Geneva College is pleased to announce Rutledge (Rut) E. Etheridge III as Chaplain, a position that provides for the spiritual needs of the college community. In this role, Etheridge will assist students, faculty and staff in understanding events as they relate to spiritual and emotional well-being, oversee Geneva′s chapel program, and collaborate with the college′s church relations program and Center for Faith and Practice (CFP).
“Having a chaplain is an important part of maintaining a spiritually healthy campus,” notes Geneva President Dr. Kenneth A. Smith. “Rut will be an asset in continuing the strong integration of academics and faith for which Geneva is renowned, as well as an encouragement to the college community in all areas of spiritual development.”
As Chaplain, Etheridge will also teach part-time in the Department of Bible, Christian Ministries and Philosophy, a duty for which he is well qualified. He has been an Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at theReformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in Pittsburgh since 2007 and is a former Bible teacher at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis.
In addition, Etheridge possesses pastoral experience, having served at Pittsburgh′s Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2006. He speaks regularly to many groups and at colleges and conferences, and has been a chapel speaker and guest lecturer at Geneva. Etheridge has spoken at the annual Westminster Confession of Faith Into the 21st Century Conference and the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Churches Reformation Day, and has also been interviewed frequently on Bibleburgh, a radio talk show on 101.5 WORD FM.
Etheridge earned a Master of Divinity at RPTS and a Bachelor of Arts in Comprehensive Bible, with an emphasis on pastoral studies and a minor in the philosophy of religion, at Cedarville College in Cedarville, Ohio.
“The best of me is my wife Evelyn and our four children—Isaiah, Caroline, Calvin, and Josiah. We are tremendously excited about becoming part of the Geneva family,” says Etheridge. “I so look forward to ministering the living Christ in this new capacity and would greatly appreciate your prayers during this time of transition.”
Dr. Dean Smith, chair of the Department of Biblical Studies and Philosophy, has encouraged the college to pursue the Chaplain position. In the pursuit of filling this role, Dean Smith has offered to relinquish his role as Chapel Coordinator.
“We are extremely grateful to Dean for his labors on behalf of the college these past few years,” says President Smith.
Geneva College invites students to accept the challenge of an academically excellent, Christ-centered education. Offering nearly 40 undergraduate majors, an Adult Degree Completion Program with fully online and campus-based options, and seven graduate degrees, Geneva has programs that place students at the forefront of higher learning. Adhering to the inerrancy of scripture, the liberal arts core curriculum fosters a breadth of knowledge through the study of humanities, social and natural sciences, and experiential learning.
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