GRAYBILL, Bruce M.

GRAYBILL, GOULD, RAMSEY, RUCH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/14/2016 at 10:57:08

Biography ~ Bruce M. Graybill
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa.

Bruce M. Graybill was born on October 2, 1931, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Bruce graduated from Graceland in 1952 and earned his B.S. from Iowa State University (1955) and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Florida State University (1959).

Prior to coming to Graceland, Bruce worked for two years in solid rocket propellant research for Rohm and Haas Chemical Company at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Bruce received an invitation from Bill Gould to join the college's faculty and accepted the offer a year later, returning to Graceland as chemistry professor in 1961.

During his early years on campus, Bruce worked with Bob Ramsey to develop Graceland's baccalaureate degree in chemistry. He later served as acting dean of faculty during the 1974-75 school year and reassumed the position for another year beginning in the spring of 1977.

On May 25, 1975, Bruce and Velma Ruch became Graceland's first teachers to receive the title of distinguished professor.

Bruce chaired the Science and Math Division for 22 of his 33 years on the faculty. He also served as assistant director of Graceland's Upward Bound Program for several years and coodinated the Trio Program from 1978 to 1981.

Students interacted with Bruce outside the classroom as he participated on faculty intramural flag football and basketball teams.

Bruce received the Alumni's Association's Excellence in Teaching Award for 1980, and retired as distinguished professor emeritus in 1994.

Bruce has remained active in the RLDS Church as an evangelist.

~ ~ ~ ~

Horizons, Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa
Spring/Summer, 2006, Vol. 22, No. 2, Page 28

Bruce Graybill
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

The dignified, quiet strength of Bruce Graybill '52, has been a steadying influence for the Graceland community for nearly 50 years. After a stint researching solid rocket propellants, he became Professor of Chemistry here in 1961 and taught for 33 years. He offered students supportive guidance but required their best as they battled rigorous chemical equations. Bruce earned their deep respect.

When alumni talk of greatest influences at Gracland, his name is frequently mentioned. He received the Excellence in Teaching award in 1980, and was named "Distinguished Professor" in 1975, one of only two in Graceland history. Faculty peers respect him as dedicated professor, chair of the Science and Mathematics division for 22 years and acting Dean of Faculty in 1974-75 and 1977-78. His universal respect resulted in "Gunsolley Annex" being renamed Graybill Hall in his honor. Demanding yet supporting, formal yet personable, Bruce Graybill modeled the behavor of a "gentleman scholar."

SOURCES:

Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." p. 138. Venture Foundation. Lamoni IA. 1972.

Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” p. 410. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

"Bruce Graybill." Horizons. Graceland University. Lamoni IA. Vol. 22, No. 2, p. 28. Spring/Summer 2006.

Transcriptions by Sharon R Becker, August of 2013

Decatur Biographies maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen