Background
Souders, Bruce Chester was born on December 27, 1920 in Richland, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Ray Levan and Sue (Hartman) Souders.
Souders, Bruce Chester was born on December 27, 1920 in Richland, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Ray Levan and Sue (Hartman) Souders.
Bachelor, Lebanon Valley College, 1944. Master of Divinity, United Theological Seminary, 1947. Master of Arts, Columbia University, 1953.
Student Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1953-1966, James Madison University, 1967-1969.
1 son, Gregory Allen. Ordained to ministry, United Methodist Church, 1947. Instructor Lebanon Valley College, 1947-1949.
Pastor Neidig Memorial United Methodist Church, Oberlin, Pennsylvania, 1949-1957.
Instructor Lebanon Valley College Extension Program, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1957-1966. Director public relations, 1957-1965, director publications, 1965-1966.
Member staff Shenandoah University (formerly Shenandoah College and Conservatory Music), 1966-1989, chairman English department, 1966-1973, chairman arts and science faculty, 1972-1984, professor English, 1975-1980, professor English and humanities, 1980-1984, college historian, professor humanities, 1984-1989, professor emeritus, chairman emeritus humanities division, historian, archivist, 1989. Lecturer philosophy and religion Lord Fairfax Community College, since 1989.
Visiting scholar Union Theological Seminary, New York City, 1972.
Resident fellow Virginia Center for Creative Arts, 1983. Lecturer, judge poetry contests. Director poetry workshops.
Panelist National Endowment of the Humanities.
Member History Society Winchester and Frederick County, Conference Christianity and Literature Society Christian Philospohers. Member executive committee Southern Humanities Council, 1981-1984. Member United Methodist commission archives and history, 1968-1972.
Member advisory board Winchester office Catholic Charities Diocese Arlington, president, 1990-1992.
Member Winchester District United Methodist Ministerial Association, Winchester-Frederick County Interdenominatial Ministerium, Preservation History Winchester Association, Winchester-Frederick County Ministerial Association, Modern Language Association, National Council Teachers English, Kennedy Institute Ethics, Hastings Center, Poetry Society Virginia (contest chairman 1976, 77, vice president 1981-1984, president 1984-1987, executive committee 1987-1990, vice president since 1990), Poetry Society of America, Pennsylvania Poetry Society, Georgia State Poetry Society, Poetry Society Texas, Poetry Society Georgia, Dixie Council Writers and Journalist, Associated Writing Programs, Virginia Writers.
Married Patricia Marie Bartels, August 18, 1945.