The Distinguished Alumni Award recognize 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. From the nominations, we select one extraordinary person based on five criteria. Those criteria are:

• the role that a technical college education played in the nominee's career and personal life;
• the nominee's accomplishments in their professional field;
• the nominee's community involvement;
• the nominee's support for the technical college system; and, finally,
• the nominee's commitment to continuing education and life-long learning.

It reports positively about the technical college's service and contributes to a better public understanding of the college’s mission; and, finally, it thoroughly covers the subject matter in stimulating and clear fashion.

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