Dr. McCuskey Speaks

Printed below is a condensation of the talk given by Dr. McCuskey at the farewell dinner in his and Mrs. McCuskey’s honor on September 12 [1941]

I am not so naive as to think that all the faculty members and their families have given complete approval to all my actions and deeisions; neither am I so egotistical as to believe that my administration has been above criticism.

Constructive opposition sharpens the wits of both the advocate and the opponent of any policy and thereby guarantees the fairness and soundness of the final decisions.

I felt safer with a faculty and a Board of Trustees who had honest differences of opinion than I would have felt with a group who showed perfeet confidence in my leadership and were absolutely docile in following my suggestions. I did not expect that quiet and submissive attitude, and you saw to it that I was not disappointed!  I expected loyalty to policies and programs approved by the Board and by the faculty even though action taken was not by unanimous vote nor according to each individual’s opinion. You have invariably displayed such loyalty.

To me, West Virginia Wesleyan has always been bigger and more important than any one person; it was not established by the will of one person nor has it existed by the will of one person, nor for the benefit of one person. We, each and all, have made, or we are making our contribution to the college according to our position and ability; and when we pass on that contribution remains as a part of the institution and others step in to take our places.

If you should all resign at once that would be a terrific blow to the college-but the college would survive by virtue of what you and others have put into it. Other teachers would be secured and the work would continue.

The institution is a unit. No one department should stand out alone as the most vital and important department; for no one department can exist without the whole college. I pay my respects to other employees of the college who are not members of the faculty. They are important in the total organization, and the smoothness of the institution’s operation depends upon the harmony of all departments and individuals just as the smooth running of a machine depends upon the perfect adjustment of wheels, cogs, belts, gears, and bearings.

West Virginia Wesleyan College Bulletin 1941-09, p.2