LCOOU
Press Release
(photos after article)
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University celebrated 44 undergraduates and 12 master’s degree graduates on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
Proceeding the processional drums, flag song, and posting of colors, President Russell Swagger, St. Croix member and Lac Courte Oreilles descendant, delivered the welcome address.
Following, Dennis “Mezinaanikwad” White, who has had great impact on our University and community, was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in Ojibwe Language, Math and Fine Arts.
“Dennis is a pillar not only of the University community but also of the Lac Courte Oreilles community and beyond. His presence and guidance shaped the way we do business as a University. You will see his influence throughout today’s commencement ceremony. Many communities and organizations across the country also recognize Dennis as a traditional knowledge holder. Many often call on him to advise, teach, demonstrate, and pray. His humble demeanor and gentle teaching style embody the spirit of our ancestors and how they taught the young in their charge. He also embodies our elders, the original educators, whose wisdom and vision echo through the University’s mission today. This honor the University is bestowing on Dennis highlights the areas in which he has risen to expert level in his life and the areas through which he has shared his gifts with the world,” President Swagger said.
A doctor honoris causa (honorary doctorate) is a distinction conferred by a university or similar institution upon an individual as a significant acknowledgment of that person's outstanding contribution and impact on their field of expertise.
Following this distinguishment, LCO Tribal Governing Board Representative David Bisonette and Board of Regents Vice Chairperson, the Honorable Judge Monica “Zhaawanagiizhigookwe” Isham, offered congratulatory remarks.
Donna LaSieur, LCO member and alumni of the University’s first graduating class, delivered the keynote address. Her granddaughter Andre’Anna Acosta (LCO member) delivered the 2024 AICF Student of the Year address.
In the fall of 2022, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) fully accredited the University’s two master’s degrees in human services and business Administration. We offered the first master’s degree courses at that time, where, to reflect the change in program offerings, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College also formally became Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University.
Today, May 18, 2024, we recognized our first graduates in each of these programs with a hooding ceremony. A hooding ceremony confers a special recognition upon graduates receiving masters’ or doctoral degrees. While modern day undergraduates wear robes and caps, those with masters’ or doctorate degrees are presented with hoods to show their continued pursuit of knowledge. Such hoods are an expression of tradition and are used to communicate the wearer’s school, degree, and field of study for the rest of their lives. Dr. Tom DePaoli hooded the Master of Science in Business Management graduates, and Dr. Laura Berg hooded the Master in Human Services graduates.
Additionally, the Associate Degree of Nursing graduates participated in the Nightingale Pledge and a pinning ceremony.
“The Nightingale Pledge dates to 1893, it reflects the values of nursing and serves as a moral compass to guide nursing practice. The Nightingale Pledge is a vow to prioritize the well-being of patients. Graduates were pinned by a person who supported them through their studies,” Nursing Program Director Jamie Gohde said.
The 2024 commencement celebration concluded with a feast.
Congratulations to our graduates:
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Business Management
Kathleen L. Baker Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Rebecca A. Benton Red Cliff Outreach
Lydia DeNasha Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Christine L. Haling Lac du Flambeau Outreach
Amanda Marie Martinson Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Laura M. Miranda Bad River Outreach
Lisa Schuman Lac du Flambeau Outreach
Human Services
Carlena S. Dennis Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Tina Elizabeth Garner Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Fartuney Haji-Ali Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Misty MorningStar King Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Kimberly R. Revoy Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Biology
Roberto Angel Pacheco** Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Business Management
Kaylee Trepanier** Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Human Services
Andreah Bonney* Red Cliff Outreach
Eunice Jay Zamora Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Liberal Arts
Andre’anna Little Rose Acosta** Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Russell Wilbur Corbine Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Shaylena Rose Corbine Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Hunter J. Karaszewski Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Misty Nordin Red Cliff Outreach
Melena V. Potack Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Elaine Quaderer Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Kalianna Rachel Quaderer Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Renee L. Topping** Red Cliff Outreach
Native American Studies—Language Emphasis
Ashley Armstrong Lac du Flambeau Outreach
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE
Accounting
Taylor LaPointe Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Natasha Rose Miller Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
Orion Johnson Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE
Human Services
Erica Ferguson Bad River Outreach
Nursing
Falhad Abdulkadir Gabow* Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Kristen Nickel Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Rosemarie Serra* Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Kodie Stoner** Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Chelsea Tripodi* Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Small Business Management
Jeannie M. Buckholtz Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Darien Marie Carley Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
CERTIFICATE
AODA
Andreah Bonney Red Cliff Outreach
Early Childhood Education
Meliya Martinson Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Tianah N. Toman Bad River Outreach
Charisse Fawn Wilber Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Barbara M. Zaari Bad River Outreach
SPECIALIZED CERTIFICATE
Ojibwe Language
Ashley Armstrong Lac du Flambeau Outreach
Edwina Buffalo-Reyes Red Cliff Outreach
Danielle Grover Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Misty Nordin Red Cliff Outreach
Roberto Angel Pacheco Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Jaelyn Quaderer Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Kalianna Rachel Quaderer Lac Courte Oreilles Campus
Jill Sterett Lac du Flambeau Outreach
Jody Sterett Johnson Lac du Flambeau Outreach
GED/HSED
Daleigha R. Bird Mandi LeFernier
Heaven Bird Jason LaRush
Mayme Crone Roberta Miller
Vinessa Homesky Alvin Shields
Sasha Isham Josephine M. Tosland
Graduation Honors
***Summa Cum Laude 3.90 to 4.0 GPA
**Magna Cum Laude 3.70 to 3.89 GPA
*Cum Laude 3.50 to 3.69 GPA
