More than 150 Skyhawks were celebrated in a Virtual Winter Commencement ceremony on December 4, culminating their educational journeys at Fort Lewis College. The ceremony premiered online, featuring videos of graduates moving their tassels as their names were read by faculty from their division. Speakers included President Tom Stritikus, Provost Cheryl Nixon, and commencement speaker Dugald Owen, professor of Philosophy and Alice Admire Outstanding Teacher Award recipient.
Each speaker lauded students for their accomplishments and intellectual growth during their time at FLC, especially this fall under unique circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Your resilience, your sense of community, and your connection to each other to do the right thing in a very difficult year inspired me,” said President Stritikus. “I could not be more proud that I have had the chance to work with and learn from you. Skyhawks, congratulations, today is your day. I can't wait to see what you do in the future.”
“Congratulations, graduates. You have made it through the most difficult term at Fort Lewis College ever and you have triumphed,” said Owen. “Not only did you resist the temptations of the mountains, river, and desert, as you wrote papers, solved equations, completed lab and studio work, you masked up, social distanced, and prevented COVID-19 from spreading across our campus. You dodged flying whiteboards under the tents on windy days, logged into mandatory online classes, and made your education a success in such stressful times."
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"Life is tough, but you are tougher. You have more than earned this day of celebration of your achievement. Congratulations, graduates, for succeeding brilliantly in classes, and thank you for letting us share in your intellectual and personal growth at Fort Lewis College. You have been an inspiration to us and we know you will be an inspiration to those you encounter as you head into the next adventure in your lives."
DUGALD OWEN
“Life is tough, but you are tougher. You have more than earned this day of celebration of your achievement," Owen commended. "Congratulations, graduates, for succeeding brilliantly in classes, and thank you for letting us share in your intellectual and personal growth at Fort Lewis College. You have been an inspiration to us and we know you will be an inspiration to those you encounter as you head into the next adventure in your lives.”
Student marshals for the ceremony were Raelen Snow Barr (Psychology) and Tessa Marie Seaney (Psychology). Graduates in the 2020 Virtual Winter Commencement ceremony received Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Arts in Education degrees, as well as certificates in Pre-Health, Geographic Information System, and Digital Marketing.