John Ahern of Silvis has submitted his resignation from the Black Hawk College Board of Trustees effective immediately because of health reasons.

Ahern was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 1995. He was re-elected in 2001 and 2007. Trustee terms are six years.

Black Hawk College appreciates Trustee Ahern?s service and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

During his tenure, he has served as the board?s representative to the Black Hawk College Quad Cities Foundation and the Black Hawk College East Foundation. Most recently he has served on the board?s Audit Committee.

Ahern received the 2004 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Trustee Leadership Award for the Central Region. He was nominated by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) after receiving the Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award from the ICCTA in 2003.

He also is a two-time recipient of the ICCTA?s Trustee Education Award. This award is granted only to trustees who have participated in 15 or more ICCTA-sponsored seminars during their tenure as community college trustees.

Ahern?s current term expires in April 2013. The Board of Trustees will meet in the near future to discuss his resignation and plans to fill the position.

On Monday, May 21 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., the Black Hawk College Police Department will be testing the fire alarm and security system at the Quad-Cities Campus.

During the test, numerous prerecorded messages will be broadcast around the college ? this will include visual and audible notifications.

Please note it is not necessary to leave your areas during the testing. The BHC Police Department will make an announcement at the conclusion of the testing.

If there is an actual emergency during either testing period, you will be notified.

For more information, contact the BHC Police Department at 309-796-5913.

Caps and gowns can be picked up between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, May 14 in the lower lobby of Building 1. If you can?t pick up your cap and gown at this time, they will be available in Enrollment Services until Wednesday, May 16.

The Quad-Cities Campus Commencement will be Thursday, May 17, 2012, at the i wireless Center in downtown Moline, 1201 River Drive.

Flowers, diploma frames and graduation cards will be for sale in the lobby.

Rehearsal ? Noon
Ceremony ? 7 p.m.

East Campus Commencement

The East Campus Commencement will be Friday, May 18, 2012, at the Kewanee National Guard Armory in downtown Kewanee, 111 N. East St.

Rehearsal ? 9:30 a.m.
Ceremony ?  7 p.m.

Tickets are not needed to attend either commencement ceremony. Parking is free.

Both commencement venues are handicapped accessible. There will be a sign language interpreter at both ceremonies.

After both ceremonies, family and friends are invited to attend the on-site reception honoring graduates.

For more information, visit our commencement webpage.