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A behind-the-scenes look at the ceremonial elements shaping this celebration 

Fort Lewis College will formally invest President Heather Shotton, Ph.D., on Thursday, April 9. Investiture is a longstanding academic tradition in which a president is formally vested with the authority and responsibilities of office. The April ceremony marks both a traditional academic milestone and a historic moment of Indigenous leadership at an institution that once operated as a federal Indian boarding school. 

President Shotton, an enrolled citizen of the Wichita & Affiliated Tribes and a descendant of the Kiowa and Cheyenne Tribes, is the first Native American president of Fort Lewis College. Her investiture reflects both continuity and change,honoring the resilience of Indigenous communities while affirming the College’s commitment to truth, belonging, and shared responsibility. 

Symbols of leadership: the Mace and Medallion 

Academic ceremonies around the world feature a ceremonial mace, a tradition that began in the Middle Ages and evolved into an emblem of authority. ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s mace, crafted from wood and traditionally housed outside the provost’s office, bears the College’s academic seal and leads formal academic processions. 

The presidential medallion, worn by the president at ceremonial events, represents the trust and responsibility of the office. ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s medallion also carries the academic seal—an iconic symbol of the College’s mission and values. 

Ceremony highlights

The Investiture ceremony will honor ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s unique mission as a Native American Serving, Non-Tribal Institution and President Shotton’s heritage: 

• As is tradition at ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ, it will begin with a land acknowledgment offered by the Hozhoni Ambassadors. The ceremony follows the 60th anniversary celebration of Hozhoni Days, one of the College’s longest-standing traditions celebrating Indigenous culture and leadership. Learn more about the .
• The Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society (Ton-Kon-Gah) will present the flags, honoring a Kiowa military society that has upheld warrior traditions for more than 200 years.
• The Otoe-Missouria Singers will perform the Flag Song and an Honors Song. The Otoe, Missouria, and Iowa (Ioway) peoples share deep Chiwere-speaking roots and were displaced from their homelands in the 19th century and forced to relocate to present-day Oklahoma. Despite removal and assimilation policies, Otoe-Missouria singers sustained their ceremonial traditions.
• A blessing will be offered by Gordon Yellowman Sr., a Cheyenne Chief and a descendant of respected spiritual leaders, including former Sacred Hat and Sundance leaders. Yellowman continues to serve the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and is nationally recognized for his work in cultural preservation, historic protection, and ledger art. 
• The ceremony will also feature a special gifting of a blanket and beaded pin which are both symbols of honor and respect. Ernest House, Senior Policy Director at Keystone Policy Institute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Member, and Adam Red of the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ Board of Trustees, will present the gifts.  

Students, faculty, and invited leaders will share reflections on leadership, education, and community.

From history to forward momentum 

Just after celebrating the inauguration of its first Native American president, the college will break ground on two transformational projects: the Sky Pavilion and the Indigenous Garden. 

The Sky Pavilion, expected to open in 2027, will serve as a flexible indoor-outdoor performance and gathering space for campus and community events. Located adjacent to the Center for Southwest Studies and Community Concert Hall, the Pavilion was designed for accessibility and ease of use, supporting artistic expression, public dialogue, and shared celebration. 

Located near the Hesperus Peace Park and Art Building, the Indigenous Garden will be a living space for healing, cultural education, and land-based learning. Designed as a demonstration and teaching landscape, the Garden will feature medicinal, edible, pollinator, and craft plants, along with outdoor classroom space for hands-on instruction and reflection. 

Together, these projects expand opportunities for gathering, storytelling, and connection to land—visible commitments to the values reflected in the investiture ceremony itself.

Strengthen the Promise 

President Shotton’s investiture is both a historic milestone and a call to action. 

Through the Strengthen the Promise initiative, Fort Lewis College has set a goal of raising $500,000 for student scholarships, reaffirming its commitment to access, belonging, and opportunity. 

Community members, alumni, and friends are invited to invest in this moment and help support the next generation of leaders at Fort Lewis College.