Nearly 200 Fort Lewis College students graduated on Friday, marking a close to the fall semester.
Tom Stritikus, president of FLC, said many graduating students are finishing a journey that started before the world knew what COVID-19 was.
“And now we’re here in a gigantic gymnasium with a crowd full of awesome people,” he said.
He said he hopes the graduation ceremony inspires thoughts about life, friendship, care and diversity, and complimented the graduating students for contributing to a sense of belonging for the LGBTQ community and for applying Indigenous ways of learning to complex societal problems.
Student marshals Sarah Schmutte and Margaret Cadilli were recognized as the two students with the highest cumulative grade point averages among the graduating class, according to a news release from the college. Schmutte studied exercise physiology, while Cadilli studied business administration.
Carter Rogers, president of the Associated Students of FLC, shared an acronym popular with the political science community with graduating students, “BREATH.” (B – be kind to others; R – rest and relax; E – enter the world with an open mind; A – articulate your thoughts; T – take time to reflect; and H – help others.)
He said students should think about and reflect on their experiences with friends, peers and professors that proved helpful in passing through school.
“I like to think that these memories will define your time at Fort Lewis College, not just a process of brutal and time-consuming studying, final exams and research projects, but as a place where you were able to find a home and community.”
He said graduates should always be kind to others, rest and relax when they need to, enter the world with an open mind, articulate their thoughts openly and mindfully, take time to reflect on things, and help others.
“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything,” he said, quoting George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright famous for his cultural and political influence on Western theater.
He said one belief he strongly holds is that society benefits from discussion of different opinions and thoughts, referencing the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud.
“One belief I strongly hold is that society benefits from discussion of different opinions and thoughts,” he said. He referenced Sigmund Freud, who said “unexpressed emotions will never die.”
cburney@durangoherald.com
