Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) celebrated this year’s graduates at a commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 11, 2023. 74 of this year’s graduates walked during the ceremony that took place in the Lester Jack Bridges Cultural Center at FDLTCC. Dr. Arne Vainio provided the commencement address and student speakers included Valerie Zhaawendaagozikwe and Gracee Petersen.
Watch the recording of the 2023 FDLTCC Commencement Ceremony
During her welcoming remarks, FDLTCC Acting President, Anita Hanson, honored former president, Stephanie Hammitt. “Yesterday and this evening were her favorite days of the school year,” reflected Hanson, “…Specifically our events to salute the efforts of our graduating students…”
Dr. Arne Vainio, M.D., Family Practice, Min No Aya Win Human Services, provided the commencement address. During his speech, Vainio discussed the 7 Grandfather Teachings: humility, courage, honesty, wisdom, truth, respect, and love. “Living by these teachings will make your life full and in balance, and these teachings apply to all of us,” shared Vainio.
2023 Student of the Year, Valerie Zhaawendaagozikwe, reflected on the struggles that many students experienced during their academic journeys and the struggles that some in the community are still experiencing. She discussed overcoming struggles of her own to pursue her goals and the importance of being an example for her family, “It’s attainable, it’s possible, to learn our language, to belong in these places…it’s not just for academics, but for everybody.”
Gracee Petersen discussed the many paths that her fellow students might go after graduation. “This graduation…should be looked at as an opening to wherever the future takes you, whether that is a career, trade or continuing your education,” shared Petersen, “Any career that you choose to pursue matters, whatever you’re good at, go ahead and do it.”
During the ceremony, the Cedar Creek Singers provided the grand entry, honor, and recessional songs, the FDL and Combined Honor Guard presented the flags, and Abrianna Schmidt sang the national anthem. The opening pipe ceremony was conducted by FDLTCC Dean of Indigenous and Academic Affairs, Roxanne DeLille, and musical numbers were performed by the Oshkii Gizhik Singers, FDLTCC faculty members Calland Metts and Elizabeth Jaakola. Many thanks to FDLTCC Registrar, Erica Gelo, and the FDLTCC Commencement Committee for their hard work coordinating the wonderful event for our students and community.
In total, 131 students were candidates to receive an associate in arts, associate in fine arts, associate in science, or associate in applied science degree from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College this year. The full list of this year’s graduates and a recording of the 2023 FDLTCC Commencement ceremony are below.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College – Class of 2023
Clermont, FL
Moises Rivera
Ewa Beach, HI
Kaimana Preza
Romeoville, IL
Nakari Caruth
Kansas City, KS
Jehoiada Goins
Aitkin, MN
Nicole Kemp
Barnum, MN
Tricia Gottschalk
Kortney Johnson
Christen Klejeski
Elise Lehto
Bena, MN
Trina Headbird
Bovey, MN
Tyler Odden
Brainerd, MN
Crystal Weckert
Carlton, MN
Alisha Broneak
Kathleen Dagger
Arianna Griak
Jenae Miller
Megan Sherman
Cloquet, MN
Hailey Anderson
Jennifer Anderson
Winnie Benjamin-Hall
Shantell Berglund
Emma Calverly
Wing Chambers
Parker Childs
Jessica Christley
Tamara Crotteau
Jessica Dixon
Hannah Durfee
Mary Jane Eagle
Jessica Esselstrom
Maya Fairbanks
Keeanna Farleigh
Lacie Farmer
Taya Flaim
Jasmine Hale
Melissa Harper
Saul Jeanetta
Anita Johnson
Brittney Kemi
Francene LaDeaux
Kristina LaFave
Maddy Lawrey
Jordan Leimer
Donald Lokken
Reid Markfort
Alyssa Merrill
Kristina Modich
Ella Oveson
Morgan Petoletti
Brady Petite
Lynn Reynolds
Tasheana Rule-Garcia
Jake Semo
Trinity Semo
Angela Teigland
Allie Tibbetts
Mariah Willie
Cotton, MN
Owen Erickson
Culver, MN
Zachary Johnson
Duluth, MN
Lincoln Bailey
Jessica Bendas
Marcella Cherne
Jennifer Erickson
Jacob Fritz
Brenna Gelineau
Jon Hansen
Anna Hedman
Jennifer Hoffman
Alex Holmstrom
Zack Howard
Sami Hussein
Zoe Jones
Jonathan Laughlin
Preston Lee
Scott Lyytinen
Janaya Miller
Emma Miranda
Val Morton
Kateri Ojibway
Jenna Olsen
Maxwell Peterson
Jacob Saari
Elizabeth Schilla
Grace Simek
Jamie Wise
Mona Zeidan
Esko, MN
Addison Sertich
Jesica Wahlsten
Eveleth, MN
Jessa Behrman
Floodwood, MN
Abbie Suonvieri
Grand Marais, MN
Doran Acero
Hermantown, MN
Haylee Chalberg
Rebecca Towner
International Falls, MN
Owen Wherley
Isanti, MN
Jazzmin VanNett
Isle, MN
Mary Greene
Kerrick, MN
Olivia Lourey
Kettle River, MN
Jaharai Doward
Lake City, MN
Krysta Moore
McGregor, MN
Taria Aubid
Makayla Lightfeather
Minneapolis, MN
Louisa Lussier
Moose Lake, MN
Edward Couture
Onamia, MN
Tracy Opager
Thomasina Powell
Pine City, MN
Aaron Pulkrabek
Kensington Tayerle
Sandstone, MN
Alayna Matrious
Gracee Petersen
Miranda Solomon
Savage, MN
Terace Diver
Silver Bay, MN
Marcus Small
Sturgeon Lake, MN
Joni Johnson
Jasmine Tezak
Tamarack, MN
Kathryn DeMenge
Two Harbors, MN
Ryan Darsow
Wrenshall, MN
Joseph Bergman
Haleigh Peterson
Emma Port
Wright, MN
Elisabeth Kachinske
St. Charles, MO
Tyrone Eastern Jr.
Dewitt, NE
Dominic Smith
Farmington, NM
LeMonica Lopez
Houston, TX
Devoyne Provo-Smith
Ashland, WI
Sasha Couture
Mount Horeb, WI
Madeline Kraemer
Solon Springs, WI
Valerie Zhaawendaagozikwe
Springbrook, WI
Xavier Walt
Superior, WI
Kaden Kucza
Ashla Ojibway
Archie Yellow
Addie Young
Neebing, Ontario Canada
Daniel Walker