And so, in late September of 1970, with a fire raging in the foothills to the east, Michael entered the Santa Rosa dormitories with his mom and dad. He was to embark initially on an intellectual journey into Chemistry and Calculus with his compatriot from North Tustin, Ira. Together they would listen intently to the revered Professor Pierce W. Selwood, who at one time had been an integral part of the Manhattan Project.