When Bethany Hawthorne set out on a hiking trip through Idaho several years ago, she found herself driving through the remains of a recent wildfire — a burn scar so vast and unfamiliar it stopped her in her tracks.
Growing up in southeast Texas, wildfires were never part of her lived experience. Standing before the devastation, Hawthorne felt something shift. The moment sparked what would become a life-defining decision: to return to college in her 30s and build a career aligned with her values — one focused on climate resilience, sustainable communities and a better future for the next generation.
This fall, Hawthorne graduates from Arizona State University's School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and a minor in sustainability as an online student. At age 40, she is a first-generation college graduate who balanced full-time work with academic excellence, earning the highest GPA among all graduating students in the school.
She also distinguished herself beyond the classroom as a LEED Green Associate, an active member of the American Planning Association and a professional working in the renewable energy sector — all while pursuing her degree online. For her outstanding academic achievements, service and commitment to sustainability, Hawthorne has been named the the school's fall 2025 Dean’s Medalist.
We caught up with Hawthorne to discuss her time at ASU, her advice for current students and plans for the future.
Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Answer: Understanding how interconnected our world truly is. We often feel like we exist in our own bubbles, but everything we do connects us to someone else — from the clothing stitched by hands across the world to the collective impact we have on the climate. There’s something deeply reassuring in our shared humanity.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: When I decided to go back to school, I knew I would be balancing coursework with full-time employment. I wanted an online program that offered the same quality of education as in-person classes. That led me to ASU.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning?
A: Professor Ronald Dorn proves that it’s possible to stay curious and excited about your work, even decades in.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Don’t procrastinate. It’s so much less stressful to get your work done ahead of time.
Q: What was your favorite spot for power studying as an online student?
A: Sitting in my office with the window open, a desert breeze blowing in, an iced coffee on the desk and my dog snoring on the floor behind me.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: First, I want to take a mini vacation to hike and decompress. I currently work in the renewable energy field and want to continue finding ways for my work to make an impact on climate change.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I would create a grant to fund community climate resilience — renewable energy, green building incentives, urban heat mitigation, water conservation projects and more. While major climate change solutions will come from policy and industry, community projects can create meaningful local impact.
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