Randall T. Ruble

Dr. Randall T. Ruble is an American academic and (as of 26 October 2006) the president of Erskine College.

Personal life

He was born in Augusta County, Virginia, was educated in the public schools of Rockbridge County, Virginia, and graduated from high school in Collingdale, Pennsylvania.

Ruble married Molly Grant; they have three children and six grandchildren.

Military Service

From 1951-55, he served in the United States Air Force in the Korean War Zone. For his service there he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Education

He graduated from Erskine College in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History. He was listed in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities" and was given the H.M. Young Ring, the highest award presented to a graduating senior at Erskine.

He received the Bachelor of Divinity degree from Erskine Theological Seminary in 1961 and the Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1962.

Ruble did graduate work at the University of Gottingen, Germany, and received the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1964. He was a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University in 1971 and a Resident Scholar, Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, New Jersey, in 1998.

Ruble was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by Erskine College and Erskine Theological Seminary in 1999.

Academic career

Ruble's ministry has been centered on his work as an educator at Erskine College and Theological Seminary. He served as Chaplain of the College (1971-74), Professor of Old Testament at Erskine Seminary (1965-97), Assistant Dean of the Seminary (1975-76), and Vice President and Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary for 21 years from 1976 through 1997.

His years as Dean were notable for a number of accomplishments: the achievement of full accreditation for the seminary; the development of the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) and Master of Arts in Christian Education (M.A.C.E.) programs; the growth of off-campus programs in several locations; and the enhancement of seminary facilities and scholarship funds.

Upon retirement as dean of Erskine Seminary, Ruble was named Vice President and Dean Emeritus.

Church activities

Ruble has been active in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, serving as Stated Supply Pastor of the ARP Church in Abbeville since 1967. He was appointed supply pastor of the Mt. Carmel ARP Church in 1990. He has served as a member and officer on a number of boards, commissions and committees of the Virginia and Second Presbyteries and was Vice Moderator of General Synod in 1973 and Moderator in 1975.

He has published "The Ten Commandments for Our Day", as well as numerous scholarly and popular articles and essays.

Beyond his own denomination Ruble served as delegate to and a member of the Permanent Committee on Theology of the Caribbean and North American Council, World Alliance of Reformed Churches. For four years he was president of the Association of Seminary Presidents of the National Association of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches. Ruble is also a member of the Presbyterian Council on Chaplains and Military Personnel.

Community Service

Ruble has been active in the community, having served on the Due West Town Council, and he was one of the organizers of the Due West Rescue Squad. He has been president of the United Way, chairman of the Heart Fund, and president of the Municipal Association. Ruble is a member of both the Abbeville Lions and Rotary Clubs.