Mark Gaughn, or “Buffalo,” as he was known, was the Chair of the UPC Recreation Committee. Much like a scene out of to hit movie “Animal House,” Buffalo me a name right off the bat.

I was Bagel Boy.

Later, I became chairman of the committee. We produced activities like amateur talent shows and a National Frisbee Tournament [we even made special Frisbees for the event].

Over the years, the UPC welcomed comedy events such as the stoner duo Cheech & Chong, actor-comedian-activist Godfrey Cambridge, Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny, the Harlem Globetrotters, and Steve Martin.

Regardless, compared to the rock shows and cultural events, comedy had been neglected. This, I told myself, was a grad opportunity. The Bama Theater in downtown Tuscaloosa featured a ceiling filled with twinkling lights to emulate stars in the night sky. It was with that in mind that the UPC developed a program we called “Laughter Under the Stars.”

Abba Eban was a UPC speaker. He was a distinguished political Israeli political figure with an international reputation. Eban was charismatic, and renowned for his work in the Middle East and at the United Nations. South African by birth, Eban trained at Oxford and was applauded for his legendary oratory skills.

When I picked him up at the airport and headed back to the University … he was quiet. Trying to engage him in conversation was difficult. However, there was one topic that seemed to get him excited. I owned a Volvo and so did he. And that was the center of our conversation.

It terms of his speech, Eban told me that college campuses seemed to ask him the same 10 questions.

I was also fascinated by the fact that he brought no notes with him. But it was memorable, an amazing speech.

And he was absolutely right about the 10 questions.