The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a truly outstanding Wisconsin Technical College graduate. It is very satisfying to read the nominations describing the great work and lives of our successful graduates. |
Mid-State Technical College alumnus Chet Laskoswki has earned statewide recognition for his contributions to technical education and the central Wisconsin community. Laskowski received the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association (WTCDBA) on March 22 during the organization’s meeting in Rhinelander, Wis. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a truly outstanding graduate out of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) who has demonstrated accomplishments in his or her professional field, community involvement, support for the technical college system and a commitment to continuing education and lifelong learning. “I’m honored and proud to receive this award,” Laskowski said. “The trades are the backbone of this country, and I’m grateful that I was able to attend Mid-State to improve and enhance my skills. I’m also grateful that Mid-State continues to give people so many ways to better themselves.” |
After graduating from high school in 1966, Laskowski entered his plumbing apprenticeship through Mid-State, a path that was interrupted by three years as an Army combat engineer with one year of duty in the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge in 1970, Laskowski returned to his apprenticeship studies, earning his Journeyman Plumber License and Master Plumber License in 1977. Shortly after, he opened a plumbing shop with his wife and partner Carol. Together the Laskowskis grew Chet’s Plumbing into one of the most respected full-service plumbing and HVAC operations in central Wisconsin, servicing everything from small residential repairs to large commercial new construction and employing 24 people by the time he retired in 2010. Laskowski has long been a champion of Mid-State’s apprenticeship programming, including his sponsorship of many apprentices over the years and generous monetary contribution to Mid-State’s Wayne H. Bushman Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA™) Center. According to Laskowski, the use of apprentices at Chet’s Plumbing always drove growth and quality for the business. “Looking back, I’m proud of how many hard-working apprentices got their start at Chet’s before going on to become city inspectors and other notable positions in the trade,” he said. In addition to his Army service (1967–1970), Laskowski served his community through one year as president of PHCC-WI, apprenticeship committees at the state and local levels, president of the local Plumbing Association and his church parish council and building committees. “The entire Mid-State team is excited to join the Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association in congratulating Chet Laskowski on his selection for the WTCS Distinguished Alumni Award,” said Mid-State president, Dr. Shelly Mondeik. “Chet perfectly embodies the contributions Mid-State graduates make to our local communities. His personal story of hard work and innovation coupled with his professional and community stewardship are qualities we can all aspire to.” |
1998 Mark Senti, Chippewa Valley 1999 Earl Mihlbauer, Gateway & Statewide 2000 Marilyn Grainger, Waukesha 2001 Vernon Jung, Jr. Moraine Park 2002 Todd LoCascio, Northeast WI 2003 Don Jobe, Western 2004 Robin Roberts, Madison 2005 Allan Kehl, Gateway 2006 Donna Voigt, Waukesha 2007 Brent Kindred, Northeast WI 2007 Mary Krueger, Northcentral 2008 David Funkhouser, Waukesha 2009 Mark Schmitz, Madison 2010 Barbara Brown, Moraine Park | 2011 Guy Bradshaw, Gateway 2012 Scott Glinski, Mid-State 2013 Jeff Urlaub, Chippewa Valley 2014 Scott Groholski, Mid-State 2015 Lee Lo, Northcentral 2016 Jeff and Brian Wieser, Western 2017 Dr. Adina Ness, Madison 2018 Larry Turba, Mid-State 2019 Dan Hartwig, Lakeshore 2020 Wayne Bushman, Mid-State 2021 Ousmane Kabre, Madison 2022 Dr. Kricket Koehn, Nicolet 2023 Chet Laskowski, Mid-State |
From the nominations, we select one extraordinary person based on five criteria. Those criteria are:
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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 |