Monday, April 27, 2020 17646

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The Alumni Fellows Program is honoring 25 Fort Lewis College graduates for their notable careers and professional accomplishments. Each Department and their dean selected an outstanding graduate for the Fellows program. These Fellows will be joining the pantheon of distinguished alumni who have been honored throughout the years. 

“The Alumni Fellows awards program recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers,” says Krista Loken Knott, director of alumni engagement. “Each academic department on campus nominated one alumni. We feel this is a special awards program for that very reason – that they are chosen by their academic departments.”

This year’s fellows include:

• Eric Budreau (Accounting, ‘93)
• Greg Ley (Adventure Education, ‘10)
• Dana Hawkins    (Anthropology, ‘12)
• Danny Starr (Art, ‘13)
• Steven Lavengood (Biology, ‘80)
• Zane Wells (Business Administration, ‘09)
• Joslynn Lee (Chemistry and Cellular & Molecular Biology, ‘06)
• Lynda Hayes (Economics, ‘14)
• Kimi Hanson (Education, ‘02)
• Brian Campbell (Engineering, ‘06)
• Melissa Johnson (English, ‘98)
• Beau Kiklis (Environmental Studies, ‘14)
• Katie Ashley (Exercise Science, ‘11)
• Jim Corken (Geology, ‘74)
• Melissa McConnell (European History, ‘09)
• Greg Allen (Marketing, ‘90)
• Mary Rose Sena (Math, ‘12)
• Melissa Malberg Claeys (Music, ‘02)
• Sunshine Perry (Native American & Indigenous Studies, ‘14)
• Dr. Randy Palmer (Physics, ‘86)
• Sylvia Wirba (Philosophy, ‘04)
• Shardai Pioche     (Public Health, ‘16)
• Carolyn Morris (Psychology, ‘78)
• Matt Smith (Sociology, ‘14)
• Natalie Benally (Theatre, ‘10)

Each of these fellows have distinguished themselves in their professional field, have made significant contributions to their communities, and are well-respected by colleagues and their communities.

In years past, fellows have attended the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Symposium to share their expertise and connect with students and faculty. This year, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the symposium was convened virtually.

“This year, we have 25 Alumni Fellow awards recipients with those alumni in various fields and from across the country. Before COVID-19, we had plans to bring all 25 alumni back to campus to celebrate them, connect them with their academic departments, faculty, and students for a two-day celebration,” says Knott. “Clearly, the recognition and celebration of these alumni is not as we had planned, but we are so proud of our Alumni Fellows. We are so proud of the work they are doing. We are so proud they’re making such a difference in their communities.”