The Accidental Engineer: First-Generation Student Builds Her Way to Valedictorian

When Victoria Kemeny walked across the stage as the Utah State University College of Engineering valedictorian, she wasn't just celebrating late nights of homework or hours in the Metal Factory. She was celebrating a journey that was shaped by curiosity, family and a love for math and making.

Growing up, Kemeny never considered engineering, imagining herself instead as a travel writer, astronomer, or astronaut. Everything changed in high school when she tagged along to her sister's calculus class while waiting to carpool home. She immediately fell in love with the subject, and with a teacher's encouragement to apply math beyond theory, she realized engineering was the perfect way to put math into action.

At USU, Kemeny pursued a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics. She also worked part time at the Metal Factory, where her hands-on experience further fueled her passion for the field.

"The Metal Factory showed me the fantastic world of machining—of making anything really," said Kemeny. "It is amazing to see so many projects and ideas come to life."

Her journey wasn't always easy. As a first-generation student, Kemeny often worked long hours to keep moving forward. Her father's encouragement helped her connect classroom learning to real-world applications. On visits home, he would show her his latest projects; sometimes they worked together on these projects, other times they debated solutions. These experiences reinforced the practical side of what she was learning in school.

Peers also played a pivotal part in Kemeny's journey, challenging her not just to get the right answer, but to understand the reasoning behind it. And when homework got tough, movie nights with her sister—watching Iron Man—reminded her that engineers, fictional or not, make cool things.

Outside of class, Kemeny guided fellow students at the Metal Factory, helping them build everything from derby cars to trebuchets and leading hands-on workshops. In her senior year, she joined Baja SAE, where she and her team designed, built, and raced a one-seat all-terrain vehicle.

"It was incredible to see so many facets of engineering come together and work," said Kemeny.

Being named valedictorian validates her sacrifices.

"There were nights when it felt discouraging to work alone or wonder how I'd pay for the next semester," she says. "But this recognition reminds me it really was worth it."

Kemeny's advice to future Aggie engineers draws from her sister's advice to her: don't forget what you've already learned, because it will be needed in the next class. She also emphasizes the importance of courage and initiative.

"USU is a place of opportunity," she says. "There are so many chances to participate, learn, and even just try new things. If you want to, but think you can't, do it anyway. Engineering is hard, but you can do it."

Looking ahead, Kemeny will continue at USU in the mechanical engineering master's program. Her long-term goal is to champion design for manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of designing products that can be efficiently, cost-effectively and reliably built.

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Writer: Madeline Buskirk, madeline.buskirk@usu.edu, 435-797-7512