ALAMOSA — Following in the footsteps of her sisters, Marli Anne Crowther, of Sanford, chose her hometown college Adams State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude during the Fall 2022 Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 17, 2022.

“Earning a college education has always been an important part of my life,” she said.

Crowther received a bachelor’s in physical geography and conservation with a geology minor; and a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies in food studies with an emphasis in sustainability.

“I love the environment at Adams State,” Crowther said. “It is close to home and having small class sizes makes it easier for the professors to know you and work with you. The professors also go out of their way to help give you the best education they can provide and get to know you personally. They let you know they care about you and want the best for you.”

Crowther received many scholarships throughout her academic career; had internships with North River Greenhouse and Landscaping, and Land Life; as well as work-study positions. She graduated in 4.5 years with no student loan debt.

“My advisor and major professors helped ensure I was successful by really getting to know me and my interests and helping direct me toward my goals,” Crowther said. “For example, over the past three years, I have worked on a research project studying landslides along the La Veta Pass with my advisor, Dr. Chayan Lahiri. Through this experience, I have learned the many steps it takes to conduct a research project and I have had the opportunity to present our findings during many talks at the university and at the Geological Society of America Conference in Denver.”

She plans on working in the San Luis Valley before returning to school to earn a master’s degree.

“Connections made outside academics helped support my goals and accomplishments by giving me a network of people I could talk to who cared about me,” she said. “Many of these people have led me to potential job sites and have helped me realize what positive impacts I can make with my degrees.”

Crowther was President of the Latter-Day Saints Student Association Club, was inducted into the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success her freshman year of college and received the Laramide Chapter Association of Women Geoscientists Outstanding Student Award in 2022.

“As an incoming freshman, I was unsure of the college path I wanted to take,” Crowther said. “I knew I wanted a college degree, but I didn’t know which major I should choose because I found interest in so many of them. As I began to take classes, I found what I was most interested in and what type of career I could see myself pursuing in the coming years. I changed my major a few times and also added a major and a minor. As I took more and more classes in my designated field of study, I found out more about who I was and grew more confident with the knowledge that was being passed down to me. Not only did my knowledge grow, but I also grew immensely as a person from when I was an incoming freshman to a graduating senior.”