Endnotes
What Started for You at Caltech? In our Spring 2015 issue, we asked alumni to share what originated for them at Caltech, and printed only a few of the responses we received. Here are several more, some of which were edited for grammar, spelling, length, and clarity.
- The idea that I could study anything I want. The experience of pushing yourself to the limit, and then some more.
- Caltech taught me how to think and consequently write. Without those talents my life would be in turmoil.
- I got in the habit of doing exercises and have continued to do so. I am 73 years old now and in much better health than most of my peers. Had I not signed up for body building about 55 years ago I suspect I would not be nearly as healthy today. Thanks, Caltech!
- I learned that science isn't about carrying around a collection of facts and formulas. Instead, science is a process of learning to think, to deconstruct a problem, to solve it, and to put the solution into context.
- A lifelong appreciation for the musical works of Richard Wagner.
- I started running because of Caltech. And even though I'm still not all that fast and have never come close to winning a race (or even finishing in the top half), I've been running ever since.
- It helped lead to my 1965 selection as one of the first scientist astronauts for the Apollo Program. Ultimately, I became the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 17 in December 1972 and the last of 12 men to step on the Moon and the only scientist to explore it.
- Through exploration of different sciences and listening to societal problems, I realized that my interest was to bring science together to solve those problems.
- It started my competitive swimming career.
- My Caltech education proved invaluable in 1981 when I was invited to join the staff of the National Academy of Sciences Office of International Affairs, where I worked on projects ranging from a conference on chemistry and world food supplies, to biofuels in Brazil, to industrial energy efficiency in India.