Did you know Farmer Gary went to Rose-Hulman, too?

Here’s the story: During his junior year of high school (circa 1972), Gary decided to participate in College Day. That’s the annual opportunity to meet with representatives from various colleges and universities.

The appointment schedules for these one-on-one meetings were taped up in the hallway. As Gary made his way from list to list, he noticed one school’s sign-up sheet was blank.

So he signed up.

His interview with Rose-Hulman was more or less a pity date.

You may not have heard of Rose-Hulman if you’re not shopping for the top engineering school in the nation. But if you want a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Rose could easily be your best bud.

Sadly, during the summer following Gary’s sophomore year of study at Rose, his dad had a debilitating stroke and Gary was needed to take over the farm. I scold him when he says he “dropped out.” Not the case. He may not be a civil engineer, but with his knowledge of agriculture, animal husbandry, timber harvesting, mechanics, and military history, he’s what you might call a Renaissance Man.

“I’m the biggest cesspool of useless information in existence,” he insists regularly. Gary knows stuff.

Nearly 30 years later, our oldest son, Thomas, toured Rose-Hulman as a high-school junior. The head of admissions was mere months from retirement; he’d interviewed Gary all those years ago, during his first semester on the job.

I remember this conversation with Tom that afternoon after he sat in on a few classes:

Me: These are your people, aren't they, Tom?
Tom: Definitely.
Me: And you'd rather just stay here today, wouldn't you?
Tom: I think so. Yes.

John began his college career at my alma mater, IU, then finished his marketing-management degree at WGU. Seven years later, James had a “these are my people” moment and chose Rose.

Moving in for James’s sophomore year earlier this month was relatively easy. All except … he wanted to build a loft in his dorm room. (Back in the day, we called them “sky beds,” but those were ancient times.)

There’s nothing like being at an engineering school and asking for help designing something – anything. There are many experts-in-training champing at the bit to be of service. James’s bed was aloft in no time.

Still, there was some finishing work that he hoped to accomplish; Gary and I happily weaseled our way back to Terre Haute to help out.

Since then, James has added Christmas lights to give it a glow. He sent me photos this evening.

Writing about James’s dorm room and loft got me to thinking …

Me: Gar, back when you were at Rose, did you build a loft in your dorm room?
Gary: Nope.
Me: Did anyone else on your floor?
Gary: Nope.
Me: Did you have bunk beds?
Gary: Nope.
Me: Um, you did have a bed, right?
Gary, smiling: Sure did.

I stopped short of asking Gary if he had hundreds of Christmas lights decorating his dorm room back in the day. It would have no doubt led to goofy claims of not yet having electricity then.

Or indoor plumbing.

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