Blackhawk Technical College received the 2025 Best of the Best Local College award on Thursday at Janesville Gazette’s 5th Annual Community Choice Awards dinner. This is the fifth year in a row the college has received this honor.

Blackhawk was a finalist for the Local College category along with Beloit College and UW-Whitewater at Rock County.

"Receiving recognition for the unwavering commitment of our staff and faculty at Blackhawk, and to the hard work and dedication of our students, is a wonderful honor," said Dr. Tracy Pierner, President of Blackhawk. "We are deeply grateful to our community for their continued support and to the Janesville Gazette for this distinguished honor. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence in serving our students and the community."

More than 97,000 nominations and votes in more than 131 categories were cast by people throughout the Janesville area for these awards, which celebrate and recognize the best the community has to offer. The winners were announced during a dinner held at the Holiday Inn in Janesville with 2024 Miss Wisconsin, Mandi Genord, serving as the emcee. A group of Blackhawk employees accepted the award on behalf of the college: Dr. Tracy Pierner, Moira Lafayette, Tiffany Garrison, Cassie Hartje, Angie Kablar, Kelly Grorud, and Jon Mladic.