Stu Brogadir & the MCAT

Dear Harry and Classmates;

Lost in the grander preparations for the apocalypse that was to be May Day was the closing of the MCAT testing site at Sterling Chem Lab by the test administrator, the (aptly named) Psychological Testing Service. Since the half of our class that had mastered Organic Chemistry was taking the MCAT, a significant number of us were to be evacuated from New Haven on that fateful day.

Earlier in the week, I was called by the PTS and told that Sterling had been one of the buildings targeted for potential vaporization on May Day, and that the center was declared unsafe and therefore closed. I was given the choice of two “safer” test centers, Columbia or Wesleyan. It seemed to be a no brainer. Columbia was the home base of Mark Rudd and the intergalactic headquarters of SDS, hosting protests on what seemed to be a daily basis. Wesleyan was in a sleepy town where a PTA meeting was the only event of any import whatsoever. I had a friend of a friend who knew a friend who knew a student with a sofa. I signed up.

Imagine my surprise that Friday afternoon to find that the Middletown exit off of the Wilbur Cross was backed up for a mile. The improbable cause: the Grateful Dead was giving a concert at Wesleyan on May Day! So much for the PTA meeting!

The early dawn of May Day was shattered by the sound of fire alarms, and I was awakened from my lumpy sofa. A fire bomb had gone off in center campus and all buildings had to be evacuated. We watched the sun rise outside in our yaya’s and, at about 6 am, were told we could reenter the buildings. I showered, picked up my #2 pencils, and went off to the test center. (I believe I changed into fresh yaya’s, but am not positive.) So much for the PTA meeting!

After the exam, I headed home to Yale to partake in the activities of May Day; but the National Guard had basically closed New Haven down. I drove home to my parents’ house in Ansonia listening to reports from New Haven. I am not sure whether it was more cacophonous to hear Jerry Rubin scream “F— Kingman Brewster!!” in person or over the car radio!

Thus, this book is my only connection to one of the most significant days in New Haven and Yale history. I have sometimes wondered whether the detonation at the sedate Wesleyan MCAT site was some prophetic metaphor for the destruction of our once staid health care system and medical practice by the Plaintiffs’ Bomb (or, is it “Bar”?) and insurance companies. Hmmmm….Just makes you wonder…..At least Sterling has survived!

Anyway, I dedicate this anecdote to you, Harry, and the seriously fantastic work you have done and are doing to unite our class. We are all grateful. I hereby nominate you as Class Secretary in Perpetuity!!

Best to all,
Stu