April

The professor’s room: Lisa McVicker

An occasional series that gets within the inner sanctums of academia – because clever people have interesting rooms.

By Cory Phare

April 5, 2018

Lisa McVicker is passionate about preserving Colorado for generations to come.

And whether it’s working with the One World, One Water Center for Urban Water Education and Stewardship or instruction in legal studies and business law, the associate professor of management draws on a wellspring of inspiration found throughout her office.

1. In Buddhism, there’s an inclination toward compassion and the belief that everyone has something to give. A student from Nepal gave me this little Bodhisattva at the end of one of my courses – I was extremely honored that he could get so much from the law stories we covered.
2. This is a picture of the headwaters of the South Platte River in springtime. There are challenges of providing enough water for everyone in all regions, but I like to be reminded of the pristine beginnings and the hope that comes with where it all starts, high up in the mountains.
3. I couldn’t do my job without folks from places like Information Technology Services, what was then known as the Educational Technology Center or the administrative assistants here at the University. Without their invaluable expertise, we couldn’t be effective for our students – that’s what I think about when I turn my computer on.
4. This is “The Flower Vendor,” one of Diego Rivera’s more famous pieces at the Norton Simon Museum in California. The lilies symbolize death and promise; it’s a reminder of the struggle that so many go through along their path – along with an inherent beauty.
5. As my other touchstone is teaching law, I keep a copy of the Constitution front and center. It’s the basis for building classes because it helps students understand what it means to participate in a democracy.
6. Amado Peña’s work focused on the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of southern Arizona; it’s a good reminder of what we owe our indigenous peoples and the beauty of the Southwest. The concept of carrying water resonates with the work of a place like OWOW.

Calling all faculty members…

Do you have an interesting office you’d like to see featured in our series? Just email Cory Phare.