Background
Mirse, Ralph Thomas was born on August 8, 1924 in Carrsville, Kentucky, United States. Son of Ralph Thomas and Rubye Catherine (Morris) Mirse.
Mirse, Ralph Thomas was born on August 8, 1924 in Carrsville, Kentucky, United States. Son of Ralph Thomas and Rubye Catherine (Morris) Mirse.
Bachelor, Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky, 1943. Master of Theology, Asbury Theological Seminary, 1946. Doctor of Philosophy, Boston University, 1962.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Lakeland College, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, 1977. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa, 1978. Doctor of Letters (honorary), Heidleberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, 1981.
DEd (honorary), Sungshin Women's University, Seoul Korea, 1983. Doctor of Fine Arts (honorary), Columbia College, 1988. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Oklahoma City University, 1988.
Ordained to ministry, United Methodist Church, 1947;
pastor, Methodist Churches, in Kentucky, 1947-1957;
executive secretary, New England Conference United Methodist Church, 1960-1965;
executive secretary national division, New England Conference United Methodist Church, 1965-1970;
vice president, Baker U., Baldwin, Kansas, 1970-1974;
president, Lakeland College, 1974-1977;
president, Columbia College, 1977-1988, retired, 1989;
part-time director educational development, University of Southern California, Hilton Head, since 1989. Member Governor South Carolina. Advisory Board Social Services, South Carolina.
Advisory Council Private Colls. Chairman of the Board South Carolina. Partners of Americas.
Member American Association Higher Education, Council Advancement and Support Education, American Academy Political and Social Science, National Conference Small Private Colleges (president, director), South Carolina Foundation Private Colleges, South Carolina College Council, International Association University President' (executive committee), American Council on Education, Rotary. Clubs: Forest Lake, Summit (Columbia). University (New York City).
Hyannis (Massachusetts) Yacht. Lodges: Rotary, Shrine.
Married Blanche Allen, May 10, 1945. Children: Ralph Allen, Deborah Lynn, Sally Annual.