Alray Nelson, a member of the Navajo Nation, has been elected student body president at Fort Lewis College in Colorado.

Nelson, a junior who is majoring in sociology and political science, is the first Navajo student to hold the position. He is only the second Indian student to serve as president in the school's history.

"I grew up in humble means, very traditional," Nelson, 24, told The Farmington Daily Times. "I'm here at Fort Lewis College to obtain a degree because I feel I can give back more. I didn't run as a Native American. I ran as Alray, a student who felt we could do better."

Fort Lewis began as an Indian boarding school that was run by the federal government. When it became a public institution, the state promised to admit Indian students "free of tuition and on an equality with white students."

About 20 percent of the student body is American Indian or Alaska Native.

Get the Story:
Navajo elected as Fort Lewis student body president (The Farmington Daily Times 4/21)

Related Stories:
Colorado lawmaker 'sorry' for taking on Native tuition (1/22)
Colorado lawmaker defends Native tuition program bill (1/20)
Colorado lawmakers seek cut in Native tuition program (1/18)
Fort Lewis Collge sees record Indian enrollment (3/24)