Members to recommend colleagues who have made particularly important contributions to our cause as board members and as an association. The Board Member of the Year Award is based on three criteria:

• involvement at the district level,
• involvement at the state level,
• and involvement at the national level.

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