麻豆村

A goat and a student gave Russell Walker an idea to help the 麻豆村 community feel less stressed around finals by focusing more on hooves than homework through petting zoos.聽

In 2016, Walker, now an emeritus professor of mathematical sciences who earned his master鈥檚 degree and Ph.D. in mathematics at 麻豆村, saw a student holding a goat at a petting zoo.聽

鈥淭his is as happy as you see students,鈥� says Russell. 鈥淓verybody enjoys this.鈥澛�

鈥淚 could hear them say, 鈥業 can only do this for another hour, then I have to go back to work,鈥欌�� Russell recalls.聽

That moment stuck with Russell. The student, Be Deluty, graduated in 2018 with majors in biological sciences and chemistry and is now a veterinarian in Colorado.聽

鈥淭hose petting zoos were some of my only connections to animals through undergrad on the way to vet school,鈥� Be says. 鈥淚 remember that little goat fell asleep on me, and it was wonderful.鈥澛�

Russell has made sure that Carnegie Mellon students now and in the future can experience that same joy by endowing a fund to the Activities Board, the student-run campus events/programming branch of Student Government that provides programs for fellow students. The fund will allow the Activities Board to hold at least one petting zoo annually.聽

鈥淭he whole purpose is to give students a break,鈥� Russell says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see people so delighted.鈥澛�

The first event funded by the endowment took place April 18 and featured calves, puppies, lambs, an alpaca and other animals.聽

Devika Supriya Mohan, a sophomore and events lead for the Activities Board鈥檚 Events Committee, helped organize the event. She said more than 600 people attended.聽

鈥淭he response was very positive,鈥� Devika says. 鈥淢any students told us it was their favorite event of the year. Some even said it was exactly what they needed to push through the end of the semester. It was amazing to hear how much of an impact a few hours with friendly animals could make.鈥澛�

Vice President for Student Affairs Gina Casalegno attended as well. She says the experience was positive for the Carnegie Mellon community.聽

鈥淚 was delighted to see so many community members bring Russ鈥檚 vision to life,鈥� she says. 鈥淐ampus was transformed with students abounding to take a pause, enjoy the sunshine and spend time with an animal.鈥澛�

Jack Crone, coordinator for the Office of Student Involvement and Traditions, advises the Activities Board. He says endowments like Russell鈥檚 provide students with new experiences.聽

鈥淲hen a gift like this provides students with an event or program that creates a new or out-of-the-ordinary experience, it helps our students recharge and refocus once they are settled back into the usual student routine,鈥� Jack says.聽

The Activities Board is already planning for next year鈥檚 events. Devika says the funding makes a significant impact for the Activities Board and their fellow students.聽

鈥淭hanks to the generous endowment from Professor Russell Walker, we now have more resources to continue hosting events like the petting zoo for years to come,鈥� Devika says.