Message from the Dean:

Greetings from the beautiful campus of Fort Lewis College! I am very excited to share with you our second newsletter of the Fall 23 semester. In our last newsletter, I promised big things were on the horizon, and that may have been an understatement. If you have not yet heard the amazing news, the School of Business Administration has officially changed its name to the Katz School of Business, or the Katz School for short. This name change is the result of a transformational gift provided by Marc and Jane Katz. Their commitment to the Katz School and our community is tremendous and we are so proud to have their name associated with our business school. I hope you enjoy reading about this transformational gift, as well as all of the other wonderful activities taking place in the Katz School and the Center for Innovation.

Best wishes for the Holiday Season!

The Katz School Leadership team: (from left to right) Dr. Steve Elias, Dean, Dr. Paul Clay, Associate Dean, Dr. Deb Walker and Dr. Ivan Guardiola, Department Chairs

“We are very happy to support the business school at Fort Lewis College through the newly created Katz School of Business. The school will foster and encourage hands-on entrepreneurial experiences, while promoting connections made between the Katz School and the broader community. Our overarching goal is to strengthen programs that provide real-world and pragmatic business education to create business leaders for our future,”

- Marc and Jane Katz

The Katz School’s chapter of American Indigenous Business Leaders gathered for a visit to Honeyville, a local beekeeping and honey bottling family business. Under the guidance of owner Danny Culhane, students were given a tour, and were able to witness the facility's management in action. Information was also shared about Honeyville’s evolution from inception to its present state.

We were very fortunate to have Andy Ellwood visit with Katz School students while he was visiting Durango to give a keynote address at the La Plata County Economic Alliance’s Summit. Andy is a three-time founder with a wealth of experience as an entrepreneur and executive coach. He believes curiosity is a superpower and did a wonderful job of sharing his knowledge with our students. Thank you, Andy! 

The Katz School Business Advisory Council meets semi-annually with our student groups to help advise them on their academic and career paths. The BAC enjoys the designated time that they get to mentor our students and network with everyone in the Katz School. 

Dr. Kaori Takano gave a talk at the Durango Public Library on September 1st and October 6th. 

More than 60 enthusiastic potential travelers to Japan participated in this cultural event and Dr. Takano provided practical travel tips and simple lessons in Japanese language. This two-session event was a huge success, and the library staff was very happy about the turnout. Dr. Takano truly enjoyed this community engagement and is planning future events. 

Save the Date:

Join us for an exciting evening of innovation and entrepreneurship at the fourth offering of the Micro-grant Pitch Competition hosted by the Center for Innovation. Six student teams are ready to take the stage and pitch their ideas for a chance to win $1,500 to kickstart their businesses. Be part of this inspiring event on November 28th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to support emerging talent and be a part of our vibrant entrepreneurial community.

Host your Holiday Party at the Center for Innovation:

Hosting your holiday party at the Center for Innovation in our downtown location is an excellent choice for a memorable and hassle-free celebration. Our prime downtown location sets the stage for a stylish and convenient gathering. Moreover, our on-site kitchen facility ensures that hosting your party is not only fun but also exceptionally easy. You can prepare and serve your favorite dishes or even hire a catering service to delight your guests with delicious culinary creations.

New Technology:

The Innovation Center offers a diverse range of cutting-edge equipment and tools to empower business owners and creatives in their pursuit of excellence. At the heart of our offerings are two Ultimaker 3D Printers, enabling users to transform their ideas into tangible, precision-crafted prototypes. Our Digital Camera and photo booth provide high-quality imaging solutions, ensuring that your visual content stands out. Additionally, we feature a Universal Phone Video Rig Kit for iPhones, Smartphones, and Cameras, ideal for enhancing the quality of your mobile video content. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to these technologies, our center offers rental services and guidance to help you utilize these tools, empowering you to innovate and create with confidence. Come and explore the possibilities at the Innovation Center.

Ongoing Weekly Classes:

Cinematic Creations (Social Media Support) – Every Tuesday: 12 – 1 p.m.

Intro to 3D Printing – Every Tuesday: 1 – 2 p.m.

Start-Up Stretch and Flex (Get assistance with graphic design or learn how to start your very own Podcast) – Every Thursday: 12 – 1 p.m.

The Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition will held be on Saturday, April 20th, 2024. 

Stay tuned for more info!

Open to all majors across campus!

Aerospace Business and Engineering Club

We are here to share a love for space.  From engineering to the business of space, we want to connect students across disciplines to resources across the aerospace industry.  AIAA is a national organization of the American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics.  AIAA connects students with networking, mentorship, and career development opportunities within the aerospace industry. With Co-advisors from both the Katz School and engineering department, the club brings together students from across campus to share a fascination with space.

Scheduled meetings for the rest of the fall semester:

Thursday, November 9th- Star Party with Lockheed Martin Space and Agile Space Industries

Thursday, November 16th- Tutoring session for Calc 2

Thursday, December 7th- Potluck Event to closeout for the semester

 

American Indigenous Business Leaders

FLC's AIBL Chapter is currently the National AIBL Chapter of the Year. 

AIBL FLC is the premier RSO at the Fort for all students regardless of major who have drive for Indigenous Business and increasing Indigenous people's representation in today's business world.

Meeting are held every Tuesday at 5pm in EBH 065.

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, November 14th- Indigenous Artisan Market: SUB Vallecito, Room 4 from 4pm-6pm

Friday, November 17th- Business Panel; Center for Innovation, 835 Main Ave Suite 225 from 4pm-6pm

Beta Alpha Psi 

Beta Alpha Psi is the premier international honor and service organization for financial and business information for students and professionals. Their mission is to inspire and support excellence by encouraging the study and practice of accountancy, finance, business analytics or digital technology. They also provide opportunities for service, professional development, and interaction among members and financial professionals, while fostering lifelong ethical, social, and public responsibilities.

Each week, we host a public accounting firm (many large ones with offices around the country) to present in our meeting. Each meeting is followed by a sponsored networking happy hour downtown or on campus. The day after each meeting, the firms hold interviews for internships and full-time positions and hire many of our students.

Meetings are held every Thursday at 4:15pm in EBH 130.

Entrepreneurial Ventures Association

Are you passionate about entrepreneurship and ready to embark on an exciting journey towards building your own business? Look no further! The Entrepreneurial Ventures Association (E.V.A.) is here to guide and support you every step of the way.

E.V.A. is not your typical organization. We are a dynamic and inclusive community of like-minded individuals who believe in the power of collaboration and networking. Our goal is to empower students like you to develop essential entrepreneurial skills and pave the way for your success. 

Meetings are held every Thursday from 4:15pm to 5pm in the Library. 

Fort Lewis Economic Association

FLEA is the economics club at The Fort and a chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honor society for economics. Our meetings are open to everyone, not just economics majors. Join us for discussion topics, guest speakers, grad school preparation, tutoring, and community with people from various disciplines with diverse viewpoints.

Meetings are held every other Thursday from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in EBH 118.

Join FLEA on Thursday, November 9th from 5:30pm to 6:30 to discuss Cryptocurrency and its future.