#FLCAlumni #FLCForever #GoSkyhawks

Weighing in on a feature story for The Colorado Sun, Jason Pettit (Psychology, '23) discussed his experience with homelessness and FLC's rapid re-housing program. The program helped 108 students in its inaugural year with emergency hotel stays, financial assistance for move-in-related costs, and support with rent and utilities.

More than 400 FLC students graduated on May 6 at a ceremony addressed by Thomas J. Vilsack, the 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture.

After over two years of construction, FLC's Schlessman Family Hall opened on April 28. Named after FLC alumnus Gary Schlessman (Business Administration, ’79), whose foundation donated $2 million to the project, the complex houses classrooms for FLC’s Public Health and Health & Human Performance departments.

Teal Lehto (Environmental Studies, ‘20), the “WesternWaterGirl,” continues to educate the nation on water issues facing the Southwest through social media platforms. She sat down with The Durango Herald to answer questions about her career as a water rights activist.

Chance Ward (Anthropology, '18), a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, conducted ground-breaking research into the spread of horses in North America. Ward stated that many researchers don’t handle animal remains with the same care they reserve for cultural objects and human remains.

Joshua Emerson (Economics, '19) sat down with Boulder Weekly to discuss his career as a comedian. Emerson continues to push audiences into uncomfortable territory while working to ensure “a seat at the table” for Indigenous people.

Stacey DeFore (Business Administration, ‘94) was confirmed to the FLC Board of Trustees this week, beginning the role of a lifetime for her as a student advocate and partner to her alma mater.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science created the "Dance Your Ph.D." video contest, which invites scientists to explain their Ph.D. thesis through interpretative dance. For chemist and flow artist Checkers Marshall (Chemistry, '16), it was a match made in nerd heaven.

Gilda Yazzie (Business Administration, '97) clinched one of the Durango City Council seats vacated by Mayor Barbara Noseworthy and Councilor Kim Baxter. Yazzie's grassroots campaign style, priorities, and experience were key factors in winning the race. 

Sanitas Cycles is a titanium bicycle frame building operation co-founded by David (Environmental Studies, '20) and John Siegrist. With his father’s work at DEAN Bicycles as the backdrop of his childhood in Boulder, Colorado, Dave started working on bikes after graduating from FLC.

The Center of Southwest Studies exhibition As Seeds, We Grow: Student Reflections on Resilience will close with a celebration on April 5. Joe Kinneen (Journalism & Multimedia Studies, '22) recently published his Native Lens video about the installation, which chronicles its opening last year. 

Hosava Kretzmann (Public Health, '18), a citizen of the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe, was the first American and sixth person to cross the finish line at the Los Angeles Marathon. The 28-year-old finished the 26.2-mile race in a time of 2:19:55 ahead of 22,000 other runners. Incredibly, it was the first full marathon Kretzmann had ever run. 

FLC Art Director Anna McBrayer and Diné artist and cultural mentor Garrett Etsitty sat down with UCDA to discuss the award-winning cover of the winter 2022 edition of FLC Voices. 

After leading the Skyhawks through a historic campaign on the court, head men’s basketball coach Bob Pietrack was named the South-Central Region Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Akuel Kot, a senior studying Sports Administration, was also praised with First Team All-Region honors.

Dyllon Mills (Public Health, '22) was appointed vice-chair of the Kwiyagat Community Academy school board. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe opened KCA in September 2021, and it is Colorado's first charter school located on an Indian reservation.