Associate Professor of Human Genetics Pete Magee was excited when his department head at the Yale School of Medicine called him in. Was he about to be recognized for his three-year stint as an undergraduate college Dean, helping usher in coeducation and calm the New Haven demonstrations against the trial of a Black Panther? Was he going to get more lab space since he and his wife, Bebe, had submitted yet another research grant? Was he up for an early promotion at the prestigious university? Growing up in an alcohol-ridden family, he'd learned to overcome obstacles, often by ignoring advice—in life as well as in work. Now, pleased with his success, he was eager to hear what the next year would bring. But all his speculation turned out to be wrong.