What was your favorite class? As part of his research for the S&T sesquicentennial history book, Larry Gragg, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor emeritus of history and political science, asked you to share memories of your favorite class. Here are a few of your answers:

“My favorite class was Advanced Structure Design. Never used it in my 31 years with MoDOT, but it still was very interesting and reinforced my previous training in bridge design as well as engineering statics. It was Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy when I started and University of Missouri-Rolla when I graduated. It was a very good investment for me, and I had a great career thanks to the many professors who taught me the fundamentals. By the grace of God, I made it through the school and enjoyed a reasonably good lifestyle. I am now retired and enjoying this career. Go Miners!”

Marvin D. Phillips, CE’70
Jefferson City, Mo.

“Favorite class: Music Appreciation.”

Ken Bowles, EE’66
Union, Mo.

“Any class that Dr. Al Spreng (professor emeritus of geology and geophysics) taught! He was a great teacher and mentor — as well as a friend later in life.”

Gail Davidge Kettenbrink, GGph’67
Tipton, Iowa

“My favorite class was Mineral Processing taught by Prof. (Ken) Clifford. This subject helped me to advance my career from a mining engineer to plant manager, chief mining engineer in charge of quarries in the USA, Mexico and Nova Scotia, Canada, as well as UAE, Turkey, Oman, West Africa, Bulgaria, Iran and more countries. Excellent class. I hope the school continues to offer these classes.”

Bahram Shajary, MinE’77
Orange, Calif.

“Digital computer lab as well as Control Systems I.”

David G. Sizemore, EE’71
San Diego

“Definitely, my favorite class during my stay at UMR was Metallurgy Thermodynamics, taught by Dr. Fred Kisslinger (ChE’42). A really great experience and very useful knowledge in my professional life.”

Juan F. Mojica, MetE’74, MS Phys’74, PhD Phys’75
Monterrey, N.L. Mexico

“One of my favorites was the Witches and Witchcraft class with Dr. (Larry) Gragg. He knew how to challenge and help you understand the research and material. I also really enjoyed German classes with Dr. (Gerald) Cohen, he was a fun and interesting professor.”

Adam Smith, Hist’10
LeSueur, Minn.

“Favorite class? Two actually — Geology 55 and 56, Earth Science Iand II, taught by Dr. (Tom) Beveridge (MinE’42).”

John R. Walker, Econ’77
Russellville, Ark.

“My favorite class was Nuclear Chemistry taught  by Dr. (Bill) Webb. It piqued my interest in the nuclear industry. As a graduate student, half of my courses were in nuclear engineering. That spurred my 36-year career at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory working on engineering aspects of the nuclear power plants on submarines and aircraft carriers.”

Ron Mitchell, ChE’63, MS ChE’64, PhD ChE’70
Tallmadge, Ohio