Life on the campus at the time centered around the dormitories (where the women students lived) and the fraternities (where the men students lived). Bristow felt like an outsider. He did, however, know the mathematics faculty: Albright, Lovitt, and Sisam. As Bristow recalls, Sisam was a good teacher although somewhat aloof, Lovitt showed more interest in students, and Albright was positively friendly. The president of the college was Clive Duniway, who Bristow noted was soundly disliked by the students. There was also a shadow of past troubles at the end President Slocum's era when Cajori left (1918), but Bristow and probably the majority of students were unaware of the details.

Most students studying mathematics at the time were interested in becoming teachers. Bristow had little interest in teaching, but he did have interest and ability in mathematics. It was a pleasant surprise to Leonard when at the end of his senior year, he earned membership in Phi Beta Kappa. Sisam recognized his mathematical ability and encouraged him to consider graduate study. With Sisam's help, Bristow won a $300 scholarship from the University of Illinois. There he earned his Ph.D. studying analysis. Despite his earlier uncertainty about teaching, he accepted teaching positions at the University of Illinois, the University of Wyoming, Santa Clara University, and San Jose State University during his academic career. He retired to Colorado Springs with his wife, and was doing well when visited by Steven Janke and John Fauvel of the mathematics department on April 1, 1999.