Kayla Adams knew that her criminal justice professor was a stickler for attendance. But the Cubs were holding their World Series victory parade in downtown Chicago on Friday, and the college sophomore at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois, was determined to go. After all, the city of Chicago had not celebrated a Cubs World Series championship since 1908.
So she sent Dennis Connelly an email. According to CNN, the exchange went like this:
“Hi Professor,
I won't be in class tomorrow because I'm going to the Cubs parade.
Kayla”
Connelly’s response was too cool not to share.
“Kayla,
I think what you meant to say is as a criminal justice student, you are very interested in how police handle large crowds. For this reason you have decided to get first hand research seeing the Chicago Police work with a large crowd. I think it is very commendable that you are so dedicated to criminal justice, that you are spending your time and money to do this important research. Please be safe. Dr. Connelly.”
Adams told CNN she sent a similar email to another professor, who was not quite as enlightened. But since she was already downtown by then, that unexcused absence would be dealt with later.
But Connelly gets high marks for turning a skipped class into a teaching moment.
