DURANGO, COLO.— Steven Schwartz, Fort Lewis College’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, will serve as interim president effective May 6. Last week, Tom Stritikus announced he was leaving the College after Commencement to lead Occidental College in Los Angeles.
“With a 27-year tenure of service to our College, Steve has the historical wisdom, financial acuity, political networks, and hard-earned trust of the Skyhawk community,” said Mary Rubadeau, chair of the FLC Board of Trustees, in an email to campus. “Steve will build upon our momentum as we launch the search for a permanent president.”
The recommendation comes after Rubadeau met with campus leaders, including faculty and staff, to discuss the characteristics needed for an outstanding interim president, she said.
Rubadeau said that while President Stritikus leaves extremely big sneakers to fill, he developed a strong leadership structure and amplified faculty, staff, and student voices through a commitment to shared governance.
“Steve has been instrumental in the execution of our state legislative strategy, capital construction across campus, the creation of the mortgage assistance program, and many other important building blocks of FLC,” Rubadeau said. “What you may know less about is Steve’s steadfast commitment to students and our reconciliation work. Beyond the scenes, Steve has impacted and influenced every aspect of our campus.”
Schwartz has worked at FLC for almost 27 years, serving under seven presidents. He’s been in his current position for the last 22, leading the College with a focus on student learning and supporting faculty and staff.
Most recently, he created a mortgage assistance program to help employees achieve their dream of home ownership. Schwartz holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky and his bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College.
“I am humbled by the trustees’ decision and honored to serve Fort Lewis College in this new capacity,” Schwartz said. “Our students, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees are awesome and FLC is stronger than ever. I’m excited to continue our momentum as we search for a permanent president.”