| NEWS
| SEPTEMBER 28, 2005
Mixing Social and Work
Faculty, students socialize over
burgers at Faculty Flipper
By Kim
McQuire
Contributor to The Shorthorn
The School of Social Work could open a restaurant after showing
off some culinary skills Tuesday afternoon.
Social Work Dean Santos Hernandez and faculty grilled up a free
meal to welcome social work students to the school.
The Faculty Flipper is an eight-year tradition in which faculty
members serve hot dogs, hamburgers and vegetarian burgers, although
social work professor Rebecca Hegar said the event has also served
different themed food in the past.
“This event is an opportunity for students to see a more genuine
side of the faculty,” social work professor Hector Diaz said.
“Even the dean comes out and flips burgers and hot dogs.”
Hegar said that between 150 and 200 students showed up this year
to interact with faculty.
“I came for the free food, and to talk to my professors, of
course,” social work junior Amy Ward said.
Assistant professor Shannon Collier-Tenison said the casual environment
of the shaded courtyard allows faculty and students to get to know
one another outside of the classroom.
As a co-sponsor, the Social Work Constituency Council recruits faculty
members to volunteer their time for the event, said Carter Bedford,
Student Governance assistant director.
“It’s also a great way for the dean to reach out to
the students,” he said. “He can let them know that the
School of Social Work cares about them.”
Diaz said he hopes the students gained fellowship and casual faculty
interaction in addition to the free meal.
Although the event is for social work students, Diaz said, other
students managed to grab a free meal, too.
“We don’t check IDs for a hamburger,” he said.
The event is also used as a forum for student organizations and
community services, Hegar said. In the past, she added, social work
student organizations have held blood drives and provided pet adoption
services at the Faculty Flipper.
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