For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: November 4, 2025
Fall Commencement planned for Dec. 12
Speakers selected for each ceremony
Fennimore -The Fall 2025 Commencement at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College will be held Friday, Dec. 12. There will be ceremonies at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the campus auditorium. This semester, 111 students are eligible for graduation, while 83 students have indicated they will be participating in one of the ceremonies. Those numbers could change prior to Dec. 12.
The ceremonies will be streamed live on the college’s Facebook page. Additional information is available at www.swtc.edu/graduation.
The speakers have been selected for this semester’s ceremonies. They include:
1 p.m. Ceremony
Emcee
Kiley Manning
Hometown: Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Program: Dental Assistant
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but do not like blood very much, so I looked into the dental field. As I dug deeper, I became very interested and wanted to give it a go in a college near my hometown where I could commute to campus every day.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I have enjoyed every second of my time here at Southwest Tech, from early morning trashketball test reviews to hands-on lab days. I am very grateful I was able to have this experience and learn so much about the dental field. I have grown close to every one of my classmates and could not have asked for a better group.
What will be your message to the graduates? The message I want the graduates to receive is, we went through times of stress and hardship, but we’re here. We made it. Now we get to take all this hard work and put it into our futures as dental assistants. Be proud you are in these seats today because you deserve to be here.
What are your plans after graduation? After graduation I plan to work as a dental assistant until I can get into hygiene school at Madison Technical College. From there I plan to have a career in dental hygiene.
Alumni Speaker
Rachel Huber
Hometown: Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Program and year of graduation: Nursing Assistant – 2016, Nursing – Associate Degree – 2019
Current position and name of employer: Surgical Tech Program Director/Instructor, Southwest Tech
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? I wanted to progress in my profession as a healthcare provider, and my next step was nursing. I was working in the surgical department in Prairie du Chien. SWTC was close to home for me, and they offered a part-time option since I was a mom and working full-time. They had great pass rates for their nursing boards. My sister was also attending at the same time I was, and we graduated together.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? I enjoyed the class size and the closeness of those I was in the program with. The instructors truly cared about me as a student and a person. The school itself was very helpful also. I always knew I could go to the Knox Center for help, especially with nursing math, that’s a whole different level.
What will be your message to the graduates? Education is never-ending and keep your passion, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Student Speaker
Emma Opgenorth
Hometown: Lancaster, Wisconsin
Program: Associate Degree – Nursing
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? I was drawn to Southwest Tech because I wanted a hands-on, career-focused education. The smaller class sizes and personal attention from instructors make it easier to learn and get the support I need. I also appreciated the affordability and shorter program length, which allow me to start my career sooner without taking on as much debt.
I was particularly drawn to Southwest Tech’s nursing program, which focuses on hands-on, practical training that prepares students to confidently enter the nursing workforce right after graduation. Another thing that I motivated me about Southwest Tech’s nursing program is the emphasis on clinical experience and the ability to give students valuable exposure to real healthcare settings in an environment that is conducive to learning.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? My time at Southwest Tech has been incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. I appreciated the strong sense of community involvement, which allowed me to connect with local organizations while gaining valuable experience. I also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in various organization and clubs, such as Student Senate and the Student Nurses Association. Being a part of the Student Nurses Association was especially meaningful, as it allowed me to grow professionally, network with peers, and participate in meaningful projects related to nursing. Another thing I valued while at Southwest Tech was the library services, which offered personalized support and helped me succeed academically.
What will be your message to the graduates? Set goals, challenge yourself, and keep growing into the best version of yourself. Every step taken towards learning, improving, and pursuing your dreams brings you closer to the life you envision. Never stop striving for your personal and professional best.
What are your plans after graduation? I have accepted a full-time job offer for a float RN position from Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster.
1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Ceremony – State Student Ambassador
Kajal Patel
Hometown: Richland Center, Wisconsin
Program: I graduated from the graphic and web design program at Southwest Tech in May 2025 and have since transferred to Franklin University to pursue my bachelor’s degree in marketing.
What are your plans after SWTC? My goal is to pursue a career in the marketing field, where I can combine creativity with analytical thinking to make an impact. I’m excited about exploring the many different paths within marketing, from advertising and social media management to consumer research and brand development. By gaining hands-on experience and continuously learning, I hope to find a role that challenges me and allows me to grow both professionally and personally.
What is your message for the graduates? Getting involved on campus is one of the smartest and most rewarding choices you can make as a student. Beyond the classroom, involvement helps you grow personally and professionally. It allows you to gain practical experience, strengthen your communication and teamwork skills, and build a network of peers and mentors who will support you throughout your academic and career journey. Whether you join a student organization, volunteer in the community, or take on a leadership role, every experience contributes to your growth. The more you engage, the more opportunities you’ll find, and those experiences often become the ones that shape your future the most.
3 p.m. Ceremony
Emcee
Ashley Yager
Hometown: Highland, Wisconsin
Program: Cosmetology
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? Southwest Tech was an easy choice for me because it is only 20 minutes from home. The convenient location, price point, and class schedule played a huge role in my decision to pursue cosmetology here.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? The cosmetology program is fast-paced and the instructors are fantastic. They bring real-world knowledge and experience in many different areas of our field. Many of them still run a successful business on the side, in addition to their work with the classes, which is an incredible tribute to their passion and drive for the industry. I am also thankful for an incredible group of classmates.
What will be your message to the graduates? My message will be centered around building relationships and never losing the hunger to do something you are passionate about. I would like to touch on the importance of family and a great support system as well.
What are your plans after graduation? I will be renting a chair at a salon in Highland.
Alumni Speaker
Britt O’Connell
Hometown: Platteville, Wisconsin
Program and year of graduation: Agri-Business/Science & Technology – 2014
Current position and name of employer: Senior Director Grain Risk Management, Ever.Ag
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program? Growing up on a farm, I had a passion for agriculture, but I wasn’t always sure exactly what sector of agriculture I wanted to work in. The Ag Business program gave me the opportunity to explore a number of potential career paths by providing exposure to various industries and ag professionals.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech? The quality of education received and the real-world nature of it. I also felt like my time was valued; my education prepared me for the workforce but didn’t require unnecessary elements.
What will be your message to the graduates? I’m still refining this, but I want to encourage students that they are more than a number, more than a GPA (while yet encouraging being a lifelong learner), and the education that they received at SWTC is not “inferior” education. They should go into the world and the workforce confident in who they are and the education that they have…to take risks, to go outside of their comfort zone…and the quality of their character has high value in the workforce.
Student Speaker
Lauren Adkins
Hometown: Fennimore, Wisconsin
Program: Liberal Arts
What drew you to Southwest Tech and to your program?I decided to come to SWTC because it is a small school with big opportunities. I was interested in the Liberal Art Program because it transfers to UW-Platteville, it is affordable, and it gave me an extra year to decide what I was going to major in at UW-Platteville.
What did you enjoy about your time at Southwest Tech?I enjoyed the small class sizes that allowed me to form close friendships. I also got a job on campus with marketing and recruitment which helped me decide I wanted to go into business. Lastly, the friendly and knowledgeable instructors who helped me to learn in a fun way every day.
What will be your message to the graduates?Life can be hard and discouraging. There will always be someone smarter, someone more experienced, and someone who seems to have it all. Do not let this get you down. Not many people in this world won’t work hard. If you keep up the good work that you did in school, I promise you will be rewarded. If you push yourself, outwork the competition, and put your heart into it I promise your dreams will come true. When you get set back, keep going. Brains can only get you so far, but work ethic can get you anywhere.
What are your plans after graduation?I plan to attend UW-Platteville for marketing and eventually do recruitment for businesses.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. The college was recently named the winner of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |