Peter Mesard: Ignited to Action Today, Impact for Generations
For his career accomplishments, volunteer service and generosity to FLC, Peter was honored as FLC's Alumni of the Year in 2008. Through gifts he's provided during his lifetime and his legacy gift, Peter supports FLC students today and for generations to come.
In 1972, Peter Mesard enrolled at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, unsure of his long-term academic abilities. He just wanted to hike and climb in the San Juan Mountains. Those craggy ridgelines inspired him to pursue a geology degree, while a professor tuned Peter onto FLC's hands-on educational opportunities.
"This place was like an ignition key," Peter says of FLC. "It provided the confidence boost I needed to see that I could master other things. It's the kind of place where students like me who initially weren't that into school can succeed."
Peter added engineering to his studies and graduated from FLC magna cum laude in 1977. He completed his master's degree in 1979 and built his resume in the then burgeoning field of environmental consulting. He now serves as a principal engineer and hydrogeologist for Exponent, an international engineering and scientific consulting firm.
"Where would I be without the inspiration and education I got at FLC?" Peter says. "That reflection prompted me to consider what is it that I owe this school."
Reflecting on legacy and gratitude compelled Peter to establish a will and leave a gift to the FLC Foundation. Years later, after a raft trip through the Grand Canyon with fellow alumni, Peter decided to put his resources to work during his lifetime, making a gift to support the construction of FLC's Geosciences, Physics & Engineering Hall (now Sitter Family Hall), naming the Peter M. Mesard Mineralogy & Petrology Laboratory.
He also provided a gift to seed research opportunities for undergraduate students so he could see the impact of his gift in action now. Additionally, he has served as a judge for the Undergraduate Research Symposium since 2017.
"Of all the people and institutions that I owe something to, FLC is top of that list," Peter says.
"Where else but FLC can I contribute something tangible and make a difference in the community, especially in the lives of these individual students? This is serious business; it's the next generation."
Pay It Forward
Like Peter, you can make a positive impact on future FLC students and the community. To learn more about current and planned giving options, contact Dave Kerns ’03 at 970-247-7427 or kerns_d@fortlewis.edu.