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NEWS
| April 22
Pile it On
Students throw pies, dunk the
dean and play tug-of-war to raise $480 for the Science Constituency
Council.
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| The Shorthorn: Casey Horn |
| Biology professor Daniel O’Connell,
takes several pies to the face as his students pay $1
each to throw two pies Friday afternoon at the science
picnic on the Central Library mall. |
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By Josie
Garcia
Contributor to The Shorthorn
Students can’t pile whipped cream
on paper plates and throw it in their professor’s face every
day.
But that’s what some college of science students did Friday
afternoon without breaking any conduct rules.
The Science Constituency Council and the College of Science played
host to the third consecutive science picnic on the Central Library
mall and raised $480 for the council’s funding.
Games such as Dunk-the-Dean and Pie-the-Professor as well as a hot
dog sale raised the money. Food was donated by science organizations,
said Jocelyn Zee, science constituency council president.
Despite the muggy weather and the university’s early closing
for Good Friday, Zee said the event was a success.
About 100 people attended the picnic, including some toddlers. Math
Professors James Epperson and Minerva Cordero brought their 3- and
10 year-old sons to the picnic.
“I think it is a great way to create community in the College
of Science,” Dr. Epperson said. “It’s a change of
setting from the classroom.”
While some people chatted and munched on hot dogs, others moved
closer to watch the games.
For about 45 minutes, Science Dean Neal Smatresk challenged people
to hit the bull’s-eye that would send him into a tank of water.
At the end of the picnic, Smatresk was not the only person drenched.
Those who stood in groups with friends scattered and dodged flying
water balloons thrown by the dean and others. Some of the children
armed themselves with waterguns to defend themselves.
Meanwhile, onlookers pointed and laughed at science professors covered
in whipped cream pies. For only $1, participants could sling two
pies in the professors’ faces.
Biology junior Sonia Dilolli took a shot at biology professor Dan
Formanowicz.
“This is for giving me a B,” she jokingly said.
Dr. Smatresk heckled the volunteers who stood behind the board with
an opening for their faces.
“You kind of look like the Phantom of the Opera,” Smatresk
said to professors covered in whip cream.
Biochemistry senior Trang Nguyen and biology senior Sharon Hasemann
said this was their third year attending the picnic. They said they
liked the chance to enjoy the outdoors with their professors.
“I like hanging out with the professors and students,”
Nguyen said.
Science Associate Dean Robert McMahon said the picnic was a good
time for students and professors to interact.
“It’s a great way to celebrate the end of the spring semester,”
McMahon said. “Where else can you dunk the dean or pie the
professor?”
By the time the council began their clean-up, whipped cream dotted
the grass and participants walked away laughing, dripping wet from
water balloon and watergun fights.
“We always have a good time,” McMahon said. “The
picnic has become a tradition now.”
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