Ruscio’s allegiance to Washington and Lee dates back to his own college days. He earned a B.A. in politics from Washington and Lee in 1976. He then earned an M.P.A. and Ph.D. from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1979 and 1983 respectively.

courtesy wlu.edu

President Kenneth P. Ruscio

“As an alumnus, Ken shares the passion for Washington and Lee and has an appreciation for the traditions and core values that have shaped it since 1749,” said Rector Philip W. Norwood.

Ruscio then returned to Washington and Lee to serve as a professor of politics, associate dean of the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics, and dean of freshmen at W&L. Since 2002 he has served as Dean of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond.

Ruscio is a “nationally recognized leader in liberal arts education,” said Norwood.
Norwood said he thinks Ruscio’s “talents, character and background” make him a “perfect match with the needs of the institution that he will serve.”

“The marriage of those timeless traditions and values with his leadership in contemporary educational advances, will act as his compass in preserving the best of our past while effecting the necessary changes to fulfill the promise of the future.” 

Ruscio will assume the duties of president on July 1, 2006.  

“I am honored and humbled by the responsibility of serving Washington and Lee, its students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said Ruscio. “The University has a venerable past but also enormous opportunity and promise for what lies ahead. The strength of the institution is its people, and I look forward to working with everyone as we forge a future worthy of our past.” 

Executive Committee President Elect, Rob Rain, said he hopes the EC can assist in the transition of administrative leadership for the University.

“We would like to play an active role in helping integrate both the new president and new faculty into a role of active support and cooperation with the honor system.”   

The search for a new president began in June 2005 with President Tom Burish’s resignation. Burish is currently serving as the provost of the University of Notre Dame.  

In the interim professor Harlan Beckley served as Acting President of the University.

“Under his leadership, there has been absolutely no lapse in University momentum or energy,” said Norwood. “His appointment was a very wise decision by the board.”  

Beckley will return to his position as head of the Shepherd Poverty Program next year. 

“I have known and worked closely with Ken Ruscio for almost two decades,” said Beckley. “He is committed to the values that have made Washington and Lee a distinctive university for law and undergraduate education, while possessing the vision to build on these distinctive values and leadership skills to enact that vision. We are all proud to bring Ken back to W&L to lead us forward.”

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Ruscio's University of Richmond faculty profile

Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.

Lead supervisor:      Prof. Claudette Artwick

Reporting supervisor: Prof. Doug Cumming

Editing supervisor:  Prof. Pamela Luecke

Technical supervisor:  Michael Todd