Groundbreaking Held for Campus Expansion of the LCO Ojibwe University

LCOOU

Press Release

Artist Rendering of the dormitory

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University held a ceremony to commemorate the groundbreaking of its new student housing project on Monday, June 10, 2024.

The groundbreaking ceremony was for the LCOOU Student Housing at the LCOOU Farm, 13457 W. Froemel Road.

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University 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 Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University students and our communities,” shared Dr. Russell Swagger, President of Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University.

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.

Artist rendering

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:  https://woodstoneinc.com/

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: https://lse-architects.com/ 

About Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University

The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University’s mission is to provide Anishinaabe communities with post-secondary and continuing education while advancing the language, culture, and history of the Ojibwe.

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (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 http://lco.edu 

Artist rendering