â€śHosting a blood drive coincides with LCOOU's core values of giving back to the community,” said Linda Londre. “With a simple blood donation, we can help save the life of someone who could be a coworker, loved one, or neighbor.”

Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients, and trauma victims, according to the Red Cross.

 â€śThe short amount of time it takes to donate can mean a lifetime to a patient with a serious medical condition. We urge eligible donors to join us in the selfless act of giving blood.”

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, and A negative. According to the Red Cross, type O negative is the universal blood type that can be safely transfused to anyone and is often used to treat trauma patients.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, email llondre@lco.edu or sign up online at redcrossblood.org. 

On Wednesday Swagger informed the university's board of regents about his decision and the board accepted his resignation earlier today.

The Board of Regents intends to initiate a search for the next president of the university.

In the interim, Karen Breit will serve as acting President.

Dr. Swagger was appointed as the president of ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć in 2018, where he successfully transitioned the institution from a community college to a university.

 The ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć Elementary/Middle School Education Program will focus on preparing teachers, increasing Native American teacher retention rates in Wisconsin, increasing Ojibwe Immersion Teachers, and increasing the diversity of teachers. LCOOU Education Program will respond to under-served geographic areas (rural reservations), particularly in understaffed content areas such as mathematics and science. The Elementary/Middle School Education Program prepares teachers to plan, instruct, assess, and adjust. Teachers graduating from LCOOU Education Program will know, understand, implement, and assess the cultural experience of all children by integrating Culturally Responsive Schooling and implementing social justice education. Teachers will be prepared to assist children with space based education and land based education by being aware of our connection to the earth and the importance of protecting natural resources. A reciprocal obligation not only to our earth but to each other will be emphasized by utilizing Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Graduates with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary/Middle School Education could pursue a career as a licensed elementary school teacher, daycare administrator, preschool teacher, Ojibwe immersion teacher, or substitute teacher.

On February 11, 2025, the Elementary/Middle School (K–9) program submission was approved by Dr. Kimberly Strike, an Education Consultant with the Licensing, Educator Advancement, and Development division at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Strike stated, “I am honored to be a part of your journey, and I know the work you and your team put into this process. Please know that your dedication to the field [of education] is greatly appreciated. I look forward to the completion of our state’s first bilingual Ojibwe candidates.”

LCOOU’s President Swagger said, “This degree is very important to our people because we need to prepare our future generations for the challenges that await us. A strong teacher education degree program will be a great starting point for those changes to take place.”

An open house is planned for April 25, 2025 at LCOOU.

To learn more about this degree program or to enroll, contact the LCOOU Admissions team at 715-634-4790 or visit the website at /admissions.

When: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Where: ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć,

13466 W. Trepania Road, Hayward, WI 54843

You can support the student scholarship fund by donating here: /give

¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć (LCOOU) awarded $47,000 in scholarships to 58 students for the Fall 2024 semester. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients!

Colette Abeita

 Annetmaureen Anunike

 Parker  Arntsen-Beaudin

 Callie Asp

 Cody  Atchison

 Levi Bartz

 Brianna Bellcourt

 Jeannie Buckholtz

 Jordan  Campbell

 Elaina  Corbine

 Elissa Decora

 Carrie  Enoch

 Amoh Etta

 Jamie  Fleming

 Brittany  Gordon

 Alana  Gouge

 Giavonni  Grover

 Gerard  Guyette

 Fartuney H. Haji-Ali

 Sereniti  Havens

 Leah  Hoffman

 Mercedez  Isham

 Kay Lynn  Jensen

 Marissa  Johnson

 Samantha  Kappeler

 Destiny Kingfisher

 Gina Krizan

 Gabriel  LaBlang

 Desmond  LaPointe

 Robert Manning

 Duane  Miller

 Natasha Miller

 Ricky Miller

 Doreen  Milligan-Smith

 Ronald Nordin

 Doris  Nwabunma

 Christine  Olson (Maiwald)

 Kimberly  Oshkeshequoam

 Christieanna Roberts

 Clarice  Roberts

 Jessica  Rought

 Consuelo  Ruiz

 Pamela St. Germaine

 Erica M  Toman

 Janey  Trepanier

 Faith   Trout

 Hannah Tutor

 Desiree Week

 Eunice  Zamora

Support Student Scholarships: /give

To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must be a full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 credits while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Those who achieve the Dean’s List are full-time students who have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0.

President’s List Fall 2024

Cody Atchison

Jeannie Buckholtz

Darien Carley

Amy Gonzalez

Natasha Miller

Veda Sunderland

Erica Toman

Marcus Williams

Dean’s List Fall 2024

Christie Branagan

Jordan Campbell

Elaina Corbine

Leah Hoffman

Kay Jensen

Marissa Johnson

Desmund Lapointe

Student-Led Teams Developed Plans To Increase Food Sovereignty Using Renewable Energy 

DOE also today announced 14 Phase 1 winners of the American-Made . Student-led groups teamed up and created plans to increase the use of renewable energy to support Tribal food sovereignty initiatives on TCU campuses.  

“TCU’s hold unique ties to land, language, and Indigenous knowledge to foster a regenerative economy,” said Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns. “The $4 million prize selections will support 14 student led teams in demonstrating how clean energy compliments and strengthens Indigenous food sovereignty.”  

TCUs of Phase 1 winning teams were each awarded a $40,000 cash prize and will advance to Phase 2a.

The teams represent:  

• Blackfeet Community College

• Cankdeska Cikana Community College

• College of Muscogee Nation

• DinĂ© College

• Iḷisaġvik College

• Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College

• ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć

• Navajo Technical University

• Northwest Indian College

• Oglala Lakota College

• San Carlos Apache College

• Sinte Gleska University

• Stone Child College

• White Earth Tribal & Community College.

.

Regards,
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
1000 Independence Ave. SW | Washington DC 20585

For more information on the Office of Indian Energy,  and follow us on social media.

 1.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will continue to implement our mission by expanding our services and strengthening our relationships to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

·         Implemented the elder discount policy for the next fiscal year. Review as needed annually.

·         Continued memberships to MASFAA (Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators), WASFAA (Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators), and NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

·         Continued FAFSA assistance to local schools.

·         Revised Financial Aid Policies & Procedures to align with the Department of Defense regulations for VA students and community members. Review as needed yearly.

·         Developed Financial Statements templates to provide Monthly Financial Statements to the Board of Regents.

·         Hosted campus expansion ground blessing and groundbreaking event celebrating new dormitories.

·         Campus expansion briefing to Tribal Governments, community foundations, and partners.

·         Hosted the 4th Annual Seven Generations Inter-tribal Leadership Summit in partnership with the College of Menominee Nation and Universities of Wisconsin.

·         Attended the State of Education Address in Madison.

·         Met with state representatives to share progress and future goals of the University.

·         Hosted Federal and State representatives on campus discuss partnership opportunities to support future goals of the University.

·         Attended the Johnson Scholarship Foundation Annual Meeting.

·         Attended the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

·         Attended the Sawyer County/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corporation Annual Meeting.

·         Hosted Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board’s Winning with Wisconsin event.

·         Increased recruitment staffing to two full time recruiters.

·         FY24-25 Budget was approved.

2.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will practice ethical and responsible conduct by continuing to develop and care for those in its employ.

·         Reviewed and processed Colleague procedures for 1099s, 1098-Ts, and W-2s.

·         Faculty and staff interviewed with WOJB and WRLS, ongoing.

·         Under new policy, employees that fall under “hourly” have been set up and timecards and training have been established.

·         Implemented the Grant Compliance Administrator position to work with grant project managers from application to end of grant; LCOOU administers approximately 50 grants.

·         Implemented the grant application procedure to ensure notification of management that a grant application is available, seek approval for grant application, and work with the CFO and Grant Compliance Administrator on application and budget for grant to ensure goals of the University are implemented in the grant and all allowable costs are requested and budgeted for appropriately.

·         The Dean of Students participated in the American Indian College Fund Women’s Visionaries Program

3.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will proactively pursue innovative ways to enhance current support services and create new opportunities for its students and alumni.

·         Hosted the 3rd annual Migiziwag Dayesaashijig Gala, honored Christian Clarquist as Alumni of the Year.

·         Remodeled the university front entrance area which included painting, lights and the creation of a new space for the vending machines.

·         Reviewing the Amnesty program for the 2024-2025AY

·         Hosted Niigaaniziwin at the U event featuring Jay Schlender, GLIFWIC Administrator.

·         Spring and Fall 2024 registration mailer sent to area homes.

·         Announced new institutional scholarships – Marie Kuykendall Scholarship & Waaswaaganing Scholarship Fund.

·         Hosted the 4th Annual ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć Student Scholarship Golf Outing raising more than $25,000 to support the Student Scholarship Fund.

·         Amending the financial aid policy to better fit our needs.

·         Attended the Higher Learning Commission conference.

·         Emergency Aid distributions 50 students served $15,554.79 in aid distributed.

·         Internships 30 total

·         GED/HSED Graduates 21; GED/HSED participants 40

·         GED/HSED Outreach Sites 4 students

·         TRIO served 98 students

·         Events:

o   Community: Feast of Thanksgiving, Resource Fair, Career Fair, FASFA Nights

o   Student: Fun Study Week, Writing Workshops, TRIO Workshops, Internship Appreciation

·         Peer Mentors/Tutors 4 and served 12 students

·         Tutor software: Tutor.com 8 students

·         UWill Served 52 student/staff; 122 booked appointments

4.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will continue to evaluate current academic offerings and develop new programs to meet the needs of the tribal and surrounding communities we serve.

·         Revitalized LCOOU Extension programming, offering many different Ojibwe Traditional crafts, harvesting wild foods and bringing in over 1300 Continuing Education Units in the spring of 2024.

·         State of Wisconsin approved us as an Emergency Medical Service Training Center

·         HLC approved the Emergency Medical Responder training course.

·         HLC approved the Emergency Medical Technician certificate

·         Hosted Native Nations Summit

·         Nursing program complete site visit from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

·         Masters of Management refined and created seven out of the nine courses for the degree.

·         Masters of Human Services created second year courses. Created courses to be fully functional online courses which meets the needs of advancing students from all areas.

·         First time Masters in Management and Masters of Human Services graduates in May 2024.

·         Masters of Management program created a student Welcome aboard package and Zoom meetings in anticipation of an additional cohort of students.

·         Early Childhood Education program received a $310,000 grant from the American Indian College Fund to expand the program.

·         Moving Early Childhood Education certification to Career and Technical Education.

 5.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will continue to develop relationships to increase the capacity to accomplish its goals and meet the needs of its students.

·         Entered a contract with Woodstone, Inc. for the construction of the dorms.

·         Broke ground on student dormitories.

·         Revised Financial Aid Policies & Procedures to align with the Department of Defense regulations for VA students and community members. Review as needed annually.

·         Created and implemented scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

·         Reviewing student account balances and communicating with students to sign up for payment plans. Implemented new payment plan options for students. There was a 9.5% increase from previous semesters of students who signed up for a payment plan.

·         Implemented TouchNet software and students can make payments online and sign up for payment arrangements.

·         Implemented course fees and additional student charges for the Colleague system.

·         Financial Aid disbursed $910,599 to eligible students in Fall 2023

·         Financial Aid disbursed $68,500 to 75 students who completed the LCOOU Scholarship for Fall 2023

·         The Financial Audit was Approved.

·         Created a partnership with the Student Freedom Initiative to provide financial tools, work opportunities, technology, relationship building, and more.

·         Received AICF-TCU Scholarship for Summer 2024- $29,930

·         Disbursed over $1,292,321 of financial aid to eligible students for the 2023-2024 award year.

·         FISAP was approved.

·         Completed write-offs for deceased students.

·         Communicated with students informing them of the new payment plan policy for registration and worked with students to set them up.

·         Updated the fiscal policy to have a holds policy to assist with student balance collection.

Although at first, Jamie had a rough start. She dropped out of high school in tenth grade and pursued odd jobs while moving around Minnesota and Michigan. Housekeeping, front desk jobs, night audits, waitressing gigs, and assisted living caregiving count among her work experiences. Additionally, when she moved back home to Lac Courte Oreilles, Jamie “made a couple of mistakes.” She was incarcerated in a federal prison in 2019, far away from her home and children. However, she reflected on her experiences during her incarceration, which led her to wanting a career in human services. When she got out in 2020, she enrolled herself in college at the LCOOU and began realizing her truer self, one step at a time. Today, she credits her mistake as a turning point in her life, as proof that one never knows what life has in store for them.

Since her release, she has attained full-time employment with The Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government. She started out as a mail-room clerk and was promoted to administrative assistant in 2021. Her promotion came after one year of taking on more responsibilities at her workplace. For example, she increasingly performed more reception tasks and delved into understanding disability benefits. Consequently, tribal members thank her day in and day out for helping them navigate the types of programs and benefits available to them within the tribe.

“I can recall a time not too long ago, before I began working for the tribe, where I didn't know of the benefits or help that was available to our members,” Jamie said. “So yeah, it's been a huge leap for myself and to acquire so much knowledge within the short time I have worked for my tribe. To assist other members with the knowledge I have gained, it's kind of emotional for me. I'm just happy to help my people prosper.”

Meanwhile, what Jamie is learning at University is helping her prosper too. She’s in a grant writing class that will bolster her human services skillset and apply to her job. Additionally, she’s taking more online psychology courses this fall, as the subject is one of her key interests.

Experiences, classes, and events like the ones Jamie highlighted about her journey at LCOOU lead her to readily encourage people to enroll at the University too. “If you’re confused, come to the front desk, and they’ll point you to the place you need to go,” Jamie said. “My sister is on the fence about it, and I have been telling her about helpful programs, like TRiO… It’s a big step, but it’s not that bad once you get in the doors… It’s not a huge campus; it’s convenient, and the smallness makes it close—like a family.”

Help us serve more people like Jamie. Donate today. Every donor matters and every donation counts.

In outlining the department’s goals, Dean Smith set up continuous conversations with UW-Madison about research grants; with UW-Stout about local logistical sustainability studies; with the LCOOU nursing faculty about the emergency medical services (EMS) program; and with local tribal communities about their vocational needs.

“I’ve always been mindful of our tribal needs first and foremost,” says Dean Smith. “I’ve received the community’s collective directives through feasibility studies. Now I’m working with a team of like-minded visionaries to develop our CTE programs in accordance with what those studies tell us.”

Where Dean Smith comes from informs her belief in the necessity for this area of development. She was born in Green Bay and grew up on the Oneida reservation as Donald Smith’s daughter, who served as the LCO Health Director for more than 35 years. Her grandparents are Henry and Agnes Smith, they owned a general store in New Post. Henry was also one of LCO’s first tribal chairmen, and Agnes believed so much in the power of education that she was taking college courses in her seventies.

Following in her family’s footsteps, Dean Smith holds a Master of Operations & Supply Chain Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stout that she uses to serve her communities. For example, her previous experiences include working with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce as a certified business plan writer and with Spirit Winds Consulting as a co-founder who helped Native-owned businesses become industry ready.

Her deep-rooted connection to and involvement with the LCO tribe sets her up for being an excellent Dean of Career and Technical Education, one who has faith in the community’s ability to enact positive change. As such, her efforts rely on those who support the University mission and operations through their continued development and funding of the CTE department.

Give to LCOOU

“My perspective shifted when I moved from being Assistant Dean to Dean of Student Services,” Dean Carley said. “Instead of overseeing Career Services and working alongside TRiO, for example, now I must oversee both. My work is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. I must keep asking myself and my team, what is the picture we’re trying to create?”

Dean Carley grew up on the LCO reservation. She and her father enrolled in a math class in 1989 at what was then Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College (Today: ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć). Afterward, she worked at Grand Casinos, INC., where she met her now husband Edwin A. Carley. They moved from Wisconsin to Mississippi to Delaware to assist in opening two other highly successful casinos. When they moved back to Wisconsin, she started working as a cage cashier for the Grindstone Creek Casino until she resigned after she was informed that she couldn’t read books during slow shifts. With family support she returned to LCOOCC and graduated with a liberal arts associate degree in 2003.

She then worked as an HR director for the LCO tribe for three years before joining LCOOCC as the Assistant for the Work Based Learning Program in 2005. After five years, she earned a promotion to the director position and later became the Associate Dean of Students Affairs & Work Based Learning Program. She maintains the same level of passion for her work as when she first started.

“We’ve always been surviving as LCO people. Forever we’ve been surviving, surviving. I want to see us shift to thriving,” Dean Carley said. “My hope is that we become a place of healing and self-reflection for those who walk through our doors. We all have a purpose in this life, and I want us to be a place that helps people find their purpose.”

Danielle Carley, previously Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Work Based Learning Program Director, is now the Dean of Students. 

Jeromy Cowell joined the team as Farm Director, and he will be working alongside the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department.  

Todd Van Deslunt was previously the Peer Mentor Advisor/Writing Lab Coordinator and is now Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Work Based Learning Program Director.

Brandy Lonetree-White was previously Director of Records & Registration and is now Registrar.

Kristy Phillips, previously Native American Studies Faculty, is now the Education Department Director.

Jodee Smith joined the team as Dean of Careers & Technical Education (CTE).

Ashley Stone joined the team as the new Bad River Outreach Site Coordinator & TRiO/SS Success Coach.

Dr. Odawa White, previously Dean of Institutional Research & Registrar, is now Chief Academic Officer (CAO).

“Each of these individuals have demonstrated exceptional loyalty to the University mission and exceptional leadership skills within their department and field. Their promotions are well-earned. What they have done and what they continue to do for the University and our neighboring communities is hopefully just the start of a long series of great contributions,” President Russell Swagger said.  

“She has exceptional qualities of character like honesty, compassion, and loyalty,” Dr. Steven wrote in his recommendation of Christian. “I truly do not have words to describe her passion for healthcare. Christian was chosen as the nurse of the month in June 2023 for the entirety of Indian Health Services (IHS). She helped lead the clinic and therefore the community during and through the pandemic of a lifetime.”

LCO born and raised, Christian crossed paths with the University as early as high school. The University offered the LCO School the chance to let their high school students take higher level classes for credit at the University. When she was a high schooler, Christian made use of that offer.

However, when the time came to go to college, Christian enrolled at a big university. She did not know that such a move meant she had to face the pressure of navigating a new city and a new community, alone, within a depersonalized institution. Faced with such significant downsides, she ended up leaving that university and enrolling at LCOOU, her mother’s alma mater.

“The part I will always cherish about LCOOU is the great classes and teachers. The smaller classes really helped me feel like it was okay to talk to my instructors when I had questions. If I did not understand a concept in class, I was able to meet with them, and they would explain it in a different way that made sense,” Christian said.

She pursued an associate degree in nursing and graduated in 2014. Although she previously thought of pursuing a career in the military or becoming a police officer, pursuing a career in nursing turned out to be the right choice for her, as in 2021, she became the Lac Courte Oreilles Community Health Clinic Director of Nursing due to her exceptional nursing skills.

“I have been working on a big project of getting Sexual Assault Exams and Intimate partner Violence Exams done in clinic. Currently we have three Registered Nurses (RN) working to get certified as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner—Adult (SANE-A) and one as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner—Pediatric (SANE-P). We hope that offering these exams close to home will help eliminate the added trauma of having to travel to a bigger city for an exam of this nature,” Christian said.

This is only the beginning for Christian. She is also currently in school for a bachelor’s degree in health administration. Surely, an impressive career awaits her. We wish her all the best!

Because of your donations, students like Christian can stay near home while pursuing degrees in higher education that lead them to making big, positive changes to their surrounding communities. Every dollar counts in making our students’ dreams come true. Support them via multiple, flexible donation options using the link below.

Give — Education for college students seeking a degree or certificate with a Native American perspective

(Lac Courte Oreilles)—June 18, 2024—On July 25, 2022, the Cable, WI community lost a dear friend and a legendary figure, Oscar Mattle. He was 91 years old. The night before he passed away, over a Sunday night dinner, Mattle expressed to his stepdaughter Danielle Krol, “How did I get so lucky to live on Lake Owen? This is my paradise.” This was a question and sentiment that Oscar expressed throughout the 30 years that he was married to Danielle’s mother, Genevieve Krol-Mattle, who died in 2016.

Oscar was grateful that he successfully immigrated to the United States from Basel, Switzerland. As soon as Oscar finished his tenure in the Swiss Army and apprenticeship as a tool and die maker he was determined to leave the familiarity of his parents and sister for a life of adventure. At 21, he boarded the ship, The Italia, at Le Havre harbor in France and arrived in New York on September 23, 1952.

Once he arrived to his uncle’s house in Bensenville, as a well-trained Swiss tool and die maker he was able to quickly land jobs with General Motors and Aetna Manufacturing in Bensenville, Illinois. For several years he worked two jobs and loved every minute. The Christmas season was slow for corporate America so Oscar would return to Switzerland to ski. As soon as he could, Oscar got a pilot’s license to operate a single engine plane. It was issued in December 1953. He had a pilot’s license before a driver’s license. He also served in the U.S. Army so he could quickly become a U.S. citizen.

Over a 30-year career at Aetna Manufacturing Oscar was proud that the company had made a part for NASA which is on the moon. Oscar eventually went from humble beginnings as a machine tool operator to President of Aetna Manufacturing. When Oscar retired Krafft family members relocated the company from Bensenville, Illinois to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Jim Rondeau, owner, Rondeau’s Hardware, Cable, WI stated that “Oscar was always making something unusual.” I would ask him: “What do you need it for?” Oscar would respond: “Rather than telling me it’s unusual, I’ll tell you what I am working on.” Rondeau also shared that during the 1950’s and 60’s people fixed things themselves and it was the “do-it-yourself era.” You never thought about hiring someone for plumbing, electrical, or building things.

At Oscar’s Memorial on Lake Owen, July 28, 2022, Jamie Roberts, owner of Cable Cafe, announced that she was naming the BLT sandwich “The Oscar” in honor of Oscar Mattle. He was a regular at the counter for breakfast ordering his favorite sandwich. Not only does Oscar have a sandwich named after him but his picture is also on a Swiss stamp. This is an honor for a man with humble beginnings in Switzerland who will never be forgotten by those whose lives he touched. He was unaware of his magic and special effect he had on others. Again, this was his way of “living under the radar.”

Following Oscar Mattle’s passing, Danielle wanted to honor Oscar’s Legacy by donating his metal and woodworking equipment to schools in the area. One of the recipients is ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć (LCOOU) who is a proud recipient some of those tools and educational materials.

On September 29, 2023, the Maintenance and Facilities staff from LCOOU visited Krol’s home in Cable, WI, where they picked the pieces LCOOU might need for future metal and wood working classes. The eleven pieces that were donated included the following: Shaper, Automotive Maintenance Machinery Co; Delta DJ 20 Jointer; Delta Homecraft Sander; Craftsmen Band Saw Sander; Craftsman 3 Band Saw Blades; Logan 10in Lathe, Model 200; Cataract Bench Lathe Hardinge Bros.; Porter Cable Router Table with motor and stand, Model 75362; Reliant Model 820 Sawdust Collector; Reliant portable dust collector bag; Famco, Arbor Press. In addition, there were books donated on woodworking and working with various pieces of equipment which were donated.

The University hopes to use some of those materials within the trade job classes they plan to offer students in the future. President Russell Swagger acknowledged the gifts, as he said, “Thanks to Ms. Krol’s donations and others like hers, we can consider the possibilities of expanding the range of classes we offer to our students. We already expand our education to aid both our Native and non-Native students beyond the classroom walls. But with metal and woodworking tools in our inventory, we could really work on aiding our students to think completely outside the box.”

The Cable and Wisconsin community lost an extraordinary human being in Oscar Mattle’s passing. A life well lived whose positive presence touched many lives.

In Memoriam, Oscar Mattle, February 4, 1931-July 25, 2022.

What: LCOOU Student Housing Groundbreaking Ceremony

When: Monday, June 10, 2024, at 10:00am

Where: LCOOU Farm (13457 W. Froemel Road, Hayward, WI 54843)

(Look for the temporary access road and signage)

¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć began planning for a campus expansion with a 2020 master facility plan. In the next few years, with support from Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, LCOOU received federal support in the amount of $10 Million for the development of student housing.

The University held a ground blessing ceremony at the site in the fall of 2023 to offer a prayer to the creator giving thanks for what we have and to clear our path to a successful future. LCOOU’s dormitory will be the first in a series of buildings constructed. The facility will have the capacity to house 82 students.

“This long-awaited moment in our 42-year history is the culmination of community needs assessments, student surveys, listening sessions, strategic planning, and growth at the University. The new student housing represents an opportunity for the communities we serve where there is a lack of housing. The dormitories will create additional support for our students while they pursue their education. This is another step in our strategic plan to better serve ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć students and our communities,” shares Dr. Russell Swagger, President of ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć.

The student dorms are one step along the journey of our campus expansion north of the LCOOU Extension Farm.

The student housing will have several amenities:

·         A large Retail area where students can purchase refreshments and LCOOU gear.

·         On-site Laundry facilities available to students 24/7.

·         Common areas will include a Great Room with seating and a fireplace where students and staff can gather under a state-of-the-art architectural wood ceiling.

·         Large Kitchen with all the amenities and lockers where students can securely store and prepare meals of their choice in a modern kitchen setting.

·         Elevator with access to all levels of the building.

·         The Reception/Security Area near the main entrance is always available to students and staff.

·         Four large living and meeting areas with two located on each level.

·         Spacious Dorm areas with lots of storage for students to securely keep their belongings.

·         Four separate study areas available for students to use 24/7.

·         A modern high-tech security system to keep students and staff secure.

·         An efficient and modern HVAC system designed to keep students comfortable.

·         Backup Generator able to power the entire building in case of power outage.

·         Large restrooms with modern and private shower rooms.

The University contracted LSE Architects to design the facility and Woodstone Inc. to manage the construction.

About Woodstone Inc.

Woodstone is one of the fastest-growing Native American owned construction companies in the country. The company has worked with 45 Tribes across 16 states. Services provided include preconstruction, construction management, and design-build. Woodstone’s mission is to build people, relationships, and communities to create lasting legacies. Learn more at: 

About LSE Architects

Founded in 2011 by Mohammed Lawal, Quin Scott, and Ron Erickson (co-founder of Korsunsky Krank Erickson Architects), LSE’s partners bring a combined history of over 90 years of producing high quality projects that exceed client expectations. LSE has extensive experience in multiple markets and truly understands the core business needs to make a project successful. Market areas include community, education, entertainment, development, office, gaming, hospitality, lodging and resorts. Learn more at:

About ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć

The ¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć’s mission is to provide Anishinaabe communities with post-secondary and continuing education while advancing the language, culture, and history of the Ojibwe.

¶¶ŇőĆĆ˝â°ć (LCOOU) is a non-profit Ojibwe tribal college. We are an open-door institution that is proud to serve American Indian students. LCOOU welcomes non-native students and celebrates a diverse student population at all of our locations.

Learn more at

To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must be a full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 credits while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Those who achieve the Dean’s List are full-time students who have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0.

Congratulations to our honorees!

President’s List Spring 2024

Christie L. Branagan

Jeannie M. Buckholtz

Karen C. Donahoe

Grant P. Gerber

Amy M. Gonzalez

Elizabeth J. King

Desmund E. Lapointe

Ramona M. Norton

Adele I. White

Dean’s List Spring 2024

Shukri M. Abdiwahab

Callie R. Asp

Levi A. Bartz

Andreah B. Bonney

Aaron A. Dukett

Mercedez K. Isham

Gina M Krizan

Kathryn A. Lapointe

Natasha R. Miller

Misty Nordin

Megan M. Nordin

Roberto A. Pacheco

Rosemarie B. Serra

Kodie M. Stoner

Chelsea Tripodi

Eunice J. Zamora