On Sunday, minutes before being in front of more than 300 people, Beto O'Rourke took a moment for a requisite bathroom break. While washing his hands, O'Rourke got an unexpected question.

"I was in the bathroom, minding my own business and I was washing my hands," said Matthew Rowland, a University of Iowa student. "And this guy asked me how it was going, and I said good, 'How's it going,' going for some small talk.

Rowland asked, "Are you here to see Beto?"

He said Beto O'Rourke looked up at him with a grin and said, "That's me."

"I was in awe and shook his hand," Rowland said. "A super polite guy. I'm just glad I got a chance to meet him."

► More Sunday:Beto O'Rourke expresses frustration at 'lack of substance' critique in Iowa City

During his speech Sunday, O'Rourke said he thinks community college should be free to anyone who wants to pursue it. Four-year public universities should not require students to go into debt. And graduates of high schools should have not just a diploma but be career ready emphasizing a "path to apprenticeship."

Zachary Oren Smith writes about government, growth and development for the Press-Citizen. Reach him at zsmith@press-citizen.com or 319-339-7354, and follow him on Twitter @zacharyos.