Muthu - Dec. 2006


Today is exactly 30 years since I boarded the plane for the first time in my life. I boarded the Indian Airlines plane at Madras - Meenambakkam Airport en route to Chicago via Bombay, London and New York. I had gained admission to Northwestern University (NU) to do my M.S.

I have travelled a long way. For those who do not know me or do not know where I have been, let me mention briefly. Today I am settled in Atlanta. When I left Chennai, I was an Assitant Professor of Planning at the School of Architecture and Planning at the (then) University of Madras. I came to the US on a student visa, having gotten admission to NU. I borrowed from my Life Insurance Policy for my flight and initial expenses at the US. I had to use our house in Chennai (built by my father, and in my name) as a collateral. I came here with just $80 (which I lost the second day of my arrival) as allowed by the RBI, leaving my wife and young childern. I was given 6 months leave with half salary (Rs. 400/mo) by my employer. I did my MS in NU, then went on to Purdue University (PU) in W. Lafayette, Indiana for my Ph.D. After working in 4 States in the US and in Malaysia, including 18 months of unemployment during 1986-87, I retired as Professor of Civil Engineering at Alabama A&M University on January 1, 2005. I am sharing my travels and travails through a series of blog entries.

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I am back in time and right now I am living that day again....

I am on my flight to Bombay. My wife Veda and children Sowmya (7 yrs) and Prabhakar (5 yrs), along with my close relatives and in-laws, came to the airport to see me off.

Am I doing the right thing? Is it worth all the trouble? My employer - Madras University - had graciously granted me 6 months leave on half pay (Rs. 400/month), because I had served them for 8 years! I was going for higher studies - not on employment. The University and my immediate boss did everything to discourage me from applying and going for higher studies. I had pledged my life insurance and my ancestral property to get enough money to buy my ticket. It was a hectic week to get my visa from the US Consulate, get loan and pay for my flight, get reserve bank to release me a foreign exchange of $80. The only silver lining was the fact that I had received a cable from Nortwestern University that I will be getting a Research Assistantship from them.

Is it really worth for a 39 year old to leave his wife and children in the care of others for the pursuit of higher studies and a very uncertain future? Why not I just cancel everything and return home, cutting my journey at Bombay?

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2006

Bombay to London

Evidently I fought against returning and proceeded on my journey.

...........

I have wondered at the sight of planes above and have been awestruck at their takeoff during educational visits to the airport. Now I am enjoying Air India hospitality and the vegetarian food they are serving. I just can not stop thinking about my wife and children. I am hopeful of paying back my loan and saving enough to get them to at least visit me at the US.

The plane travel is not anywhere near as exciting as I thought it to be. In fact, it is quite boring with the monotonous hum and nothing to see and enjoy outside. I got the window seat by request. I see only clouds below. My mind drifts to my efforts to go abroad since 1960.

In the early days it was my ambition to go abroad to earn....

I tried to go to Australia. I remember visiting the Australian High Commissioner's office at Bombay for an immigration interview in 1971 with my wife, daughter who was 2 years old then, and my infant son. After my application was rejected, I got cooled off. I was not ready to leave for higher studies as I still had reponsibilites as the eldest son in a fmily of 9 - 4 brothers and 4 sisters; three of my brothers and two of my sisters were yet to be married. In those days, Australia was where people were getting immigration and with work permit.

What made me think of going abroad for studies after 15 years of service and a settled life as an Assistant Professor at Madras University? What made me take this drastic step? How could I leave my family totally dependent on my earnings in pursuit of higher studies? My father has retired as a Supervisor in the Corporation of Madras; my youngest brother has just started his University Education and my youngest sister is yet to be married. My 3rd younger sister had delivered her baby just yesterday the 26th of December. Why? Why? Why?

Is it the attraction of the US? Is it my thirst for knowledge? In reality it is the implied need for me to get a Doctoral degree in order to advance in my career. Implied because I was overlooked when opportunities came to promote me and others who had equal educational qualification but far less total experience were promoted before I was. When I was finally promoted around 1975 in Malcolm Audiseshiah's vice-chancellorship, the part-time Director of the School of Architecture and Planning prevented me from getting any raise. My innate desire to get educated in the US was kindled by the push factor of not being recognized at work.

I think I must have drifted into sleep. I am already in London and I have a few hours before catching my next flight to New York.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2006

London - New York - Chicago


Did not have much to do at London Airptort. I am simply jaded and worried about my wife and children.

Here I am lazily browsing the shops. A box of crayons catches my attention and brings my children to my mind. How nice it will be if I could give them this box of crayons? May be I will get these and more when I return home next year......

London to New York was even more boring and tiring. I practically slept most of the time and read the newspapers for a while.

I am at New York airport.

As I mecahanically move following the signs, I am beckoned by some guy. He wants me to open my suitcase, claiming to be a customs official. I have just one suitcase with my dress and the admisssion papers from the University. He lets me go.

I go to a public telephone and place a call to the International Student's Office at Northwestern. I am given directions to take an airport shuttle to Orrington Hotel in Oak Avenue, Evanston, Illinois. From Orrington Hotel I am to take a cab to go to the YMCA to stay temporarily until I find a suitable place to live.

New York to Chicago flight is in a smaller equipment. There is another Indian passenger. He comes to sit by my side and asks "What is the time in Chicago now?" "Why? It should be the same as here!"
"No! It is different!"

(It took sometime before I learnt about the four time zones and the practice of time swithcing twice a year from standard time to daylight saving time and back to standard time.)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2006

Chicago to Evanston

Here I am in Chicago O'Hare Airport. Sitting inside the shuttle, with full suite and the overcoat given by my father-in-law. He bought this overcoat when he went to Australia with a team of Tamilnadu Electricity System engineers several years ago.

As I look outside the window, I see heavy snowfall and many ladies with a heavy fur coat. I say to myself: "These people are making a big fuss... It cannot be all that cold!" (See the partial Table below to realize how cold it was in Dec. 1976)

The bus reaches Hotel Orrington (at Orrington and Church Street) after about 45 minutes. I hire a cab. When I reach the YMCA (at Maple and Grove), I realize it was hardly a furlong from Orrington. As I get down and pay the cab driver, he asks "Do you have a dime?"

I have no idea what he is asking about and I throw a blank look at him. He says "Never mind." and drives away.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2006

First days at Evanston/Northwestern University (NU)

The room I am in is in the second floor of the Y, adjacent to the elevator. It is noisy because people were going up and down all night. I am still wondering about my decision and thinking of my dear family, parents and brothers and sisters. I need to send a cable home informing my safe arrival.....

I wake up and go down to the restaurant to have my breakfast and proceed to walk to the Tech Building at NU to meet my advisor, Dr. George Peterson.

It is about 10 minutes walk. It is biting cold. The sweater, cap and gloves from India and the overcoat are in noway a match for this weather. The brand new Ambassador shoe I bought at Bata has already shrunk for the weather and started biting. It was the top of the line at about Rs. 150 from Bata Shoe Company.


I have no problem locating Dr. Peterson's office. He greeted me with a smile and immediately gave me a brief orientation, took care of the paperwork. I need to go to the International Student's Office and also go and get my social security card.

In the International Students' office, I am introduced to a student from Malaysia. His name is Ahmed Naziri B. Mohamed. He was sponsored by Malay Government for higher studies in Music. He is also staying in the Y.

I go to the Burger King to get my lunch. I ask for Cheese Burger with no meat. They understand and oblige.

I go to a Thrift Shop and buy a full length overcoat with hood for $6. After going to my room in the Y, I get directions to the nearest Western Union. I walk to Wetern Union, about a block away, send a cable home, and return.

Oops... I find my wallet missing. It had the bulk of my money. I have a few dollars and some change in my pocket. I also notice that what I thought to be side pockets in the overcoat I just bought were really holes to reach my pant pocket and also tokeep my hand inside for warmth! Did I drop my wallet through the hole, thinking I am putting it in the side pocket? I walk back to the Western Union, retracing my path, looking for my Shantiniketan Wallet. I go and search inside the Western Union building, over the writing table, under the counter and walk back tracing my path. The ground is covered with fresh snow. If the wallet is covered by snow, there is no way to see it. Fortunately my passport is safe. I go to the police station nearby and lodge a complaint.

It is already late in the evening and it is dark by 4 pm.

Tomorrow is New Year eve, followed by New Year on Saturday. I have to wait until Monday the 2nd to meet my professor and see what can be done.

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See the Technological Institute on Sheridan across from Noyes street and also the Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary to the Southeast of the Tech Institute. I stayed my first quarter in a double occupancy room in the second floor of the Seminary, at $80/month.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2007

Golden Semesters At Purdue - Part II: spring '80 to fall '81


Spring 1980: Trip Back to Purdue

A local gentleman who had his daughter living in Indiana offered to drive us to W. Lafayette just for meeting the gasoline expenses. I had already sent several boxes of books and small utensils through one of the newly hired Indian faculty who was leaving UWP. He was passing through Purdue where he has a friend.

Our trip back is very smooth - the car was a big 8-cylinder Impala. The driver is a very experienced and careful driver. Some parts were so foggy that the visibility was limited to a few feet.

Sharing the house with an American Family

As my return was sudden, we did not have a place to move into. The married student housing has a waiting list. We had a very friendly American couple in the same building - 220, Nimitz Drive. They have a small child. The husband is doing his undergraduate studies at Purdue. They offered to share their apartment with us until we got our own apartment. It was about two weeks before I got 217-12 Halsey Drive available for our occupancy.

We had no problem - the four of us - sharing the apartment with the three of them! We will cook our food after or before they cook for themselves in the same kitchen. Though there is only one bath room, we did not have any conflicts.

Spring 1980- Summer 1980: I am on full-time assistantship!

The sailing is smooth. I am concentrating and spending 16 to 18 hours a day to complete my research. Veda takes care of the children, follows up with their studies, participates in the parent-teacher conferences and also starts to learn driving. I have my third car now - an 8-cylinder Chevy-Impala. This is slightly older than my first Malibu.

Fall 1980:

In fall 80, Dr. Sinha left to India on his sabbatical and an Assistant Professor took charge of guiding my project. The research is extended to six midwestern states. I have all the data needed from federal publications, and have formulated the goal programming model. Life continues to be smooth-going in a routine fashion, with nothing other than my research in my mind. Gasoline selling at 70 cents a gallon, and my impala giving 6 to 8 miles to the gallon makes me look for a more fuel efficient car. I find a buyer for my Impala. I bought it for $350, did some brake work and sold it for $500 after a couple of months, thus breaking even. I find a yellow Gremlin, an American Motor Corportaion make - 6 cylinder car. This is much smaller than my previous one, but suppsedly will give more miles to the gallon.

Dr. Sinha used to introduce me to others and say "Muthu went on his sabbatical to spend a semester in Platteville"

Dr. Sinha left to India on his Sabbatical, leaving Dr. Jon Fricker to guide me. Dr. Fricker is in his early 30s, a fresh Ph. D., just hired by Purdue. I needed minimal guidance, as my approach and model have been approved by Dr. Sinha.

Spring 1981 - A Turning Point: Set My Professional Licensing in Motion!

I got a Teaching Assitant position to help in conducting the "Introduction to Civil Engineering" class. This course is an overview course. There is a senior professor who is the coordinator. Professors from different sub-disciplines such as Structures, Construction, Transportation, etc, lecture on the pertinent topic. The coordinator sits in the back of the class to keep an eye on the students and also prepare questions on the topic of discussion! I have to do the same in the absence of the coordinator.

One of the instructors talked to the class about professional registration. Getting a bachelors degree is only the first step toward becoming a professional (licensed) engineer; next is passing an 8 hour exam on several disciplines fundamental to all traditional engineering - mathematics, statics, strength of materials, materials science, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, engineering economics, computer basics, professionalism and ethics. Passing this exam makes one an engineer-in-trainee. With 4 yeras of engineering work experience under alicensed engineer, the engineer in training is eligible to sit for the second 8 hour exam known as the professional engineering exam. This will be in the particular discipline such as civil, mechanical, chemical, etc.

I went ahead and got a copy of "Engineering Fundamentals for Professional Engineers' Examinations", a McGraw-Hill publication by Lloyd M. Polentz. I had just about a week left to send my registration form and about a month to prepare for the exam. I have not used any of the material I learnt at Guindy since 1960. So, I needed to review and brush up my knowledge in these areas.

Sitting for the exam was a wonderful experience - along the lines of GRE and TOEFL. There were 200 questions. One should answer about 150 of them correctly in 4 hours. These were all multiple choice questions, mostly problems to be solved quicly and pick the correct answer. Afternoon session contained 20 questions, with 10 subdivisions in each question.

Least did I realize then how much of an important achiveent for me to pass this exam ( a clear 20 years of non-use of the material learned(?!)) - there was a time later in my life when my Professional Enginee (PE) status gave me a jop while my Ph.D failed!

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There are two more major steps to complete my work and get my Ph. D conferred - the comprehnsive exam and the defense. The comp consists of taking tests in all the major area courses. I scheduled my comprehensive exam toward late May. There were some hurdles and I had to retake soe exams to satisfy the profs.

Between my research assitantship and teaching assitantship, I am getting full-time ($1100/mo)
I attend a class or two just out of my interest - auditing as they call it here.

How I Bought My Own Book From Follet's

One morning after a long break I go to Follet's book store just to browse. A copy of "Civil Engineering Handbook" by Urquhart in the top shelf catches my attention. I got a copy of this book as a free book when I joined the McGraw-Hill Book Club. I am just curious to know what is the price of this book at this store.

I take the book and open it.......

Surprise! I find my name and adress label in the inside cover. It is my copy that is sitting here!

I go to the manager and explain how somebody seems to have stolen my book and sold it to him. "I am sorry. I have paid for the book. If you want it you have to buy it from me"

Thus, I bought back my own book from the local bookstore. The irony is I got it free the first time!

I got a Teaching Assitant position to help in conducting the "Introduction to Civil Engineering" class. This course is an overview course. There is a senior professor who is the coordinator. Professors from different sub-disciplines such as Structures, Construction, Transportation, etc, lecture on the pertinent topic. The coordinator sits in the back of the class to keep an eye on the students and also prepare questions on the topic of discussion! I have to do the same in the absence of the coordinator.

One of the instructors talked to the class about professional registration. Getting a bachelors degree is only the first step toward becoming a professional (licensed) engineer; next is passing an 8 hour exam on several disciplines fundamental to all traditional engineering - mathematics, statics, strength of materials, materials science, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, engineering economics, computer basics, professionalism and ethics. Passing this exam makes one an engineer-in-trainee. With 4 yeras of engineering work experience under alicensed engineer, the engineer in training is eligible to sit for the second 8 hour exam known as the professional engineering exam. This will be in the particular discipline such as civil, mechanical, chemical, etc.

I went ahead and got a copy of "Engineering Fundamentals for Professional Engineers' Examinations", a McGraw-Hill publication by Lloyd M. Polentz. I had just about a week left to send my registration form and about a month to prepare for the exam. I have not used any of the material I learnt at Guindy since 1960. So, I needed to review and brush up my knowledge in these areas.

Sitting for the exam was a wonderful experience - along the lines of GRE and TOEFL. There were 200 questions. One should answer about 150 of them correctly in 4 hours. These were all multiple choice questions, mostly problems to be solved quicly and pick the correct answer. Afternoon session contained 20 questions, with 10 subdivisions in each question.

Least did I realize then how much of an important achiveent for me to pass this exam ( a clear 20 years of non-use of the material learned(?!)) - there was a time later in my life when my Professional Enginee (PE) status gave me a jop while my Ph.D failed!



Summer 1981: Is There Life After Grad School?

Towards the end of summer 1981, I was completing my thesis. Dr. Sinha encouraged me to look for a job. This is contrary to what happens normally: the major professor typically wants to retain his Ph. D. candidate for as long as he can to get more work done, thus making it impossible for a candidate to earn a Ph. D within five or six years.

April 1, 1981: I get a call from the Dean of Engineering at the University of Portland, Oregon.
I was invited to go there for an interview for a tenure track position of Assitant Professor of Civil Engineering. Dean Nelson explained the interview terms: I will be paid my travel expenses for the interview under one of two conditions: (a) If I am not selected or (b) If I am selected and I accept the offer; I will not get my travel expenses if I reject the offer!

I put my research work in fast pcae and start writing my thesis.

Visit Portland, Oregon:

I rent a car to drive to Indianapolis, fly from there to Portland, OR via Denver, Colorado.

The flight through three different time-zones is quite long and exhausting. My thoughts and feelings are mixed. The expectation of getting a full-time, peramanent (?!) teaching position mixed with the fear of the unknown, made intense by past experience in Platteville run through my mind. Hopefully I will be able to give my wife and children the quality of life they deserve!

The Inteview:

University of Portland (UP) situated on the top of a bluff overlooking the Willamette river, is a small, undergraduate, Catholic university. Dr. Nelson metme at the motel and brought me to the School. After meeting the faculty individually, I am asked to give a seminar on my research. Then we all go to lunch at the University Cafeteria.

Dr. Nelson takes me to the airport and gives me a firm handshake and tells: "Mr. Muthu, you will hear from us - very soon!"

Got My Job at U of P:

It is fall 1981. I have completed my thesis. Defense is over. I think I did a good job of answering the questions. My advisory committee consisted of Dr. Sinha, Dr. Fricker (both of Transportation), Dr. Ravindran from Industrial Engineering, and Dr. Virgil Anderson of Statisitcs.

Jon Fricker commented to me just after the defense: "Sometimes I wondered who is the examiner and who the examinee!" I do not know if it was a complement or criticism. Anyway, Dr. Ravindran was not happy and he wanted me to rewrite a chapter.

I have already received a call from Portland with the job offer, and I need to be there by early August. Dr. Sinha wanted me to stay and finish up the work. I was firm about leaving and completing the work before I leave - which I did.

Visa Problem

My F-1 visa is to expire in 2 weeks. I went, along with my wife and children, to Gary, Indiana, to get my practical training visa. This will enable me to accept the job at Portland, and give time to get sponsored and get my "green" card.


The immigration officer is an afro-american lady. "Your request is declined. You already have had your practical training"


"But I am yet to complete my studies and get my Ph.D. Also, there are only 14 days left before my current visa expires."

"You got 14 days. Enough time to pack up and go home!"

UP to rescue:

We all returned to W. Lafayette wondering what to do now. I took the telephone to call Dr. Nelson and explain to him the he needs to get me on H-1 visa. First he hesitated. Then I explained that the only way I can start by August was for me to obtain H-1 status. He did that and I got H-1 status

What happened from 1981 onwards?

Now the fact that I have no job in India combined with the realization that I need some work experience to get the full benefit of my Ph. D made me try for teaching positions in the US. I succeeded in getting Assistant Professorship at the University of Portland (UP), Oregon. I taught Statics, Strength of Materials, Engineering Drawing, Computer Aided Drafting, Engineering Economy, Highway Engineering, Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering and Operations Research during my tenure at UP. It took two years to get my “green card”. In 1984, I was denied tenure and promotion at the UP. The Dean of Engineering said I can apply again next year, but the President indicated that I need to wait for two more years.

I took the telephone and called the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) at the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin). The secretary to Dr. Hudson, an expert on Pavement Maintenance, indicated that he was looking for a Ph.D, and she encouraged me to send my resume. In a short time, I got a call from Dr. Hudson, and after the brief telephone interview, he offered me the position, matching my salary at UP.

I started my position as a Research Engineer at CTR in Aug, 1984.

Though I was told at the time of the telephone interview (1) I stand a chance to become a full faculty at UT-Austin, and (2) they have never laid off anybody at the CTR, I found both these statements were not true.

I learnt that UT-Austin as a policy does not let a Research Engineer to join the faculty, notwithstanding their Ph.D.

In Aug. 1986, I was ruthlessly removed from their payroll with 2 weeks notice. Now my children were in their high school, and my wife was not employed. My pleas to Dr. Hudson and the Director for CTR to retain me for at least two semesters and give me time to find a teaching position elsewhere were turned down.

I was unemployed.

I tried to earn by selling Life Insurance, part-time teaching to teach College Algebra and Business Statistics at the Austin Community College, and also did substitute teaching to 7th graders. I was helped by a professor in the Business School at UT-Austin, who took me as a half-time research assistant in his project. All these works together gave me about $1000 a month!

In Jan. 1988, I got an opportunity to teach in Malaysia. There was an arrangement for giving US education to Malay students. Instead of the students coming to the US, professors from a consortium of Texas Universities went to Kuala Lumpur and taught the students in Malaysia. I taught Statics, FORTRAN, and Engineering Economics.

After return from that project in Jan. 1989, I was jobless for a few months before I got a job as a Design Engineer/CAD Resource Person in a local Engineering Company. I got this job not because of my Ph. D; it was my PE (professional engineer license) that got me the job.

I was one of two Ph.Ds in that company. By 1991, the company was shrinking for want of projects, and I was on a 4-day week – which meant a pay cut of 20%

All along I was on the lookout for a teaching position as I was underpaid as a private company employee. Also the uncertainty and lack of benefits was scary.

In 1992 my application to Alabama A&M University (AAMU) resulted in my getting appointed as Associate Professor of Civil Engineering. I taught Engineering Graphics, Statics, Strength of Materials, Transportation Engineering I and II, Engineering Economics, Civil Engineering Practice, and Civil Engineering (Capstone) Design Project.

Though I enjoyed the undergraduate teaching, I just felt like retiring and did so effective from Jan. 1, 2005.

My daughter, who graduated from UT-Austin and got her MS from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, is married and settled in Atlanta. She had to leave her infant son in a nursery, while she went to work.

It just made sense for us – me and my wife – to move to Atlanta and thus be of help to our daughter.


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