Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College is named for a former U.S. Army post established near Pagosa Springs in the late 1870s. The post soon moved to an area along the La Plata River, south of Hesperus. In 1891, it became a boarding school for American Indians in the region. Twenty years later, the federal government sold the original 6,000 acre site to the state of Colorado with proviso that American Indians would continue to be offered tuition-free education.

The state established an agricultural high school under the governance of the State Board of Agriculture. To boost enrollment, Fort Lewis began offering some junior college courses in 1927 and by 1933, high school classes were discontinued. Fort Lewis A&M Junior College continued to grow and in 1956, the college moved to its present day site in Durango. Fort Lewis began offering four-year programs in 1962 and graduated its first baccalaureate class of 59 students in 1964.

Today, Fort Lewis is Colorado's only public liberal arts college. More than 4,000 students are enrolled in 25 degree programs in the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration and Teacher Education. Five Fort Lewis academic disciplines have earned the prestigious Program of Excellence distinction by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, more than any other small college in the state. These programs include anthropology, biology, chemistry, teacher education and the Center of Southwest Studies.

Fort Lewis' faculty is its greatest asset. More than 87 percent of the full-time faculty members have completed the highest degrees attainable in their areas of study, including doctorates, masters of fine arts, and law degrees. All teach full course loads and are dedicated to offering students a quality learning experience. Since 1990, four Fort Lewis professors have been chosen as Colorado Professors of the Year, more than any other public or private college or university in the state.

The college completed more than $45 million in construction projects in 2001, including Chemistry Hall, Education & Business Hall, the Student Life Center, Charles Dale Rea Memorial Clocktower and the award-winning Center of Southwest Studies.

Quick Facts

Location: Durango, Colorado
RMAC Member Since: 1968-89, 93
Founded: 1891
Colors: Navy Blue, Light Blue & Gold
Nickname: Skyhawks
Enrollment: 4,000
Stadium: Dennison Memorial Field (4,000)
Arena: Whalen Gymnasium (2,500)
Softball Field: Aspen Field (400)
Soccer Field: Dirks Field (1,600)
Athletic Phone: (970) 247-7571
Fax: (970) 247-7655
Faculty Athletic Rep. Fax: (970) 247-7422
Website: www.goskyhawks.com  

Athletic Department Mailing Address 

1000 Rim Drive
Durango, CO
81301-3999

Name History

1878-1891: Fort Lewis Military Post
1891-1911: Fort Lewis Indian School
1911-1927: Fort Lewis High School
1927-1964: Fort Lewis Junior College 
1964-Present: Fort Lewis College