When nearly 1,000 people assemble inside a gym on an evening during the month of May, it must be time for a graduation ceremony.
A full house of family and friends was present to celebrate the 183 college graduates on Thursday, May 18, 2017, in the Lester Jack Briggs Cultural Center Gymnasium at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Held annually after Spring Semester, the college commencement ceremony highlights a successful conclusion to the academic year and celebrates the accomplishments of the members in the year’s graduating class.
Don Liimatainen, an alumnus of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College from Esko who is a successful small business entrepreneur, provided the commencement address to the graduating students who were in line to receive an associate in arts, associate in fine arts, associate in science, associate in applied science degree, or nursing diploma from the college.
Student speakers were Registered Nursing program graduate Sadie Cross, Business Program graduate Andrew Hjelle, and Registered Nursing Program graduate Tamara Montano.
“Our heart’s timing isn’t measured by hours or minutes. It’s measured by joys, by challenges, by surprises, and by triumphs,” said Sadie Cross in her commencement speech. “I am so grateful that all of my moments led me to Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. I’m thankful to be a part of this institution that values the things I truly believe in, like collaboration, diversity, loving Mother Earth, learning from science, and helping one another be the best that we can be,” continued Cross, before issuing a final challenge to her classmates. “This is your time to keep moving in the direction of your dreams. Remember to listen to that tick-tock in your heart, and do great things.”
Larry Anderson, president of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, provided welcoming remarks and hosted the event, and Anna Fellegy, vice president of academic affairs, along with Russel Swagger, dean of student services, assisted President Anderson in conferring the degrees to the graduates. Staff member Paula Hagenah read the names of the graduates as they crossed the stage. Fran Wendorff and Kristin Peterson, two faculty members who retired this year were recognized and wrapped in Pendleton blankets, a tradition of the college.
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degrees were presented to Dave Guckenberg and Bonnie Wallace, both who have served and supported students and the operations at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College for many years, along with accomplishing many personal and professional highlights in their individual lives and careers.
The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Drum & Singers provided grand entry, honor, and recessional songs. Opening pipe ceremony was conducted by faculty member Dan Jones, and staff member Josh Cleveland provided the invocation. A short reception was held in the college’s student commons after the ceremony.
A large set of images from the 2017 Commencement at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is posted on the official Facebook page of the college here.