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Group Memory
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Anonymous, JMC '73
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In my junior year, at an out-of-state Jesuit high school, in a small mid-western town, the issue of college choice came up. I had my heart set on the University of Chicago; the Gothic architecture and big-city environment appealed greatly to me. I applied, was interviewed, and the week before Christmas, 1968 (Apollo 8), I got the fat envelope in the mail. Unfortunately, after 90 seconds of celebration, I discovered that the financial aid package was about $ 11,000 too short. I was forced to decline. MSU was aggressively recruiting out of state people who demonstrated the limited intelligence measured by filling in circles with #2 pencils. I kept the MSU application as a bookmark in my physics book for 2 months, and finally sent it in because it didn't require an essay. I was accepted, offered all kinds of goodies (like waiving all requirements by joining the Honors College), and was invited to the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship competition in Feb of 69. I stayed with an RA in Akers Hall. Later that night, as we were "rapping", I hesitantly broached the subject - "Gee, where do all the political radicals live?" He said "Snyder Hall". I then asked "Where do all the hippies live?". He said "Snyder Hall". I then asked "Um, where are all the drugs on campus?" He said "Snyder Hall". I then said "Well, how do you get assigned to Snyder Hall? He said "There is this residential college called Justin Morrill. You should check it out". After reading the brochures for all the academic divisions, it made sense to me. Considering my subsequent public policy and political involvement, maybe James Madison would have been more appropriate. However, Justin Morrill made me more rounded, balanced, and brought out aspects in me I never knew I had. It was the right thing to do at that moment in the space-time continuum. I never regretted my choice at any time in my four years at MSU, or in the 35 years since. However, it was too bad I never found any drugs in Snyder Hall ...
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"A Semi-Distinguished Alumnus"
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