Karla Krehbiel offered four pieces of advice for Gateway Technical College graduates at their commencement ceremony Tuesday night: challenge yourself, learn to get back up when you’ve failed, work hard and choose a mentor who can continue to guide and advise you in your career.

“A college diploma is a wonderful tool in this world, one that opens many doors of opportunity,” said Krehbiel, regional president of Johnson Bank for Southeast Wisconsin.

Krehbiel took classes at Gateway while still in high school, working three jobs at one point while enrolled at the college. She encouraged students to work hard and be the best they can be at the position they hold at the moment – but know that they can grow into positions of more responsibility.

“I knew then that I would have to work hard in order to be successful,” she said.

 The ceremony recognized 1,009 prospective candidates for graduation from Summer 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017 Summer 2017 semesters. A total of 321 participated in the ceremony.

Other commencement highlights included the presentation of the 2017 Gateway Technical College Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award to Walter Edwards.

Edwards earned degrees in four Gateway Technical College programs: Electrical Engineering Technology, Fluid Power Technology, ElectroMechanical Technology and Automated Manufacturing Systems. He also serves as a mentor to current students and serves on the Gateway Technical College Foundation Board of Directors. He currently serves as a program integrator premium CT&PET for GE Medical.

Ivan Roriguez-Gonzalez, who graduated with a Surgical Technology degree, spoke as the student responder.

The ceremony was held at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Sports and Activity Center, 900 Wood Road, Kenosha.