Feasting with Faculty

On February 16, the Zeta house was decorated elegantly for the Professor Dinner held each semester. I wasn’t able to attend last semester, so I was especially eager for this big night. This event was created so that members of Zeta could extend an invitation to their favorite professors, or just those that they may want to get to know better, to join them for an evening at the Zeta house. Professor Dinner gives the girls a great opportunity to show the professors their accomplishments in Zeta, to tell them about our philanthropy and what we’re about, and to get to know their professor on a deeper level. For many girls, this is a great way to set themselves apart from the 200 other students in big lecture classes, or an opportunity to make a connection for a reference letter. When it really comes down to it, that extra time spent with the professors can really make a difference!

Personally, my experience at the event was very enjoyable. I invited one of my CMS professors who teaches Language, Culture, and Communication. We really did not know each other at all before that night, but once it was over I knew so much about where she was from, what she’s passionate about, and her plans for the future. We got to discuss school, sorority experiences, and just life in general. I learned that she was also in a sorority in college. S

he even told me that she would email her friend in order to get me an internship opportunity for the summer. This is just one of the few benefits gained from taking advantage of the Professor Dinner! It seems like having dinner with a professor would be something very awkward and uncomfortable, but it actually was an enjoyable, easy thing to do.

Aside from the conversation, the food at the dinner was amazing (as usual). The menu featured a delicious chicken saltimbocca, balsamic roasted mushrooms, mixed greens, fresh baked bread, and baked polenta with grana padano. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. The desert was a delicious apple tart with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel, which all enjoyed during an entertaining speech by the keynote speaker, a UT finance professor named Mary Lou Polosky from the McCombs School of Business. She talked about the importance of being involved in and networking through sorority life, while also giving tips on how to have fun in Austin and in college. She described her role in the business foundations program and encouraged us to look into it.

Overall, the dinner was a great success. Many girls attended and the professors seemed to have a great time while enjoying a great meal. We are so lucky to have had the opportunity to get to know our professors in an easy and fun way!

ZLAM,

Amanda Fees