Ken Ruscio was elected the 26th president of Washington and Lee University on March 7, 2006. A 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 Master of Public Administration 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, who attends St. Lawrence University.
 

COL Worrell is a 1981 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute. His assignment until Fall 2006 was as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans with the Third U.S. Army at Fort McPherson, Georgia, with major responsibilities for the war planning in the Persian Gulf region and the war on terrorism. Previously he served as commander of a field artillery battalion in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and as the division’s inspector general. Worrell has served in a variety of staff and command positions, including as aide-de-camp to the deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army’s V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany.

Worrell is married to the former Kimlee A. Saul. They have four children: Lauren, a graduate of the College of William and Mary and currently a graduate student at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University; Hank, a student at the College of William and Mary; Rachel, a high school senior; and Riley, a middle school student.