Baltzer, who now runs Environmental Support Services in Evergreen, is grateful for what he learned at the Fort.

“I was really stunned at the education I was getting and the affordability of it,” he said. “I know that the Fort Lewis geologist comes out with a better rounded geological education than what I’ve found with other geologists I’ve encountered in my career.”

And if the view from the labs doesn’t inspire students, he doesn’t know what will.

The FLC Foundation has raised $1.1 million of its $4.2 million goal for the building to date.

Herald Staff