Daughters descend on campus to explore the possibilities

Matt Heistand Arizona Daily Wildcat Winona Ettrick, President Likins' receptionist, works with her 11-year-old grandniece, Azia White, yesterday on the seventh floor of the Administration building. Ettrick brought Azia to work as part of Daughters on Campus Day.

"A lot of girls think that all they will ever be able to get is some low-paying job," said Jennifer Aviles, senior program coordinator for Human Resources and coordinator of yesterday's event. "We want them to aspire to other things also, and today is an opportunity to make them feel special and show them they can succeed by exposing them to women in the workplace."

UA President Peter Likins urged the more than 37,000 university employees to bring their daughters to campus or to sponsor girls aged 5 to 18 for the day.

The UA's effort brought gaily colored tents to the UA Mall and gave the phrase "Research I institution" a new meaning as physics professors demonstrated the "Physics of Flubber" and chemistry professors exploded balloons in elaborate demonstrations.

This is the fifth year for Daughters on Campus Day. Though registration figures won't be available until late today, last year's event drew 657 children, Aviles said.

The day placed girls in the heart of campus life and helped some high-schoolers think about college, she said.

The effort succeeded with Danielle Skroback, 14.

"I liked seeing what type of opportunities the university has for the future because I plan to go here and I can know what kind of stuff I plan to study," she said.

The shows broke for a picnic lunch to Mariachi music on the Mall, complete with food donated from campus concessionaires Domino's Pizza, eegee's, McDonald's and the Student Union's catering service.

"It's hot, but I have Eegee's," said Alexia Rose Lopez, 5, as she swayed her hips and arms to the music.

Volunteerism and donations fueled most of the day's activities, Aviles said, and parents expressed gratitude to their university employer.

"It's a great program, and I hope someday to see a sons-on-campus day," said Alexia Rose's father, Arnold Lopez, who works in Facilities Management.