When I first enrolled at Central Missouri State University, I was coming from 2 years of junior college in St. Louis (very liberal environment), to CMSU (very strict environment). It was culture shock to say the least and my first experience at CMSU was with an older male counselor to get signed up for classes for the fall of 1976. I can't say for sure what his name was, so we'll call him Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith apparently got some kind of pleasure from having me repeat my social security number about 20 times. I mean, he probably had it memorized after the first 6 or 7 times (if he was slow), because my SSN is very easy to commit to memory. But there we were, filling out enrollment forms, and him asking repeatedly for my social security number. Toward the end of this session he inquired about my previous political science studies.
Even at Forest Park Community College circa 1974-1975, I didn't like political science because of the instructors. A woman instructor had a fairly severe speech impediment that made her difficult to listen to. Try concentrating on political history with that going on. The other political science instructor was a man, who was also a state representative in Jefferson City. So that made him an "expert" on anything to do with Missouri politics. Particularly on being able to greatly exceed the speed limit legally on I-70 and US Highway 54 when the legislature was in session. Guess that's one of the perks.
Back to Mr. Smith. I seem to recall getting a D in one political science class in St. Louis and a C in the other one I took. I still maintained an A- average in St. Louis. Mr. Smith asked if I had been tested on the Missouri Constitution? No, can't say as I have. Then he said that it was a requirement for graduation, so even though I had credit for two classes coming from St. Louis I would have to take a political science class at CMSU that would test me on the Missouri Constitution. When it came time for me to graduate I had fulfilled all my hours for a Bachelor of Science Degree, but had never taken a class where I was tested on the Missouri Constitution. I was actually worried they'd hold me back for another quarter just because of that - but that didn't happen. There was no requirement to be tested on the Missouri Constitution. Mr. Smith is most likely pushing daisies now.
As soon as I could I transferred to another counselor, John Prince. My memory of John Prince is this - I had to change classes after the first few days one quarter - I somehow got into a class that had nothing to with anything I was interested in. I stood outside his door patiently for about 5 minutes while he had his face buried in paperwork on his desk. I then cleared my throat and said, "Mr. Prince" and and without looking up from his paperwork he said "I don't even have time for you today. Go away!" So squeamishly I explained I had to change one class that morning and he finally looked up from the paperwork and assisted me. I don't know what John Prince went on to do, but he wasn't a very good counselor at times.
And then there was the spring quarter (right after spring break) when I had chicken pox. 22 years old and somehow I got chicken pox at college. By the time I was actually diagnosed with chicken pox, I had scabs all over my arms and face - and naturally had to miss at least a few days of classes.
Dr. David Eshelman taught classes in Mass Media - and specialized in broadcast law. He was a very "by the book" kind of guy. When I stopped in to tell him I'd be missing a few days of class it was very obvious by my appearance that I had a fairly severe case of chicken pox. He said something like, "that's fine, but I still need a note from your doctor if you expect to make up the test I'm giving Tuesday." OK, whatever.
Dr. E asked for my assistance with recording a vocal concert one winter evening - I worked part time in the Radio Lab at CMSU - and he taught me something that has stuck with me through the years. As we were wrapping up the recording, I started to wind a microphone cord around my left arm to coil it up - using my hand and elbow as a spacer for the coil. He quickly stopped me and pointed out that cords get twisted when you coil them that way - and showed me the correct way to coil a microphone cable. The same thing applies to extension cords - you should never just coil them around your arm - they will end up twisted.
Dr. E was a knowledgeable instructor - and he was very thorough in his approach to broadcast law. Unfortunately Dr. Eshelman was shot to death in the driveway of his home in April of 1993 (a former student was charged with murder).
Thanks for stopping by.
So it goes.
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