The Resolution on Culture on Shared Governance, drafted by the FLC Board of Trustees, is the latest milestone for Fort Lewis College in its commitment to fostering campus belonging.

FLC committed to the housing security of its faculty and staff by launching the Employee Mortgage Assistance Program, or EMAP.

Tune in to hear FLC stories from Justin McBrayer, professor of Philosophy and associate dean.

Bringing a mountaineer’s approach to our flat land lives

In 2022, Fort Lewis College’s premier Native American & Indigenous Studies program received a critical academic boost.

Tune in to hear FLC stories from Lauren Pope, media relations strategist. 

Discover the sound reasoning behind quirky architectural embellishments.

Liz Cartier, assistant professor of Management, is named FLC's 2022-23 Featured Scholar.

Skyhawks Athletics invests in student support services.

Crevice Garden offers a new outdoor classroom and quiet space on FLC’s campus.

Public Health students explore art.

Housing costs in Durango continue to balloon. To take this pressure off students, Stella Zhu, basic needs coordinator, created a three-pronged rapid re-housing program that has helped dozens avoid homelessness and housing insecurity. 

Tune in to hear FLC stories from Byron Tsabetsaye (English, '13), director of the Student Involvement Center. 

Students demonstrate who they are as teachers at the Teacher Education Department's Professional Exhibition.

What we learn when walking around getting soaked.

Students translate health info for underrepresented populations.

Amy Wendland, professor of Art & Design, ponders how to be an artist.

Meet sailor, teacher, mathematician, and weekend philosopher Nicholas Canaparo (Adventure Education, '15). With voyages from Puget Sound to Amsterdam Harbor, Canaparo has lived as a globetrotter aboard world-class vessels. 

FLC celebrated a cohort of nearly 200 FLC students during Fall Commencement. Hundreds of friends, family members, and staff packed into Whalen Gymnasium to show their love through posters, cheers, and thunderous applause.

Many students, staff, and faculty noticed the vibrant poster reminding the FLC community of Native American Heritage Month. The poster’s design is the work of V. Barney, a senior studying Communication Design and Sports Administration. 

Meet sailor, teacher, mathematician, and weekend philosopher Nicholas Canaparo (Adventure Education, '15). With voyages from Puget Sound to Amsterdam Harbor, Canaparo has lived as a globetrotter aboard world-class vessels. 

Tune in to hear FLC stories from Elaine Severson, the event and conference coordinator at FLC.

Centura Health committed $4 million supporting Fort Lewis College for a 10,000-square-foot renovation of the Aquatics Center to transform the space into a cutting-edge performance, rehab, and wellness center for student-athletes and students.

Fort Lewis College is one of 104 schools receiving six-year grants as part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Inclusive Excellence 3 (IE3) initiative. IE3 challenges U.S. colleges and universities to substantially and sustainably build capacity for student belonging, especially for those historically excluded from the sciences.

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

ASFLC Vice President Raina Schmidt traveled to Washington, D.C., for a student leader event to discuss with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris how the recent Dobbs decision affects college campuses across the country.

Tune in to hear FLC stories from Zackary Kessner, a senior studying Sociology and basic needs intern for the Grub Hub Food Pantry.

Tune in to hear FLC stories from Emily Bennett, a junior studying Philosophy.

ASFLC Vice President Raina Schmidt traveled to Washington, D.C., for a student leader event with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss how the recent Dobbs decision affects college campuses across the country.

As daylight savings time ends, how experiencing awe can expand our sense of time.

FLC cyclist Fiona Dougherty won the dual slalom national title at the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships, making the hometown crowd proud with her amazing display of athletic grit and talent.

More than 60 student-led clubs animate FLC's campus throughout the school year. This year, students started five new club sports teams with support from Recreational Services. These teams provide safe, healthy spaces for competition, community, and good ole fashioned fun.

Tune in to hear FLC stories from Heidi Steltzer, professor of Environment & Sustainability.

Nik Kendziorski, archives manager for the Center of Southwest Studies, received $5,000 from the Colorado Historical Records Advisory Board (CHRAB) for the “Digitizing Voices of the Southwest.”

Alana Romans, director of Academic Affairs, received $371,000 from Wend II, Inc. for the Springboard Fellowship in partnership with Colorado Mesa University that will support the social capital development of our underserved, first generation, and Indigenous students.

Charles Leslie, Community Concert Hall director, received $4,000 from the Western Arts Federation (WESTAF) for the “TourWest Standard 2022-23 award.”

Bill Collins, professor of Chemistry, received $64,328 from the Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks funded by the National Institutes of Health for a faculty pilot project “Natural Products as Antivirals.”

Alan Kasprak, assistant professor of Geosciences, received $4,255 from the US Department of the Interior National Park Service for a project entitled, “Geomorphic Monitoring of Mancos River Restoration Activities.”

Candace Nadon, Academic & Creative Enrichment Coordinator for the Academic Hub, received $200,000 from The Teagle Foundation through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to launch “Kaleidoscapes Learning Circle.”

Mary Shepherd, executive director of the Small Business Development Center, received $280,000 from the Colorado Department of Economic Development and International Trade (COEDIT) through the U.S. Department of Treasury for SBDC American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding.   

Marya Corrigan, director of TRIO Programs-Upward Bound, received $1,488,005 from the U.S. Department of Education for the “TRIO Upward Bound 2022-2027.”

Callie Cole, associate professor of Chemistry, received $14,664 from the American Society of Brewing Chemists for a project entitled “Combining Sensory and Analytical Tools (HS-SPME-GC-MS) to Elucidate Hop Biotransformation and the Aroma Imparted by Hops in Beer.”

Marya Corrigan, director of TRIO Programs-Upward Bound, received $2,581 from the Colorado Department of Education for the “Colorado Summer Food Service Program 2022.”

Kristine Greer, associate provost, received $144,000 from the Colorado Department of Human Services – Early Milestone Colorado for the “Community Innovation and Resilience for Care and Learning equity (CIRCLE) grant program.”

Joslynn Lee, assistant professor of Chemistry, received $25,020 from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department of Natural Resources for a Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant, “First Year Launch – Chemistry Outside.”

Jennifer Lowell, associate professor and chair of the Public Health Department, received $20,000 from Rocky Mountain Health Foundation for a Workforce Development Fund grant to “promote and support women, people of color and people with low income who are entering or advancing careers in healthcare fields.”

Brett Deming, Chief of Police, received $3,157 from the State of Colorado Department of Law for the “2022-23 Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Regional and In-Service Continuing Education.”

Kristine Greer, associate provost, received $34,935 from the Colorado Department of Higher Education/Office of Early Childhood Department of Human Services for the “Spring 2022 ECE Educator Funding.”

David Blake, associate professor of Biology, received $1,500 from the Society of Toxicology for “Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Research and Education (FUTURE).”

Beth LaShell, coordinator of The Old Fort at Hesperus, received $78,916 from the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture through the US Department of Agriculture for “Creating Viable Pathways for BIPOC Farmers.”

Gigi Richard, director of the Four Corners Water Center, and Kaitlin Mattos, assistant professor of Environment & Sustainability, received $110,760 from the Walton Family Foundation to build a collaborative pilot Tribal Water Media Fellowship Program.

Deanne Grant, assistant professor of Sociology, and Janine Fitzgerald, professor of Sociology, received $1,500,000 from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support a “Humanities for All Times” project. 

Marnie Clay, assistant professor of Nutrition and Health Sciences, received $5,000 from Rocky Mountain Health Foundation for a Simple Gifts Fund grant “Fruit & Vegetable Prescription Program Pilot.”

The Official Ballot for La Plata County’s 2022 General Election is not short.

FLC honored its Indigenous students, staff, and faculty on Indigenous Peoples' Day. The enduring power and cultural significance of Indigenous peoples were on full display with food circles, social dances, and traditional games.

Andrew Gulliford, professor of History, paints a vivid historical picture of Bears Ears National Monument in his new book Bears Ears: Landscape of Refuge and Resistance.

The Old Fort Farm is collaborating with Primergy to allot 320 acres for a solar panel project. The deal comes at a crucial time as non-renewable energy costs continue to be cost-prohibitive for many families in the Southwest.

The third-annual Blue Corn Harvest at the Old Fort Farm in Hesperus, Colorado, was a bonafide success. After conducting an hour-long Indigenous blessing, attendees worked in the fields to harvest the corn—marking the end of the growing season and the beginning of fall.

Tiffany Miera (Interdisciplinary Studies, ‘09) was honored with the generous Milken Educator Award. The $25,000 award recognizes elementary educators’ contributions to young children’s development.

Lindsay Nyquist, director of Marketing & Communications, sat down with the Higher Ed Demand Gen podcast to talk about her role as the leader of marketing creatives. Nyquist recounts the impactful branding changes implemented by the FLC Marketing & Communications Department.

Kayla Shaggy (Fine Art, ‘17) released her latest comic book Anathema, which follows two Diné twins searching for their mother’s murderer in a medieval landscape. Anathema took six years to produce and features a staggering 44 pages of art.

Chad Cheeney, the head endurance coach for the Fort Lewis College cycling team, was featured in a heartfelt promotional video for Kona Bicycles. The video follows Cheeney through a glorious day of riding with the FLC cycling team, Durango Devo, and others.

Chief Dull Knife College named Eva M. Flying (Exercise Science, ‘90) its new college president. Flying already had an illustrious career establishing and managing health and wellness programs at other higher education institutions across the country.

FLC cycling took home gold in the team relay on the last day of racing at the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships at Purgatory Resort. The win was a stunning and rowdy culmination of collegiate racing, with the Skyhawks taking silver in the overall omnium.

Ryan Schwarz, an associate professor of Biology, spins tales in The Durango Herald about spiders in the Southwest and beyond. Schwarz encourages people to appreciate spiders for their beauty and many contributions to our ecosystem.

Tune in to hear FLC stories from Heather Shotton, the vice president for Diversity Affairs.

Fort Lewis College honored its Indigenous students, staff, and faculty on Indigenous Peoples' Day on October 10, 2022.

The Coutts & Clark Western Foundation made a massive contribution to the Fort Lewis College Student Health Center, which provides health care to students at a minimal cost.

In the fall of 2021, FLC Environment and Sustainability Professor Heidi Steltzer organized a student expedition into the high mountains of the San Juans to search for suspected permafrost. Permafrost persistence in the high southern peaks of Colorado is an understudied phenomenon. Join us on this episode to find out what they discovered!

Al Wolfe, the student engagement coordinator for the Diversity Collaborative at FLC, gave a talk on the power of storytelling for the FLC Speaker Series hosted by Undergraduate Research. Wolfe discussed how stand-up comedy and storytelling helped them through their struggles with anxiety.

FLC is actively realizing its commitment to students' well-being through a recent, holistic integration of campus-wide services. Crucial to the success of this overhaul is the Counseling Center, which has undergone rapid expansion in the last five years.

Fort Lewis College has actively realized its commitment to a community of care by expanding the Counseling Center and integrating campus-wide services to serve student needs.

Fort Lewis College alumni Luke (Agricultural Business, ‘12) and Kristen Johnston (Business Administration, ‘15) bring one of America’s oldest autumn traditions back to the Four Corners: the corn maze.

The FLC Student Union Outdoor Plaza was bustling with laughter, dance, and community during the annual Fiesta on the Mesa. The event kicked off FLC’s programming for National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Fort Lewis College Student Union Outdoor Plaza was bustling with laughter, color, and culture during the annual Fiesta on the Mesa. This event kicked off FLC’s programming for National Hispanic Heritage Month.
 

Fort Lewis College has established two pivotal endowments for faculty, thanks to generous donors focused on the present and future of teaching excellence. This is an important step for the FLC Foundation as the impact from these endowments will inspire and attract future philanthropic investments in faculty and ensure the College’s success for generations to come.

Stella Zhu is bridging the gap for unhoused students waiting for long-term housing solutions. With her fresh insights, FLC has been able to help students deftly maneuver the current housing crisis and help them succeed along the way.

As the nationwide housing crisis continues to rage across college campuses in America, Fort Lewis College is working with key staff members like Stella Zhu to develop dynamic responses to the issue.

Ben Sorensen (Marketing, '13) stepped away from his corner office and position as the director of sales for Ballantine Communications Industry to start his own business, Ascent Digital Agency.

The FLC volleyball team has been hard at work this preseason and will open with a deep, energetic roster that looks to push the limits for the Skyhawks this fall.

This past July, FLC responded to the housing crisis quandary by promoting Kelsey Deckert to the new role of Housing Strategy & Development manager.

Fort Lewis College alumna Jenn Lopez (English, ‘95), president and founder of Project Moxie, is tackling the current housing crisis head-on.

As post-COVID retention rates for full-time students continue to drop nationwide, Fort Lewis College is implementing bold new programs to combat the national trend.

The FLC Foundation accomplished a banner year of fundraising from nearly 2,500 donors, who gave more than $9 million in record-setting support for students and the FLC community.

The FLC Foundation accomplished a banner year of fundraising thanks to nearly 2,500 donors who gave more than $9 million in record-setting support for students and the Fort Lewis College community.

Jeff McFarlane, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, received $650,000 over four years from the National Institutes of Health for a SURE grant “Characterization of polyamine biosynthetic enzymes from human gut microbes associated with colon and pancreatic cancer.”

Missy Thompson, associate professor of Health Sciences, received $227,297 over three years from the National Science Foundation for an IUSE grant “Development of Indigenous-focused Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences through STEM Faculty Professional Development.”

Jonathan Harvey, chair and associate professor of Geosciences, is using lidar technology to answer one of the most pressing questions around climate change: is there a positive correlation between glacier retreat and landslides?

Scientists from Fort Lewis College have been negotiating hazardous mountain terrain in search of a different kind of hidden treasure—scientific knowledge. With various ecoregions to study, students and faculty are uniquely positioned to unearth fresh scientific insights.

Outdoor Pursuits is on a journey to be as inclusive as possible as it seeks to serve all students and create opportunities for different cultural experiences of the great outdoors.

Travis Whipple joins FLC as the new Athletic Director. Whipple comes to Durango with more than 15 years of senior-level experience, serving most recently as the vice president of College Relations at Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota.

Since 2014, a group called Twin Cities Native Lacrosse has brought Minnesotans together, including FLC student Nina Polk (ATT '20-21), to participate in the Indigenous tradition of lacrosse, which originated before colonization by Europeans.

FLC cycling alumnae Kira Payer (ATT '17-20) and Sarah Sturm (Art, ‘12) went one-two in the women's pro road race at the 50th Annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.

The Steamworks Half Marathon returned to Durango after a two-year hiatus, with Makiah Salzano (Business Administration, '22) winning the women’s race and finishing sixth overall in 1:28:09.

Nate Peach, visiting assistant professor of Economics, spoke to The Durango Herald about the labor shortages impacting local employers, who are trying to implement creative solutions to fill positions. 

The Native American Media Alliance also announced Joshua Emerson (Economics, '19) as a fellow for the 2nd Annual Native American Writers Seminar, a month-long intensive program that develops emerging writers who are new to writing for film and television.

Former and current Skyhawks are represented across multiple mountain bike disciplines on this year's USA Cycling National Team, including Savilia Blunk (ATT '17-20), first-year Bailey Cioppa, sophomore Ruth Holcomb, and first-year Emma Artz. Go Skyhawks!

When Danielle Joe (Accounting, ’20) arrived at Fort Lewis College with her young son, Alexander, the single mother was determined to get her degree. A member of the Navajo Nation, Joe wanted to join her family’s thriving mercantile legacy on the largest Indian reservation in the U.S. But first, she needed to build the skills. 

Students find daily bread and soul at FLC's Grub Hub Food Pantry

Digging up traditional Indigenous recipes for a new cookbook, Hózhó Meals

At Fort Lewis College, illumination happens beyond the books and classroom walls; beginning in summer 2022, campus will also get a little brighter with a shiny gym floor, alfresco flood lights, and more.

Heather Shotton is Fort Lewis College’s new vice president for Diversity Affairs, a role she’s eager to infuse with her expertise and work in alongside the students, staff, faculty, and administration of FLC.

The National Science Foundation awarded $25,000 to Fort Lewis College in the Taking Action: COVID-19 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Challenge.

Ian Burnett—former Skyhawk and pro cyclist—is taking the helm of FLC cycling. Burnett (Business Administration-Finance, '10) has been with the club team since 2010 as the track and road coach.

The FLC cycling team wrapped up its season at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships with a fourth-place omnium finish.

Professor of Education Suzie Null's last name means “invalid data” in a lot of computer code, an unfortunate hiccup in her daily life that she talked about on WNYC's Radiolab podcast.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Leslie Herod, and tribal leaders were on campus this week to sign HB 22-1327, a law mandating archaeological and archival research at two boarding school sites in Colorado.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hozhoni Days Exhibition and Powwow returned to campus this spring.

Fort Lewis College hosted an outdoor commencement under a bright blue sky to celebrate nearly 500 graduating seniors. Thousands of friends and family members filled up FLC’s Ray Dennison Memorial Field with love and raucous applause for the Skyhawks. 

Fort Lewis College’s Spring Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 9 a.m. on the Ray Dennison Memorial Field. This is the 60th commencement in FLC history, with nearly 500 students participating. In addition to Spring 2022 graduates, students from 2020 who graduated via virtual ceremonies are invited to walk in this year’s in-person ceremony.

For every swipe of a Fort Lewis College #FLCFOREVER Loyalty Debit Card, Alpine Bank donates 10 cents to FLC programs. Since the College and Bank partnership launched three years ago, those dimes have added up to nearly $70,000 in direct impact on FLC students.

From supporting the day-to-day operations of the College with innovation and excellence to going above and beyond to advance institutional goals, this year’s faculty and staff award recipients exhibited exceptional work.

Ross McCauley, professor of Biology, received $4,000 from the US Fish & Wildlife Service for the “Determination of genetic diversity and structure in the rare endemic legume Chapin Mesa milkvetch (Astragalus schmolliae) from lands of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Mesa Verde National Park.”

Peggy Ferguson, director of the Campbell Child and Family Center, received $82,826 from the US Department of Health & Human Services through the Colorado Office of Early Childhood for “Child Care Operations Stabilization and Workforce Sustainability grant.”

Fort Lewis College President Tom Stritikus received $7,000 from Wend II, Inc. to create promotional material for the grant-funded Springboard to Success project.

Mary Shepherd, executive director of the Small Business Development Center, received $95,000 from the Colorado Department of Economic Development and International Trade (COEDIT) to fund SBDC activities in 2022. 

Brett Deming, Chief of Police, received $15,435 from the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice for “Fort Lewis College Police Body Cameras.”

Jill Choate, associate professor of Teacher Education, received $122,906 from the Colorado Department of Education for the “Quality Teacher Recruitment Program 22-23 grant.”

Charles Leslie, director of the Community Concert Hall, received $12,500 from the New England Foundation for the Arts for the “Dancing Earth’s Between Underground and Skyworld.”

Julie Korb, professor of Biology, received $40,000 from the US Department of Interior, USGS Information Services through Colorado State University for the “2021CO-Post-fire watershed conditions and climate in the 416 fire, southwest Colorado and their influence on forest heath and watershed recovery.”

Deanne Grant, assistant professor of Sociology & Human Services, and Janine Fitzgerald, professor of Sociology & Human Services, received $148,400 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Office of Digital Humanities for a “Fort Lewis College Native Language Revitalization Institute.”

Joslynn Lee, assistant professor of Chemistry, received $57,435 from Northern Arizona University funded by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation for a project entitled “Engaging Native American Students in Scientific Computing with QIIME 2 (EOSS-D&I).”

Beth LaShell, coordinator of The Old Fort at Hesperus, received $18,879 from the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture through the US Department of Agriculture to “Develop Educational Modules for Beginning Farmers.”

Melissa Thompson, associate professor of Health Sciences, received $61,289 from the Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks funded by the National Institutes of Health for a faculty pilot project “The Role of Plantar Sensory Feedback in Plantar Pressure and Plantar Pressure Variability.”

Lindsay Nyquist, director of Marketing & Communications, joins the Higher Ed Marketer Podcast to share the incredible ways she and her department have recognized the uniqueness of FLC while also reinvigorating its brand.

Jenni Trujillo, dean of the School of Education, provided testimony to state legislators regarding access to educator training and the funding needed to support teacher candidates in order to address the teacher shortage.

As the opioid crisis continues to rage across the United States, Fort Lewis College hosted a seminar discussing overdoses in the community. More than 100 doses of Narcan were distributed among the audience along with life-saving information on how to administer the drug.

Al Harper with the D&SNG Railroad welcomed FLC Family Connection, a program intended to provide a network of support for students far from their homes, for a day on the train.

Nate Peach, visiting assistant professor of Economics, spoke to The Durango Herald about the impact of rising gas prices on our small mountain community. Peach says that Durango’s workers will feel the impacts of rising gas prices the most.

Three female student-athletes are taking internships with the Fort Lewis College football team this semester. Though working in a male-dominated sport, the trio has been instrumental in raising funds, recruiting athletes, and giving evaluations of potential players.

Senior Riley Farris finished out his final basketball season with 2,073 career points, which ranks him No. 1 in Fort Lewis College history. Farris was also recognized with a spot on the Division II Conference Commissioners Association’s All-South Central Region Teams.

The Pueblo Alliance hosted its seventh annual Feast Day at Fort Lewis College. The daylong event included Indigenous speakers and vendors, and concluded with a traditional dinner. The celebrations take place seasonally as an integral part of Pueblo life and culture.

In the fall of 2021, FLC Environment and Sustainability Professor Heidi Steltzer organized a student expedition into the high mountains of the San Juans to search for suspected permafrost. Permafrost persistence in the high southern peaks of Colorado is an understudied phenomenon

How spending time in the desert can open your mind to new and creative ideas, solutions to problems, and radical changes in perspective.

In his time at Fort Lewis College, Lee Bitsóí, former associate vice president for Diversity Affairs, became a role model for Indigenous students looking to confront colonial narratives.

Vladimir Koshevoy, a network support technician in Fort Lewis College's IT Department, has family in Ukraine and is helping to organize a fundraiser to provide those in the warzone with food, medicine, and supplies.

Sixteen student vendors sold their arts and crafts at the first-ever Skyhawk Makers' Market, one of many events taking place on campus this week for #FLCtogether Week.

The Academic Success Coach program is proving to be a win-win for students and faculty alike, improving the academic performance of students by providing hands-on knowledge of FLC, peer-to-peer support, and intellectual inspiration.

An experienced cross country coach with six conference championships under his belt, Shawn Jakubowski is excited to continue with his passions for running and coaching as the new women's cross country and track & field coach.

The Mellon Foundation has awarded Fort Lewis College with a $1.5 million grant for the revitalization of Native languages. The funds will go toward constructing the All Our Nations Language Revitalization Hub, housed in the Native American & Indigenous Studies Department.

Lee Bitsóí, associate vice president for Diversity Affairs, leaves behind a legacy of integrity at Fort Lewis College when he starts a new position at Brandeis University next month. Among his many achievements was helping campus navigate the harrowing history of the Fort Lewis boarding school.

Durango stalwarts and siblings Karen Zink and Steve Short are supporting the new nursing program with more than $1 million in philanthropic support, which will aid in hiring a program lead, fund scholarships, and more. 

Fort Lewis College Trustee Ellen Roberts concluded her term after three years on the Board. Among her many achievements was the preservation of the Native American Tuition Waiver, an essential program for many Indigenous students at FLC.

Andrew Gulliford, professor of History and Environmental Studies, discussed a fascinating mystery at Red Mountain Pass with Colorado Public Radio.

Paul Major has been appointed by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees. As the CEO of the Telluride Foundation, Major brings with him invaluable experience in working with large, multifaceted organizations.

Ben Rogers (Anthropology and History, ‘10) was named president of the Rapid City Journal. As a Colorado native, Rogers will bring the skills he learned at Fort Lewis College to bear in his new position.

Andrew Gulliford, professor of History and Environmental Studies, wrote a guest column in The Durango Herald on teaching the events of last year’s attack on the United States Capitol. Gulliford further writes about the incredible responsibility he feels to teach those events accurately.

Heidi Steltzer, professor of Environment & Sustainability, spoke to VICE about the uniqueness of alpine climates in climate change research. Steltzer notes that mountains have long been a refuge from the ravages of the current climate crisis. 

Durango will once again be hosting the annual USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships at Purgatory Resort in October this year. 

Sarah McChesney (Business Administration-International Business, '09) is the new BeLeaf Medical director of marketing. BeLeaf is the largest vertically integrated medical cannabis company in the Four Corners region. 

Micheal Remke, professor of Biology, spoke with The Durango Telegraph about the recent change in snowpack averages. Remke voiced his concern that this finding might normalize the dry climate we now inhabit. 

Two-time All-American Johnny Cox (Exercise Science, '94) will be welcomed back by Athletics as the new head football coach. Cox's experience includes working with other collegiate football teams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Dave Hagen is pedaling on to new ventures after nearly 20 years as director of the cycling team. During his tenure, Hagen led the team to 15 USA Cycling collegiate national championships and helped develop riders into national champions and Olympians.

Intelligent, a college ranking site, names Fort Lewis College the 11th best college in Colorado. It also recognized Fort Lewis College for having the best experiential education among other colleges in Colorado.

You don't have to sit with your legs wrapped pretzel-like to enjoy the many benefits of mindful meditation.

Fort Lewis College and the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus have announced a new partnership to create a four-year undergraduate degree in nursing, ushering in a new model of health and collaboration by bringing the state’s flagship medical institute of higher education to the rural and Indigenous-serving campus of Southwest Colorado. 

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation announced today that more than $16 million in funding was awarded to 12 liberal arts colleges for social justice-oriented humanities curricular development.

IMAGES Magazine, Fort Lewis College’s journal of literature, art, and music has released SPRAWL, its Fall Zine issue. IMAGES, founded in 1976, is staffed and published by a team of talented FLC students each year.

Artist Warren Montoya (Art, ‘06) has been working with New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, leading a group of high school students in a public works project. By creating murals in a public space, Montoya hopes the students can name their trauma and use their talents to speak out.

Sarah Sturm (Art, ‘12) finished in second place at the USA Cycling Singlespeed Cyclocross Championship, smiling and gritting her way through what was a tough race. 

Jenni Trujillo, dean of the Fort Lewis College School of Education, wrote an op-ed for The Durango Herald on teacher shortages. She acknowledges the issues the shortage presents but also sees this disruption as an opportunity to affect change in the field of education.

Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Athletic Training, ‘13) is the new editor of Indian Country Today, a nonprofit news site with nearly a million readers each month. Bennett-Begaye hopes to build the newsroom of the future, serving as an example of how far Fort Lewis College students can go.

Former Durango mayor John Gamble wrote an op-ed in The Durango Herald commending Fort Lewis College's Village Aid Project. Praising its efficiency, effectiveness, and heart, Gamble encourages locals to support the VAP in its endeavors.

The Fort Lewis College Cycling Team secured second place at the 2021 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in Illinois. In spite of fierce competition, the team once again brought prestige to both the program and Fort Lewis College as a whole.

Ben Waddell, associate professor of Sociology & Human Services, authored an op-ed for The Salt Lake Tribune. Waddell drew attention to workers from Mexico, their inability to afford housing, and how that signifies a decline of the “American Dream.”

Angel Benally (Political Science, ‘20) was interviewed on her work with FirstNet to build a public-safety broadband network for tribal nations. Indigenous nations, historically underserved populations in terms of cell coverage, stand to gain a crucial tool when responding to emergencies.

Indigenous women are the most underrepresented group of scientists in the field of physics. With a new internship, Fort Lewis College and Los Alamos National Laboratory are working to change that.

With their markedly high rates of vaccination, college campuses across Colorado have become safe havens in the COVID-19 pandemic. At a vaccination rate of 92%, Fort Lewis College leads this welcomed trend in public health.

With over 25 years of successful banking experience, Kent Curtis (Business Administration, '82), president & CEO of First Southwest Bank, will serve on the Colorado Bankers Association Board of Directors for a multi-year term.

Keep yourself focused and efficient in world of cluttered to-do lists and pressing deadlines.

Spending time in nature might enhance your intelligence with benefits to attention, clear thinking, and creativity.

When was the last time you had an amazing new idea while multi-tasking your way through the day tethered to a screen?

“Can salmon people still be salmon people if they aren’t allowed to fish in water that legally belongs to them?” Bridget Groat (Alaska Native) poses the unanswerable to her Indigenous Food Systems class.

The Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees and the Fort Lewis College Foundation Board of Directors each proposed $500,000 investments for a down payment assistance program for faculty and staff, an initial step in the College’s long-term commitment to increase access to affordable housing for students and employees.

FLC thinkers, scientists, and explorers seek answers that only alpine ecosystems can reveal.

Students, faculty, and alumni dive into the Dolores River watershed.

Students, community revive interest in regenerative agriculture at the Old Fort.

Local bison ranch owner connects with student researchers for land management insights.

LeManuel Lee Bitsóí (Diné) shares FLC's land acknowledgement and other active reparations.

Michaela Goade (Art, '14), an award-winning illustrator and painter, is among Time's Next Generation of Leaders, a distinction that honors her art and opens the door to more Indigenous storytelling and creators.

Veronica R. Lane (Accounting, '05) has helped lead economic development efforts across tribal nations as assistant vice president and business development officer for Native American Bank, the only Native-owned bank in the country.

Simon J. Ortiz (Chemistry, ATT '61-'62) has been recognized by Academic Influence as a notable figure in the arts. Ortiz, known for his contributions to the second wave of the Native American Renaissance, is an Indigenous writer with several published works.

The Princeton Review included Fort Lewis College on its Guide to Green Colleges for 2022, a list based on each school's use of renewable energy, recycling, and conservation programs, the availability of environmental studies in academic offerings, and career guidance for green jobs.

On the eastern edge of the Fort Lewis College campus, officials from Animas High School and FLC celebrated at the site of the new location for AHS. Dean Jennifer Trujillo voiced her excitement at the new opportunities for partnership.

Stephan Davoust (Engineering, ‘17) won first place at the USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships and turned heads with a ghost-ride over the finish line. Fellow alumnus Payson McElveen (Exercise Science, ’16) joined him on the podium.

This year, Fort Lewis College welcomed the largest cohort of first-year students since 2004. FLC is working to support and ultimately retain this promising wave of new students.

Tapati Dutta, assistant professor of Public Health, received the Vision Award for Excellence in Health Policy from the American Public Health Association. The award recognizes Dutta's research and practices for community engagement in realizing vaccination equity, HIV/AIDS, and cervical cancer policies.

The Fort Lewis College cycling team placed second at the 2021 USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships. “I was proud of them all,” says Chad Cheeney, head endurance coach.

As the 2021 USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships concluded last week, officials wondered if this event signaled the first of many prestigious events in the Durango area. 

Tapati Dutta, assistant professor of Public Health, sat down with KSUT to promote the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Dutta implores the American public to be mindful of those in the international community who have yet to receive a single dose.

Last Friday, Fort Lewis College inducted five individuals and one team to its sports Hall of Fame, including Bob Hofman, the 1984 FLC football team, Susan Sagle, Joe Moore, DeAndre Lansdowne, and Chris Aaland. Inductees were recognized for their contributions to FLC both on and off the field. 

For his contributions to the community and local education, Brian Burke, professor of Psychology, has been recognized as Durango and La Plata County's Best Educator of 2021.

In a stunning display of sea-like light and color, Chad Colby, Professor of Art & Design, works with former Fort Lewis College students Lexis Loeb and Hayley Kirkman to produce a piece for Meow Wolf’s new galaxy space in Denver.

In The Durango Telegraph, professor of Biology Julie Korb advises residents of the American Southwest to prepare for the reality of living in an arid landscape affected by climate change. “Because it’s not if, but when,” she says.

Journalism & Multimedia Studies junior Amber Labahe received the prestigious Native American Journalists Association Facebook Journalism Project scholarship. Labahe emphasizes the importance of this scholarship in promoting Indigenous voices in journalism.

The Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation is one of 50 organizations in the country and the only one in Colorado to receive a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale program. 

The top collegiate athletes from around the country will head to Durango’s Purgatory Resort for the 2021 USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships October 14-17.

New space and funding bring expanded hours and food options to students, including fresh produce from regional farmers and ranchers. 

Fort Lewis College is featured in season one of The College Tour, a new IMDb TV series that gives viewers a virtual look into campus student organizations, outdoor spaces, science and art classrooms, athletic fields, and more.

Getting started at college is an enormous adjustment for students. It’s typical to feel lonely, nervous, scared, and sad right alongside feeling thrilled, hopeful, free, and empowered. 

Fort Lewis College alumnus and Indigenous ultrarunner Christian Gering (Environmental Studies, ‘15) is collaborating with running outfitter Janji on the design of their new “American Southwest Collection.”

On September 25, rubber meets the road (and trails) with the annual Durango Fall Blaze, a fundraiser supporting the Fort Lewis College cycling team. In addition to the classic road offerings, this year's event has broadened to include mountain bikers and gravel cyclists of all abilities.

This year’s incoming class is the largest group of first-years Fort Lewis College has seen since 2004, with 960 new students joining campus.

This fall, FLC students who are passionate about rivers will have the opportunity to dive into the history, science, and management behind one of the planet’s most important systems. 

Alumnus Ryan Lazo (Anthropology and Environmental Studies, ’13) is thrilled to be back at Fort Lewis College and in a sphere of collaboration with his peers while also reconnecting with faculty who inspired his journey as a student.

A diverse crowd of nearly 1,000 people congregated under a blue sky to hear from tribal elders, campus leaders, and Native American students in a ceremony held at the Clocktower to remove three history panels that inaccurately depicted the Federal Indian Boarding School era.

The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at UCCS College of Business announced Jill Choate, associate professor of Teacher Education, as a 2021-22 Ethics Champion.

A new in-state tuition law is attracting Native American students, whose ancestors were forcibly relocated from their homelands, to Colorado public colleges and universities.

To centralize services and improve the shopper experience, the Grub Hub Food Pantry is hoping to receive federal funding to revamp the pantry's space in the Student Union.

The spotlights are coming back on at the Community Concert Hall stage, with the fall season of in-person performances kicking off in October.

Durango, home of the Skyhawks and the Animas River, was recently named one of the top 10 Prettiest River Towns in America.

Jesse Duran, a senior majoring in Computer Engineering, spent 10 weeks at CU Boulder this summer, researching and working alongside optics faculty who were impressed with the academic culture Duran brought from Fort Lewis College.

From ensuring Skyler the Skyhawk looks fit to spicing up the FLC website and all the press releases and TV commercials between, the FLC Marketing & Communications team stays busy. This year at the 2021 UCDA Design Awards, the MarComm design team fetched four coveted distinctions.

Whether you were counting down the days or biting your nails in dread, it impacts a family when your child leaves for college—when they become less a “child” and more of a “student.” This changes the day-to-day of your life; it changes the relationships between family members still living together; it may even change the way you see yourself.

Forward paddle! Fort Lewis on the Water (FLOW), a new river education program, has launched and is bringing students to the heart of outdoor education and experiential learning in the Four Corners.

Elise Boulanger (Studio Art & Design, '21) was featured in The Durango Herald for her curatorial work on the Center of Southwest Studies exhibit “Throughline: FLC Student Works Inspired by the Center’s Collections."

After graduating from Fort Lewis College, Darcy Peter (Environmental Biology, '17) returned to her home state of Alaska for a one-month Arctic research program. After a summer of field research on her homeland, Peter says she's found her dream job.

With a stacked team of veterans and promising first-years, Skyhawks cycling is gearing up for its mountain bike race season and looking to come home with some more championship hardware.

Julie (Levy) Duvall (Political Science, ’05), the Board of Trustees' newest member, is ready to reconnect with campus and engage students, staff, and faculty in building the future of Fort Lewis College.

Fort Lewis College President Tom Stritikus announced today that Eleanor Feingold, executive associate dean of the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh, will spend the fall semester on campus as a visiting American Council on Education Fellow.

There’s no business like the stage business, and Fort Lewis College students have access to it all, thanks to FLC’s thriving Theatre Department and the annual Durango PlayFest.

Fort Lewis College Entrepreneurship and Engineering students are analyzing Earth-based market viability of space-based technologies through NASA's Technology Transfer University program.

The Durango Herald caught up with Associate Professor of Chemistry Callie Cole to talk about cider science and how chemistry can be used to manipulate the smell and taste of hard cider.

Ricardo Caté (Education, '06) received the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. The governor's awards celebrate the foundational role that artists, art, and supporters play in the state.

The origins of the Fort Lewis boarding school and forced assimilation of Indigenous students is a tragic chapter of Fort Lewis College's history, one that leadership is working to reconcile honestly and transparently.

Hanson Mike, a senior majoring in Environmental Studies, published a blog with Conservation International about how South Africa is responding to similar water struggles as the Navajo Nation, and what lessons he wants to bring home.

On the road to the Tokyo Games, FLC cycling alumna Sofia Gomez Villafañe (Exercise Science, '16) learned how to embrace her bi-culturalism on and off the bike.

Skyhawks football is readying for their first full season since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic all but shut down most athletics last year.

In a guest column for The Durango Herald, President Tom Stritikus reflects on the milestones of his tenure and looks forward to what is to come for FLC in the next three years.

Professor of Environment & Sustainability and Biology Heidi Steltzer published a paper on the importance of intellectual diversity and the need for scientists to broaden their consideration of the ecological sciences and work with BIPOC to establish community-based scientific partnerships.

Fort Lewis College was represented well at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships this month. Senior Savilia Blunk came away with two titles in the U23 cross-country race and elite women's short track cross-country race.

Fort Lewis College's backyard and home city of Durango has been named one of the Best Home Base Cities for Adventure Enthusiasts by Livability.

Colorful murals, lego sculptures, and window art are popping up all around Durango thanks to the Durango Arts Brigade, a legion of artists that includes FLC senior Zyon Frauen and alumnae Hayley Kirkman (Art, ‘17) and Elise Boulanger (Studio Art & Design, '21).

Recent Fort Lewis College graduate Ian Teller (Business Administration, '21) has been selected to join the newly formed New Mexico Indigenous Youth Council, a program that supports the resiliency of tribes, nations, and pueblos across New Mexico.

Fort Lewis College professors are testing microfluidic chip devices that mimic organ functions, bringing in new funding to the College and cutting-edge research opportunities for undergraduate students. 

Melissa Mount joins Fort Lewis College with years of experience connecting philanthropists to meaningful causes. She's eager to help accelerate the success of the College and FLC students. 

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded Fort Lewis College a three-year $950,000 grant to fund institutional capacity building and development of the Native American & Indigenous Studies Department. 

FLOW will offer river-based programming and educational opportunities for a range of academic departments, co-curricular programs, FLC alumni, and community partners.

"How has Career Services prepared my student for this ever-changing workforce?” As I was looking their student up in our employment platform, I told each of the parents that it is never too late to meet with Career Services, even if their student was graduating that day.

Fort Lewis College cycling alumna Sofia Gomez-Villafañe (Exercise Science, '16) will be going to the Toyko Olympic Games next month, representing Argentina in the women's mountain biking discipline.

FLC senior Kira Payer brought home her first stars and stripes jersey with a win in the women’s under-23 time trial race at the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships in Knoxville, Tenn., last week.

Sleep soundly knowing your student can cover basic needs like food and clean clothes by using their SkyCard—the student ID that works like a debit card on campus.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education announced that Fort Lewis College—and three other institutions of higher education in Colorado—has earned Hunger Free and Healthy Minds designations for its work to end hunger and address the mental health needs of students.

Meet FLC alum Torrey Udall (International Business, ’13). As VP of Development & Finance at Protect Our Winters in Boulder, Colo., Udall aligns his passion for outdoor adventures with his professional path.

Waking to the propane blast of water heating for coffee, Tish Varney looks up to see tiny bats swooping along the dawn-lit walls of Grand Canyon.

From whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon to sipping scotch in the Scottish Highlands, the FLC Adventure Club has a little something for everyone.

After graduating in 1988, Stephen Sullivan went on to earn success in the outdoor recreation and business realms. In 2011, he launched Stio, a direct-to-consumer, analytically driven, outdoor apparel company.

Besides serving as an age-old (and age-appropriate) collegiate pastime, alcoholic spirits are also propelling a few Fort Lewis College seniors into the beverage industry spotlight. Hard cider-makers from across the country are looking to the Four Corners and FLC Chemistry labs for the latest scientific findings about the relationship between flavor and the fermentation process.

In five years, the Four Corners MSW program not only awards graduates bachelor’s degrees from FLC but also their master’s in Social Work from University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work.

Despite 2020-21 playing out as the most unusual year in college athletics, Skyhawk teams showed up ready to play and make school history.

Learn about two of FLC's historic community partnerships: the Heart Fund Drive and Radio KIUP.

Art, history, and culture coalesce in Throughline, a student-led exhibit inspired by the collections at the Center of Southwest Studies.

Durango's Rocket Drive-in, which operated from 1956-2004, inspired the makeover of FLC's Rocket Grill in Spring 2021.

With the help of 16 different community sponsors, the FLC Grub Hub is addressing food insecurity on campus by providing free food and hot meals to students in need.

Assistant Professor of Anthropology Jesse Tune joined the ArchaeoTech podcast to talk about the use of drones in archaeological field studies.

AndersonMasonDale Architects unveiled plans for the new Animas High School building, which will be built on a 3.2-acre parcel just south of the Bader-Snyder Residence Halls at Fort Lewis College. AHS received a $13.7M grant to build a permanent facility on the College's campus. 

FLC alumnus Jeff Engman (Computer-Based Information Systems, '87) has been hired as the Chief Information Officer for Southern Ute Shared Services.

In a blog for Heterodox Academy, Professor of Philosophy Justin McBrayer says that even if we assume that the goal of a university is truth, academics need to think about how they are willing to discover and teach those truths, and justice will determine some of those boundaries.

Rocky Mountain PBS student filmmaker Joe Kinneen spoke with his peers at Fort Lewis College about why they're getting vaccinated and what they're looking forward to most in a post-pandemic world.

Zia Drone Operations, the grand prize winner of the 2021 Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition, is ready to take flight.

To combat misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccines, Public Health students at Fort Lewis College created communication campaigns and distributed COVID-19 safety information to their peers on campus.

From supporting the day-to-day operations of the College with innovation and excellence to taking on extra responsibilities during the pandemic, faculty and staff showed immense care for students and colleagues and exhibited exceptional work in the last year.

Fort Lewis College hosted its first in-person commencement in a year with multiple outdoor ceremonies celebrating nearly 430 graduating seniors.

Each spring, just before commencement, Fort Lewis College hosts the Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Symposium to celebrate the research and creative works of graduating seniors.

Several FLC Biology students will be conducting research in the 416 Fire burn scar with support from American Forests, a conservation group, to see which replanted fir and pine species have trouble coming back.

Fort Lewis College's men's golf team finished in second place at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships. Coach Jim Foltz says, "We’ve shown we can play well and play with top teams in our conference and region.”

In an effort to promote Ute language fluency among young people, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Fort Lewis College are working on a program to certify more instructors who can teach the Ute language both on the reservation and in K-12 schools.

Fort Lewis College has been awarded a five-year $1,185,000 grant to support undergraduate students traditionally underrepresented in biomedical sciences as they prepare for research-based Ph.D. programs.

Fort Lewis College's Theatre and Music departments came together to perform a French version of Cinderella with a unique twist about exclusion and inclusion. The performance was done in two musical scenes titled “Cendrillon” and “Diverse Voices."

The Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees is now accepting applications for two open financial community member seats on the Investment Advisory Committee.

Newly elected representatives to the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College are assuming their positions on April 28 for a one-academic-year term. The new executive team is President Zhaida Wilbanks and Vice President Iyahna Calton. The new senators are Hannah Jones, Carter Rogers, Robert Dennett, Lauryn Baldwin, Jade Slavin, Noelle Swenk, and Jackson Berridge.