What got you interested in chemical engineering?
My dad is a mechanical engineer and graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1969. When I was little, I didn’t really know what an engineer was, but when you asked me what I wanted to be, I always said engineer. I was a daddy’s girl. In high school, I was looking into what i wanted to do, and engineering worked really well into my plans. It’s applicable in many issues – social and political – that we are facing in our society today. That was attractive to me because I knew I wanted to be involved and in a career that kept my thumb on the pulse of the important issues. I choose chemical because of all nine focuses, it was the most broad. Chemical engineering can open up a lot of doors that other majors and focuses have the possibility of opening but not the probability of opening. You can work in medicine, food processing, traditional chemicals, the lists go on.
Who has been a professor that has inspired you?
A person that definitely comes to mind is the interim department head – Ed Clausen. Even before I came he was a big influence on my college career. When I first visited, I had the privilege to visit with him and talk about the chemical engineering department. He told me about the and the chemical engineering program, the opportunities within the field, what he valued in the department and how that shaped the student experience. Upon coming to the University of Arkansas, he was the first chemical engineering professor i had. He somehow strikes a perfect balance of teaching you how to succeed while also inspiring you to come up with that on your own. Professor Clausen has been a great resource for me and all the other students in our department while somehow still being able to know every one of us.
What is it like being a student athlete?
It’s intense. There are so many different goals to keep in mind and that definitely separates student-athletes from our peers because we essentially have two full-time jobs. There are two major goals you are working towards rather than just one – a degree. I think a lot of times student athletes get a bit of a bad reputation because not many of us are in the limelight and unfortunately the things that are the most talked about are the bad things. But the majority of the student athletes are the most driven, most committed people I’ve met. Being a part of that is so formative because seeing the extra work people put in and the intensity they have to pursue their goals is inspiring. Post-graduation a lot of things won’t be easy but i think student athletes are prepared for that. We won’t quit when things get hard. Tenacity will keep you going. That really is the biggest thing that seperates us. You have to do it now or do it later.
How do you spend your free time outside of school and sports?
Outside of academics and athletics, i’ve been really involved with 7 Hills Homeless Shelter and the Washington County Animal Shelter. At 7 Hills, i have been doing a concert series to raise money and awareness. I have done four benefit concerts with another coming up in April. I’ve found a lot of happiness in this because i enjoy playing, singing, and being a part of something bigger than myself. I typically go to 7 Hills once a week during a lunch period to play for the clients while they eat. (You can see Teni perform and support 7 Hill Homeless Shelter by attending her April 29th Benefit Concert at Mama Carmen’s at 8:30PM.