ABCA Honors Alumni, Community Supporters, and Students at 2024 Aggie Weekend
The Black Hawk East Agri-Business Club Alumni (ABCA) hosted its annual Aggie Weekend dinner at Midland Golf Club, bringing together alums, students, and community partners to celebrate achievements, recognize outstanding contributions, and award scholarships that support the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Outstanding Alumni Award: Joe Orwig
Joe Orwig of Toulon, a 1984 Black Hawk College East graduate, received the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award for his leadership in agriculture, education, and community service. Accepting the award, he reflected on a lesson from his father, Lester:
“A man is not only supposed to raise good kids… his job is to raise his kids to be good men and women.” Orwig extended this philosophy to Black Hawk East, emphasizing its impact on shaping exceptional individuals. “Black Hawk East does the same thing,” he said. “Not only does Black Hawk turn out good students, but it produces outstanding people.”
His contributions to agriculture span multiple roles. After graduating from Toulon-LaFayette High School, he became an auctioneer, turning it into a full-time career in 2003. He also works as a real estate agent and certified appraiser. His dedication to education and community service includes 12 years on the Stark County School Board, serving as ABCA president, and chairing the Black Hawk College East Foundation.
Friends of the Alumni Awards
The 2024 Friends of the Alumni Award was presented to Compeer Financial and the State Bank of Toulon for their continued commitment to supporting Black Hawk East and its students.
Representing the 2024 Friend of the Alumni Award co-recipient, Compeer Financial, were Katie Huffman (second from left) of the Geneseo office, along with Jacob Position and Amy Newell of the Edwards office. Presenting the award were Brandon Hall, ABCA board chair (left), and Dr. Jeremy Thomas, BHC president (right).
Compeer Financial has been a dedicated advocate for agricultural programs at the college, recently investing in a workforce development initiative that funded five years of scholarships and a grant to equip the college with precision ag technology.
The State Bank of Toulon, with branches in Kewanee and Galva, has contributed over $40,000 to the Black Hawk College East Foundation in the past three decades, ensuring financial support for every agriculture-related program at the East Campus.
Representing the 2024 Friend of the Alumni co-recipient, the State Bank of Toulon, were Mark Rewerts, Doug Parrott, Jay Iliff, and Doug Blunier (second from left). The award was presented by Dr. Jeremy Thomas (left) and Brandon Hall (right).
Special Recognition Awards
Tami Rouse, ABCA vice chair and fundraising chair, and Danielle Williams, former executive director of the Black Hawk College East Foundation, received special awards at Saturday night’s dinner.
The ABCA Board also presented special awards to Tami Rouse and Danielle Williams for their unwavering support of student scholarships and program development.
Tami Rouse, vice chair of the ABCA Board and fundraising chair, was recognized for her efforts to secure funding from community partners to support scholarships, programs, and ABCA initiatives. Her leadership has played a vital role in events such as Aggie Weekend, which featured a Friday night social at Cerno’s, the Saturday night dinner, and a Sunday golf outing at Midland.
Danielle Williams, who recently stepped down after five years as executive director of the Black Hawk College East Foundation to join the Susan G. Women Foundation, was named an Honorary Member of the ABCA. She was instrumental in updating the organization’s bylaws and strengthening scholarship support for BHE students. Williams joins Eldon “Bud” Aupperle, the founder of Black Hawk East’s agriculture program, as only the second person to receive this prestigious distinction.
Scholarship Announcements
ABCA Board Chair Brandon Hall presents the 2014 Freshman Spirit Scholarship plaque to recipient Kailey Smith of Wyoming.
Several students were awarded scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year, including:
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Alumni Legacy Scholarship – Dane Hennenfent
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Incoming Freshman Scholarship – Wyatt Storms
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ABCA Vet Tech Scholarship – Jazmine Ralston
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Ag Transfer Scholarship – Chloe Barnes
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ABCA Equine Scholarship – Gabrielle Olson
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ABCA Skilled Trades Scholarship – Ty Robinson
The Freshman Spirit Scholarship was awarded to Kailey Smith of Wyoming, Illinois, and the Future Alumnus Scholarship went to Jonwyn Ayres of Medford, Oregon.
The Aggie Weekend celebrates BHC East, our students, donors and alumni who are commitment to supporting the college and fostering partnerships that strengthen our agricultural programs. Through the dedication of individuals like Joe Orwig, Tami Rouse, and Danielle Williams, as well as the generous contributions of our donors, including this year's award recipients Compeer Financial and the State Bank of Toulon, the BHC East Ag program legacy of excellence continues to grow.
Photos courtesy of ABCA and Dave Clarke.
