Congratulations, Class of 2025!
Graduation is a time to celebrate your achievements with family and friends as you move on to your next phase of life. We are excited to offer two in-person commencement ceremonies for #FLCclassof2025!
Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony
Date: Friday, December 12, 2025Time: 2 pm, estimated one-hour ceremony. Doors open at 1 pm for guestsLocation: Ceremony is at Whalen GymnasiumStudent robing and line-up location: Student Life Center at 1 pm (graduates show up wearing cap and gown)Reception after ceremony: San Juan Dining Hall in the Student Union Building
Contact: commencement@fortlewis.edu
Commencement speaker | Betty Dorr, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, 2025 Alice Admire Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient
Dr. Betty Dorr earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychobiology from the University of Nebraska, where her early research examined reproductive processes in endangered and threatened species, including golden lion tamarins. Her current scholarship centers on ovulation and menstruation literacy, evolutionary psychology, and the pedagogy of human sexuality. Dorr’s research explores how gender and language shape attitudes toward menstruation and investigates reproductive literacy among young adults, with particular attention to fostering inclusive and evidence-based approaches to sexuality education.
In her teaching, Dorr integrates empirical research with applied learning, encouraging students to critically engage with biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives on human behavior. She regularly teaches courses such as Animal Behavior, Physiological Psychology, Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Positive Psychology, Human Sexuality, Psychology of Intuition, and Senior Research Experience.
Outside the classroom, Dorr enjoys observing the rich wildlife of Durango, Colorado, including crows, ravens, mule deer, and other native species—a pastime that continues to inspire her appreciation for behavior in both human and nonhuman animals.
Students must first petition to graduate to confirm degree requirements. Once approved, graduates receive 12 tickets to claim by November 13 via instructions from commencement@fortlewis.edu. After November 13, all unclaimed tickets are redistributed for additional ticket requests, with instructions emailed to all students.
Guests should park in the Stadium Lot, with accessible parking and drop-off located off Skyhawk Ave near the Art Lot. Guest seating is first-come, first-served, with accessible seating available for those who need it. Golf carts will provide transportation assistance as needed.
Gradimages will take professional photos. Families can take pictures with their grad after the ceremony by the Clocktower or at the reception.
This list of graduates is accurate as possible but should not be regarded as the final. Graduates will receive diplomas by mail upon successful completion of their academic degrees. Graduates who have privacy restrictions on their records are not included in the list.
Ringing of the Bell
Asa Worthington, President, Associated Students of Fort Lewis College
Processional
Fort Lewis College Drum Line
John O’Neal, Ph.D., Associated Professor of Music, Fort Lewis College
National Anthem
Warren Rockett
Land Acknowledgment
Kiera McCabe, Hozhoni Ambassador
Signer
Ramona Richardson
Welcome
Heather Shotton, Ph.D., President, Fort Lewis College
Greetings
Graduation Remarks
Betty Dorr, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
Recognition of Candidates
Honor Song
Sawmill Singers
Board of Trustees
Platform Party
The Provost’s Office is proud to honor the two students with the highest cumulative GPA of this graduating class. These students are a testament to hard work and great success in the classroom.
Leah Pascarella Anthropology, Environmental Conservation and Management, GIS Certificate, Summa Cum Laude
My name is Leah Pascarella, and I am earning degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Conservation and Management at Fort Lewis College. As a student here, I had the opportunity to intern for the Center for Southwest Studies, serve as club secretary for S.E.E.D.S., and conduct several research projects, including a project in Tanzania. I am grateful for my time at FLC, and I look forward to my next chapter!
Amber Smith History, Summa Cum Laude
My name is Amber Cheyenne Smith. I’m a history major here at Fort Lewis College. I’m a non-traditional, first-generation student, History Club officer, history tutor, and employee of Career Services. I plan to continue writing and researching history, going to grad school, and working in academia. What motivated me to succeed at Fort Lewis is the amazing faculty and passionate student community. In my free time, I love reading, photography, and traveling.
The graduation gowns worn by Fort Lewis College bachelor’s degree candidates and faculty hold origins in the academic dress of the 12th and 13th centuries. In the late 19th century, colors for each academic discipline were standardized for academic dress.
In 1895, an intercollegiate commission adopted the first “code” of academic dress that included style, cut of the gowns, and prescribed colors. The gown for bachelor’s degree candidates features pointed sleeves and is designed to be worn closed. The doctoral degree gown has bell-shaped sleeves, a front facing of velvet, and three bars of velvet across the sleeves. Facings and sleeve bars may be the color of the discipline in which the doctoral degree was obtained, but traditionally they are black. The material that drapes across the chest and down the back, called hoods, is much more complex in coloring and design. Generally, hoods worn by faculty who have attained their doctorate degrees are trimmed in dark blue to represent their mastery of a discipline. Some institutions also include their school colors in the hood’s design, and others might include the colors of the academic discipline in which the degree was obtained.
Fort Lewis College bachelor’s degree candidates wear mortarboards with the tassels hanging to the right before they receive their degrees. Graduates move the tassels to the left after recognition by the President.
Graduation Protocol
The Fort Lewis College Commencement Ceremony is a solemn, celebratory occasion that recognizes and honors a major life passage for the institution’s graduates. As such, audience members are asked to observe the following:
Graduation Memories
facebook.com/fortlewis #FLCClassOf2025
Grad Images is the official photographer for Commencement. Photos will be available for purchase within 48–72 hours. Please visit gradimages.com for more information.
Graduation Reception
The President’s Office hosts a reception for graduates, their families and guests, and college faculty, staff, and administrators immediately following the ceremony at San Juan Dining Hall in the Student Union. Refreshments will be served.
Per tradition, the FLC community will once again hear the chimes of the legendary Skyhawk bell. This storied bell served many years on a steam locomotive of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. The bell was gifted to Fort Lewis College by William M. White and the D&RGW on December 7, 1963. This year, the bell will ring 67 times, marking each year this special tradition has been honored.
Join us for this fun event to get everything you need for commencement! Pick up your cap, gown, and honors medal, confirm your name for the program, update your diploma mailing address, and ask questions. Contact your department chair for regalia details. Enjoy food, swag, and photos with Skyler!
Date: November 13, 2025Time: 10 am - 2 pmLocation: Student Union Ballroom
Missed it? Graduation materials will be available at the SkyStore December 11 at 1 pm.
For lineup and ceremony details, watch "How to Do Graduation".