Public face of community college is retiring

Got questions about Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College? For more than two decades, Tom Urbanski has been the person to ask many of those questions as the lead person for marketing and public relations. If Tom didn't know, he'd be able to point you in the right direction, almost always with an affable grin and likely more information than you even knew you needed.

At the same time, Urbanski has woven himself into the fabric of the larger Cloquet area community, serving on the city's Parks Commission, involving both students and community members in the college's costumed 5K race each fall, advocating for the city's Pine Valley Park and generally being a very engaged citizen.

Recently, Urbanski was recognized by his peers.

In March, he was one of seven national finalists for the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations Communicator of the Year during that organization's annual conference. Urbanski had earlier been named 2020 NCMPR District 5 Communicator of the Year; the district includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, the Canadian province of Manitoba, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.

NCMPR District 5 director Jeff Ebbing said the award is one of the most prestigious awards presented to an NCMPR colleague.

"In his 25-year career at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Tom Urbanski has had an immeasurable impact on the college," said Ebbing when presenting the award. "Tom is a one-person department, responsible for all college marketing and public relations tasks: collateral, publications, advertising, media relations, social media and website. He also oversees the new student recruitment process and supervises admissions office staff. So, it's safe to say that Tom is pretty busy. I have absolutely no idea how Tom has been able to do all of this and be so successful at it."

On Friday, Urbanski will hang up most of those hats and head off to retirement. The Pine Knot News took the opportunity to talk with him and find out what's next for this community-minded storyteller.

QWhat path did you follow to your position at FDLTCC?

AI have been lucky to follow a path I would not trade for anything else. Attended college at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, followed by five years working with at-risk youth and adults in the St. Paul school district, then a one-year stint with the Pine Knot newspaper, then three years as an account executive with the Westmoreland, Larson, Webster, Inc. advertising-public relations-publishing firm in Duluth, and finally 26 years at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

QYou wear many hats in your position there. How would you describe your job and all the roles you play?

ASince I'm a one-person department with a huge range of responsibilities and tasks to complete, most people might refer to me as a jack of all trades. I'm part marketing strategist, writer, photographer, webmaster, social media content producer, media relations contact, event coordinator, publisher, editor, data analyst, video director, public relations manager, sports information director, supervisor, historian, tour guide. ... I think that's enough that you get the idea I don't have a problem staying busy. There's rarely a dull moment, that's what keeps things interesting.

QHow has the college changed over the past 25 years since you started?

ALet's start with the obvious - it's a lot bigger. I was here for major building expansions to the north end, west wing, and two on the south end of the main building, plus the construction of the residence hall. More students, more employees, more academic program choices, and the ever-changing schedule of new events mixed in with traditional events each year keeps the campus environment moving forward.

Adding Thunder athletics was a major change and added a whole new set of opportunities for the college and our students. Personally, creating and coordinating community events like the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series about 22 years ago and the Pumpkin Run & Walk 5K Race 15 years ago have been a lot of fun, and extended the college's outreach to people who may not have had a reason to visit campus.

QWhat's your favorite thing to do at work?

AI'll summarize it as being a storyteller and source of information about all of the goodness that is Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. This might be writing a student success story, taking a photo that tells a story, answering a question, helping a student or colleague, or creating a brochure or video about a program. I have often said that I was built to do this job and that I am grateful that Jack Briggs and Bill Maki gave me the chance to be the key communicator for the college. It really was a perfect fit for me.

QWhat do you like to do when you're not at work?

AI have way too many hobbies and interests. Patti, my wife, laughs at me when I tell her what I might be thinking about doing on any given day. She usually responds by saying "and after you do all of that you're going to run a marathon too, right?" I guess I have always followed the "work hard, play hard" philosophy to life. Here's the list: Nordic ski, road bike, mountain bike, hike, run, golf, fish; I play bass guitar (still gigging in two bands), home brew, certified beer judge, volunteer, travel, read (I have about 50 books in my stack waiting to be read), plus I admit I watch too much television, and enjoy movies and live performances of music and theatrical productions.

QYou officially retire Friday, correct? What are your retirement plans?

AYes, my last day is April 2, 26 years exactly to my first day at the college on April 3, 1995. On Monday, I'm scheduled to get my first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. After that, I'll find ways to keep sharing my writing, photography and storytelling skills I have honed over the years. I've always got that list of projects and hobbies to tackle, too.

Q If you could have dinner with any three living people in the world, who would it be and why?

ATough question, probably one from the world leader category like Pope Francis. I'd pick another from the creative arts professions like actor Tom Hanks or music legend Bruce Springsteen. Finally, a guilty pleasure hobby from pro sports like Larry Bird or Kevin McHale or celebrity chef Bobby Flay (who my sister Sue has met and reminds me about)