Dr. Charles P. Ruch
President Boise State University
Charles P. Ruch became the fifth president of Boise State University in January 1993. Prior to that, he was provost at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.
President Ruch is a native of Longbranch, N.J. He received a B.A. degree from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He also holds a post-graduate certificate from Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management.
During his presidency at Boise State, President Ruch has directed a number of initiatives, including strategic and facilities master plans for the university, the addition of a College of Engineering, the university’s first doctorate degree programs, and moves to the Big West and most recently, the Western Athletic Conference.
Several building projects have been completed since President Ruch arrived, including renovation and expansion of the Albertsons Library, renovation and expansion of the Canyon County Center, expansion of Bronco Stadium and construction of the Multipurpose Classroom Building, Micron Engineering Center and Harry Morrison Civil Engineering Building. A new parking structure, a satellite campus in Canyon County and a new student recreation center are currently under design or construction.
President Ruch is active in the community, serving on the boards of the Boise Area Chamber of Commerce, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center and the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho. In addition, he serves on the Executive Board of the Ore-Idaho Council of Boy Scouts of America and is the current chairman of the United Way of Ada County. State assignments include appointments to the Idaho Workforce Development Council and as an Idaho Commissioner to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. This year he is serving as chair of the President’s Council, which includes the presidents of Idaho’s institutions of higher education.
President Ruch is married to Sally Joan Brandenburg. They have two sons and two daughters, and two grandchildren.