Four hundred and fifteen Fort Lewis College students received bachelors of arts and science degrees at the Ray Dennison Memorial Field on Saturday as proud parents, friends and family members cheered from the bleachers.
Six students received pre-nursing or educational leadership certificates and 26 graduate students received their masters of arts in education.
Sterlin Harjo, writer, director and producer known for “Mekko,” “Rez Ball” and “Reservation Dogs,” delivered the keynote commencement address, in which he encouraged new graduates to embrace failure and grow from it.
For example, he said, he considered attending FLC but ultimately went to college in Oklahoma. He never finished his undergraduate degree, noting Saturday’s graduates were about to accomplish more than he did in respect to a college education.
Harjo said they are undertaking a great journey – the rest of their lives – that will be full of uncertainty and scary at times. But, he said, “don’t mistake the endless unknown as danger,” because the journey will be the most exciting thing they will ever have.
While shooting the second season of “The Lowdown,” The Walt Disney Co. sent executives to observe Harjo’s film set, he said. They were impressed with how happy the crew was.
He said the film industry’s history is fraught with racism and sexism, and he makes sure his sets don’t tolerate anything of the sort because his grandmother taught him right. He told graduates to make sure they change whatever industry they go into for the better, and that no matter their class, race or background, they are the descendants of survivors.
FLC President Heather Shotton said the ceremony Saturday was all about the graduating class’s “pride, tenacity and passion.”
Kathryn Paul, president of the Associated Students of FLC, said the relationships students have built across their time at the college are crucial for their success and the success of the community.
After the turning of tassels and tossing of hats, fresh graduates embraced their parents and siblings and posed for photos to commemorate their achievements.
Blake Mister, a graduate and an aspiring software developer, was with family and friends outside the entrance to the stadium after the ceremony. He sprinted through the grass, stopped momentarily and performed a backflip, landing on his feet.
A family member filmed him as he went.
“I’m feeling great,” he said.
Mister said he pursued a major in computer information systems, and he has already lined up remote jobs to design personal software for businesses. He’s planning to move to Denver to pursue his career.
“I want to help people utilize (artificial intelligence),” he said. “I think AI is going to help the world be more productive, so I want to be a part of that.”
Some of his best memories from his time at FLC include sitting on the rim of the mesa and watching the sunset.
“It’s such a beautiful campus,” he said.
Mister thanked his parents for supporting him through college.
“We’re just very proud,” his mother said.
Mister said he is from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands and his family and friends back home were hugely supportive of him. Saipan was recently hit by a typhoon and those friends weren’t able to visit for his big day, he said.
A family member nearby shouted, “Donate, donate!”
Graduate Autumn Vargas, who studied prelaw, politics and Spanish, said she will go on to work for the United Nations.
“Shout out, advocates for international human rights,” she said. “Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
She said she was driven to pursue human rights work by family, integrity, community and making the world a better place.
Andy Barrish, who had just completed his master’s degree in principal leadership, said he and his wife also attended undergraduate school at FLC. During his undergraduate studies, he enjoyed the college campus, skiing at Purgatory Resort and enjoying Durango’s beauty, which he got to relive this weekend.
He is the dean at a middle school in Colorado Springs, and he aspires to level up to assistant principal and then principal, he said.
Joshua Allison-Begay of Arizona, another computer information systems graduate, said he is looking for a job in information technology, and he doesn’t have a particular industry he’s pursuing.
After some lighthearted prodding from his parents, he thanked them for their support through college.
cburney@durangoherald.com
