Lex McKinnell (Class of 2021)
During my time at USA, I planned to study my interests and learn about the greater world instead of chasing financial gain. I decided to double major in Philosophy with a focus on ethics and Cultural Anthropology. I wanted to understand how people interacted and communicated with each other beyond language and how the diversity of people across the world contributed to the overall identity of human beings. At 51²è¹Ý, I continued my passion for people by coordinating cultural research of the Blakeley-Tensaw Delta with the students of the Honors College, held the Membership Chair for the Mortar Board Society, and acted as President of the Anthropology Club. I traveled to Oxford, England, New York City, and Salt Lake City, giving presentations at conferences about Human Rights, Oral History, and Cultural Economic Research. My final hurrah was my senior thesis, "Island Paradise to Urban Streets: Identifying the Effects of Military Forced Displacements on Indigenous Islanders" (2021).
After the pandemic, I knew it was unlikely I would be able to live out my dreams as a traveling anthropologist helping migrants adapt to new cultures after being displaced due to war and climate disaster. With the political climate, wars raging in almost every continent, and a worldwide pandemic’s lasting effects on travel and economic situations, I knew I had to make my difference locally until I could make an impact in a greater way. After over a decade in the restaurant management industry, I career pivoted into insurance and eventually found myself in a position to change lives as an associate underwriter in worker’s compensation. I plan on continuing this career path and hope to eventually travel with my company, as they are international. I want to bring safety representation to migrant workers, unrepresented unions, and other blue-collar groups that America was built upon. I would like to thank Dr. Carr, Dr. Moberg, Dr. Nelson, and Dr. Gregoricka for taking time to instill a sense of justice and understanding within me that today defines me as a person. Every person, collegiate or not, should be required to learn anthropology. The only way we can grow as a species, as a people, is to learn from our history and grow from it. That comes from education and collaboration.