As a freshman in the fall of 1966 I took first-year Chemistry from the Doc as an elective. I had had quite a good chem course in high school and figured it would be simple.

I found the lectures not too stimulating and generally skipped them.

I did work in the lab and aced the midterm and final.

It was surprising to find that I flunked the course. I visited Doc in his office and asked what the deal was and he said that he did not reward grades to people who missed his lectures. He said I could retake the course and attend the lectures only and skip the labs and exams. I did so and was awarded a B for the course.

I never knew how he knew I was not there with a huge lecture attendance in Fisher hall.

Tom Bowers ‘70