Learn about our members

Professional Associates (PA) is a community of nearly 50 educators, scientists, innovators, business leaders, policymakers, and professionals who bring their real-world experience to support Fort Lewis College. Members share a commitment to strengthening student learning, enriching faculty teaching, and advancing community partnerships across the Four Corners.


Expertise across disciplines

PA members represent seven core areas of expertise:

  • Medicine, public health, and life sciences
  • Engineering, physical sciences, and technology
  • Environmental science and ecology
  • Education, sociology, and community development
  • Arts, communication, and humanities
  • Leadership, strategy, and organizational management
  • Law, policy, and government service

This breadth of knowledge allows PA members to serve as guest lecturers, mentors, advisors, and collaborators—bringing valuable insight to classrooms, academic programs, and community initiatives.


History and purpose

Professional Associates was established in 1999 by President Kendall Blanchard as a strategic advisory group. Since then, its role has expanded to include direct support for students, faculty, and community programming—while maintaining a strong advisory partnership with college leadership.

Meet our members

Each member brings a unique background and perspective to Fort Lewis College. Browse the directory below to explore individual bios, professional experience, and areas of expertise.

Deborah Baldwin

Profession: Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist (in open-heart surgery and intensive care for both pediatric and adult patients) | Critical Care/Trauma Nurse | Lieutenant United Sates Navy, Veteran

Education

  • BSN, Nursing California State University, Chico, CA
  • Certificate Cardiopulmonary Perfusion, St. Vincent Heart Institute in conjunction with Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland OR

Paul N Black

Profession:  Biomedical Biochemist | Academic Administrator

Education

  • 1983-1986, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of California, Irvine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • 1983, PhD, University of Vermont, Cell and Molecular Biology
  • 1978, BS, Colorado State University, Zoology and Chemistry

Susan Bolton

Profession:  Engineer | Ecologist | Water Resource Management

Education

  • 1991, PhD, Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University
  • 1985, MS, Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University
  • 1979, MS, Zoology, North Dakota State University
  • 1976, BS with Distinction, Organismic Biology, University of Colorado

 

Robin J Bowman

Profession:  Professional Health Care Delivery | Health Care Education | Health Policy

Education

  • 2020, Certificate in Health Policy, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
  • 2011, MPH, Policy and Health, School of Public Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
  • 1992, BS, Nursing, University of Miami, Florida
  • 1982, RN, Charity Hospital School of Nursing, New Orleans, Louisiana

John A. K. (Kip) Boyd

Profession:  Family Physician | Hospital Administrator | Medical Ethicist.

Education and Training

  • 1976, MD, University of Arizona College of Medicine
  • 1979, Family Medicine Residency at Silas B. Hays Army Hospital, Monterey, California

Donald Bruning

Profession: Chair and Curator, Department of Ornithology, Wildlife Conservation Society.

Education:

  • MA and PhD, University of Colorado
  • Undergraduate Studies, UCLA and University of Colorado
  • Research Focus: Grey Rhea in New York and Argentina

Jill M. Bystydzienski

Profession: Professor of Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies

Education

  • 1971, BA, Honors Sociology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • 1974, MA Sociology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
  • 1979, PhD, Educational Foundations/Sociology, State University of New York, Albany

Steven B Canter

Profession: Architect

Education and Credentials

  • BA, Fort Lewis College, Major: Business; Minor: Psychology
  • BArch, University of Arizona
  • NCARB Board-Certified Architect (Licensed in Arizona, Colorado, and California)
  • Member, American Institute of Architects
  • LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Energy Manager, and EDAC Certified (Evidence-Based Design)

Charles Carson

Profession: Engineer

Education

  • 1967, BS, Engineering Sciences (with highest distinction), Purdue University
  • 1968, MS, Engineering Sciences, Purdue University
  • 1972, MA, Mathematics, University of New Mexico
  • 1975, PhD, Operations Research, Purdue University

Concetta C. Dirusso

Profession:  George Holmes University Professor of Biochemistry (Emeritus) | Nutritional Biochemist | STEM Research & Education

Education

  • 1975, BA, Natural Sciences, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
  • 1982, PhD, Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Vermont
  • 1982-1986, Postdoctoral Fellowship, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of California, Irvine

Dave Eppich

Profession: Organizational Leader | Economic Development Executive

Education

  • 1990, MS, Management, The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA
  • 1974, BS, Biological Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

 

Kathleen S. Fine-Dare

Profession: Professor Emeritus of Anthropology & Gender & Women’s Studies | Author | NAGPRA & Indigenous Rights Advocate and Consultant

Education

  • 1974, BA, Anthropology, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN
  • 1980, MA, Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • 1986, PhD, Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Cres Fleming

Profession: Physical Chemist | Research Management | Consultant

Education:

  • 1966, BS, Chemistry, Colorado College
          • Phi Beta Kappa, Outstanding Chemistry Graduate
  • 1970, PhD, Physical Chemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder

Charles Fredrick

Profession: Certified Public Accountant | Business Consultant

Education

  • 1977, BA, Business and Accounting, Fort Lewis College (Summa Cum Laude)
  • 1978, Licensed CPA

John Gamble

Profession: Sociologist | Community Developer | Social Worker

Education

  • 1970, BS, Psychology & Sociology, University of Iowa
  • 1975, MS, Social Work, University of Utah

Gay Grossman

Profession:  Educator | Early Childhood Development Specialist | Community Leader

Education

  • 1965, BA, History with Honors, Swarthmore College
  • 1966, MAT, Secondary History/Government, Harvard Graduate School of Education
  • 1982, BA, Elementary Education, Fort Lewis College

Richard (Dick) Grossman

Profession:  Obstetrician-Gynecologist | Public Health Physician | Population Activist | Journalist

Education

  • 1965, BA, Zoology and Psychology, Swarthmore College
  • 1969, MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
  • 1970, Medical Internship, Hartford Hospital
  • 1976, Residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of New Mexico
  • 1993, MPH, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health