Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College marked its first in-person spring graduation ceremony since 2019 on Thursday, May 12. Sixty of the college's 126 graduates from fall 2021, spring 2022, and summer 2022 walked across the stage in the FDLTCC gym.

Taylor Warnes / FDLTCC

Commencement marshal Kylie McKeon, wearing a red robe, leads the graduates into the commencement ceremony.

Following two years of online graduation programs due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the gathering Thursday was a happy occasion for both staff and students. The ceremonies blended both graduation traditions, such as the playing of Pomp and Circumstance, with Anishinaabe traditions, including a pipe ceremony, drum circle and songs by the Oshkii Giizhik singers and the FDLTCC choir.

The commencement address was delivered by Dr. Thomas Peacock, author and co-owner of Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing. Student speakers included Sarah Durfee and Janice Sherman. Look for the list of graduates later this summer in the Pine Knot News.