ASU graduate's journey from Zoom to global discourse
A double major in civic and economic thought and leadership and English (creative writing), Eden Smith is the Dean's Medalist for the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2024 graduates.
Arizona native Eden Smith started her educational journey at ASU during the COVID-19 pandemic on Zoom and ended by traveling the world.
A double major in civic and economic thought and leadership and English (creative writing), Smith traveled the country and around the globe in search of knowledge and civic discourse.
The School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL) supports students in various travel opportunities and Global Intensive Experiences. Engaging in civic discourse is at the heart of the school's curriculum, and Smith attended the Braver Angels National Convention in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to do just that.
Smith, the Dean's Medalist for SCETL, says that this conference “opened my eyes to how much better public discourse could be if Americans were open to free discussion and respecting people they disagreed with.”
Her education took her international as she completed the War and Culture in Central Europe study abroad program in Romania.
“We visited Dracula’s castle, roamed the streets of Bucharest in search of pastries, toured the People’s Palace built during the communist regime and sailed down the Danube River close enough to smell smoke blowing over from Ukraine,” she says.
The civic and economic thought and leadership degree enables all students to complete an internship. Smith, with her passion for literature, interned at Superstition Review literary magazine for three semesters. She also was a teaching assistant for Barrett, The Honors College, and a grader for SCETL.
Smith was involved in many extracurricular activities at ASU including Bible studies and serving on the outreach committee of the SCETL Student Assembly. She volunteered her time for the Desert Nights Rising Stars Writers Conference this past fall and was a recipient of the New American University President’s Award and the Romanian Publishing Scholarship.
Learn more about Smith and her educational journey in her own words.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: Becoming a SCETL major was a gradual process for me. I took the intro course for fun, and by the end of the semester, I had been talked into adding the minor — thanks Dr. (Luke) Perez! Eventually, I realized how close I was to completing the minor, and I just couldn’t stop there. The December evening on which I opened a package in the mail to find a delicious-looking bag labeled “SCETL-Corn” was pretty pivotal, too.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: I read Marcus Aurelius’s "Meditations" and felt truly challenged by the idea that “the soul can choose not to be affected, preserving its own serenity, its own tranquility. All our decisions, urges, desires, aversions lie within. No evil can touch them.” I certainly have not achieved this level of self-command, but I aspire toward it, because doing so allows me to show love to others and face life’s problems more objectively.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: ASU became my first choice because I was able to commute, and then because of the pandemic, I didn’t want to be stuck in a dorm room in another state Zooming my classes. Four years later, I wouldn’t trade my ASU experience for anything. I’ve met so many brilliant people, been able to travel across the country and across the world, and forged irreplaceable relationships all because I chose Arizona State.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: It’s so hard to choose just one! Dr. Luke Perez introduced me to Aristotle and Augustine and Marcus Aurelius, and impressed on me the importance of pursuing virtue in everything I do. My Human Event Professor Dr. Stephanie deLuse taught me to read everything charitably, which may seem like a small thing, but it has made each class I’ve taken worthwhile and made me a better person and thinker.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Look for the connections between your classes. Finding ideas and thinkers that echo across classes and disciplines makes the whole educational endeavor more meaningful. And take a SCETL class! College is supposed to teach us to be better thinkers, citizens and people, so you shouldn’t leave university without wrestling with great ideas and engaging with timeless debates in some way.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?
A: The SCETL Library on the sixth floor of Coor Hall. Where else can you play Revolutionary War-themed chess while eavesdropping on a casual debate on the nature of justice? I also love the Design Library — it’s always quiet and has many places to plug in your computer.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I will be pursuing a job in publishing after graduation, starting by writing articles for Stroll Magazine and reading submissions for After Dinner Conversation literary magazine. I am passionate about the power of stories, and I love shining a spotlight on the creativity of others.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: One issue I want to see progress in within my lifetime is the fight to end factory farming. In my freshmen year, I read a book exposing the industry’s cruelty and waste. If we ever manage to reform the system, future generations will look back on factory farming as a barbaric practice that polluted our planet and bodies.
Another issue I care about a lot is the dangers of political polarization. Attending the Braver Angels National Convention last July opened my eyes to how much better public discourse could be if Americans were open to free discussion and respectful of people they disagreed with. I think a greater willingness to compromise would enable us to solve many problems more easily.
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