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By Wil Shane
Lyon College News Bureau

A “hardcore guy” said goodbye to Lyon College on Wednesday after spending the past 12 years protecting the campus and its students.

Friends and colleagues of campus safety officer George Cunningham showed their affection for him at a reception held in his honor at the Lower Union in Edwards Common on the Lyon campus.

Wallace Hightower, director of campus safety, said George joined the College staff in 1994 after he retired the first time. A former jailer for Independence County, George, 84, trained as a U.S.Navy pilot during World War II. During his time at Lyon, he worked weekends, beginning on the day shift and later taking over the night shift on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“George is the perfect security guard,” Hightower said. “He knows how to handle situations, and he knows when to call the police.”

Inmates in the Independence County Jail sometimes found out firsthand just how well George could handle himself in a rough situation. Hightower said a female employee at the jail told him a story about a time when a young inmate wanted to test George to see what the older man was made of.

“She told me the kid tried the old man and in about 15 seconds he was laying on his back with George standing on his chest,” he said. “He’s a hardcore guy.”

While at Lyon, George has “been through” two College presidents and one interim president, and three vice presidents of finance and one interim finance VP, Hightower added.

“He’s seen quite a few changes around here,” he said. “He’s also trained a lot of our people.”

Joining George Cunningham (right) at his retirement reception were (from left) grandson Taylor Fuqua, daughter Rose Fuqua, and his wife of 59 years, Louise Cunningham. Photo by Eric Stewart

Lyon’s Vice President of Business and Finance Ken Rueuer said George “doesn’t mess around.”

“When there’s trouble, he knows what to do,” Rueter said. “He’s been a truly wonderful employee for us, and we’ll all miss him. We really do love him.”George opened several gifts given to him by his friends, including a copy of a book chronicling the history of Lyon College given to him by Clarinda Foote, director of human resources. When the reception’s honoree read the title aloud, he jokingly found a link to his own life.

“Lyon College, 1872 to 2002,” George said. “That’s about when I was born.”

George said the people are what he’ll miss most about the job, specifically noting Mrs. Foote and President Dr. Walter Roettger and thanking them for their friendship and help throughout his tenure at the College. Visibly moved by his friends’ show of support and affection, he thanked everyone for his gifts and said good-bye.

“If I had known I’d get a send off like this, I would have quit a long time ago,” he said.

Mr. Cunningham says thanks

Hello to all my friends! I want to thank everyone for attending my retirement reception last Wednesday. I will miss all of your smiles and my association with Lyon College. A special thanks goes to the Pipers (Jimmy Bell and Kenton Adler) who “piped me out,” and to Terry Bryant and the dining services staff for the special refreshments. God bless and best wishes to all.
–George Cunningham.