Friday, December 20, 2019 11345 View all Fort Lewis College news Students graduate in 57th Commencement of FLC Graduates and their families and friends celebrated with FLC faculty and staff on Friday, December 20, with Colorado Senator Rhonda Fields as commencement speaker. Nearly 200 Skyhawks walked in the Winter Commencement ceremony on December 20, culminating their successful undergraduate education and adventure at Fort Lewis College. The ceremony was held in Whalen Gymnasium, featuring performances by the Fort Lewis College Drum Line, Visiting Instructor of Music Wesley Dunnagan, and the Red Sky Drum Group from the Ute Moutain Ute Tribe in Towoac, Colorado. Speakers included President Tom Stritikus, Provost Cheryl Nixon, Board of Trustees member Richard Kaufman, Student Body President Cody Stroup, and Michael Martin, professor of History and Gender & Sexuality Studies and Faculty Senate President. “As you leave us, we encourage you to think about the values that you learned here. The values of taking action based upon deep critical thought, of valuing equity and diversity, and the value of relationships," President Stritikus said. "We could not be prouder of this class. Thank you for what you have done, and thank you for what you will do for your communities and for Fort Lewis College.” Friday's commencement speaker was Colorado Senator Rhonda Fields, chair of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. Watch Winter Commencement 2019 via Facebook Commencement Check out the #FLCClassof2019 photo booth! Photo Booth Excerpts from the Ceremony “ "Today while you’re celebrating your big accomplishment remember the decision you made to come Fort Lewis College and how much it has impacted you in this short period of time. This moment right now is another defining one for you. Appreciate this moment and the next step you’re about to take." Cody Stroup, student body president “ "Class of 2019 my challenge to you is to power up. Power up. There’s a saying that goes, If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. In our society today, what’s on the menu is democracy, what’s on the menu today is fair, livable wages, that’s on the menu. What’s the menu is accessibility to healthcare, affordable housing is on the menu, truth is on the menu, environmental and criminal justice is on the menu. Graduates I need you to take your place at the table, and if you don’t see a chair at the table, what should you do? Pull one up!" Colorado Senator Rhonda Fields