Estrella Lemus
Estrella Lemus will be the student speaker for the Commencement ceremony scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, May 8. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Conflict Transformation and Social Entrepreneurship Certificate.
Q: In which campus activities were you involved?
A: I was president of Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society. Our organization traveled twice to the North Central Sociology Association Conference, where some students, including me, presented their work. I also attended many Center for Conflict Management events.
Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?
A: I received the Mark B. Tausig Award, which assists UA students earning a major or minor in sociology to complete and present research.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I plan to pursue my master’s and Ph.D. in sociology, continue my research and become a professor of sociology.
Q: What is your favorite memory of UA?
A: I cannot pick a single memory that explains what I love about UA; rather, it’s the culmination of my time in the sociology department here. The Newman Library in the sociology department will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I built meaningful, genuine friendships, shared countless lunches, where I rushed to finish assignments, where I was invited to be a part of huge projects, where I found comfort in a professor’s support, and was a place that always accepted me. Every single person in the sociology department contributed to my success. Their unwavering support, constant encouragement, and reassurance that I am doing what I am meant to do, these are support systems that changed the trajectory of my life. The selflessness that some of these faculty showed was my favorite part of UA.
Q: What unique things should we know about you?
A: I am the daughter of an immigrant. As an undergraduate I completed two major research projects and I am the guest host of a podcast that interviews real sociologists. I thrift all my clothes, I’ve seen 35 artists or bands live, and my name means star in Spanish.