Fort Lewis College Athletics

When Dr. Charles Dale Rea took over as the first president of Fort Lewis A&M Junior College in 1949, he immediately began to fight for the college. A special state committee considered closing the doors at the Hesperus campus — an alternative that was shot down by the state legislature in 1951.

Rea later suggested that, in order for the college to grow and improve, it be moved from Hesperus to Durango — an idea that was unpopular with rural citizens and Durango residents alike. In 1956 though, the campus moved to its present site.

Rea's third major fight for the college was to acquire four-year status. Front Range politicians and media argued that the state already had "poorly located" senior colleges in Gunnison and Alamosa. But by February 1962, a bill granting Fort Lewis College four-year status moved from the House to the Senate to Governor Stephen McNichols, and the dream became reality. Fort Lewis College graduated its first senior class in the spring of 1964.

Rea resigned as President of Fort Lewis College in the fall of 1962.

He died on Jan. 22, 2001.