A permanent job in a biscuit factory gave him a chance to save some money. He was only one of a squad of young people whose duties were to punch the name of a firm upon the biscuits, but his willingness to learn and his cheerfulness made him a general favourite and he soon had several good friends. He joined the evening classes at Cooper Union, and soon became intensely interested in electricity. He spent much of his spare time in the boiler room of the biscuit factory and learned from practical experience about many things which had puzzled him. His progress in knowledge astonished even his best friends, and they began to suggest to him the possibility of his entering Columbia University as a student. To the poor Serbian boy this must have seemed almost an impossibility, but the idea so strongly appealed to him that he worked at his studies harder than ever and in the fall of 1879--just a little over five years after he landed at New York, penniless, friendless, and ignorant--Michael Pupin was enrolled as a student in Columbia University. He faced his college course with only three hundred and eleven dollars, so that he knew he must win a number of prizes if he was to pay his way and make good. At the close of the first year he won two one hundred dollar prizes, one in Greek and the other in mathematics. This achievement excited a great deal of interest among the students, who were amazed to find themselves outstripped by a poor Serbian immigrant. There was no jealousy, however; the students were good sports and before long no one was more popular around the university than “Michael the Serbian,” as he was generally called. He made so much progress with his studies that soon he was able to earn money by coaching students in mathematics and Greek. He also coached many students who were called “lame ducks,” because they had failed in their examinations. Many a poor “lame duck” managed to get through his examinations simply because Michael Pupin took an interest in him. No better evidence of his popularity is needed than to mention that he was elected class president for his year. His hard work over his studies did not prevent him from taking great interest in the college sports, in many of which he excelled. Michael Pupin received his diploma of bachelor of arts after a very fine record at college. He had only been nine years in the United States. None of his people were present at the ceremony when he received his degree, but some friends sent him a basket of flowers and Michael was very happy.