Slesnick by the Numbers

FOR the first time since 1962 the academic year opened without Math Prof Bill Slesnick '73 A, who retired last June. His very habits are the stuff of legend. He was said to have known the name of every student in every class. ("It's not true," he told this magazine back in 1977. "I know just enough to keep them off balance.") He would interrupt lectures to stare down latecomers. And he insisted on classroom decorum in an increasingly unmannered age. He advised prospective Rhodes Scholars (he had been one himself), refereed crew races, clocked swimming meets, judged snow sculptures and fraternity hums, and, as he cheerfully puts it, "sat on a zillion committees." In his 33 years at the College he racked up some impressive numbers:

• Estimated number of students taught: 3,000

• Honorees hooded at Commencement: 149

• Books written: 3

• Books sold: 1,400,000

• Academic processions marched: 48

• Times first derivative explained: "Lots"

• Office hours scheduled: 0 ("I don't have them. I'm in my office whenever I'm not in class. Students can just drop by")

• Phi Beta Kappa initiations marshaled: 30

• Chinese lunches eaten at Mrs. Ou's Chinese restaurant in Hanover: 4,935

• Number of Mrs. Ou's daughters taught: 1 (Winny '77)

• Years in Boy Scouts: 57

• Merit badges earned: 26

• Silver Buffalo Awards earned: 1 (It is the highest honor the Boy Scouts confers.)

Mathman Slesnick