Farber

This morning's Yankton Press & Dakota has an excellent write-up about "Doc" Farber and those who remember him the most.  Free registration is required to see the story, but here are some excerpts:

From September 1960 to June 1966, former Gov. William Janklow attended USD and took two classes taught by Farber.

Unlike NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, television personality Pat O'Brien and scores of other people who studied political science at USD, Janklow doesn't consider himself one of "Farber's Boys."

"I was an F.O.F. I was a Friend of Farber, and I really got to know him after I left the university when I was in public life," Janklow said. "He was a -- and I really mean this -- a very often, very useful, very valuable private advisor to me. He knew everything about the South Dakota government and its history."

Janklow is certain that Farber's influence eventually led to a constitutional reorganization of governments in South Dakota.

"He used to have a chart that showed we had more government units in South Dakota than the state of California, because we had a government for everything, and he pushed constantly for government to change as society changed," Janklow said.

Al Neuharth, who enrolled in classes at USD in 1946 right after the end of World War II, was a student in one of Farber's classes. Neuharth said the political science professor strongest influence was felt outside of the classroom.

"He taught me what was right and what was wrong," said Neuharth, who rose from being editor of the Volante on the USD campus to, decades later, launch USA TODAY.

"When I was editor of the Volante, I endorsed a good friend of mine who was running for student office, and he won the election," Neuharth said. "Doc Farber and I met in passing on the campus the next day and he asked me how I felt, and said, TPretty darned good. Democracy was in action.'

"The Volante is the only paper on the USD campus," Farber replied to Neuharth, "and you endorsed your friend. You should ask yourself if that was fair."

It's a lesson that the famed newspaper publisher has never forgotten.

"It's the reason that USA TODAY has never endorsed a political candidate," Neuharth said. "Farber taught me that newspapers should debate, not dictate."

...

Former U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.) began taking classes at USD the fall after he graduated from Humboldt High School. He found himself in a world completely different from the small farm where he was raised and small school he attended.

Pressler admitted that, at first, he felt inferior to many of USD's students who came from bigger schools in South Dakota and surrounding states.

"I was a rather weak student at first; one easily forgets how, as you become more self-reliant, there was a time when you needed some help," Pressler said. "(Farber) reached out his hand to me, and he told me I better stick around, and he me get a summer job."

The former senator thought of potentially pursuing a career in agribusiness or school administration.

...

Farber drew praise from U.S. Sens. John Thune and Tim Johnson of South Dakota, both USD graduates.

"Dr. Farber was truly a one of a kind," Thune said. "He was passionate about learning and passionate about his students' futures. Fortunately for us, he leaves behind a rich legacy that will continue to inspire future generations."

Johnson said he considered Farber a friend.

"The University of South Dakota is a better place because of the dedication of his life to the university and its students," Johnson said. "His legacy remains a powerful force for students from Farber Hall to the Farber Fund."