West Virginia University - Monticola Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

Page 25 text:

DR. IR IN ' STEWARP President of West I ' lrgiriia I ' lii-versity PRESIDENT OE WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT To the Class of 1954: As you leave the campus, I hope that you will resolve to pay your debt to the people of West Virginia who made possible the education you have received. The best form of repayment is your ready assumption of the responsibilities of citizenship in a demo- cratic society. Only a favored few of the world ' s millions have had your opportunities. May you, by actions as well as words, assure that equal or greater opportunities will be open to those who follow you. Only in this manner can the state and nation continue the intellectual progress which is the pride of our classless society. Our best wishes go with you. 21

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WILLIAM C. MARLAND Governor of IFcst Virginia THE GOVERNOR OF WEST VIRGINIA THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS CHARLES E. HODGES, President Charleston THOMAS E. MILLSOP, Vne-President Wcirton WILLIAM G. THOMPSON Montgomerv RAYMOND E. SALVATI Huntington MRS. PAUL HAMMANN Martinsburg E. G. OTEY BluefieUl T. L. HARRIS Parkersbiirg A. C. SPURR Fairmont K. DOUGLAS BOWERS Becklev IRVIN STEWART, Chief Executive Officer Morgantown The Board of Governors has charge of the educational, administrative, financial and business affairs of the University and The Potomac State School of West Virginia Uni- versity. 20

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IN ME MORI AM DR. CHARLES THOMPSON NEFF, JR. Dr. Charles Thompson Neff Jr., vice-president and comptroller of West Virginia Uni- versity, died on October 27, 1953, of a heart attack. His death was a blow to students and faculty alike. Dr. Irvin Stewart in his eulogy stated Dr. Neff ' s merits: In the passing of Ted Neff, West Virginia University has lost the services of a devoted officer who will be sorely missed. In addition to being secretary of the Board of Governors for more than a quarter of a century, he had served as comptroller and vice-president for years, as well as acting president of the University in 1945 and 1946. His love for the University was deep. His knowledge of operations was unsurpassed; and his wise counsel, genial friendship, and gentle sense of humor were invaluable. No sin- gle person can fill the role which he carried so capably. The University has lost an irre- placable officer and the President of the University has lost a close friend and wise coun- selor. Born in Piedmont, Dr. Neff graduated from West Virginia m 1921, majoring in chem- istry. While in college he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma social fraternity and a mem- ber of Mountain, ranking men ' s honorary. He served as principal of Beryl High School in his native Mineral County and superintendent of Piedmont schools until 1927 when he became secretary of the University Board of Governors. In 1934, he became University comptroller, a job he continued to hold even after becoming vice-president of West Vir- ginia in 1946. Waynesburg College awarded him a richly deserved honorary doctor of laws degree in 1948. Sometimes men become pillars, but even pillars eventually fall. Dr. Neff died, but he is not dead. A man is dead only when he is forgotten. Ted Neff will live as long as West Vir- ginia University — the school for which he did so much. 22