Board of Erskine College
Member Profile

Term of Service: Six Years

Stated Meetings: Three Times Per Year (February, May, October) with optional meeting in July or August

Trustee Profile Preamble: The role of a trustee of Erskine College (which includes Erskine College and Erskine Theological Seminary) is that of a Christian steward, holding in trust the physical assets, academic standards and Christian witness for all constituencies of Erskine. It is important to have trustees with special training, interests, expertise, abilities, financial resources and associations.

Personal Commitment: It is essential that each Trustee be a person of demonstrated Christian commitment. Each Trustee must be active in a local church, living and serving under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Their walk must serve as an effective role model as they integrate and implement their faith in every aspect of their lives.

Institutional Awareness: Erskine is a unique ministry of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. It is essential that each Trustee understand and respect the relationship of Erskine with the denomination and be willing to work within this environment.
Each Trustee needs to be aware of the academic process, including academic freedom for faculty and students, and be willing to respect and protect it.
The Philosophy of Higher Education as developed by the denomination and the Strategic Plan as developed by Erskine will be helpful guides to understanding the church and Erskine and their unique relationship.

Positive Interest: Each Trustee must have a positive interest in Erskine, with a commitment to Christian higher education. Membership on the Board is a position of leadership and demands a commitment of time and personal resources. It should be accepted neither for personal gain nor for the promotion of special interest groups but solely out of a concern to serve God and to advance the important work of Erskine. Being a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination or a graduate of Erskine does not in itself qualify one to serve as a trustee. A commitment to the ideals of Erskine and of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church are essential to being a good trustee.

Personal Commitment and Abilities:Each Trustee must be willing and able to carefully prepare for, regularly attend and actively participate in board meetings and standing and special committee assignments. This requires that each Trustee be a mature person in good health, either active or retired, a person of knowledge and wisdom, possessing decision-making ability with an open and objective mind, a person of high integrity who is competent in his/her chosen vocation, capable of working with others to fulfill the mission of Erskine on a continuing basis and be active in promoting Erskine as opportunities arise.
It is crucial that each Trustee understand and accept the responsibility to lead by example in their support of Erskine through personal giving as well as presenting the college and the seminary to individuals, the church, businesses and foundations to secure meaningful financial support. In order to provide the leadership required from the Board, some members should have the ability to make significant contributions. Each Trustee should be active in recruiting students for Erskine. Opportunities abound in the local environment and in a wider circle such as conferences, camps, and retreats to encourage young men and women to consider attending Erskine.

Trustee's Role: Each Trustee must understand the responsibility and role of the board to make policy and of the institution's administrators to implement policy. Each Trustee must also understand the protocol which requires that matters of concern flow through the Chairman of the Board to the President.