[layman]

A stick of dynamite was found in a college student's checked luggage

I read on another account that it was 'traces' of dynamite found, not a 'stick' of dynamite. One or both of the reports are wrong.

[RightWhale]

I heard it was a partial stick, which will explode with a satisfying puff of smoke almost as well as a full stick.

[calex59]

I read on another account that it was 'traces' of dynamite found, not a 'stick' of dynamite. One or both of the reports are wrong.

Actually, from what I have read, he had traces of dynamite on him, this led to a search of his luggage whitch revealed the stick of dynamite. Can't testify to the truthfullness of any of these reports however.