Last week, a combined group of students, faculty, staff, and visitors gathered to plant two new trees near the clocktower on campus, celebrating Earth Week.

The longtime FLC leader and alumna will remain connected through an advisory role.

The Fort Lewis College Art & Design Department hosted its annual SURGE Exhibition, featuring capstone projects from senior Art and Communication Design majors. Curated and designed by the students, the exhibition highlights their creativity and personal expression while offering a platform to share their work with the FLC and Durango communities.

“She reminds us that we’re never walking by ourselves,” said senior Selena Gonzales, a Diné member of the Navajo Nation who lovingly refers to Shotton as “auntie” — a term of respect in Native culture. “We walk with our ancestors behind us and our future generations ahead of us.”

More than 130 people, including health care professionals, nutrition experts and students attended the conference held at Fort Lewis College April 3-4.

Orange, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, gained national recognition with his debut novel, There There, which became a New York Times bestseller and offers a poignant exploration of urban Native American life.  

New Fort Lewis College president on opportunities, Indigenous heritage and first-gen students

As Vice President of Diversity Affairs at FLC, Heather Shotton has played a pivotal role in advancing a culture of belonging and enhancing student access and success. 

Bringing over two decades of teaching, scholarship, and leadership experience, Shotton will be the first Indigenous person to lead the institution.

DURANGO, Colo.—Addressing more than 100 staff members in the Student Union Ballroom, Dr. Heather Shotton, the sole finalist for the presidency of Fort Lewis College, shared her vision for the institution before taking questions from the audience. When asked about her perspective on student affairs and student engagement, Shotton explained that her background in student affairs helps...