Lunch and Chat with Dr. Walker
Written by Russel Altamirano
Photos by Yesenia Sanchez
Although University Honors students have excelled in their academic and leadership skills, many students might still feel apprehensive when approaching their professors. Luckily, Lunch and Chats are welcoming opportunities for Honors students to discuss personal, academic, and social issues with engaging professors from all of UCR’s colleges. Not only do Lunch and Chats allow students to interact with faculty, but they are also amazing opportunities where the University Honors community can come together and learn from each other.
On Monday, April 13, Dr. Sharon Walker, professor of Environmental Engineering, sat down with University Honors students to discuss art, science, and gender roles in an informal environment with no prior agenda. Although few had lunch, there was no shortage of conversation during one of the first Lunch and Chats in spring quarter. The entire University Honors lounge became an open community of diverse majors and individuals who engaged with Dr. Walker and one another.
To start off the chat, Dr. Walker encouraged everyone to introduce themselves and share their spring break experiences. Once students began opening up about their interests, goals, and personal experiences, topics evolved into hot social issues such as bullying and gender discrimination in society. Dr. Walker shared her early experience as a female in the engineering field. Among other topics, including scientific and artistic history, the Lunch and Chat also consisted of friendly Google feuds and artwork sharing. Despite being a professor in environmental engineering, Dr. Walker’s humorous and laid back personality entertained everyone in the room.
