N. Gary Lane, born 1930, recalls his education in geology and paleontology, and his early objectives in the field. He first began teaching in the early sixties at UCLA, and moved to IU in the early seventies. He speaks about his interest in paleontology, teaching at universities, and the way students have changed during his career. He became chair of the department in the early eighties and discusses hi role in that position, including hiring and tenure processes.