Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) in Cloquet, Minnesota, is elated to announce 350 students attending the college during Fall Semester 2024 achieved high academic standing. 202 students earned Dean’s List honors for the semester grading period and 148 students earned President’s List honors.

Requirements for earning Dean’s List honors at FDLTCC include maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher while completing 6 or more course credits during the semester. Requirements for President’s List honors at FDLTCC include maintaining a GPA of 4.0 while completing 6 or more course credits during the semester. Students may take daytime classes, evening classes, weekend classes, online classes, or a combination of the above classes. A total of 1,784 full-time, part-time, PSEO, and College in the Schools students were enrolled at FDLTCC during the semester. 621 FDLTCC students took 6 or more credits during the semester making them eligible to earn Dean’s List and President’s List.

Fall 2024 Dean’s List

Fall 2024 President’s List

The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Foundation is thrilled to host the 12^th annual Food for Thought – A Tasting Event at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) on Thursday, January 16 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The fun event benefits student scholarships and features delicious entrée, dessert, and beverage samples plus a 50/50 board and fabulous raffle prizes. Tickets can be purchased at the event and are available now at the FDLTCC Business Office or from a FDLTCC Foundation board member. Learn more about the 12^th Annual Food for Thought – A Tasting Event at https://link.fdltcc.edu/FoodForThought.

“We’re excited to welcome everyone back for our biggest and best Food for Thought event yet!” shared FDLTCC Foundation Chair, Kate Mason, “This event is important for the FDLTCC Foundation’s work in raising scholarship funds for our students.  We appreciate our sponsors, the food vendors and the community coming out to support the school and our students.”

The FDLTCC Foundation exists to benefit and provide assistance to FDLTCC through the cultivation of outside resources to support the college as it strives to meet the needs of all students. Over the last 10 years, the FDLTCC Foundation has been able to award over $262,000 in scholarships to 237 students. Through its activities, the FDLTCC Foundation hopes to increase access to educational opportunities, improve the quality of life of students, and create an environment that will assist in building a stronger and richer community for the future.

“The support from the FDLTCC Foundation Scholarship Program has been incredibly meaningful to me and has played a significant role in my pursuit of education at FDLTCC,” shared current FDLTCC student, Carter Horvat, “The scholarship program has alleviated financial burdens, allowing me to focus more on my studies and personal growth rather than worrying about how to afford my education. It has provided me with the opportunity to fully engage in my coursework and develop skills that will help me in my future career.”

The 2025 Food for Thought – A Tasting Event will feature scrumptious samples from a wide number of local businesses including Arco Coffee,  Bent Paddle Brewing Co., Carmen’s Bar & Restaurant, Chef’s Marketplace, Cold One Liquor, Culligan Water of Cloquet, Holy Smokes Coffeehouse and BBQ, Mom’s Best Baklava, Northern Waters Smokehaus, Oasis del Norte, Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza, Pho’Holic Taste of Vietnam, Room at the Table, Sweet Treats by Aurora, and Seven Fires Steakhouse.

The FDLTCC Foundation extends thanks to everyone that helped make the 2025 Food for Thought – A Tasting Event possible including these generous donors: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, BARR Engineering, Black Bear Casino, Community Memorial Hospital, Community Printing, DSGW Architecture, Edward Jones, Enbridge, Merjent Foundation, Northwoods Credit Union, Pine Knot News, Sappi, Upper Lakes Food, and Whole Foods Coop

For more information about the January 16 event, please visit https://link.fdltcc.edu/FoodForThought or contact Stephanie Untiedt, at stephanie.untiedt*AT*fdltcc.edu.

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) hosted a special event to celebrate the College’s beautifully updated Commons and Amphitheater area on Wednesday, December 4. The event included speeches from FDLTCC President, Anita Hanson, and FDLTCC Title III Coordinator, Jeffrey Tibbetts. Renovations in the area started in May 2024 and concluded in late November.

“As you can see, our new flooring is more than just an improvement to our facilities,” shared FDLTCC President, Anita Hanson, “It is a meaningful upgrade that reflects the cultural significance of our Tribal and non-Tribal communities. The intricate design of the flooring is a beautiful addition to a college that is known for its architectural design, symbolism, and our Union of Cultures philosophy, which embraces the blending of diverse perspectives and ways of knowing.”

The renovated Commons and Amphitheater area features a beautiful terrazzo design starting at the College’s main entrance and connecting with the terrazzo floor in the building’s south wing featuring the College’s five core values that was completed in 2019. The plans for both areas began in 2018 with meetings between DSGW staff and a number of FDLTCC employees.

“From the 2018 planning, the concept of campus-wide storytelling through a cohesive flooring design was a goal. The group wanted a vision, over time, knowing that portions of the overall concept would be executed over many years,” shared Julie Spiering, Principal Interior Designer and CFO with DSGW.

The Commons / Amphitheater floor design is divided into 3 primary sections. First, the amphitheater floor features two otters swimming. The otter design was inspired by the painting “The Twins” by FDLTCC Fine Arts program coordinator and renowned Anishinaabe visual artist, Karen Savage-Blue, to honor FDLTCC’s late Anishinaabe Instructor, Dan “Gaagigebines,” Jones and his twin brother, Dennis.

The second element of the terrazzo design features the St. Louis River Estuary. The design starts with Gichigami (Great Sea of the Ojibwe a.k.a. Lake Superior) at the Thunder Deli and continues under the space’s new tables and chairs to the Fond du Lac Reservation. The river design was chosen to represent the College’s longstanding Union of Cultures guiding principle.  A variety of place names can be seen throughout the design. The place names were chosen for their historical significance and familiarity among all people in this area.

The final portion of the design extends along the wall of windows facing the College’s medicine garden. This portion features braided sweetgrass with the 13 phases of the moon. The moons represent the cyclical and seasonal lifestyle of the Anishinaabe.

“Sweetgrass (wiingashk) is used in ceremonies, in basketmaking or as an edging, and as a medicine,” shared Tibbetts, “Ceremonially, sweetgrass can purify the air or body, and sometimes done after sage is burned, sweetgrass can then welcome positivity. The three braids represent the mind, the body, and the spirit. That is what we holistically aim to nurture and respect here at FDLTCC.” Tibbetts is the Title III Coordinator at FDLTCC and was one of the many project contributors.

The update was made possible with Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) Funds in 2020. HEAPR funds exist for higher education capital projects that are intended to preserve and replace existing campus facilities. ​

During his speech, Tibbetts shared, “As you walk or spend time in this space, it is my hope you carry with you all the positivity, the strength, and the compassion that we have tried to represent here and chi-miigwech to all that have worked on this project.”

The updates to the Commons and Amphitheater at FDLTCC was made possible with contributions from numerous groups including DSGW Architecture, Max Gray Construction, Advanced Terrazzo & Tile, Noto Design, CMTA Engineers, Todd Signs, Pegasus Group, Minnesota State, Fond du Lac Reservation’s Cultural Language and Learning Center and Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang (OOG) program, and several of the College’s faculty and staff.

The Human Services Club at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) is thrilled to host the annual Holiday Celebration on Friday, December 13, 2024. The holiday fun continues Saturday, December 14, 2024, with an Arts and Crafts Holiday Market and Winter Warm Up: A FDLTCC Live Open Mic. To learn more about these festive holiday activities and other upcoming events on the beautiful FDLTCC campus, please visit: https://link.fdltcc.edu/events.

The FDLTCC campus will be decorated with lights, trees, and lots of cheer for the annual Holiday Celebration, thanks to the FDLTCC Human Services Club. The great family event, hosted by the FDLTCC Human Services Club, takes place from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the FDLTCC commons on Friday, December 13.

“The light in a young child’s eyes as they see Santa and Mrs. Clause makes all the hard work worth it,” shared FDLTCC Human Services Club member, Katie Gould.

The annual Holiday Celebration will include food, games, drawings for great prizes and much more. Plus, every child in attendance will receive a wonderful gift from Santa!

“The Holiday Celebration brings joy to those of all ages, gifts and treats for all! The event brings the community together,” shared FDLTCC Human Services Faculty Member, Greta Winter-Jarvinen.

For more information on this free, family event, please visit: https://fdltcc.edu/event/holiday-celebration/ or contact FDLTCC Human Services Program Coordinator, Don Jarvinen, at jarvinen*AT*fdltcc.edu.

Don’t forget to come back on Saturday to discover wonderful gifts for family and friends at the Arts and Crafts Holiday Market December 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the FDLTCC Commons. Artists, bakers, and craft makers will have their unique works for sale. For more information on the event, or if you’d like to be a vendor, please visit https://fdltcc.edu/event/arts-crafts-holiday-market/ or contact FDLTCC Dean of Indigenous and Academic Affairs, Roxanne DeLille, at roxanned*AT*fdltcc.edu.

Stay a little longer and join the Ojibwemowining Digital Arts and Storytelling Studio for our Winter Warm Up: A FDLTCC Live Open Mic on Saturday, December 14, from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. The event will include music, stand up, and fashion. Cost for the evening event is on a $5 – $15 sliding scale but tickets are free for students and artists. For more information on the event, please visit https://fdltcc.edu/event/winter-warm-up-a-fdltcc-live-open-mic/ or contact FDLTCC Multimedia Production Coordinator, Augustin Ganley at augustin.ganley*AT*fdltcc.edu.

CLOQUET, MN— On October 14, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) hosted more than 350 students from area schools for an interactive day of learning for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The event aimed to provide information about local Indigenous people with content focused around the 7 Grandfather Teachings.

According to the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School, “Ojibwe oral tradition tells us that there were 7 Grandfathers who were given the responsibility by the Creator to watch over the Earth’s people”. The Seven Grandfathers gave the people seven gifts, which are Nibwaakaawin (Wisdom), Zaagi’diwin (Love), Minaadendamowen (Respect), Aakode’ewin (Bravery), Gwayakwaadiziwin (Honesty), Dbaadendiziwin (Humility), and Debwewin (Truth).

“We were happy to host the Indigenous Peoples’ Day event. These types of events are really what we’re about at FDLTCC; they are the fulfillment of our mission and broaden appreciation for the richness of our local communities,” shared Roxanne DeLille, FDLTCC Dean of Indigenous and Academic Affairs.

While rotating between 7 sessions, middle school and high school students from Esko, Barnum, Wrenshall, and Carlton had a chance to learn about baaga’adowewin (traditional stick lacrosse), food sovereignty, Indigenous wisdom from the land, and much more.

During the Debwewin (Truth) session, students had the chance to explore the Why Treaties Matter exhibit, which is currently on display in the Ruth A. Myers Library at FDLTCC. According to the exhibit’s Facebook page, the traveling exhibition “stimulates conversations as it explores the Native nations in Minnesota and their history of treaty making with the United States.” The exhibition will be on display at FDLTCC through October 21 and the community is encouraged and welcome to tour the exhibit while it is on display. To learn more about the Why Treaties Matter traveling exhibition, visit treatiesmatter.org. For information about touring the display at FDLTCC, contact Keith Cich, FDLTCC Librarian, at keith.cich*AT*fdltcc.edu.

“Listening to local students have real meaningful conversations about how our area was settled was so encouraging!” shared Lyz Jaakola, FDLTCC Faculty and Fond du Lac Tribal College board member, “It’s always a hope that we will see good things come from events like this, but we all got to experience it in real time.”

For more information on the Indigenous Peoples’ Day event at FDLTCC, please contact Taylor Warnes, FDLTCC’s Director of Marketing and Communication, at taylor.warnes*AT*fdltcc.edu.

The former Law Enforcement program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) is now the Criminal Justice / Peace Officer (CJPO) program.  The new name reflects the important changes in how officers serve their communities and interact with the public.  The former focus on enforcement has been replaced with a deeper understanding of officers’ roles in ensuring justice and providing service. To learn more about the CJPO program, please visit https://fdltcc.edu/degrees-certificates/degree-programs/criminal-justice-peace-officer/.

In addition to the name change, classes on mental health, crisis management, inclusiveness, leadership, and the more traditional police sciences are included in the program’s updated curriculum.  The mission of the CJPO program at FDLTCC is to provide exceptional theoretical and experiential learning opportunities to our students with a focus on best practices in 21st Century Policing, procedural justice, ethics, diversity, crisis management, and embracing the tenants of community policing-building partnerships, preventing crime and fear of crime, and innovative problem solving.

“Enrolling as a student in the Criminal Justice and Peace Officer program at FDLTCC is your first step to a lifelong commitment in one of the most noble professions known to humankind,” shared CJPO Skills Coordinator, Joel Olejnicak.

Many members of the CJPO program faculty are actively working in the field, which enables them to bring current real-world experience to every class. Additionally, graduates from the CJPO program at FDLTCC enter the field prepared to serve their community and fill important positions at agencies across the state.

“Our Criminal Justice / Peace Officer degree program has earned the respect and trust from public safety leaders because they know our students are best prepared to be day one ready to serve and make a meaningful impact in the public safety careers they choose,” shared CJPO Program Coordinator, Mike Tusken.

Students interested in the CJPO program or other programs at FDLTCC can apply to the college for free at any time by visiting https://fdltcc.edu/admissions/apply-here/.

To learn more about the CJPO program and degree options available within the program, please visit https://fdltcc.edu/degrees-certificates/degree-programs/criminal-justice-peace-officer/. For media inquiries, FDLTCC Director of Marketing and Communications, Taylor Warnes, at taylor.warnes*AT*fdltcc.edu.

Learn about the Criminal Justice / Peace Officer program at FDLTCC