Alumni Awards
Alumni Engagement Office

Nominations for our 2025 Alumni Awards are now open

The Alumni Engagement team and Office of Advancement are excited to announce that nominations for the Fort Lewis College Alumni Awards are now open. This program honors graduates and staff who have distinguished themselves in their careers and made a significant impact on FLC and society through outstanding professional, philanthropic, and volunteer service.

Community Leadership

Alumni who inspire the world through philanthropy and service to their community.

Distinguished Alumni

Alumni who have distinguished themselves through professional accomplishments.

Faculty & Staff Service

Outstanding faculty or staff member for dedication to lasting relationships with students and alumni.

Rising Star

Alumni (graduated >10 years) significantly giving to society through professional or philanthropic work.

Service to FLC

Outstanding alumni who have significantly impacted the FLC community.

Eligibility for Awards

Definitions

Alumna/alumnus: Any individual who has received a degree from Fort Lewis College.
Faculty/Staff: Any current or retired employee of Fort Lewis College

To be Considered

Nominations must be submitted by a member of the FLC community (i.e., faculty, staff, foundation board members, professional associates, board of trustees members, and/or alumni)
Nominee must have:
- Distinguished themselves in their chosen professional field.
- Made significant contributions to their community at the local, state, national, or international level (this is the humanitarian criteria of the award).
- Demonstrated personal integrity and earned the respect of their peers.

Nomination Process & Timeline

Nominations must be submitted by July 15 using the form below.
Alternatively, nominations may be emailed to alumni@fortlewis.edu by July 15. Please include:
- Your name and contact information
- The nominee's name
- Your relationship to the nominee
- The specific award for which they are being nominated
- A detailed explanation of why the nominee deserves the award
A volunteer alumni awards committee—consisting of four alumni volunteers and the Alumni Engagement Director—will review all nominations.
Recipients will be selected by August 15.
Awardees will be notified and invited to campus to celebrate their achievements during Homecoming celebrations in late October.

Congratulations to our 2024 Alumni Award Winners

Faculty & Staff Service to Alumni

Dr. Michael Valdez won the Faculty & Staff Service Award for his exceptional efforts in fostering connections between Fort Lewis College and its alumni. As Co-Director of the Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition, he expanded the program to include a track for recent alumni, providing crucial support for young entrepreneurs. Collaborating with the Office of Alumni Engagement and Advancement, Michael secured funding and participants, with the Erteszek Family Foundation sponsoring the top prize. His efforts have empowered FLC entrepreneurs and strengthened ties within the community, leading to significant donations and partnerships. Michael’s dedication extends beyond Hawk Tank as he continues to mentor students and alumni, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to their success.

–Nominated by Lorraine L. Taylor, Ph.D.. associate professor of Management
Service to FLC

Thad Trujillo won the Service to FLC Award for his outstanding contributions as an alumnus. A former star quarterback and FLC Hall of Fame inductee, Thad has carried his leadership from the field into his professional and volunteer roles. Thad’s expertise has been invaluable as a realtor, particularly in securing significant real estate donations for FLC through his service on the Foundation Board and Gift Planning Advisory Council. His hands-on approach and dedication have been crucial, and he remains a vital supporter of Skyhawk Athletics. Alongside his wife, Dr. Jenni Trujillo, Dean of the School of Education, he continues to deepen their ties to FLC, exemplifying the impact dedicated alumni can have on their alma mater.

–Nominated by Melissa Mount, vice president of Advancement and CEO of Fort Lewis College Foundation, and Dave Kerns, principal gifts officer of the Fort Lewis College Foundation
Rising Star Award

Jennifer (Jenn) Yazzie won the Rising Star Award for her exceptional research, leadership, and service achievements. Jenn is a doctoral student at Utah State University and aspires to improve mental health within Indigenous communities. Her research on historical trauma among Native populations earned her recognition, including the Nancy Karlin Graduate Research Award. Actively involved with the Society of Indian Psychologists and the National Multicultural Summit, Jenn also mentors Indigenous students, guiding various programs. She was named a predoctoral fellow by the American Psychological Association. She received SIP’s Distinguished Student Award—Jenn’s accomplishments and dedication to service embody the qualities of a future leader in psychology.

–Nominated by Megan Wrona, Ph.D. associate professor of Psychology
Distinguished Alumni Award

Dave Markham received the Alumni Achievement Award for his distinguished career and dedication to Fort Lewis College. During his tenure at Lockheed Martin Space, he held key leadership roles, including Vice President of Advanced Programs and Strategy, exemplifying the innovation and leadership cultivated at FLC. He has been an active member and Chair of the Business Advisory Council, where he led the creation of the Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation, supporting local businesses. Dave’s professional contributions and commitment to the college community make him deserving of this honor.

–Nominated by Elveta Bishop, former co-chair of the Business Advisory Council, Katz School of Business.
Community Leadership Award

Matthew Campbell, a 2004 Fort Lewis College alumni and enrolled member of the Native Village of Gambell, won the Community Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions as Deputy Director at the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). Over the past decade, Matt has championed Native American rights through legal advocacy. Notable achievements include his support for Senate Bill S.B. 23-202, enabling Native American students to wear traditional regalia at graduations, and his involvement in significant cases like the successful opposition to the Keystone XL Pipeline and the protection of Bears Ears National Monument. His work has had a profound impact on Native communities at state and federal levels and has inspired Fort Lewis College students, embodying the spirit of leadership and service.

–Nominated by Joslynn Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor of Chemistry, and Kendra Gallegos Reichle, director of Student Well-Being