Dene Kay Thomas delivers her last commencement address as president of Fort Lewis College during the spring graduation ceremony on Saturday morning. Gov. John Hickenlooper also honored Thomas, who is retiring at the end of July, by proclaiming Saturday, April 28, 2018, Dene Kay Thomas Day in Colorado.
Dene Kay Thomas delivers her last commencement address as president of Fort Lewis College during the spring graduation ceremony on Saturday morning. Gov. John Hickenlooper also honored Thomas, who is retiring at the end of July, by proclaiming Saturday, April 28, 2018, Dene Kay Thomas Day in Colorado.Jerry McBride/Durango Herald

Hickenlooper proclaimed Saturday, April 28, 2018, as Dene Kay Thomas Day in the state of Colorado.

“Whereas, effective June 30, 2018, Dene Kay Thomas concludes an eight-year term that has seen a number of challenges and accomplishments that helped to reshape the College; and Whereas, she oversaw the redesign of the FLC curriculum ahead of the College’s successful reaccreditation in 2016; and …”

The proclamation continues through six more “Whereas” statements before honoring Thomas with her own day.

Thomas will be replaced Aug. 1 as president of FLC by Tom Stritikus.

Stritikus, who currently serves as deputy director of K-12 Education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will become college president Aug. 1. Thomas agreed to postpone her retirement until July 31.

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Hickenlooper proclamation (PDF)