Celestino Fernandez

Sonoma State Grad Year:

1973

Degree:

Sociology

What is your current position and/or the industry you work in?

onsultant, retired professor, and administrator from the University of Arizona.

What were your campus involvements at SSU?

Sociology Club

Why did you choose to attend SSU?

I chose to attend Sonoma State University because I wanted to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at a university with a strong focus on the liberal arts. I was confident that a bachelor's degree from SSU would prepare me well for graduate work, which it did, even beyond my expectations. SSU prepared me so well that I was admitted to Stanford University, where I completed both the master’s and doctoral degrees in sociology in just three years.

How has Sonoma State made an impact on your life today?

SSU laid the foundation for my career and the life I have led and lead today. It was because of professors like Ann Neel and Dan Haytin that while I was an undergraduate student at SSU, I decided to become a university professor. As a result, I had a 42-year career as a professor at the University of Arizona, including 15 years as a vice president; I also have taught at other universities, including in Mexico. The liberal arts education that I received at SSU contributed to my career as well as to many other areas of my life; for example, I compose poetry in English and Spanish and compose corridos (Mexican ballads), some of which have been played on radio and included in films. I created a course on happiness that enrolled over 500 students every spring semester, and I have lectured on happiness throughout the U.S. and Mexico, and even in Romania.

What advice would you give to a current student or recent graduate?

While college is important for preparing us for employment, take the time to enjoy learning, especially the learning that comes from the liberal arts; enjoy learning about different things and different cultures. Diversity is not a dirty word! The world is diverse, indeed, the U.S. is diverse. A liberal arts education is the best preparation that you can have for life and work. Make time regularly to fulfill your passions. Life flies by. Stay active physically, mentally, and spiritually. If you want to be happy, do something for others.