University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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HERBERT L. CUSHING. Educator In 1936 a man, whose ideals, hopes, and aspirations were to have far-reaching ef- fects, walked into the administration build- ing of the State Teachers College of Kearney and assumed the presidency of the institu- tion. It was fortunate that this man arrived when he did for in the ensuing years his strong hand was of immeasurable help in guiding the students of Kearney College through that tumultuous period that we now call the prelude to war. The story of our president's life is well- known to all students for it is typical of the desire for education and success of many. He was born in the little city of Ord, Ne- braska. In high school his apparent interest in education was evident for he registered for a normal training course, and upon grad- uation he accepted a position as teacher of a rural school in Valley County, fit the end of two years he was employed in a hard- ware and implement store, where after fif- teen months he had earned and saved enough money to attend the Grand Island College. Records indicate that he participated in numerous college events, was active in basketball, debate, college publications, and served as president of the Y.M.C.fi. and a literary society. He augmented the depleted hardware funds by working in a salebam and a shoe store; he knew the true meaning of working to be educated. Miss Bovorly Haxby was of invaluable aid when let- ters, records, and statistics were needed. Sixteen years later he completed work on his Masters Degree at the University of Chicago and the University of Nebraska. Twenty-two years after this, he received his Doctor of Education Degree from the Ne- braska V esleyan University. Editors Wardrop and Lowis discussed Blue and Gold problems with the President, who was not at all per- turbod. Page 20

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th PRESIDENT When war was declared in 1941 and the young men in our colleges and universities were called to the army, navy, and marine camps, this man, then president of Kearney State Teachers College, saw hundreds of fellows whom he had come to know inti- mately step forth from the roles of students and assume the roles of fighting men. Many of them did not return. During the dark days of the war, he kept his college alive and functioning, and upheld the ideals, prin- ciples, and high standards v hich have al- ways been maintained. Men, who saw life in every part of the world, were proud to sit once again in the class rooms of Kearney College. Touching upon the personal life of our president, we find that his early ambition v as to become—not a college president— but a railroad engineer or a cowboy ac- cordion player! His leisure time is spent in fishing or in reading such books as Days of Our Years by Pierre Van Paassen or Of Such is the Kingdom , listening to the Con- certo in C Minor or to Fats Waller's Keep- ing Out of Mischief Now , discussing eco nomics, or baking angel food cakes. Pan- cakes, maple syrup, ham, eggs, and coffee rank high on the food list as well. Even presidents have most embarrassing moments, and he recalls when a friend and fellow classmate, on the occasion of his first date, removed the chair from behind him at a high school junior-senior banquet. His proudest moment was when he became a father. Today, son, Herbert, Jr., plans on entering Harvard Law School in June, and daughter, Margaret Anderson, hopes to be located in Omaha where her husband, upon his dis- charge from the army, will be associated with an Omaha hospital. Grandson Greg- ory, age two, hasn't quite decided what his plans are as yet. Yes, he is known to all students and loved by all. He is liked for his sincere interest in each individual, his friendliness, and his ef- ficient administration. Few men would have been equal to the tasks which have con- fronted him and which have been brought to a successful completion. We can all be justly proud of him—as in- deed we all are. His name? Herbert L. Cushing. School activities and poli- cies wore clarified when President Cushing spoke at convocation. V o t o r a n s rccoivod con- sideration when Del Danker. Veterans Diroctor, and the procident got together. Page. 21