Zoe Bates - Mortuary Science, 2026
...I've genuinely started to feel a sense of belonging here, having lived in so many different places across the country throughout my life. I greatly respect the city’s distinct culture, people, history, and the compelling stories that shape its narrative.
Name, Major, Year of Graduation
Zoe Bates, Mortuary Science, 2026
Tell us about yourself!
I am an Arizona State University alumna with a major in Medical Studies, a minor in Film & Media Studies, and a certificate in African and African American Studies while studying the honors curriculum at Barrett, the Honors College; now, I currently attend Wayne State as a transfer student for my second Bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science with University Honors.
What are you involved in at Wayne State and external to Wayne State?
I am becoming involved again with my multicultural sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., and their Chi Delta chapter here at Wayne State, as I also joined the organization at my previous institution, Arizona State. Moreover, although I have not officially joined any student organization yet, with so many to explore and choose from, I genuinely enjoy attending events hosted by various student organizations, such as the Campus Activities Team, and participating in the Warrior Rewards path to meet new people and experience a deeper connection to the university and the community.
What class/professor has shaped you the most? How?
The class that has truly shaped my experience as a student and as a resident of Detroit is HON 1000, The City: Changing Detroit, taught by Dr. Kevin Deegan-Krause and Dr. James Buccellato. It felt like a beautiful introduction to my journey of living and studying in the city for the next two years as I complete my degree. Before starting school, I had already gained so much insight about Detroit, and when I discovered this class was part of the honors curriculum, I was genuinely excited to dive deeper into learning about the city right where it all happens. Throughout the semester, I discovered so much more about Detroit than I ever imagined, and my appreciation for this beautiful city grew immensely. I couldn’t have asked for a better place or time to nurture my love for Detroit than during the progression of this course.
Do you have any advice for future or current Honors students?
As a former high school honors student and current college honors student, I advise you not to compare yourself to others—not even your past self—based on your academic performance. The journey of education is everlasting and never-ending, and throughout your life, you are constantly learning, even after college. What you didn’t know then is what you know now, and moving forward, it’s a continually evolving experience that pushes you to improve and be the best you can be.
Where is your favorite place to study on campus?/Where is your favorite place to eat near campus?/ What is your favorite thing to do on campus?
My favorite places to study on campus are the small cubical tables on the first floor of State Hall or the Honors suite in the Undergraduate Library. Yum Village is also a favorite place to eat near campus. My favorite activity on campus is walking and exploring around Gullen Mall.
What is a struggle you have overcome?
A struggle I overcame was that before the start of my senior year at my previous institution while pursuing my first Bachelor’s degree, I lost both my dad and my great-grandmother within a month. I still had to return to Arizona, 1,400 miles from home, to finish school. It was one of the hardest and darkest times of my life, and my grief physically, mentally, and emotionally debilitated me as I was taking more than eighteen credit hours and juggling my extracurricular activities all at once. However, with the support of my family and all my friends in the community, I found the strength, encouragement, and safe space to persevere through it all.
How has your perception of Detroit changed since attending Wayne?
My perspective on Detroit has become so much more positive since I started attending Wayne. Although I'm not originally from Detroit, or even the state of Michigan, I've genuinely started to feel a sense of belonging here, having lived in so many different places across the country throughout my life. I greatly respect the city’s distinct culture, people, history, and the compelling stories that shape its narrative. Without a doubt, Detroit deserves all the respect it has earned and should continue to receive, and this is a statement that I will stand by.