Real People Profiles: Ken Foo

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 15:10:00 -0400

We're asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Ken Foo

Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD

Major: Chemical Engineering

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: This is my last semester as a senior.

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: I am the President of Tau Beta Pi (the Engineering Honor Society), math and science Tutor at the RLC Math Lab, and active member of AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers).

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?

A: Brother, friend, engineer, student, athlete, tutor, and a volunteer.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: I thoroughly enjoy working along with the best community of chemical engineering friends and acquaintances- they have motivated me to produce the highest quality work and given me direction in life. I would not survive engineering or been nearly as successful without their support. In addition, the faculty have been outstanding because they know our names before the first day of class and go out of their way to know us personally. These are the perks of being a ChemE student!

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: My philosophy is that hard work never betrays you. Regardless of your past, resources, and circumstances, if you have an impeccable work ethic and good intentions, you will be successful propagating through all aspects of your life. Although I may not be the sharpest student in any my classes, I strive to be wiser: studying a few days before an exam, getting as many perspectives as possible (books, students, teachers, and online) for classes, living a balanced life, eating healthy, exercising, and going the extra mile or two for everyone. Lastly, market yourself with the utmost confidence and charisma and be genuine, and you will live life with no regrets especially at UMBC.

Q: What is one way you have worked with others to make a positive difference at UMBC or in another community?

A: Since I am the president for TBP, our objective is to promote and recognize engineering excellence, not only for its members and chapter, but also for all engineering organizations and the rest of the UMBC community. The best way to showcase this is through Engineers Week. Here at UMBC, TBP, all the engineering organizations, and the engineering faculty have been collaborating extensively from early October through late February. As a result, we have advanced STEM awareness, contributed back to community, and had lots of fun.

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: Unicycling, Clubbing, Spinning Pens, and different color shoe laces.

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A: At Salsarita's, if you ask for rice, you will probably get one and a half scoops of meat. If you order no rice, you will get two full scoops or more.

Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from UMBC Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.