2024 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
We are honored to induct the following BHC alum into the Hall of Fame.
Black Hawk College has a longstanding tradition of excellence. The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding individuals for their professional and community service. Inductees are selected using two fundamental criteria: outstanding distinction and success in their chosen field; and, secondly, Humanitarian service, which has proven beneficial to society.
Omar Aceviz
Omar Aceviz grew up in Hampton, IL, and graduated from United Township High School in 2004. After high school, Omar enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he became a hospital corpsman serving at naval hospitals and with forward deploying units. While on active duty, he was stationed with the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, NC, and did a tour in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009.
Transitioning from active duty to civilian life and into the Navy Reserves, Omar wanted to work in health care as a registered nurse. He graduated from the Black Hawk College Associate Degree Nursing program in 2015, then continued his education at the University of Illinois Chicago.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2017, he was commissioned as a naval officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves’ Nurse Corps. In 2022, he earned a master’s degree in nursing at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL.
Today, Omar is a family nurse practitioner for the Genesis/Mercy One regional health care system and still serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves.
Omar believes that his time at Black Hawk College was a catalyst for his love of knowledge, as Black Hawk College afforded him the opportunity for a stellar education at an affordable price. “The nursing program at Black Hawk College was rigorous and demanding, both physically and mentally, but allowed the students access to the vast knowledge of the professors from many different health care backgrounds and experiences,” says Omar. “I owe my time at Black Hawk College for shaping me into the health care professional I am today.”
David L. (Dave) Emerick, Jr.
Dave Emerick attended Black Hawk College from 1983-85 then earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northern Illinois University in 1989. He has worked in the banking industry for more than 40 years and is a vice president with Blackhawk Bank & Trust in the loan department. Dave is involved in all aspects of the lending area including installment, commercial and real estate lending. His banking background includes deposit operations, product marketing, business development and branch management.
Dave joined the East Moline/Silvis Rotary Club in 2002. He has been a member of the board of directors, program chair, membership chair, foundation chair and club president in 2008-09 and 2019-20. He is the current governor of Rotary International District #6420, which encompasses 43 Rotary clubs in northwest Illinois, and previously served as assistant governor, assistant governor coordinator and Finance Committee member.
He is a member of the Paul Harris Society, Polio Plus Society, and is a major donor and benefactor to the Rotary International Foundation.
He has taught American Institute of Banking courses at Black Hawk College and has served on several panels and been a guest speaker about banking and business-related topics.
Dave has lived in the Quad Cities his entire life and is very active in the community. He is the treasurer for the Black Hawk College Foundation, School Health LINK, New Kingdom Trailriders and Arrowhead Youth Services. He also is a member of the boards of directors for the Genesis Health Services Foundation, the Rock Island Housing Authority, Community Housing Partners and the Rock Island County Council on Addiction and is a former Black Hawk College trustee.
Molly Tiernan Foley
Molly Tiernan Foley grew up in East Moline, graduated from Alleman High School, and attended Black Hawk College from 1992-94. Molly then attended Northern Illinois University and finished her bachelor’s degree at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities. After graduation, Molly worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association then the Illinois Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce where she served as vice president. In 2006, she was recruited by Next Generation Consulting and served as a consultant in economic and workforce development across North America for several years. She spent much of this time conducting research on generational shifts and how different generations impact economic trends.
In November 2012, Molly joined Quad Cities-based KJWW Engineering Consultants, now known as IMEG, and currently serves as IMEG’s chief marketing officer and is a principal owner in the firm. She leads a team of 35 marketing professionals and oversees national brand positioning and strategic brand engagement objectives for the national firm of more than 2,600 team members.
Molly has a successful record in getting initiatives off the ground and flourishing. She is an active community advocate and award winner, having served on many civic and non-profit boards including being named the first female commissioner on the Metropolitan Airport Authority at the Quad City International Airport in 2006. She also contributed her time as a past board member and chair of the Black Hawk College Foundation.
Molly remains a strong advocate for the community college infrastructure. “Institutions like Black Hawk College not only provide a great foundation for secondary education, but they are also key pieces of the puzzle in developing vibrant communities where all can thrive,” she says.
Paul “P.J” Foley
P.J. Foley grew up in Rock Island, graduated from Alleman High School, and attended Black Hawk College from 1996-99. He went on to attain his bachelor’s degree in history/secondary education from St. Ambrose University in 2001, and a Master of Organizational Leadership in 2005. P.J worked at St. Ambrose University in various roles from 2002-18 including director of government and community affairs and as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Political Science & Leadership Studies from 2006-23.
P.J. has given back his time serving on various non-profit and civic boards in the Quad Cities including the Rock Island Community Foundation and most recently the Deere Wiman/Butterworth Foundation Board of Trustees. He also served as the Third Ward Alderman in Rock Island from 2009-17.
P.J. has given back his time serving on various non-profit and civic boards in the Quad Cities including the Rock Island Community Foundation and most recently the Deere Wiman/Butterworth Foundation Board of Trustees. He also served as the Third Ward Alderman in Rock Island from 2009-17.
P.J. firmly believes that his time at Black Hawk College helped shape him for success in his career. “The professors at Black Hawk College helped hone my writing, reading, and public speaking skills,” P.J. says. “Many of the classes I took from history, psychology, English, communication, and fine arts really helped me gain a perspective to be a well-rounded individual and showed me that I could use my education at Black Hawk College to achieve many great achievements in my professional career.”
Troy Lewis
Troy Lewis’ love of landscaping began as a young man mowing yards and shoveling snow. He graduated from Moline High School in 1984 then attended Black Hawk College from 1984-86 and played baseball for the Braves. He transferred to Western Illinois University to pursue his passion for horticulture and landscape design and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1988. During college, he worked part time at a local landscape company to gain experience. He began his professional career in the Quad Cities working in the landscape industry, developing his skills and relationships. In 1995, Troy and his wife ventured into the world of business and entrepreneurship, founding Heritage Landscape Design.
Located in Moline, Heritage has evolved from a small operation in the basement of his home with just two employees and $125,000 in revenue to a thriving business with 45 employees and more than $6 million in annual revenue. Last year, Heritage landscaped the new baseball field at Black Hawk College and will be working on Building 3 this year.
Troy has mentored many young men throughout the years as well as young adults starting their careers at Heritage. When his kids were in sports, he coached basketball and baseball and passed along his love of the game along with the importance of a hard work ethic, team and commitment to a goal and friendships. Heritage is passionate about supporting organizations and non-profits committed to improving the lives of children and has partnered with groups such as the Boys & Girls Club, Davenport Junior Theatre, Gilda’s Club, Make-A-Wish, Moline Little League, Moline Public Schools Foundation, Special Olympics and United Way.
Adrian Madunic
Adrian Madunic attended Black Hawk College from 1983-85 and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the official honor society for community colleges. He transferred to Augustana College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1987 then earned a master’s degree in international relations and affairs from Marquette University in 1990.
After completing his degrees, Adrian worked for the Croatian government in Washington, D.C., and in Europe during Croatia’s War of Independence, serving in several roles for the new country. In D.C., he oversaw all diplomatic protocols, embassy renovation, and security clearance for all Croatian officials visiting the United States. He was the official translator for all Croatian diplomats meeting U.S. officials and escorted members of Congress into Croatian war zones. Adrian was a key player in the Croatian independence movement and helped Croatia become recognized by the United States as an independent country.
He was employed at Black Hawk College for more than 10 years, first as director of the International Trade Center then as director of Community and Economic Development managing the Small Business Development Center, the International Trade Center, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the Business Training Center.
After Black Hawk College, Adrian was a district director for U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling and worked on military, agriculture and small business issues. He then served as public affairs administrator for Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.
Since 2016, Adrian has worked for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and currently is the senior region manager overseeing agency programs for 10 counties in northwest Illinois. During the pandemic, he helped many small businesses apply for grants and assistance.
Diann Moore
Diann Moore is a native of Moline and a graduate of Moline High School. She earned an Associate in Arts from Black Hawk College in 1965 and a bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University in 1967. She taught world history for three years at United Township High School and for 14 years at Moline High School. She then was a substitute teacher from 1985-97 and worked as a computer specialist aide at Moline High School from 1997-2021.
Diann’s love of history led to her co-founding the Moline Preservation Society in 1986. She has served as its president, vice president, secretary, and program and awards chair. The society has worked to save the historic block along River Drive and 4th Avenue, the John Deere house, the Skinner Building and the last train depot, all in Moline.
She also served four years on the Moline Historic Preservation Commission, was a board member of the Rock Island County Historical Society and is a supporter of Landmarks Illinois.
As a board member of the Heritage Documentary Society, she partnered with Kathleen Seusy, Curt Roseman and Gena Schantz to author the book, “Echoes From Riverside Cemetery,” in 2009. She also worked with Curt Roseman on “A Century of Players, Performers, and Pageants, Wharton Field House and Browning Field, Moline, Illinois.” The book includes numerous colorful stories of people and events there and also chronicles the origins and development of these two historic places.
In addition to her work with preservation, Diann has volunteered with the Junior Board of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and the Moline Junior Service League.
