Erskine College and Seminary President Randall Ruble took some time this week as his tenure comes to an end to talk about his optimistic outlook on Erskine’s future.

“As we face the future, I am optimistic and grateful for the work of our presidential search committee, which identified Dr. David Norman, who was elected unanimously by the Board of Trustees on May 21,” Ruble said. “Dr. Norman brings to this work youthful energy and enthusiasm and a vision for Erskine that matches our mission statement.”

Norman takes office July 1.

“He is married with three boys and it will be a delightful change to have a young family on campus,” Ruble said. “Dr. Norman has already spent time with key leadership and a variety of Erskine people. He has addressed the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and received broad support.”

The retiring president said he has had a number of conversations with Norman.
“He is intelligent, clearly articulate, well-read, knowledgeable, solidly grounded in the Christian tradition and a member of the ARP Church in Lancaster,” Ruble said. “He is acquainted with the denomination and sees many of the problems that have confronted us as challenges that can be overcome.”

Ruble said as the institution moves into another era, Erskine is “positioned for growth and will continue to educate leaders for our state and nation.”

He said the academic program is strong, and the school facilities are in good shape.

“The range of support from our alumni and friends, as well as the church, guarantees a good future,” Ruble said. “The competition for good students will continue into the future, and Erskine will need to secure more scholarship funding to offset the cost of tuition and enable students from diverse backgrounds to attend this institution.”

He said Erskine’s relationship with the ARP Church, which founded the college in 1839 and the seminary in 1837, has historically been strong.

The General Synod of the church, however, approved measures in March that included removal of 14 trustees from the Erskine College and Seminary board; establishing an interim board, which has not been seated; revisions to the board bylaws; and changes in the board nomination process. Legal action by the school resulted.

“There are reasons to believe that relationship will be restored in the near future,” Ruble said.

The college needs to strengthen its liberal arts program, he said, and make it more attractive to meet student needs.

The seminary, Ruble said, will need to continue to be innovative with an outreach in its programs that equip leaders of many denominations.

“Like the college, the seminary has strong supporters and is blessed with a good faculty and staff,” he said.

One of the biggest challenges of the future will be to grow the school’s endowment, Ruble said.

“That will put Erskine in a better position to compete with the stronger colleges in the Southeast,” he said.

Ruble said he never intended to be president for four years, but it’s now time for him to step aside.

“A change will be healthy — we just need new blood,” he said.

Ruble said his last year has been the toughest of his tenure, but he’s grateful for the opportunity to have served as president of Erskine and thankful for the friends he’s made.

“The joy I’ve had is getting to know the Erskine College and Seminary community in ways that I didn’t before,” Ruble said. “My focus, though, has been on students throughout my tenure. I’ve attended many student events. I might have missed a few, but I’ve been to most of them.”

Overall, Ruble said his time as president has been good.

“I go away positive about Erskine and my experiences here,” he said.

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