Meet Rusty Eder, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) chapter. Born and raised in Elkton, Maryland, Eder now lives in Conowingo, near the Susquehanna River.

After beginning college later in life, Eder earned a bachelor’s degree in history from UMBC while balancing a full-time job and family responsibilities. Through determination and resourcefulness, he graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi.

Following his retirement from West Nottingham Academy (WNA) in 2024, Eder continued serving as Academy Historian Emeritus. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Historical Society of Cecil County and volunteers with Mount Aviat Academy to deliver food to local pantries.

We’re proud to highlight Eder’s dedication to lifelong learning, preserving local history and serving his community.

Let’s get to know Eder!

What inspired you to return to college and pursue a degree in History in your mid-40s?
After serving in the Army’s Berlin Brigade (1972–1975), I worked various jobs before pursuing a career in education. Inspired by a radio broadcast about the need for teachers, I earned my bachelor’s degree with guidance from a friend who was head of school at WNA and later offered me a job. I began at WNA in August 1999 and stayed for 25 years.

In 2011, I completed a Master of American History and Government degree at Ashland University with support from a 2010 fellowship from the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation.

You experienced several different careers before returning to school. How did those experiences shape your decision to pursue a degree in History?
My most significant experience with history was serving with the 6th Infantry in West Berlin in the mid-1970s, when the city was still divided. I met older Germans who remembered the Russians in 1945 and encountered younger radicals during the era of the Baader-Meinhof Gang and Red Brigades. Seeing the immense, heavily fortified Berlin Wall deeply affected me.

You spent 25 years teaching History at West Nottingham Academy. What drew you to teaching, and what made you stay for so many years?
Once I decided to grow up and get a real job, I found my calling. WNA’s history and diverse student population made it feel like home. My motto was ‘Passion and Process,’ which meant sharing my passion for history while teaching students to discover their own. I also applied what I learned through my master’s degree and Madison Fellowship, and my community theater experience helped, too!

What does your role as Historian Emeritus involve?
Founded in 1744, the school counts many of the nation’s early founders among its alumni, including Benjamin Rush and Richard Stockton, two signers of the Declaration of Independence. As Historian Emeritus, I respond to requests for alumni and family history, set up historical displays, and present on different aspects of our history to local libraries and historical societies.

After retiring in 2024, what has surprised you most about this new chapter of life?
The biggest challenge was remembering what day of the week it was after years of a busy boarding school schedule. The biggest joy is enjoying a good nap whenever I feel like it! I’m also delighted to have more time for TAH.org seminars, reading, blog writing, and practicing music.

What has studying and teaching history taught you about the importance of understanding the past?
As James Baldwin said, “History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history. If we pretend otherwise, we are literally criminals.” Learning from the past and continually reflecting on and re-examining it is critical to understanding the present and creating our future.

Is there a historical figure, event, or period that you could never get tired of teaching or talking about?
I’m a die-hard Constitutionalist and loved teaching students to see the Constitution not as a fossilized set of rules, but as the foundation of the world we live in, warts and all. I also loved teaching the Cold War, especially by building a “Berlin Wall” in the classroom, giving one side nice treats and good pens while the other got old brown paper and broken pretzels. And if you’re in the mood for a mix of humor and tragedy, get me started on Prohibition!

If you could spend a day in any period of history, where—and when—would you go?
My answer changes from day to day, but I’d love to sit in on a Lincoln Cabinet meeting to witness his poise and graceful leadership during such a critical time.

What’s one thing on your “retirement bucket list”?
We’ve talked about traveling, but for now, I’m working on our house and preparing music for open mic nights, with hopes of doing more down the road.

What’s a fun fact about yourself that your former students would be surprised to learn?
My former students might be surprised to learn that my guilty TV pleasure is cooking shows, especially kids’ baking shows!

To learn more about Eder and connect, visit his profile within our online member community here.

Is there someone you would like to see in the spotlight? Send your nomination to news@phikappaphi.org, and include background information for the nomination.