My first introduction to Prof. Tom Walsh was, of course, very short, and I quote, ”Meet me at Burger King at 7:00 AM tomorrow sharp.” That was it, and I started my three years of foundry work at SIU.

I had the best time. Most of the graduate students were casters but there were others skilled in other disciplines. One lovely lady, Claudia, came from the North East. I think she studied Architecture and this was her first introduction to foundry work. She was a hard worker and jumped right in.  One time we were preparing for an iron pour and we were making charges for the pour. This entails breaking up old iron radiators into small shards and mixing them into a weight bag with coke and flux. This is hot, dirty work. After some time, Claudia got up off the floor, sweat on her brow, steamed up goggles, and her bandana falling off her head, and proclaimed, ”My mother said I was out of slavery, what’s up with this !” I told her she was working for Uncle Tom now, so get used to it !!!

All in all, a great time in my life!!!