Moraine Park Technical College has named Keegan Schwab, of Fond du Lac, the 2023 Student of the Year. He will also serve as the Student Speaker at the May 2023 commencement ceremony.
Schwab, a student in the Paramedic Technician program, will complete the program and earn his associate degree this May.
“I chose to enroll at Moraine Park because I married a woman from Fond du Lac and moved here from North Dakota–my home state,” Schwab said. “I wanted to go to a trade school, and Moraine Park had the hometown feel I was looking for. I chose the paramedic program because I aspired to become a firefighter/paramedic.”
Schwab previously worked as a firefighter/EMT in North Dakota, and it quickly became his passion. He currently works full-time as a firefighter/EMT with the City of Beaver Dam.
“As a firefighter, you are expected to respond to any type of emergency,” Schwab said. “I have a strong passion for my faith, and with medical calls having one of the highest call volumes I felt that God was challenging me to take my certification a step further. Additionally, many fire departments here in Wisconsin require a paramedic’s license to work. So, completion of this program meant opportunities.”
Schwab will graduate on May 20, 2023, and will speak at both the Student Awards Banquet and Moraine Park’s Commencement Ceremony.
“When I found out I was selected as Student of the Year, I was speechless,” Schwab said. “I was extremely humbled to hear how my peers felt about me. I felt, and still feel, that I don’t deserve the award.”
Criteria for Student of the Year nominations include demonstrating excellence in and out of the classroom while modeling Moraine Park’s core abilities to communicate clearly, act responsibly, work productively, think critically and creatively, adapt to change, demonstrate integrity, and work cooperatively. There were five candidates this year, all of whom excel both academically and in their service-learning. There are very few student honors that exceed this award at Moraine Park, and to even be nominated is a tremendous accomplishment. Other nominees include Tina Lee of Sheboygan, Damien Garza of Watertown, Ivan Hebbe of Princeton and Sophie Marchello of Kewaskum.
“My advice to other students is to continue to stay humble and work hard,” Schwab said. “As a child, my parents instilled in me that hard work pays off and I can’t thank them enough for teaching me that virtue. No matter what you do, always make sure to give it your all. Anything less than your best effort, is a sacrifice to the gift you’ve been given.”
For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu