Introductory statements; Sociological theory; His background; Navy service; Undergraduate education; Graduate education at UW; GI Bill; Anthropology; William Sewell; Hans Gerth; Rural Sociology Department; Dissertation; Post-doctoral research; Fulbright grant to Brazil; Employment at Michigan State University; Otis Dudley Duncan; Social stratification research; Status allocation research; Regional development in Brazil; Former graduate students; Political climate in Brazil; Sterling Hall bombing; Alejandro Portes; Fulbright grants; Decorations from Brazilian government; Consulting work; Rural Sociological Society.