The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences is proud to announce the eight valedictorians representing our undergraduate programs this year. While a 3.75 GPA is the starting point for consideration, these students were chosen for more than just their high marks; they were selected because they have represented their programs with distinction through faculty collaboration, peer leadership, and a deep commitment to the campus community at Brigham Young University.
This year’s valedictorians will take an active role in Convocation — representing their peers by offering prayers and delivering student addresses — and we invite you to join us in celebrating their hard work. The college convocation ceremony will be held on Friday, April 24, at 11 a.m. in the Marriott Center. No tickets are needed, but guests should please be seated no later than 10:45 a.m.
Read on to learn more about each valedictorian and congratulations to all of our newest graduates!
Anthropology
Isabel Emery is graduating with an emphasis in cultural and linguistic anthropology and a minor in international development. Her love for people started in high school when she memorized all the countries on a world map. While at Brigham Young University, Emery was able to complete an internship with a non-governmental organization in Malawi, where she evaluated a program that taught business techniques to the NGO’s beneficiaries. She completed her anthropology field school research at the Provo Farmers Market and wrote an undergraduate thesis on her findings. Emery is looking forward to continuing her education this fall as she begins a master’s degree in public health. She hopes to conduct program evaluations in clinical settings to improve the individual patient experience in healthcare. Emery grew up in Riverton, Utah and is the daughter of Russell and Jennifer Emery. She would like to thank the professors she had the privilege of working with during her time at BYU, as well as her family and friends for their constant encouragement.
Economics
Hannah Dahl is graduating with a double major in economics and mathematics. Early in her time at Brigham Young University, she fell in love with economics and the way it uses both math and data to answer questions about the world. She has worked as a teaching assistant for ECON 110 and has taken an active part in the Economics Student Association and Women in Economics subgroup. As a research assistant, Dahl examined the impact of a low-income housing subsidization program on crime rates as well as the accurate measurement of employer mobility in the U.S. economy. She is grateful for wonderful mentorship and support from her professors and for the opportunities to grow and develop while at BYU. Dahl grew up in Provo, Utah, and served in the Uruguay Montevideo West Mission. She is excited to continue learning this fall as she begins a PhD in economics.
Geography
Ethan Harris is a geography major with a global studies emphasis and a secondary major in Portuguese studies. After a mission in Brasília, Brazil, Harris realized his interest in diverse landscapes and cultures would fit perfectly with the geography program at Brigham Young University. Harris has worked as a teaching and research assistant for professors of geography, Portuguese, and plant and wildlife sciences—representing disciplines across three colleges. He has especially enjoyed participating in Geography Department field trips, study abroad experiences, and Geography Student Association activities, where he currently serves as co-president. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, exploring new places, and playing the piano and violin. Following graduation, Harris plans to pursue a master’s degree in Luso-Brazilian literature at BYU and a career managing public lands. Harris is the oldest of four children born to Sam and Nichole Harris and grew up in the small farming town of Connell, Washington. He would like to thank his family, professors, and amazing friends at BYU for their incredible support and encouragement.
History
Erik Philip Palmer is a history major with a minor in ancient Near Eastern studies, Hebrew Bible emphasis. Following a mission to Belgium and the Netherlands, Palmer was inspired by great mentors in history and religious education to pursue a career as a professor. For two years, he worked as a research and teaching assistant for Donald W. Parry, editing a new Hebrew textbook and other projects while teaching Biblical Hebrew. He also worked with his mentor, Josh Matson, on Dead Sea Scrolls projects and textual studies. Palmer finds his greatest fulfillment in teaching and service, recently receiving the 2025 Top Accessibility Volunteer award and serving as a bishopric counselor for three years. He has also been involved in interfaith work and leadership in his field. Palmer is most grateful for the example of his mother, Donna, who passed away in December; she and the Savior remain his most formative teachers, showing that true success is found in loving God and serving others. This fall, Palmer will begin a master’s program at Harvard Divinity School.
Political Science
Dallin Bundy grew up in St. George, Utah, as the youngest of three children and served a mission in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Ecuador. Throughout his undergraduate career as a political science major with an emphasis in international strategy and diplomacy, he worked to promote civic engagement. He has been recognized for his commitment to public service by being named a BYU Wheatley Scholar and a 2025 Truman Scholar. He served as co-president of the Political Affairs Society, president of College Republicans, and vice president of activities in the BYU Student Association. Bundy completed internships in Washington, DC, and for the Office of the Governor in Utah, studied abroad in Europe, and worked on numerous political campaigns. He conducted research on polarization and congressional redistricting as a student fellow with the BYU Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy. Bundy will be continuing his studies this fall at BYU Law School. He is incredibly grateful for his parents, Casey and Mikell Bundy, who taught him the importance of education and hard work, and for the amazing students, faculty, and staff at BYU who have instilled within him the “Spirit of the Y.”
Psychology
Evelyn Thrasher grew up in Prosper, Texas, and came to Brigham Young University with a curiosity that refused to stay in one lane. After serving a proselyting mission in Eugene, Oregon, and Rosario, Argentina, she returned to campus and built an undergraduate career spanning psychology, Spanish studies, and international development—a major, a secondary major, and a minor. Her research, conducted alongside beloved mentors Jenae Nelson in the DOCS lab and Melissa Jones in the PPORG lab, contributed to the development of a new BYU sports camp for youth, earned an award-winning poster at the Mary Lou Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference, and demonstrated the efficacy of self-guided therapy workbooks. Outside the classroom, Thrasher volunteered at the Utah State Hospital, taught at the Missionary Training Center, hiked around the world, and served faithfully in church callings. She is now pursuing a career in chaplaincy and will attend divinity school this fall. She is endlessly grateful to her parents, her brother, and the mentors she has found through school, work, and church. She is who she is because they always cheered her on.
School of Family Life
After serving a mission to New Jersey and the French island of Guadeloupe during COVID-19, Anna Lemke returned to Brigham Young University and unexpectedly discovered the human development major. It offered a rich blend of medical, psychology, and development courses and she decided to jump in. Little did she know just how life-changing the major would be, revealing her passion for mental and emotional health, healthy relationships, and human flourishing, among other subjects. After a gap year, Lemke plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work or occupational therapy. Lemke’s BYU highlights include volunteering with BYU EMS; a study abroad program in Europe; working as a first-year peer mentor; and getting as much free food on campus as possible. She was born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, to Terrill and Amy Lemke. As the third of four children, she considers her siblings some of her best friends. She’d like to thank her family, professors, mentors, friends, roommates who’ve become her college family, and most of all, her Savior Jesus Christ.
Sociology
After her first year at Brigham Young University, Alexandra Williams served a mission in Belgium and the Netherlands. She then returned to BYU and sociology. She has worked as a teaching assistant for both international development and data analysis courses. She is currently involved in research surrounding adolescent and young adult outcomes of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and child maltreatment. She’s passionate about research and about working with individuals. While working as an intern with the State of Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services during her junior year, Williams decided that she wanted a career as a social worker. She will pursue a Master of Social Work beginning this fall. Williams is the daughter of David and Staccie Williams and grew up in Fullerton, California. She is excited to continue her education and is grateful to the mentors she’s had at BYU and to her family for their support and encouragement.
Get all the details about Convocation for the BYU College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences.