The University Is Shocking

About the Book

Jerry, a novice Campus Security patrolman at a major research and teaching university, discovers a body in one of the engineering laboratories, an apparent accident. As he explores the academic environment, he encounters elaborate student pranks. He is led through a series of very technical clues by graduate students. These clues may indicate that the accident was really an ingenious murder. Is it possible that Jerry is being led down the garden path in the biggest prank yet? As he works through his first year as campus cop, the contrasts between public and university ethics and notions of justice become more obvious. The results of crime range from death, through a good chuckle, to public fame. Justice becomes confused as Jerry gradually develops a new understanding of the meaning of “to protect and serve.” With the exception of the possible murder, all the events and personalities are real, based on the author’s 40 year experience in higher education. The names of places and people have been changed to protect the innocent (and guilty.)

About the Author

Dr. Frank Acker has more than 40 years’ experience in college level education. He received his Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon University, and he has taught engineering at Carnegie-Mellon, the University of Pittsburgh, and Rose-Hulman. He was responsible for industry-university technical relations with Carnegie-Mellon, Catholic University, University of Florida, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology at various times. He has retired from university teaching and lives with his wife and cats (3) in Terre Haute, Indiana. He loves classical music and is assistant pipe organist at a local church.