Meet your science senator — Alex Lyons
Junior Alex Lyons has always shown courage and determination in everything he did, and applying for Science Senator at Utah State University was no different. Even now, at the end of his term, Lyons has taken the reins during the COVID-19 pandemic to help the students he represents.
Although he’s lived in a number of places, Lyons calls Logan his home. An avid runner and skier, Lyons spent his first two years at Utah State on the track and field team before moving his academic career toward planning out a future in medicine. Originally majoring in bioengineering, Lyons switched to biochemistry which put him on a direct path toward medical school. One thing that interested him was undergraduate research, but finding out how to start was difficult.
“I was having a difficult time finding where to go, who to get in contact and finding the route to get to undergraduate research,” Lyons said. Then the idea of running for senator came to him. Surely he couldn’t be the only person in this position.
“I heard about the senator position and thought this would be the chance to implement changes in the policy,” he said, “so, I decided to run for it hoping to provide a clearer track to research.”
In addition, his platform’s main objectives covered volunteer opportunities, community involvement and events that were both academic and entertaining, as well as a clear track from undergraduate research to graduate school or occupation.
“I wanted to come up with ways I could give back to the community,” Lyons said, “so I split up my council to tackle these different issues. The main goal was creating a smooth path from college graduate to career and create more viable candidates for jobs.”
His year as the science senator has been spent doing just that. “Research Mingle” events were held often to introduce faculty to students and help them understand how to get started in conducting research. Lyons made a name for himself extending a hand to the students he represented. Many would reach out for help through email, office hours or at the mingles.
According to Ryan Jackson, an assistant professor of chemistry, Lyons has impressed students and faculty alike. They met during Lyon’s quest to get involved in research, and Jackson was immediately impressed with his excitement for science and desire to learn.
“Alex is inquisitive and responsible,” Jackson said “He helps others who want to work hard and be successful. He keeps his word. I’m very excited to see what contributions he makes to Utah State in the future.”
One of the most important parts of Lyons’ job was sitting on the academic fund council. Although all the college senators are required to sit on said council, Lyons was able to gain insight about the students that were presenting their requests for research funding. Even now, amidst the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lyons is still making sure the students he represents are being taken care of.
“I’ve been trying to get things set in place for the next senator,” Lyons said. “We had a couple of events that got canceled because of the coronavirus, which is unfortunate, of course, but we did keep the ideas for the events, kept everything documented, so all that information can go to the new senator. Hopefully, he will be able to run those events in the future.” Additionally, the science council has continued to send out newsletters to keep students informed and motivated to continue working hard.
Lyons has continued to help out the 2020-2021 USUSA Science Senator Noah Braeger during the pandemic, trying to keep things as “normal” as possible. Rather than push his agenda until the end of his term, Lyons has been working closely with Braeger to make sure there is a smooth transition.
Alex’s father, Trek, said Alex has kept busy, even during the pandemic, but he hasn’t complained.
“Alex is a genuine, outstanding type of guy. He wants people to be successful and he’s okay with knowing he’s got certain skills that have blessed him— he’s humble about it,” Trek said. “He’s done very well in school. It’s been something he’s been successful with and he’s grateful. He wants others to be successful. In fact, he struggles when he can’t help or be of some assistance to help them be successful. It isn’t about him; it’s about the others around him.”
Although he recently lost the election for Executive Student Vice President, Lyons hasn’t let it get him down.
“I want to continue to help people at Utah State,” he said.“I will continue to stay as involved as I can. I’ll join the science council again. I’ll join universal skill organizations and apply for the fee board. I might even try to run for student body president next year or try again for Student VP. I’m not done yet.”
In fact, his father is convinced he’ll continue to make his mark at USU.
“One way or another, because he cares. When he talks about his friends, he talks about the things they struggle with. It weighs heavily on him. He wishes there was a way he could help them do better rather than what makes him successful,” Trek said. “He trusts in other people. He does. He really does.”
Lyons will continue to serve until the end of the semester, putting in the same amount of work he did when he started. After all, he’s got plenty of people rooting for his success, just as he roots for theirs.
—sydney.dahle@aggiemail.usu.edu
@dillydahle