Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University celebrateD 48 degree and certificate candidates during the 2023 Commencement Ceremony, on Saturday, May 20 at the LCO Honor the Earth Powwow grounds. Graduates included eight with Bachelor of Science degrees in business administration and human services and 30 with associate degrees in liberal arts, Native American studies, Native American studies-language emphasis, human services, accounting, agriculture and natural resources, early childhood education, nursing, small business management and others with certificates in AODA, early childhood education and Ojibwe language.Â
LCOO University President Dr. Russell Swagger led the opening and closing processional. During acknowledgments, he thanked the Eck Family Foundation for large donations to the University. He also noted the university had received another $5 million from the federal government for a future dormitory that along with a previous $5 million received would help build a facility that would house over 100 students, and he also noted plans for future family housing and also new bachelor degrees in education and Ojibwe language and a Ph.D degree in a program yet to be announced.
Speaking for the Board of Regents, the Honorable Monica Isham, recently elected Sawyer County Circuit Judge — the first woman judge in Sawyer County and second Native American Circuit Court Judge in Wisconsin — encouraged the graduates to pursue their dreams.
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These graduates received their degrees and certificates on Saturday, May 20.
American Indian College Fund (AICF) Student of the Year, Kristy Baccam works at the University of Wisconsin-Madison but earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at LCOO University.
LCOO University President Dr. Russell Swagger led the opening and closing processional. During acknowledgments, he thanked the Eck Family Foundation for large donations to the University. He also noted the university had received another $5 million from the federal government for a future dormitory that along with a previous $5 million received would help build a facility that would house over 100 students, and he also noted plans for future family housing and also new bachelor degrees in education and Ojibwe language and a Ph.D degree in a program yet to be announced.
Speaking for the Board of Regents, the Honorable Monica Isham, recently elected Sawyer County Circuit Judge — the first woman judge in Sawyer County and second Native American Circuit Court Judge in Wisconsin — encouraged the graduates to pursue their dreams.
Keynote Speaker Marie Basty, a member of the Board of Regents and director of the Bizhikii Wellness Center, talked of her educational and professional career and how she overcame difficulties to eventually obtain a Master’s degree.
Some of the students had Ojibwa-inspired art on their motor boards. This one belonged to Lyndsy Rae Morrow who earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services.
Lorraine Gouge, vice chair of the LCO Tribal Governing Board and a graduate of LCOO University, congratulated the graduates and noted their importance to making the tribe and community stronger.
These are the students and faculty of the nursing program.
As Dr. Debra Anderson read off the names, the students came forward and Dr. Russell Swagger handed them their diplomas.
After graduates received their diploma, they had their photos taken.
Trya Collins stands with family members to celebrate her Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts.
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