Wednesday, June 4, 1919

Very hot beautiful day. 96 degrees in shade. Studied in A.M. Geology exam scheduled for P.M. Dr. Stoller didn't show up. Bought light suit. To see Wagner. Took walk around town. To bed 10 P.M.

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Dr. Stoller, who failed to show up for the Geology exam, was James Stoller, an alumnus of Union College who started teaching in the Geology department in 1884. By 1919 he had made significant contributions to the growth and prestige of the department, especially in the area of glaciation, his specialty, and in requiring all geology classes to do field work.

We know Stanford was required to do field work, since he mentions Geology field trips in his journal. Dr. Stoller retired in 1925 after 40 years at the college, but he lived another 30 years after that. (Information about Dr. Stoller was taken from the Union College Geology Department's website and others.) We don't know why he failed to show up for his exam that day, but he may have been ailing. It's interesting to speculate, at any rate. Below is his picture. He was quite a handsome man, don't you think?

Dr. James Stoller (1857-1955)