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ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT OFFICE

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We are the Fort Lewis College Alumni Engagement Office, your hub for staying connected and engaged with our vibrant alumni community. Regardless of when you graduated, our goal is to support and enhance your relationship with Fort Lewis College.

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Alumni stories

FLC announces celebrated Chicana author Kali Fajardo-Anstine as Spring Commencement Speaker

Nardy Baeza Bickel / Wednesday, April 10, 2024

/ Categories: Home Featured, Campus & Community, Student Stories, Alumni, Friends and Donors

FLC announces celebrated Chicana author Kali Fajardo-Anstine as Spring Commencement Speaker

DURANGO, Colo.— Kali Fajardo-Anstine, an author celebrated for shedding light on the overlooked stories and histories of Chicano and Latinx communities in the American West, will deliver the keynote address for Fort Lewis College’s 2024 Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4.

Fajardo-Anstine, a Denver native and bestselling author whose work explores themes of identity, heritage, and community, has been recognized as a finalist for the National Book Award and is a recipient of the prestigious American Book Award. She is the author of “Sabrina & Corina,” and “Woman of Light.”

Growing up as the second eldest among seven siblings in a culturally diverse household, Fajardo-Anstine faced social and cultural alienation, which led her to seek solace and expression through writing. Despite an early educational setback, she turned her passion for literature into a successful career. Her work is celebrated for her contributions to literature and discussions on identity within the Chicano community.

In 2023, Fajardo-Anstine was named a Guggenheim Fellow, highlighting her significant contributions to the arts. In addition, she has been honored with the 2021 Addison M. Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

FLC's campus has a growing population of Hispanic/Latinx students, with 15% of students identifying as Hispanic/Latinx this fall.

“As a campus that deeply values the diversity of our students, we are excited to have a commencement speaker that reflects the diverse experiences and backgrounds of our student population,” said Heather Shotton, vice president for Diversity Affairs.

The 2024 Spring Commencement ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.

Learn more about the 2024 Spring Commencement.

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FLC Summits

An alumni story video series

FLC Summits S2 E4 | Steven Leash

Entrepreneur and Cahuilla Band of Indians Tribal Member Steven Leash, (Adventure Ed/Business '17), attended FLC as a non-traditional student. After being elected to the Cahuilla Band of Indians Tribal Council, Steven organized a donation to FLC's Outdoor Pursuits program that helps Indigenous students travel to fantastic locations. Steven describes his time at FLC, how Native Government works, and his motivations for organizing the donation.

FLC Summits S2 E3 | Reed Clément

Reed Clément, English Communications ’05, created his own degree emphasis in videography while at FLC. After graduating, Reed headed for the locus of all things cinematic, Los Angeles, California. He now heads up Netflix’s CREATIVE LABS division at their Hollywood branch headquarters. Reed discusses his time at FLC, how it changed him, and how what he learned at the school informs his work today.

Justin Beals (English-Theatre, '95)

In the fall of 2022, entrepreneur Justin Beals stopped by the school to have a look at his old haunts. Beals has built a career in cybersecurity and credits his success to time spent pacing the boards of the FLC Mainstage, where he learned to tell stories.

Jacquelene & Angelo McHorse

In 2012, FLC alums Jacquelene and Angelo McHorse started Bison Star Naturals, a small family business whose products are made with organically, naturally and locally sourced ingredients. FLC caught up with the McHorses to chat about their time at FLC, their approach to entrepreneurialism and community, and their plans for the future!

Ray Boucher

1980 Class President Ray Boucher talks about life at the Fort in the Seventies, bed racing, his professors and the importance of conviction.

P.T. Wood (Business Administration, '90)

P. T. Wood isn’t the first person to have his life changed on a river trip. Nor is he the first to imbibe some liquid spirits on said trip. But for Wood, the convergence of the two has led to a life and occupation in one of those unique mountain-lifestyle ways: as a distiller and mayor of a thriving Colorado mountain town.

Joshua Been (Art '99)

For Joshua Been, a career in art has been an art unto itself. As a working artist, change, adaptability, and growth – as well as the U.S. Army and the wildlands of the American West -- have been essential to his success. And that eclectic, self-crafted path was enabled by his ability to carve his own academic vision – both personally and professionally – at FLC.

Ricardo Caté (Education, '06)

The most prominent Native American cartoonist working today, Marine veteran, speaker, and standup comedian Ricardo Caté was employed by the Santa Fe New Mexican immediately after his graduation from FLC in 2006 to publish a daily single-panel cartoon called “Without Reservation,” which he had created while working for FLC’s student newspaper, The Independent.