Cloquet, Minnesota (Akiing)

Two members of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FdLTCC) recently received distinguished awards for their professional accomplishments.

Bob Cresap, director of the College in the High Schools program, received the Certificate of Merit from Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota. The Certificate of Merit is one of the highest awards established by the Valley City State University Alumni Association to recognize alumni for service, accomplishments, and noteworthy honors.

He taught Physics and Mathematics at Cloquet Senior High School prior to his work at FdLTCC. His life-long career in education has spanned five decades. Sister Therese Gutting, vice president of academic affairs at FdLTCC, in nominating Cresap, wrote, “During the years Bob has been at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, the College in the High Schools program has grown to be one of the largest and highest-regarded programs in Minnesota.”

Michael “Mick” Gillespie, a science department faculty member, received the Outstanding American Indian Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year award from the Minnesota Indian Education Association for his accomplishments at FdLTCC. The Minnesota Indian Education Association awards honor American Indians in the field of education.

Gillespi teaches Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Chemistry, and was described by Gutting in her nomination letter as “an instructor who has the ability to instill knowledge and at the same time give above and beyond in order that the students succeed.”

Noting that Gillespie started as an adjunct faculty member at the college, Gutting wrote, “It was his indefatigable enthusiasm and hard work that won him an unlimited faculty position.”