By schulmancox

Eric Schulman is a PhD astronomer, author, and science humorist. One of his science humor articles, "The History of the Universe in 200 Words or Less", has been translated into more than thirty languages and provided the inspiration for his humorous popular science book, A Briefer History of Time: From the Big Bang to the Big Mac(R). His "History of the Universe in 60 Seconds or Less" slide show can be found on the United States National Science Foundation website.

Caroline Cox is a PhD astronomer, educator, and astronomy education consultant. She was a research assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Virginia, where she studied galaxies and clusters of galaxies and taught introductory astronomy classes. Then she was an astronomy education specialist at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where she helped develop educational materials for the Explore the Universe exhibit. She currently teaches high school physics and astrophysics.

"Pat the Dean" was first published in 1998 in the Annals of Improbable Research (volume 4, number 6, page 28).

PAT THE DEAN.

– FROM THE ARCHIVE – Here are Robert and Virginia. They are interviewing for faculty positions at a small liberal arts college. YOU can interview for a faculty position at a small liberal arts college, too. Robert can talk with Pat the Dean about research with undergraduates. Now YOU talk with Pat the Dean about research with undergraduates. Virginia can give a research talk about clusters of galaxies. Now YOU give a research talk about clusters of galaxies. Robert can teach a class on stellar structure and interiors. Now YOU teach a class on stellar structure and interiors. Virginia and…

PAT THE DEAN.

Here are Robert and Virginia. They are interviewing for faculty positions at a small liberal arts college. YOU can interview for a faculty position at a small liberal arts college, too. Robert can talk with Pat the Dean about research with undergraduates. Now YOU talk with Pat the Dean about research with undergraduates. Virginia can give a research talk about clusters of galaxies. Now YOU give a research talk about clusters of galaxies. Robert can teach a class on stellar structure and interiors. Now YOU teach a class on stellar structure and interiors. Virginia and Robert can go out to…