Karen Wilde

DURANGO - Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced three appointments to the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College.

The appointment of Karen Wilde represents the first Native American to be named to the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College. FLC began as an educational institution with the transformation of the Fort Lewis military post to an Indian boarding school. Due to the Sacred Trust established nearly a century ago, the College continues to offer all Native Americans a tuition-free education.

Ms. Wilde is employed by the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus as a senior professional research assistant and coordinator of the Healthy Heart Project. Previously she served as an advocate for the Native American people during her tenure with the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.

Ms. Wilde will fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Patricia Noyes and will serve the remainder of Ms. Noyes’ term, which expires on December 31, 2009.

Former Representative Mark Larson was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1998. During his time in the House, he was instrumental in obtaining approval from the General Assembly to create the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College.

In his career as a legislator, Mr. Larson was honored many times for his work. He was chosen as Legislator of the Year more than 25 times by such entities as the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the Colorado Hospice Organization, and the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition.

Mr. Larson’s wife, daughter and son all graduated from Fort Lewis College. In 2007, FLC honored Mr. Larson with an honorary degree. He is also a recipient of the College’s Distinguished Service Award.

Mr. Larson’s appointment will run through December 31, 2012.

Leonel Silva

Leonel Silva was reappointed by the Governor for a third term on the Board of Trustees for Fort Lewis College.

Mr. Silva, an alumnus of Fort Lewis College, served on the Durango City Council and was elected mayor of Durango three times. He also served on the board of directors for Mercy Medical Center and the Bank of Durango.

For his service, Mr. Silva was chosen as Citizen of the Year by the Durango Area Chamber Resort Association in 1995 and received the Spirit of Santa Rita Award in 1999.

Mr. Silva’s reappointment will expire on December 31, 2012.

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