Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College celebrated the Associate Degree Nursing Program Graduating Class of Fall 2025 during a Pinning Ceremony on Monday, December 22, 2025. The intimate ceremony featured speeches from FDLTCC Nursing student, Hannah Thums, and JoAnn Tingum, the Nursing Student Mentor. Dr. Jessica Huber, Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences provided the opening address and Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management, Damien Paulson, offered a welcome. The 12 graduates were pinned by family and friends during the ceremony.

“Tonight, as we receive our pins, we’re not just being welcomed into a profession. We’re accepting a responsibility,” shared Hannah Thums, “A responsibility to advocate for those whose voices are ignored. To protect the vulnerable. To challenge systems that fail our patients. To practice with compassion, cultural humility, and integrity. To keep learning, keep questioning, and keep showing up—even when it’s hard.”

The mission of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Nursing Program is to provide the education necessary for entry into nursing. This program prepares the graduate to provide culturally competent care. The program aims to educate nurses to be culturally sensitive, focusing on the health needs of the American Indian population and the rural community. Upon completion of this program the graduate will be eligible to sit for the licensure exam.

“As you prepare to enter the workforce, you are joining the consistently ranked number one most trusted profession,” shared Dean of Nursing, Dr. Jessica Huber, “This is not just a career – it is a calling. The way you show up matters. Your words, your actions, and your professionalism have the ability to positively influence patients, families, and entire teams – often in ways you may never fully see.”

The Associate Degree Nursing program at FDLTCC is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and holds accreditation with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

The Associate Degree Nursing Program Graduating Class of Fall 2025 includes:

Hibaq Ali *

Mary Ammesmaki **

Stephanie Ehnes

Alawna Gustafson

Christina Miller *

Dallas Olson **

Leah Swenson

Marisa Swenson *

Jade Swor *

Hannah Thums

Bradley Untiedt **

Rachel Vaughn *

 

** High Honors
* Honors

 

For more information on the Pinning Ceremony or the Nursing program at FDLTCC, please contact Cassandra Nicholson at cnicholson*AT*fdltcc.edu.

 

Testimonials

I chose FDLTCC because of its size and the curriculum. When I first came here in 2019, I was just looking for what I needed to volunteer, perhaps in a crisis shelter. I met with Don Jarvinen, and the rest is history.

My favorite thing about FDLTCC is the people. I’ve met fantastic students, faculty and staff who go above and beyond what I expected.

It is awesome here at the FDLTCC Education Program because it is like a family here, if you need help or are struggling with anything, you have quite a few people who will help you out.