Many of Norm’s engineering classes took place in Robert’s Hall. This colored postcard shows Roberts Hall as it appeared in the 1950s. Norm moved from Winifred to a basement apartment on West Dickerson Street in Bozeman in the fall of 1953 to study mechanical engineering. Here, Montana State College students examine machinery on campus.
Many of Norm’s engineering classes took place in Robert’s Hall. This colored postcard shows Roberts Hall as it appeared in the 1950s. Norm moved from Winifred to a basement apartment on West Dickerson Street in Bozeman in the fall of 1953 to study mechanical engineering. Here, Montana State College students examine machinery on campus.

Academic success did not come easily for Norm. His first few semesters at Montana State College were spent playing catch up. Winifred High School had provided Norm a basic understanding of algebra and geometry, but he'd had no schooling in advanced mathematics, chemistry or physics.

Faculty at the time were not shy about telling students their odds of success were slim. Norm was one of many students to receive poor grades in his freshman and sophomore years—and some of his classmates did flunk out—but there were many valuable lessons learned along the way. Norm came to have an appreciation for his toughest professors, who imparted knowledge that would serve him well later in life.

In addition to his academic struggles, Norm realized in January of his sophomore year that he was going to run out of money. Feeling he was old enough to make his own way and drawn by a sense of duty to his country, Norm decided to leave school and join the U.S. military to qualify for the GI Bill.

 

 
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