Students and professors took up the challenge of answering questions while eating hot wings at a QuadWorks event on Sept. 19. The event was based on the popular interview show “Hot Ones,” in which celebrities are asked questions about themselves and their careers while downing hot wings and, subsequently, glasses of milk, Chloe Jay '27 said.
Participants on Friday were introduced in a game show fashion as they walked down the steps of Willet Auditorium to the stage. The two-sided panel consisted of five students involved in leadership on one side and five professors on the other. The choices were made intentionally, Jay said, because QuadWorks wanted to highlight some of the student and faculty leadership on campus in a relaxed setting.
Professors gave fun facts about themselves. Jeffrey Hugdahl, professor of chemistry, revealed he got married on March 14, which is often called "Pi Day" because of how the date is written numerically: 3-14. Emily Dunn, assistant director of global education, said she completed her masters at Mercer, making her a "Double Bear."
Students talked about their involvements on campus. Nolan Barnes ‘26 shared that he’s a peer advisor and the president of Alpha Tau Omega. Alisha Mitchell told the audience she is the president of Student Government Association.
Following introductions, a student or professor would ask a member of their choice from the opposing team to answer a question or complete a challenge. Failure to do so resulted in having to eat a wing, starting with the mildest of the four sauces, and ending with the hottest of the bunch.
“May the odds be forever in your favor,” QuadWorks Emcee Lemiaya Dean ‘26 said, causing the auditorium to erupt in cheers.
Players went back and forth, and questions grew more silly as time progressed.
“Can you conjugate comer in the present?” Libertad Aranza, senior lecturer of Spanish, asked Barnes. After he failed to answer correctly, an "Eat that wing!" chant rang out from the students.
Aranza said she enjoyed interacting with students she has never taught and colleagues whom she rarely sees.
“If I fail my first organic chemistry exam, would I be A) cooked, B) in it, or C) doing great?” Mitchell asked Garland Crawford, chemistry professor. Students roared after Crawford correctly answered, “Cooked.”
During the second round, each player had 10 seconds to provide their answer. Stephen Lippi, assistant professor of psychology, asked Barnes to say the worst thing he’s done on campus. Barnes talked about running over curbs. When students booed him, he rolled his eyes.
“It’s not like I’m streaking across campus,” Barnes said, causing the crowd to erupt with laughter.
“It was fun! I wanted to eat more wings,” Hugdahl said. “It’s fun hanging out with the kids and getting to ask silly questions.”
The Professor team won the challenge, resulting in each student having to eat a wing with the hottest sauce available. Hasania Clarke ‘27 ran out of the room to remedy the feeling that her mouth was on fire.
“The hottest wing was awful. My nose was runny, I was crying,” Clark said. “My mouth is still burning as I answer these questions. I did not like it.”
“I wish it was a little more messy. The student questions were opinions,” Mitchell said. “They were asking academic questions. Girl, I don't know that!” Overall, though, she said she loved that she got to see the human side of professors.
