Posted By:
Aaron Patton
Barry,
I was not fortunate enough to aid in any of Dr. Alexander's projects.
However, my senior year, I was able to take a 1-on-1 seminar course in which Dr. Alexander and I spent a few hours each week shooting the breeze, if you will. He was in the midst of penning "Spoke", so conversation often turned to his research on Speaker. SMU Press had approached Dr. Alexander with the project (I believe), and I'd imagine it could not have worked out any better; as a native Texan I think Professor had always felt a kinship with Tris.
About the time Professor was knee-deep in research (and he is a meticulous researcher), Timothy Gay's work was released. We routinely laughed about that.
While the course was designed to read/review texts, we rarely did. I would often try to hook him into telling stories (not always baseball related); I was frequently successful.
I took both halves of his baseball lectures as an underclassmen, however, the 10-weeks in his office were, unquestionably, the highlight of my collegiate career. As an older student (at the time 25ish), I was well aware of Dr. Alexander's enormous contribution to the genre (which, with my nerves, was often personally disadvantagous), so, I knew how extremely fortunate I was going in.
I last spoke with him on his last "official" day of class a couple years ago. I took the day off of work, and drove down to Athens. He gave me a few names he was mulling over for his next work. Hopefully, he is still in the process of putting something together.
Sorry if that was a bit long-winded, Barry. I could probably go on-and-on about the experience (I know...years later, my fiancee still rolls her eyes at the same stories I repeat over-and-over).
For me, I guess....I put it in this context:
How often does life provide the opportunity to study with an individual who was a transcendent force in the field you wish to undertake?
I consider myself very lucky.
Happy Halloween..
Best,