Profiling a DePaul Professor: Erik Peterson

For our third assignment I profiled one of my professors. Erik Peterson is the professor in my journalism class, writing for broadcast. The first photo was taken in the middle of one of our classes. Professor Peterson was taking questions from students on one of their upcoming writing assignments.

After our class ended I followed Professor Peterson to his office on DePaul’s loop campus. When we arrived in his office he proceeded to enter grades into his computer for the students in my journalism class.

One of my fellow students from my writing for broadcast class came in to go over her rough draft of an upcoming assignment with Professor Peterson. Professor Peterson has told me many times that he gets the most out of teaching when he can work one on one with students on their work.

I decided to let Professor Peterson look at my writing assignment and out came the red pen. I had to make a few improvements but the advice he gave me was helpful as always and I think I'll get a good grade on the assignment when I turn the final draft in.

It was time for me to leave when Professor Peterson had to make some important business calls. Professor Peterson is a professor who wants to help students with their writing in any way possible and it can be seen through my profile of him

SLI Workshop

Throughout the quarter I have been submitting blog postings regarding DePaul’s Student Leadership Institute or the SLI. The last workshop I went to had a speaker who knew more than enough about leadership and had some very impressive credentials such as working with NBA teams on their motivation and confidence. On March 6^th in room 220 from 2-5 p.m. of DePaul’s Lincoln Park student center there is going to be the last SLI workshop for the quarter entitled Leadership as Service. There will be a key note speaker like each workshop the SLI puts together and you will be given the chance to get to better know fellow students through group activities.

Although you cannot get credit for attending the workshop in order to attain the leadership certificate I have attended these workshops and I have not registered before going. I have learned a lot of valuable information through SLI and their workshops so I encourage anyone who wants to learn something outside of class periods to stop by the workshop. For more info on SLI you can visit their website at http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/sli/

Almost Alumni Fair

On Thursday March 5^th from 12-6 p.m. in the student center of DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus their was an event entitled “Almost Alumni Fair.” When I entered the student center I saw balloons and bright flashes from photos being taken and I was curious as to what was going on, and as soon as I stepped foot into the middle of the student center their were booths set up with a large number of students making their way around to each station. Thursday’s weather was surprisingly nice which meant that a lot of students had decided to venture out of their dorms and apartments and into the student center which brought them directly to this event.

There were many different stations but there were a few that stood out to me as I walked by and took a closer look. One are of the fair had students dressing up in graduation gowns and taking graduation photos which would explain the bright flashes as I walked into the student center. The second booth that stood out to me had to do with graduation rings. I walked up to the booth and spoke to the woman running the booth and there were many different types of stones and ring bands that were laid out on the table. Students were trying on different sizes and colors and making decisions on which combination to use for their graduation. Although college is great for meeting new people and working toward a profession and a career I feel like it should be about time for me to graduate.

Alternative Transportation Fair

Fairs have been a common occurrence on the DePaul campus which has given me the ability not to stray away from my beat that I was given at the beginning of the quarter. On March 6^th in the student center of DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus there was an Alternative Energy Fair which was held from 12:00-3:00 p.m. There were many representatives from different facets of transportation systems that are trying to bring “green” values to transportation. I walked up to the main information booth they told me that you can fill out a small survey and make your way around to each of the booths. After you have made your way a round the booths they would give you a Luna bar, bike lights, and other prizes.

One of the booths was for the CTA which is probably the most familiar mode of alternative transportation to people in Chicago and especially students at DePaul. Another station was represented by I-GO Cars which allows people to use and share hybrid cars with others only when they need them which eliminates the need to buy or lease a vehicle. I left the fair and I was handed my Luna bar and a list of tips of ways to make the world “greener.” This fair was much better than getting hounded by people working for organizations trying to talk to you on the street asking to help save panda bears from extinction. This fair was relevant to our times and especially to the Chicago land area.

Final Exams Approach

With finals week approaching I decided to take a photo of my roommate for our final multi-media assignment. My roommates name is Drew Olson and he is a junior at DePaul and like most students at DePaul during this time of year, he is studying for finals. When I asked Drew how he felt about spending all of his free time studying this week he said, “I feel like I just took mid-terms last week and I’m already taking finals." I believe that this photo tells the story of every DePaul student in these last few weeks before spring break.

Chipotle and Demon Express

Chipotle is one of my favorite places to eat and I have been going to the Chipotle located at 2256 N. Orchard St. between Belden Ave & Lincoln Ave across the street from the Children's Memorial Hospital.  Like many places in and around DePaul there are some places where students can use their Demon Express money.  I only recently realized that this Chipotle allows DePaul students to use their Demon Express instead of using cash or a credit card.  This is great because I have found myself low on money in my bank account and without cash like most broke college students, but I did have a few dollars in my Demon Express account so I was able to get some food at Chipotle.  There are also two Subway locations one on Fullerton a half a block east of Ashland that lets students use their Demon Express and they also give a small student discount  There are many places that offer the same hospitality to students and I hope I can find more.  

Non-Violence and Social Justice

On Tuesday February 17, 2009 on the 11^th floor of DePaul’s loop campus DePaul Center in the student center there was an event held entitled, “Non-Violence and Social Justice Teach In.”  This event was carried out starting at 11 am and ended at 2 pm.  Starting at 2pm there was an open mic till 3pm and from 3-5 pm there is a scheduled showing of movies and documentaries.  

I took the elevator up to the 11^th floor in the DePaul Center which is directly above the library and the event was well advertised and it was actually held in the common area where there are televisions and chairs set up.  There was a stage in front of the rooms glass doors which gave those in attendance a good view of the Sears Tower while speakers where making there presentations.  The event focused on social understanding and promoted world peace.  There was a large amount of food and cake that was arranged for the guests and I can say that this is one of the most welcoming events that I have been to while at DePaul.