Cass first arrived at Virginia Wesleyan in 1976 where he integrated the liberal arts with management and created the Liberal Arts Management Program (LAMP).
Mr. Robert "Beau" Cass.
Mr. Robert "Beau" Cass, professor of management/business/economics at Virginia Wesleyan, will retire from teaching the end of February after 32 years of teaching, due to health-related reasons.
Cass first arrived at Virginia Wesleyan in 1976 where he integrated the liberal arts with management and created the Liberal Arts Management Program (LAMP) at the College. Batten Professor of Management/Business/Economics Dr. Dave Garraty said his colleague of some 30 years was an essential component to the department.
"Cass led the department for most of the time he was here," said Garraty. "He is a wonderful complement to our faculty because of his confrontative teaching style which makes students think – that is his legacy."
Known for his candid attitude in the classroom, Cass said his teaching career actually began by a fluke.
"I really didn't know what I wanted to do," said Cass. "I started off teaching in West Virginia and found that I liked it."
Cass said he enjoyed all teaching subjects. His course syllabi at Virginia Wesleyan included problem solving and decision making (he also wrote the textbook for the course), principles of management and seminar in managerial ethics. He even taught a Winter Session course on Basic Pocket Billiards – a game that was his passion in life outside of teaching.
Colleague Dr. Linda Ferguson, professor of management/business/economics, describes Cass as the "the liberal arts conscience... he knit us together socially by hosting annual majors party in his home and many graduates returned to the Kentucky Derby day celebrations."
Overall, Cass said he hopes that he was a positive influence on his students. "I believe it was important for them to stretch themselves mentally," he said.
And when asked to describe his three decades of teaching, he replied, “I enjoyed everything about teaching except grading papers."
The Virginia Wesleyan Community thanks Professor Robert "Beau" Cass for his 32 years of service and wishes him a very happy retirement.
02.20.08