhatia began serving on the board in 2005 and has held several different leadership positions, including board president. “On behalf of the staff, faculty and students of Gateway Technical College, I want to thank Trustee Bhatia for his dedicated service to the Gateway Board of Trustees and to the District Boards Association,” said Gateway Technical College President and CEO Ritu Raju. “Over the years, he has served on many committees for both bodies and as chair and vice chair of Gateway’s board.” WTCDBA says the board of trustee member of the year selection is to “recognize a district board member who has made an outstanding contribution to technical and vocational education through participation as a trustee on the local, state, regional and national levels.” |
Bhatia’s nominator says his work has had an impact on Gateway, its students and technical education locally, statewide and even nationally. His nominator said: “Ram makes a point of attending every graduation, and we have many. He is also highly visible in the Racine community, attending every relevant community event where he espouses the virtues of Gateway. Ram has also served as the board vice chair and the chair. During his leadership as the board chair, Ram was instrumental in strengthening college leadership. He continues to participate as a very engaged and active member and brings fresh ideas to the Gateway Board.” Nominees are scored in several areas with the board member of the year receiving the top score. “He is a strong advocate for students and attends graduation ceremonies, nurse pinning ceremonies and other events where we celebrate our students’ accomplishments,” said Raju. “He has also been instrumental in bringing in scholarship funds for the Gateway Foundation. We are grateful for his service and for this timely and well-deserved recognition.” |
1976 William Pierce, Waukesha 1978 Walter Calvert, Southwest WI 1979 Leah Rigler, Indianhead 1980 Ben Guthrie, Nicolet 1990 Jacqueline DeBaker, Lakeshore 1991 Joan Jenstead, Waukesha 1992 Donald McGrath, Blackhawk 1993 Conrad Zander, Nicolet 1994 Ruth Harker, Lakeshore 1995 James Munro, Blackhawk & Jerald Schoenike, Fox Valley 1996 Ken Day, Northcentral 1997 Deborah Streuli, Indianhead 1998 Linda Christman, Madison 1999 Robert Beaver, Mid-State 2000 Philip Baranowski, Moraine Park 2001 Audrey Hein, Blackhawk 2002 Sandra Haasl, Mid-State 2003 Ruth Mundt, Southwest WI 2004 Joan Jenstead, Waukesha 2005 David Logghe, Indianhead | 2006 Jean Trempe, Northcentral 2007 James Munro, Blackhawk 2008 John Lukas, Lakeshore 2009 Ronald Bertieri, Waukesha 2010 Lauren Baker, Milwaukee 2011 Vernon Jung, Jr. Moraine Park 2012 Russell Moyer, Southwest WI 2013 Patrick Costello, Mid-State 2014 Ramona Mathews, Chippewa Valley 2015 John Lukas, Lakeshore 2016 Ramona Mathews, Chippewa Valley 2017 Robert Beaver, Mid-State 2018 John Lukas, Lakeshore 2019 Betty Bruski Mallek, Mid-State 2020 Carla Hedtke, Northeast WI 2021 Lori Laberee, Northwood 2022 Chuck Bolstad, Southwest WI 2023 Don Tuescher, Southwest WI 2024 Ram Bhatia, Gateway |
The Board Member of the Year Award is based on three criteria:
Awards are presented at our quarterly Association meetings. The following timeline lists the approximate dates the nomination, rating and presentation occurs for each award: |
Distinguished Alumni Award Announce Nominations Due Ratings Due Presented | Board Member of the Year Award Announce Nominations Due Ratings Due Presented Forward as ACCT Nomination | Media Announce Nominations Due Ratings Due Presented | Technical Education Champion Award Announce Nominations Due Ratings Due Presented |