Kelsey Smith (Business Administration, '15) was named flagship operations manager for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., the first-place company on Newsweek's list of "America's Best Retailers 2022" in the chocolate and candy stores category. 

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

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

FLC students and faculty spent two weeks this summer building a school in Ecuador and a water system in Nicaragua through the Village Aid Project, a registered student organization on campus. To prepare for the trip, students engaged in hands-on workshops during the spring that taught them how to build water systems and free-standing structures.

FLC juniors Melody Conrad and Vassar Stephens sold their startup brand of hot cocoa in a fundraiser for the La Plata County Humane Society. The cocoa business is a part of the New Business Venturing course taught by Michael Valdez, professor of Management.

Devon Parson (Humanities, '07) co-created an exhibit for Greeley's Tointon Gallery called Three Views: Contemporary Works by Charles Parson, Collin Parson, and Devon Parson. A multi-generational collaboration, Parson and his family crafted works that present universal themes for visitors to ponder.

Dozens gathered in the FLC Student Union Ballroom to honor the living and lost members of the transgender community. Conducted in light of the Club Q shooting, the event was an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to take a stand for justice and equity.

Wyatt Krob, a junior studying Musical Theatre, traveled to Colorado Springs to visit the Club Q memorial. Krob told The Washington Post that the memorial’s combination of pain, anguish, and love helped him better understand that spots like Club Q are sacred places for the LGBTQ+ community.

Students in the Marketing Research & Analytics course developed a survey exploring how skiers and snowboarders view safety messaging while on the mountain. The students are interested in determining how safety signage impacts people's behavior.

Cheryl Nixon, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, announced she is assuming a new role as president of Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. Nixon starts her new position on July 1, 2023, and will be the first female president in the school's 167-year history. After a four-year tenure at FLC, she will leave behind a legacy of tireless work, equity, and acceptance.

When the Sun Comes Out After Three Days of Rain, a collection of poetry, was recently published by Leah Browning (Psychology, '95). With its frenetic and immersive style, Browning's work will surely entertain lovers of the written word. 

Thomas Gauthier (Business Administration, ‘19) is making his mark on Durango’s food industry with his new sandwich shop, Tom’s Deli. The shop has 12 sandwiches made by Head Chef Molly McPherson (History, ‘21). Visitors will be spoiled for options at this alumni-owned sandwich shop.  

FLC Athletics will offer free entry to home games for Indigenous community members. The policy, meant to engage Indigenous youth in collegiate athletics, came about in a meeting between a panel of SunUte Community Center employees and Travis Whipple, director of Athletics.

Josh Emerson (Economics, ‘19), a citizen of the Navajo Nation, has not-so-quietly entered Denver’s bustling stand-up comedy scene. Emerson’s career goals are to educate his audience on political issues through humor and make it big. “I’m going to buy a house with ‘ha-ha's,’” Emerson said.