Ronald Ingle Death, Obituary – Coastal Carolina University regretfully announces the death of President Emeritus Ronald R. Ingle on January 18, 2023. The death of Ronald R. Ingle occurred. As the university’s first president, he oversaw its rise to prominence after it was designated as a separate, publicly funded school on July 1, 1993. Ingle was President till May 7th of that year. When he first began working there in 1988, the school was known as USC Coastal Carolina College. He was the vice chancellor of academic affairs at first, and then the chancellor (1992-93). He presided over the university for 14 years, during which time it grew tremendously.
During that time, the university saw an increase in enrollment from 4,000 to over 8,000, a growth in its residential facilities to accommodate 2,200 students, a proliferation of its international offerings, and the introduction of prestigious awards and funding opportunities for outstanding students. The Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu’s visit in 1999 was a major event in the realm of public service. A master’s in business administration was added to the list of available graduate degrees in 2006, and the number of undergraduate majors increased to forty (MBA). Incoming freshmen have improved and surpassed national averages in both SAT scores and high school GPAs. National recognition was achieved by the marine science program, the professional golf management program, and the resort tourism management program.
To deal with the issues caused by the University’s rapid growth, Ingle oversaw a significant extension project that cost more than $75 million and added more than 30 percent more space to the campus. At the time of his retirement as president, the University was worth an astounding $225 million yearly to the local economy. Under Ingle’s leadership, CCU developed many of its cherished traditions, including its seal, mace, and alma mater. Because of his efforts, Chanticleer football was established in 2003, winning the hearts of students, alums, and fans far beyond the university’s borders. CCU has won the Big South Conference’s George F. “Buddy” Sasser Cup trophy for the past four years in a row.
Ingle and his wife Judy, a former curriculum coordinator and assistant principal for the Georgetown County School District, have been advocates for education for as long as either of them can remember. As a means of encouraging members of the Coastal Carolina University community to further their education, the Ron and Judy Ingle Endowed Scholarship for Dependent Children or Grandchildren of Coastal Carolina University Faculty and Staff was created in 2005. The institution bestowed the honorary title of “Honorary Founder” upon Ingle in 2006. The university board of trustees recognized him by renaming the Waccamaw residence hall Ronald R. Ingle Hall, which was dedicated in April 2011.