Over the past few days, it has been made clear that Celia Barquín Arozamena was an acclaimed student within Iowa State’s civil engineering department. She made an impactful impression on many of her professors and classmates.

James Alleman, professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, taught Barquín Arozamena in multiple classes within the department. Alleman described Barquín Arozamena as an extremely hardworking and dedicated student. 

“She had to make up a lot of quizzes with me. She was diligent. She was very willing to do the extra efforts to make sure she caught up with class,” Alleman said.

Students in the engineering department, including Andrew Watson, senior in civil engineering, shared their experiences with Barquín Arozamena at a vigil held Wednesday night.

“On days I was overwhelmed with school, she was a calm and warm smile to turn to,” Watson said.

Barquín Arozamena planned to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering this academic year. After her life was cut short, university officials decided to award her this degree posthumously.

“If a deceased student was very close to earning a degree, in special cases the degree can be awarded posthumously,” according to the posthumous procedural documents.

The process of awarding a student their degree posthumously begins within the academic department. The department chair of the student’s college must submit a request to the dean of said college. After the dean’s approval, the request is then sent to the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost.

David Sanders, Greenwood Department Chair in Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, began his position on July 1 of this year. Due to this, he did not have the chance to get to know Barquín Arozamena personally.

“I did not know her But I can honestly say that the candlelight vigil was a wonderful event. I feel like I at least know a little bit about her,” Sanders said. “I would strive to be like her in anyway.”

Rob Schweers, director of communications at the Provost’s office, said the decision to award Barquín Arozamena’s degree was not a difficult one to make.

“There’s widespread agreement that this is the right thing to do,” Schweers said. “Lots and lots of people agreed that Celia should be awarded her degree.”

While Schweers was unsure of when Barquín Arozamena planned to graduate — either this December or after the Spring semester — he said she had enough credits to approve the process.

“Certainly it was close enough that the faculty in the department felt she would’ve finished the program and earned the degree on her own,” Schweers said.

Schweers said Barquín Arozamena’s family will be given the degree on an undetermined date.