Washington and Lee University
Kenneth P. Ruscio was elected the 26th president of Washington and Lee University on March 7, 2006. W&L alumnus and distinguished scholar in the study of democratic theory and public policy, Dr. Ruscio served as the Dean of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at University of Richmond for four years before assuming his present position.
Prior to his tenure at the University of Richmond, he held various positions at W&L including Professor of Politics, Associate Dean of The Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics, and Dean of Freshmen. He was a postdoctoral research scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1983 to 1985, and taught at both Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Kansas University.
Ruscio earned his B.A. in politics from Washington and Lee University in 1976 and earned an M.P.A. and Ph.D. from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1978 and 1983, respectively.
Ruscio has authored numerous articles and essays and the book, The Leadership Dilemma in Modern Democracy (Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc. 2004). He recently completed his second term as national president of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership society begun at W&L in 1914 that now has chapters at over 300 campuses. He has led, and served on, dozens of academic, professional, and civic committees. Ruscio is married to the former Kimberley O'Donnell of New York. They have a son, Matthew Christopher.
President Ruscio Updates the University Community on the Economic Downturn's Impact on W&L
In a Jan. 21, 2009 update on the impact of the global economic downturn on W&L, President Ruscio outlined the principles that will guide the University's financial decisions, our current assessment of the University's finances, and the steps we are taking to address financial concerns.
