A prerequisite to graduate from UNC-Asheville was to take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) which was required for entrance into most graduate programs at any university. I had no intention of going on to graduate school so, at the time, I viewed it as just a waste of money.
After getting my degree from UNC at Asheville, I decided to move north near my family to look for a job in industry. It was simply a matter of location…I would be a lot closer to several major cities and, therefore, more employment opportunities. I had already established myself as a bartender in PA, so there was temporary employment waiting for me as well as a love interest. After a brief romance and short-lived engagement, I found myself working at a restaurant in Lewisburg, PA. One August evening in 1999, two professors (Drs. Casteel and Kastner) from the Bucknell Chemistry department came into my bar. I overheard them talking about chemistry related topics, so I chimed in and told them, “I have a Chemistry degree”. They immediately perked up and informed me that they were looking for graduate students.
As someone who looks for signs in life, here was a great opportunity staring me right in the face, so I followed that sign. The very next day, I went to visit Bucknell University, applied to the Master’s program, was accepted, and sitting in class within a matter of days. This all would have never happened had I not taken the GRE so, in hindsight, I am grateful for that GRE requirement.
My ‘recruitment’ story became a bit of an urban legend amongst the chemistry department at Bucknell. Afterall, it is rather amusing. To top off my experience at Bucknell, my father, representing his alma mater St. Joseph’s University, was invited to walk in the procession at my graduation. I believe he was very proud.
Posted by Margaret Ryan
bartender Bucknell chemistry ODDITIES
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