Erskine Board welcomes new president, honors Ruble

DUE WEST, SC – October 24, 2010 – The Erskine College and Seminary Board of Trustees gathered on campus last week for its first official business since Dr. David A. Norman took office as president on July 1.

The board unanimously approved Norman as Erskine’s 15th president in May.

Norman made a presentation to the board on Thursday during which he outlined his vision for Erskine during a two-hour session, so he kept his remarks brief during Friday’s official meeting.

“We’ve had a lot of fun over the past few months getting adjusted to life in Due West,” Norman said. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know the faculty and hearing their stories. I’m deeply impressed by Erskine and I appreciate you trusting me to run it. I’m running it in accordance with your policies and glory of God.”

Board Chairman Scott Mitchell opened the meeting by saying there is “new hope” at Erskine, primarily because of the energy of a new president, positive recruitment numbers and the positive attitude on campus. “God’s been our hope for the past year and He’ll continue to be our hope as we move into the future,” he said. “Let’s go out and share the good news.”

Mitchell welcomed eight new members to the board — Ann Marie Tribble, David Conner, Dixon Cunningham, Bobby McDonald, Andy Putnam, Tim Watson, Joanne Hamilton and Beverly Hicks.

He also welcomed new administrators and other advisers.

The board also unanimously bestowed the honor of president emeritus on Dr. Randall T. Ruble, who retired June 30 as Erskine’s 14th president. Board Vice President Joe Patrick presented that recommendation in form of a motion from the executive committee.

In other business, the board:

            • Heard a positive report from Dr. Richard Taylor, chairman of the enrollment committee. Taylor said applications are up about 93 percent from last year, along with the number of acceptances, visits and total visitors. The admissions data base has also increased dramatically, he said. Part of the reason for the increased numbers is the new “rolling” admissions policy, so students can apply and be accepted any time. Officials also reported that the retention rate of students improved dramatically from the year before.

            • Mitchell reported that a representative of the Southern Association of College and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges has been invited and is scheduled to address the board at its February 2011 meeting. SACS put Erskine on warning status, primarily because of governance issues, following a dispute between the institution and the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

            • Watched a presentation by Dr. Steve Sniteman, a long-time professor at Erskine, that highlighted academic achievements by recently graduated students. The presentation featured students who went directly from Erskine into Ph.D. programs, highlighted the fact that nine out of nine students who applied for medical school this year were admitted and other achievements. “What makes this a great job is outcomes,” Sniteman said.

            • Heard a report from Crosland Stuart, chairman of the development committee. She called attention to Norman’s schedule that was included in the board member packets. “People have been sitting on the sidelines waiting (before they give),” she said. “For all the hope, it doesn’t negate the hard work ahead of us. Review the calendar, find out when Dr. Norman can plug into your world and encourage students you know to consider Erskine.”

            • Approved a revised 2010-11 operating budget and heard from Dr. Randy Folks, chairman of the finance and facilities committee, that the institution is expecting to receive a “very strong, positive report” from its auditors. “There was nothing that gave them any pause,” Folks said.

            • Approved motions to grant degrees to students approved by the college and seminary faculty for graduation in January 2011.

            • Approved the Jack Farnam Heinsohn Memorial Seminary Scholarship Fund, the James W. Gettys Scholarship Fund and the William C. Caveny Jr. and Roselyn R. Caveny Gift Annuity.

            • Heard reports from Lisa Senn, chairman of the bylaws committee, and Crosland Stuart, chairman of the board policy committee. A statement was included in the board packet concerning the work of the bylaws committee. The statement said, “The bylaw committee intends to review Erskine’s bylaws with the following principles in mind: We embrace the vision of President David Norman, who describes Erskine College as a ‘faithful, truly self-governing institution of the ARP Church.’ We also endorse the statement in the Resolution  of the Alumni Association that the ‘ties between Erskine and the ARP Church are integral to Erskine’s rich heritage’ and we have no intention to recommend to the Board to dissolve these ties. Any revisions will be in accord with SACS’ requirements to maintain Erskine’s accreditation and will support Erskine’s tradition of academic excellence as a Christian liberal arts college.” Senn and Stuart said both committees are hopeful that they will be able to make presentations to the Board at its meeting in February.