William O. Farber
Encyclopedia
William Ogden 'Doc' Farber (July 4, 1910 – March 24, 2007) was an influential professor at the University of South Dakota
. Proteges including Tom Brokaw
, Al Neuharth, Dennis Daugaard, and Pat O'Brien
all credit much of their success upon the teachings of "Doc" Farber.
, the oldest of four sons of Charles W. and Hulda Ogden Farber.
Farber graduated from Geneseo Public High School in 1928 as valedictorian. In 1932, he received a B.A. cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Northwestern University
, Chicago. He continued on at Northwestern for another year while he earned his M.A. and distinguished himself as a Harris Scholar. In 1935, Farber completed his formal education when he received a Ph. D from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
in 1937, but returned to USD the next year, where he served as chair of the Department of Government (now the Department of Political Science) for 38 years.
During his tenure at The University of South Dakota, he founded several organizations dedicated to advancing research in government. Doc Farber created the University's Government Research Bureau and founded the South Dakota Legislative Research Council, serving as its first director. In addition, Doc served as chair of the Vermillion City Planning Commission and was a leading member of South Dakota's Constitutional Revision and Local Government Study Commissions.
In addition, to these, he served many roles outside of the University setting including:
Farber was the author of a number of articles and books.
Farber's greatest attention was bestowed upon his students. He encouraged all his student to consider lives of public service, and to expand their horizons beyond their current surroundings, the Great Plains of South Dakota. His home at 413 East Clark was the original Farber Hall, where he challenged his students to "look beyond the horizons of the Great Plains, to take their place in the wider world as well as in their hometowns and counties on the prairie."
Dr. Farber came out of retirement in 1985 to teach the Honors section of American Government for incoming freshman, including that fall's entering class of Presidential-Alumni Scholars.
In 1997, members of the USD community and the South Dakota Board of Regents
established the W.O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership. The center's program focuses developing leadership skills.
In 2002, Gov. Bill Janklow
, one of Doc's former students, dedicated a life-sized bronze statue in front of USD's historic Old Main in recognition of Doc's lifelong leadership and accomplishments. Sen. Larry Pressler, a former student and one of six Rhodes Scholars who studied under Doc, provided key support to the Farber Intern and Travel Fund activities in Washington, D.C. After the renovation of "Old Main", the lecture hall was also re-dedicated as Farber Hall.
On October 20, 2004, Doc Farber was made an honorary member of the International City/County Management association at its annual meeting in San Diego.
Doc Farber died at 2:10 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Sanford Health Respite Care Center, in Vermillion, South Dakota
at age 96. He was buried on April 2, 2007, at the Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo.
South Dakota House of Representatives
Resolution 1001 passed unanimously on March 26, 2007 “Honoring the life, achievements, and indomitable spirit of Doctor William O. Farber, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of South Dakota”. http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2007/HR1001.htm
Doc was instrumental in creating the Government Research Bureau at USD, and the South Dakota Legislative Research Council.
To help students travel abroad and participate in internships, the Farber Internship & Travel Fund was established.
Doc Farber's greatest legacy is the students who continue to benefit from his advice and tutelage. His closest students are known affectionately as "Farber Boys". Famous "Farber Boys" include Tom Brokaw
and Al Neuharth.
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
. Proteges including Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw
Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw is an American television journalist and author best known as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004. He is the author of The Greatest Generation and other books and the recipient of numerous awards and honors...
, Al Neuharth, Dennis Daugaard, and Pat O'Brien
Pat O'Brien (television)
Pat O'Brien is currently a radio host with Fox Sports Radio as well as an author. He is best known for his time as a sportscaster with CBS Sports and as anchor/host of Access Hollywood and The Insider .O'Brien covered five Olympic Games, two for CBS...
all credit much of their success upon the teachings of "Doc" Farber.
Early life
William O. "Doc" Farber was born on July 4, 1910, in Geneseo, IllinoisGeneseo, Illinois
Geneseo is a city in Henry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,586 at the 2010 census, up from 6,571 at the 2000 census. Geneseo is located 20 miles east of The Quad Cities and Geneseo is part of the Quad Cities Metro Area....
, the oldest of four sons of Charles W. and Hulda Ogden Farber.
Farber graduated from Geneseo Public High School in 1928 as valedictorian. In 1932, he received a B.A. cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, Chicago. He continued on at Northwestern for another year while he earned his M.A. and distinguished himself as a Harris Scholar. In 1935, Farber completed his formal education when he received a Ph. D from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Career at USD
Farber began his career as a professor of political science at The University of South Dakota (USD) in 1935. He accepted a chairmanship at North Dakota State UniversityNorth Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
in 1937, but returned to USD the next year, where he served as chair of the Department of Government (now the Department of Political Science) for 38 years.
During his tenure at The University of South Dakota, he founded several organizations dedicated to advancing research in government. Doc Farber created the University's Government Research Bureau and founded the South Dakota Legislative Research Council, serving as its first director. In addition, Doc served as chair of the Vermillion City Planning Commission and was a leading member of South Dakota's Constitutional Revision and Local Government Study Commissions.
In addition, to these, he served many roles outside of the University setting including:
- in the Office of Price Administration;
- as a warrant officer with the U.S. Army Air Force serving in the Pacific theater during World War II;
- on the Regional Loyalty Board,
- on the U.S. Civil Services Commission;
- as a minority counsel for the United States Senate Subcommittee on National Security and International Operations (chaired by Sen. Henry M. Jackson)
- as secretary of the North Atlantic Assembly's Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs
Farber was the author of a number of articles and books.
Farber's greatest attention was bestowed upon his students. He encouraged all his student to consider lives of public service, and to expand their horizons beyond their current surroundings, the Great Plains of South Dakota. His home at 413 East Clark was the original Farber Hall, where he challenged his students to "look beyond the horizons of the Great Plains, to take their place in the wider world as well as in their hometowns and counties on the prairie."
Retirement and late life
Doc retired from teaching in 1976.Dr. Farber came out of retirement in 1985 to teach the Honors section of American Government for incoming freshman, including that fall's entering class of Presidential-Alumni Scholars.
In 1997, members of the USD community and the South Dakota Board of Regents
South Dakota Board of Regents
The South Dakota Board of Regents governs South Dakota's six public universities: Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota...
established the W.O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership. The center's program focuses developing leadership skills.
In 2002, Gov. Bill Janklow
Bill Janklow
William John "Bill" Janklow served as the 25th Attorney General of South Dakota, before being elected as South Dakota's 27th and 30th Governor, as well as to the United States House of Representatives where he served for a little more than a year. A Republican, Janklow's career has continued as a...
, one of Doc's former students, dedicated a life-sized bronze statue in front of USD's historic Old Main in recognition of Doc's lifelong leadership and accomplishments. Sen. Larry Pressler, a former student and one of six Rhodes Scholars who studied under Doc, provided key support to the Farber Intern and Travel Fund activities in Washington, D.C. After the renovation of "Old Main", the lecture hall was also re-dedicated as Farber Hall.
On October 20, 2004, Doc Farber was made an honorary member of the International City/County Management association at its annual meeting in San Diego.
Doc Farber died at 2:10 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Sanford Health Respite Care Center, in Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermillion is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the tenth largest city in the state. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 10,571. Vermillion lies atop a bluff near the Missouri River.The area has been home to...
at age 96. He was buried on April 2, 2007, at the Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo.
South Dakota House of Representatives
South Dakota House of Representatives
The South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district...
Resolution 1001 passed unanimously on March 26, 2007 “Honoring the life, achievements, and indomitable spirit of Doctor William O. Farber, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of South Dakota”. http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2007/HR1001.htm
Legacy
Throughout his life, Doc Farber provided resources for students to continue travel and public leadership.Doc was instrumental in creating the Government Research Bureau at USD, and the South Dakota Legislative Research Council.
To help students travel abroad and participate in internships, the Farber Internship & Travel Fund was established.
Doc Farber's greatest legacy is the students who continue to benefit from his advice and tutelage. His closest students are known affectionately as "Farber Boys". Famous "Farber Boys" include Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw
Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw is an American television journalist and author best known as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004. He is the author of The Greatest Generation and other books and the recipient of numerous awards and honors...
and Al Neuharth.
Writings
- Footprints on the Prairie: The Life and Times of W. O. Farber. Rapid City, SD: Chiesman Foundation for Democracy, 2005.
- Government of South Dakota (with Thomas Carlton Geary and Loren M Carlson). Vermillion, S.D.: Dakota Press, 1979.