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DURANGO, Colo.— Kali Fajardo-Anstine, an author celebrated for shedding light on the overlooked stories and histories of Chicano and Latinx communities in the American West, will deliver the keynote address for Fort Lewis College’s 2024 Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4.

Fajardo-Anstine, a Denver native and bestselling author whose work explores themes of identity, heritage, and community, has been recognized as a finalist for the National Book Award and is a recipient of the prestigious American Book Award. She is the author of “Sabrina & Corina,” and “Woman of Light.”

Growing up as the second eldest among seven siblings in a culturally diverse household, Fajardo-Anstine faced social and cultural alienation, which led her to seek solace and expression through writing. Despite an early educational setback, she turned her passion for literature into a successful career. Her work is celebrated for her contributions to literature and discussions on identity within the Chicano community.

In 2023, Fajardo-Anstine was named a Guggenheim Fellow, highlighting her significant contributions to the arts. In addition, she has been honored with the 2021 Addison M. Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

FLC's campus has a growing population of Hispanic/Latinx students, with 15% of students identifying as Hispanic/Latinx this fall.

“As a campus that deeply values the diversity of our students, we are excited to have a commencement speaker that reflects the diverse experiences and backgrounds of our student population,” said Heather Shotton, vice president for Diversity Affairs.

The 2024 Spring Commencement ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at Ray Dennison Memorial Field.

Learn more about the 2024 Spring Commencement.