NW Illinois News

In an April 2 Facebook post, Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) announced he'd been honored as the Black Hawk College East 2023 Outstanding Alumni.

Black Hawk College has campuses in Moline, Illinois, and Galva, Illinois.

"I’m honored to receive Black Hawk East 2023 Outstanding Alumni," the legislator wrote. "BHE plays such an important role in preparing students for an agriculture career field and/or transferring for a four-year degree. BHE judging teams continue to receive National awards and recognition. BHE has a lot to offer."

Swanson was sworn into the Illinois General Assembly on January 11, 2017. He is a retired Lt. Colonel in the Illinois National Guard. When he's not in Springfield and representing his constituents, Swanson works on the family farm with his father, his brother, his son, and his nephew.

"They raise corn, beans, oats, wheat, hay crops and a cow/calf operation, cattle feedlots and hogs," his website says. "Dan is married to the former Tammy Snider of Kewanee. Dan and Tammy live near Alpha, Illinois and attend Alpha Baptist Church. They have two married sons."

In his Facebook post, Rep. Swanson shared a post from an individual named Brandon Hall, who wrote: "A BIG Congratulations to Daniel Dan Swanson being selected as the 2023 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI!!! A well-deserved honor! Thank you for all the support you have and continue to show BHE!!"

Another event that Swanson highlighted on his Facebook page was his attendance at the Galesburg Public Library Foundation's "Stir Friday Night" improv comedy performance at the Orpheum Theatre.

It was a kickoff for the 2023 NEA Big Read was made possible through a partnership with the Galesburg Public Library Foundation and a generous donation from a patron, the library said. 

Stir Friday Night is "Chicago’s longest-running Asian American comedy team," whose alumni include Danny Pudi from Community, Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead, and Mary Sohn from AP Bio, the library said.