Nathan Monroe: Clearing up details about Gray's employment at UC Merced

In June 2010, I shared with Adam an idea for an undergraduate course that would simulate the California Legislature, giving students the opportunity to learn about the political process by acting out the roles of legislators, journalists and lobbyists.

Given his expertise on legislative politics, I asked if he would co-teach it. He agreed, and we've taught the course twice.

Both times, Adam was listed on the syllabus as a co-instructor, and he took an equal share of the duties for course development, lecturing, mentoring, exam writing and grading.

He took the lead in arranging a number of excellent guest speakers, including Barbara Mathews, Anthony Cannella, Gary Condit and Jim Costa, and arranged for the class to hold their final simulated "floor session" in the Senate chamber in Sacramento.

Both semesters, students responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.

The course was unique, hugely popular and a great benefit to the students of UC Merced. And it was only possible because Adam agreed to teach it.

NATHAN MONROE Hughson