Some Might Argue It Was Time for a Reorganization

Grinnell’s director of facilities in the summer of 1956 took his position very seriously. Indeed, the student paint crew thought perhaps too seriously when we noted a huge staffing chart on his office wall. At the top in caps was “NORMAN P. MARBLE.” Below, the chart flowed like tributaries to the Mississippi until it included every employee under his jurisdiction, including the lowly student painters.

We decided the personnel chart was missing an important name. Painting a dotted line below and to the side of that of Mr. Marble that suggested an advisory role, a talented colleague stenciled “God.”