Acclaimed Chicana Author Kali Fajardo-Anstine to Address FLC Graduates at 2024 Spring Commencement

Kali Fajardo-Anstine, a respected Chicana author, will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 Spring Commencement ceremony at Fort Lewis College (FLC) in Durango, Colorado. Fajardo-Anstine, originally from Denver, is recognized for her work on Chicano and Latinx communities in the American West. Her exploration of identity, heritage, and community has led to her being a National Book Award finalist and an American Book Award recipient.

Fajardo-Anstine faced challenges on her path to becoming an author. As the second eldest of seven siblings in a diverse household, she experienced feelings of isolation which led her to writing. Despite initial difficulties in her education, she turned her love for literature into a successful career, making significant contributions to Chicano literature and identity discussions.

In 2023, Fajardo-Anstine received a Guggenheim Fellowship, acknowledging her contributions to the arts. She also received the 2021 Addison M. Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Her works include “Sabrina & Corina,” and “Woman of Light.”

FLC's selection of Fajardo-Anstine as the commencement speaker aligns with the college's commitment to diversity. The campus has a growing Hispanic/Latinx student population, which made up 15% of students in the fall of 2024. Heather Shotton, vice president for Diversity Affairs, is enthusiastic about a commencement speaker who reflects the student population's diverse experiences and backgrounds.

The 2024 Spring Commencement ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at Ray Dennison Memorial Field. More details about the Spring Commencement are available on the FLC website.

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