In Mishpacha Magazine (after Rabbi Mendel Weinbach’s death) Rabbi Notta Schiller said the name “Ohr Same’ach” was chosen for the Yeshiva (among four reasons) because they believed that, to have an effect, they needed innovation, not change, and they saw that principle personified in Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, author of “Ohr Same’ach.
Rabbi Meir Simcha, unlike other rabbis, didn’t oppose the government’s decree rabbis must study Russian, in spite of this being contrary to custom. He felt it was, in fact, a Kiddush Hashem and/or current need.