Edith Gerardina Felix, a 2005 graduate of Nogales High School is a candidate for a dual bachelor’s degree in economics and Chinese at the Sunday, May 17, graduation ceremony at the University of Notre Dame.

Edith Gerardina Felix

As a winner of the Award for Excellence in Chinese Studies, Felix made the decision to major in Chinese relatively late in her academic career.

“But once that decision was made, she has worked ceaselessly and taken full advantage of the university’s study abroad programs,” a spokesperson said.

Felix traveled to Shanghai for a semester and Fu Jen Univeristy in Taipei, Taiwan during a summer.

“Edith has done remarkably well in her language classes and has completed a whole series of content classes in Chinese literature and culture,” the spokesperson said.

Professor Sylvia Lin said, “Edith serves as a great example of how one can succeed through hard work and determination.”

Felix was accepted to three prestigious graduate programs in Chinese Studies and has decided to pursue a master’s in Pacific International Affairs with a Chinese regional focus at University of California, San Diego.

But on June 1, she is scheduled to be at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing for an internship with the U.S. Department of State for which she has been accepted.

President Barack Obama will be the principal speaker and the recipient of an honorary doctor of laws degree at Notre Dame’s 164th University Commencement Ceremony.

Obama will be the ninth U.S. president to be awarded an honorary degree by the university and the sixth to be the commencement speaker.

The University will confer degrees on approximately 2,000 undergraduates.

Felix was co-salutatorian of her NHS class in 2005 and received a four-year full ride scholarship to Notre Dame.

She is the daughter of Alejandro and Martha Felix of Nogales. She has an older brother, Alejandro Jr.