He began his career as a member of the Physics Department at Mississippi State University in the early 1930’s. In 1933, he married Eva Mae Manes of Indiana, who was also an Indiana University graduate, and they had two daughters, Marilyn and Sandra.[8] While at MSU he became the faculty advisor for the Sigma Pi colony there and he was initiated into the organization when the colony became a chapter.[9][10] In 1935 he was promoted to assistant professor and then to associate professor two years later.[4]