Mid-State Technical College’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award will go to Chet Laskowski of Stevens Point. The award recognizes a truly outstanding alum 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.

“It is such an honor to celebrate Chet Laskowski for Mid-State’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award,” said Mid-State’s president, Dr. Shelly Mondeik. “Chet is yet another shining example of the contributions that Mid-State graduates make to our local communities. His personal story of hard work and innovation coupled with his professional and community stewardship demonstrate qualities we can all aspire to.”

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.

“I’m honored and proud to receive this award from Mid-State,” 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.”

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. 

Mid-State’s Distinguished Alumni Award also includes nomination by the College for the statewide Wisconsin Technical College District Boards Association Distinguished Alumni Award. The winner of the state-level award will be selected from among the nominations submitted by all 16 colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System and announced later this fall.