Students Craft Reusable Chopsticks

Students lined up on the first floor of Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center Jan. 26, patiently waiting their turn to make a personal set of reusable chopsticks from wood harvested to make way for the new Humanities and Social Studies Complex.

“This is a great way to recycle wood from campus into something I can keep with me,” said Evan Feldberg-Bannatyne ’20, as he used a hand plane to smooth one of the four sides of one of his chopsticks.

“Plus,” he added, “my roommate is from Shanghai and he promised to help me master the art of eating with chopsticks.” 

“This is a fun way to promote Asian culture,” said Rong Guo ’19 of Xi’an, Shaanxi, China. “I like watching how the chopsticks are made. I use them, but I never knew how to make them.” 

No previous woodworking skills were needed. It took most students from 15 to 20 minutes to use a special jig and planer to transform two slender sticks of walnut or sycamore into a smooth pair of chopsticks.

“I was impressed that so many students were willing to wait in line to make their chopsticks,” said Karen Edwards, associate dean and director of international student affairs. “They were enthusiastic about the chance to create a meaningful souvenir.”