Dr. Ruth Scarborough

Ruth Scarborough was born in Hawkinsville, Georgia in 1904.She attended college in her home state and received a Bachelors degree from the Bessie Tift College of Mercer University. Later she studied at George Peabody College in Tennessee which is now part of Vanderbilt University and earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in History. Her doctoral dissertation was titled “Opposition to Slavery in Georgia.” Before joining the Shepherd faculty in 1936 she taught at colleges in Arkansas, Alabama and Indiana.

During her 30 years at Shepherd, she served as history professor and Chairman of the Social Science Department. In addition to her teaching duties, Dr. Scarborough was the faculty sponsor of the International Relations Club and also conducted many study tours to Europe, Latin America and the Pacific as well as two trips around the world. Her service to her students as well as her enthusiasm for Shepherd College was recognized in 1977 when the campus library was named for her.

In retirement Dr. Scarborough returned to Georgia and helped operate the family farm .She also taught at her alma mater, Bessie Tift College. She died in Pineview, Georgia in 1990 at the age of 86.