Passing INorganic chem is a prerequisite, so he's no dummy..I well remember those lab practicals..when you're given a sample, and you have to identify it..
Also note the liberal arts core curriculum...he was majoring in veterinary science, but he still took history, English ( Shakespeare)....compare it with what college is today...
I graduated from college in 1976 so am familiar with what it was like “back then”.
I took 21 credit hours per semester and worked 30 hours a week; Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday, and Monday night. I had a GPA above 3.2. My folks expected me to excel, and sure as Hell tried to do so.
“Perry had a heavy course load...” Please, I’ve lived in Texas and those good old country boys drank lots of beer, even while driving their trucks!
A C+ average isn’t great, but he probably didn’t have that ‘fire in the belly’ for academics, I would guess. Funny how that works, because it isn’t until later that it becomes important in some ways.