Dijkstra-Kersic

2016-05-31, from memory.

Your edit did remind me about an account by Ron Kersic though, a former
colleague of me at CapGemini in 2003.  Kersic was a student of Edsger Wybe
Dijkstra in Houston, TX.  I'll tell you his story, not because there is
some intrinsic lesson to be taken from it, just caring through sharing,
nothing more nor less.

Around 1995, Ron Kersic, who studied CS at the the Technical University of
Eindhoven, decided that he would try to graduate under E.W. Dijkstra's
supervision.  Dijkstra had left Eindhoven some years earlier for Austin,
giving as the main reason he left, that he prefered student quality above
quantity.  It was a condemning statement against the predominant direction
of the Dutch educational system at that time which ferociously sacrificed
scientific standards in an attempt to facilitate for the growth of interest
by students in CS curricula.

Even though Dijkstra left Eindhoven before Kersic started his studies,
Dijkstra's ghost, or more precisely put his spirit, was still wandering
around the Dutch university.  Kersic, who by all means of intellect and
originality can be firmly associated with quality rather than quantity,
and, by no lack of hubris, wanted to be recognised for that fact, wrote a
letter to Dijkstra requesting him to supervise his master thesis upon which
he was invited by Dijkstra to Austin for an interview.

Kersic told me about the trip and that meeting.  He was 22 at the time,
recognised as a very bright student, willing and able to compete with any
peer student and most university professor, but, preparing on the proposed
thesis subject matter prior to the interview with the illustrious Dijkstra,
flying from Amsterdam to Houston, taking a hotel near campus, and especially
while waiting on a straight chair in front of Dijkstra's office until the
Yoda of Correctness was ready to assess his qualities as a potential student?
Lead in his shoes, a dry throat, and no coherent thought in his mind.
Dijkstra let him into his office, welcomed him, and asked him to take stand
in front of a small blackboard.

Could you write down the letters of the latin alphabet, Dijkstra requested.

Kersic complied.

After the 26st symbol was carefully written, in a slightly trembling hand,
Kersic moved away from the blackboard to give Dijkstra the space and
opportunity to look at his work.  Dijkstra took his time, carefully observing
each letter in detail after which he uttered a couple suggestions.  I believe
I remember Kersic telling that the shape of his 'e' was not to Dijkstra's
liking, some of his curls where found too frivolous, but, all in all, the
professor was not appalled.  Please go now and practice my suggestions, we'll
meet here again in my office tomorrow at 8 AM, he said.  Kersic left astonished,
unable to get to grip with what just happened, no thesis subject matter had been
discussed, no more than a couple of sentences had been exchanged.

The next morning at eight, Kersic was let into the office and Dijkstra asked
whether he practise on the alphabet?  Yes, said Kersic, after which Dijkstra
shook his hand and told him he would be pleased to have him as his student.

Ron told me this story in Raleigh, NC, over dinner some evening.  We were
both visiting IBMs laboratory for work and afterward, finally able to talk our
native language again, were telling war stories and had a couple of beers.  He
spoke, I kept mostly silent but eventually asked him the only question I could
come up with: and, did you practice the alphabet in your hotel that night?  As
if my life depended on it, Kersic replied.

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2020-05-15 : Generalised application.