Bob Bledsoe was a forty-four year old visiting professor of Organizational Behavior at the University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities campus. He had obtained his doctorate several years ago and had a promising career as a professor until he was lured away by the big bucks that could be made in business. Bob was talented in that he was able to translate the theory from the classroom into practical applications. By doing so, he made a lot of money.
He had married his college sweetheart. Since they were a two-career household, they decided not to have children, a decision both regretted later in life. His wife, who is very successful in pharmaceutical sales, decided a few years ago to go it on her own. Bob reassessed his life and among other things decided that he missed teaching. He had kept up with the changes in his field but to rejoin his teaching career, he took off a year to better prepare himself. He put out feelers and received several offers. Even though it was not the most lucrative offer, he decided to tough out the cold Minnesota winter on a one-year visiting professor contract.
As a visiting professor, he was given quarters in Middlebrook Residence Hall and took most of his meals in the cafe in the basement of the building. He was immediately pleased with the way his classes were going. He taught in a seminar style, giving each student the opportunity to discuss the topic of the day. He saw his job as instructor as a moderator. He allowed students quite a bit of latitude but knew that it was his job to guide the discussion so the salient issues were discussed.
This style of teaching will sometimes give the lazy student an opportunity to goof off but Bob had a way of asking students that were not participating in the discussion what they though about the topic being discussed. It would not take long to know if the student was prepared. Bob did not play games. He made sure that everyone knew what was expected from them and was quick to let them know that he was not getting it. The classes were small and almost everyone showed an above average interest in the subject.
One night while he was eating dinner in the Middlebrook dining room, he was thinking back over yesterday's classes. The subject was "personality" and the discussions were lively. He was lost in thought when someone calling his name brought him out of his reverie.
"Doctor Bledsoe," the young female voice said. "I know you are having your dinner but may I ask you a question about today's subject?"
He recognized her as Hedda Lindstron, an outstanding student and quite a looker. She was about five feet six and had the perky body sported by so many coeds. "Of course Angela, sit down," he said. "A little good conversation can do nothing but help this meatloaf go down."
She sat across the table from him and began, "Today when we were discussing personality, the question came to me and I didn't get a chance to ask it. I know that the definition says that personality is a rather permanent thing but I was wondering if a person's personality could ever change quickly."
He launched into a soliloquy on personality change and watched the table fill up. All but two were in my classes and those two young men were following the girls. He concluded, "...so you may see someone exhibiting behavior which is out of character. However, it is probably because he or she is under pressure or in the heat of passion. There is the other possibility that the person caused an alteration in the personality with chemicals such as alcohol or drugs."
A male student he didn't know spoke up and proceeded to let all that were listening know how little he knew about the subject. Bob took the opportunity to scan the table. There was a female student that he did not know sitting two seats to the right of the student sitting across from him. He did not recognize her face but was fascinated with her beauty. She had classic Swedish features that were not uncommon in this area. Her blond hair, healthy appearance, and large breasts were enough to break anyone's concentration, especially a certain professor who had been without female companionship for longer than he wanted to confess. She appeared to be a little older than the other girls at the table. Maybe she was a graduate student. He made a mental note to find out who she was.
There was an empty seat to Bob's left. Charles Walker, a so-so student sat next to the empty seat then there was Kala Laine, a twenty-two year old senior with a 4.0 grade point average. Her looks belied her brains. She stood five feet five, had stylishly short blond hair, and her thirty-four C breasts looked great on her 110-pound frame. She paid rapt attention when Bob was speaking and showed her annoyance when anyone else was stating his or her opinion, especially when the person obviously did not have any thing to add to the topic.
Across from Bob and one seat to the left was Amanda Karlsson who was called Mandy, a dishwater blond whose clothes kind of hung on her body hiding her assets. Bob wondered what her body looked like. He noticed that she took notes when other students were talking and then looked to Bob for validation. It appeared that she was about to say something when a young man wearing an apron approached the table.
"The cafeteria is closing in about ten minutes," he said.
The girl that Bob did not know said, "This has been great. Is there anyway that we could continue it?"
Bob answered, "Of course I'll be in class tomorrow but I eat here almost every night."
Everyone began collecting his or her dishes and moving out of the cafeteria. The woman Bob did not know placed her coffee cup on the return conveyer along side Bob's tray.
"Professor Bledsoe, I'm Shirley Johnson," she introduced herself. "I'm a psychology major and found the discussion tonight very interesting. We study the issues you talk about in your class but you use them in practical situations. I find it fascinating the way you and your students discuss situations psychologically. Maybe we could continue this discussion tonight."
"Well, Shirley I don't know when I've had a better offer," Bob began. "However, the school has a policy about fraternization with students."
