Adam Ruschival gives a speech after being awarded the 2017 Paul J. Langan Distinguished Service Award at the Kentucky School for the Blind 175th Anniversary Founder's Day Dinner. Ruschival graduated from KSB in 1965 and returned to the school as the program manager of the Kentucky Instructional Materials Resource Center in 1987, where he stayed until his retirement in 2004. Photo by Bobby Ellis, May 9, 2017

Adam Ruschival gives a speech after being awarded the 2017 Paul J. Langan Distinguished Service Award at the Kentucky School for the Blind 175th Anniversary Founder’s Day Dinner. Ruschival graduated from KSB in 1965 and returned to the school as the program manager of the Kentucky Instructional Materials Resource Center in 1987, where he stayed until his retirement in 2004.
Photo by Bobby Ellis, May 9, 2017

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – The Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) presented the Paul J. Langan Distinguished Service Award May 9 during its 175th Celebration Dinner and Founder’s Day Program at the school’s Louisville campus.

The Langan Award, considered the school’s highest honor, was presented to Adam Charles Ruschival III, a former KSB student and administrator. The award was established in 1992 and is dedicated to former superintendent Paul J. Langan (1945-56) in recognition of his outstanding service and constructive leadership. Langan’s innovative approach to education established the foundation for continued improvement of the education of blind and visually impaired children at the school.

Ruschival graduated from KSB in 1965 and won the wrestling state championship in his weight class that same year. He went on to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Murray State University before working for the Kentucky Talking Book Library for 13 years. Then in 1987, Ruschival returned to KSB as the program manager of the Kentucky Instructional Materials Resource Center (KIMRC). He remained in that role until he retired in 2004.

But he never really left KSB. Ruschival is present at all school events and programs. He consistently helps secure funding for campus enhancements or student activities. He’s active in the alumni association, served on the school’s advisory board, many campus committees and volunteers with the Braillewriter Repair Group.

“Adam has been a loyal and dedicated servant of his alma mater throughout his life,” said Paula Penrod, KIMRC program coordinator, who nominated Ruschival for the award. “He’s always eager to share his memories as a KSB student and his vast knowledge of KSB’s rich history.”

Ruschival’s support for the blind and visually impaired isn’t limited to KSB; he has advocated for safe pedestrian travel and access to services in the Clifton area surrounding the school. Ruschival also has been a strong voice for the blind and visually impaired people across the state by working with the American Council of the Blind, American and Kentucky Library associations, Kentucky Office of the Blind State Rehabilitation Council, Bluegrass Council of the Blind, Kentucky Association for the Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Downtown Lions Club.

Ruschival isn’t the first in his family to receive the Langan Award. His wife, Carla, received the award in 2014 and his father, Adam Ruschival Sr., received the award in 1996.