ECE Alumnus Goes From Hitting the Books to Hitting Home Runs

Even though ECE alumnus Anthony Vega was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012, and has been playing for the Long Island Ducks since 2015, earning a college degree was always a priority for him.

"Even if I made it to the major leagues, it was something I wanted to finish," he said. "I'm the kind of person that once I start something, I want to see it through. Nobody in my family had ever gotten a degree before."

Vega balanced his time as a member of the Ducks with his schoolwork, and earned his degree from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in May 2018.

His biggest piece of advice to incoming students: Learn how to manage your time early so you can be successful in the classroom and fulfilled outside of it.

"I enjoyed my time at UA, and I'm glad that the college and the department gave me a way to achieve a dream of mine," he said. "I'll forever be grateful to the University of Arizona, and particularly to my academic adviser, Sydney Donaldson."