Sam stopped on his way down the hall in the sciences building when a flyer tacked to the bulletin board caught his attention. He dodged closer to it as other students came up behind him, trying to get to their next classes. The flyer announced that a visiting professor, Dr. Balthasar Katzenbacher, would be giving a lecture on the university campus next month. Dr. Katzenbacher was a world-respected biochemist—but you’d think they’d have been able to include a photo of the guy. Maybe he was a recluse. Nevertheless, Sam’s interest was piqued, and he scribbled a reminder in his notebook.
He didn’t think much about it after that except when a couple of his science instructors mentioned it.
On the day of the lecture, Sam saw that he had added the lecture to his calendar. “Oh yeah!” he remarked. He walked over to the auditorium. As he crossed campus, he noticed a cluster of people making its way in the same direction. He glimpsed the man at the front of the group but spared no more than that. The man looked pretty uninteresting, dressed like the title character from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. There seemed to be a lively discussion going on, but it had nothing to do with Sam, who glanced at his phone and quickened his pace so he could get a seat in the auditorium.
He found the front row mostly empty but marked as reserved. He ended up having to sit near the back. It was already feeling stuffy in the room, and Sam started to sweat.
The doors opened and a group of people entered. Sam saw the same Mr. Rogers–type character with them. This group filled in the rest of the front row. The head of the department introduced Dr. Balthasar Katzenbacher and then, as he stepped away from the podium, Sam was shocked to see Mr. Rogers rise and take up a position at the podium. Sam felt a little foolish.
In his disappointment, he had difficulty focusing on the lecture as his mind wandered. He kept shifting in his seat, and it seemed the room became warmer and warmer. After about fifteen minutes, he decided he needed to study for a test. He picked his way out of the seats and out the nearest door.
Derek, another student, saw a copy of the same flyer and was also excited about Dr. Katzenbacher’s visit to campus. In some spare time, Derek got on his computer and searched for information about him. He found some summaries of theories and studies and even some abstracts of Dr. Katzenbacher’s published papers. This information led him to the publications themselves. Over the next month, Derek devoured everything he could about Katzenbacher’s work. It fascinated him.
When the day of the lecture arrived, Derek left his apartment well in advance to get a good seat in the auditorium. His route took him past one of the faculty parking lots. He noticed a man wearing a cardigan over a collared shirt and slacks greeting a woman at the edge of the lot. From a distance, Derek wasn’t sure, but he thought the man looked like the images of Dr. Katzenbacher he had seen on the Internet. Almost on an impulse—thinking there was no reason the famous biochemist would want to talk to him—he changed direction and approached the man.
As the man and woman turned and started to walk away from the parking lot, the former noticed Derek approaching. “Hello!” he said with an open and friendly expression.
“Excuse me,” Derek said. “Are you Dr. Katzenbacher?”
“I am,” replied the man. “What is your name?” He started walking and gestured for Derek to walk with them.
Derek told him and immediately added, “I’ve been reading your research and it’s really exciting. I’m studying biochemistry myself.”
“Oh? Did you have a favorite paper or article?”
“Yes, it was the one on the effect of our modern diets on neurochemistry.” Derek couldn’t stop himself. “I thought the possibilities your research opened up are fascinating.” Their dialogue continued during their walk, and as they talked, more faculty and even other students joined them until they had formed a group moving toward the auditorium. Derek quickly felt like he already had known the biochemist personally.
“I appreciate your insightful comments,” Dr. Katzenbacher said. “I would be honored if you would sit on the front row during the lecture. We can talk more over lunch afterward.”
Derek couldn’t believe his luck and quickly accepted.
Sitting on the front row—which was all the better for the fact that the auditorium was full—Derek almost felt like he was in a daze. The lecture enthralled him. Afterward, on the way to lunch at one of the school’s cafeterias and during the meal with members of the faculty, Dr. Katzenbacher continued to discuss his work with them and included Derek when he asked for insights. Before they parted, Dr. Katzenbacher gave Derek his contact information.
“When you’ve graduated, I would like to hear from you. I can always use a good research assistant.” Almost speechless, Derek could only stammer some pleasantries as they shook hands.
He went home with a new excitement about his major and a swell of optimism about the future.
Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com
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