Once a semester one of Sam's teachers holds a midterm test burning party. This faculty member is renowned for having difficult tests. When older graduate students heard Sam and his friends were studying for this particular test - they just laughed. When Sam and his friends asked for tips, or what to expect... - they just laughed.
The day of the test started with the TA (nicknamed Pie - seriously) wheeling in the teacher on a hand cart. The professor was in a straight jacket with a hannibal mask on. He sadistically quoted "Hello Clarise..." had the TA hand out and administer the test while he was wheeled out laughing.
From what Sam has told me he is an excellent teacher, and from what I've gathered from my conversations with him is that he is a really good teacher with a lot of perspective of bridging the gap between school and an actual profession. He tries to steer the students away from having easy solutions handed to them, because in a real profession you have to account for many different things at once. The problem itself isn't difficult but all of the small things you have to account for can be. He doesn't like using the textbook because each problem is labeled in a format: 5.3. This lets the student know that the answer is in chapter five section three without him having to guess what principle he has to apply - the student is told. He wants to prepare his students, and it sounds like he's doing a great job.
Because the midterm is so notorious and awful, after it is graded the professor holds a party where he gives all of the students and their +1's dinner and a bonfire fueled by their tests. Sam and I had a blast! A lot of the acoustic guys are really fun, and their +1's totally understood how sometimes the acoustics can become a little...much.
The professor himself is a very fun person. He had a sweater and a music collection right out of the 70's- but the preppy non-hipppy 70's. He also had an eclectic mix of artifacts in his home. The only overlying theme that I could think of was non-American items. From everything from a huge German soup tureen, japanese theatre masks to a Moroccan lantern (which was gorgeous - I totally want one!) and a brass Indian tea dispenser made into a lamp! He became especially excited when I understood what Italian and French hot chocolate was.
The actual burning of the exams took place after a short speech of "you are no longer amateur acousticians!" and each student ripped his individual test up. All of the pieces were put in a small stout barbeque. Phrases like "Curse you delta E!" and "Take that Tailor Series!" were heard. He then doused the mixture in a high proof solution and set fire. He was a little too cavalier with the alcohol the deck itself caught on fire for a few seconds-he didn't seem phased at all. Although I did notice that his wife brought out a fire extinguisher. After the burning he and the students chanted five rules that he drills into the students and cheers and pictures followed. It seemed like many got a real sense of closure. I'm wondering if this could be a regular therapeutic way to conclude an exam.
Sam and I are headed to DC tomorrow for a temple trip. We just happen to be going with some great people we met in the branch and staying a little longer to shop and eat, and avoid some of the State College madness.
My comments on all of the PSU scandal will be forthcoming. Please keep in mind that this small community has literally been destroyed. I've seen adults break down in public and cry. Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering, and will suffer because of the acts of a few. Awareness for the victims is paramount and the entire city has sold out of blue ribbon. The blue ribbon is a symbol of awareness of child abuse as well as PSU's colors. We mourn with the rest of the country, and are outraged.
