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Lisa Smith ’87 is making the most of her retirement. After 27 years of service, she retired from the Colorado Springs Fire Department as a firefighter and a paramedic after a distinguished career, which included being part of the team that fought the largest fire in Colorado’s history and helping to set the world record for the fastest women’s relay in the Firefighter Combat Challenge in 2009. She is the first African American woman to achieve a standard retirement with that department. But before retiring from firefighting, the U.S. Army veteran started working toward a new goal—a second career as an outdoor enthusiast. The Oswego zoology major enrolled in an associate’s degree in both outdoor education and park ranger technology—which she is now putting to good use as a volunteer outdoor educator and park patroller. She is also using the extra time that comes with retirement to hike, backpack, camp (even in winter), rock climb and snowshoe in the Rocky Mountains. “You can take the girl out of the Upstate New York snow belt, but snow and winter sports are in her blood,” she said.
REUNION 2020 UPDATE In light of the coronavirus pandemic, we regret to inform you that Reunion Weekend 2020 was canceled. A special website was created in honor of the Class of 1970, whose members are inducted into the Golden Anniversary Society, marking 50 years since their college graduation. Check out a slideshow of photos, and updates from classmates at alumni.oswego.edu/1970. Please visit the Reunion website to get the latest updates on how we will be celebrating with all of you—in particular our milestone anniversary classes and groups: alumni.oswego.edu/ reunion. In the meantime, please share your updates with us virtually at: alumni.oswego.edu/classnote.
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