University of South Carolina RUF International
Join Us at Global Café, Tuesdays 6pm at The Bridge, 1400 Lady St (at the corner of Lady and Marion streets)
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Welcome to RUF International at UofSC! Our purpose is to welcome international scholars and their families from all nations, help them explore and understand the Gospel of Christ in a non-threatening and safe environment, and to equip Christian internationals to be servant-leaders for God's Kingdom.
Join Us
Global Café
Free conversational English Classes
Monthly Movie Nights & Discussions
Meet Our Team
Scott Andes
Scott is originally from the Annapolis, Maryland area. He did his undergraduate studies at the Virginia Military Institute where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Modern Languages. He served eight years as a Naval Fight Officer, tracking submarines all over the Pacific Ocean and serving on an Admiral’s staff at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. When the Iron Curtain fell, Scott resigned his commission in the Navy, joined The Navigators, and ministered for three years among university students in Moscow, Russia. He then moved to Columbia, South Carolina, and began graduate studies in Theology at Columbia International University, graduating in 2000 with a Master of Divinity degree. During this time, he met his lovely wife, Victoria, a family practice physician in Columbia, and fell hopelessly in love. Together, in 2002, they returned overseas to work with national pastors and church planters in Moscow, Almaty (Kazakhstan), and most recently, Kyiv, where Scott served as the Dean of Students at the Evangelical Reformed Seminary of Ukraine for eight years. Scott is an ordained minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He and Victoria have three children: Nathan (21), Amy (21), and Diana (19). They love traveling, snow skiing, eating Thai food, watching silly romantic comedies, and welcoming international students. This is his sixth year as a campus minister at the University of South Carolina with RUF International.
Noel Coppedge
As Texas natives, Noel was born in San Antonio and raised around the state, living in Austin for the most time, and Emily, Noel’s wife, was born and raised in Austin and lived in the same house her whole life. Before they got married, Noel attended school at Trinity University in San Antonio where he was a psychology major. He led RUF’s worship team with his best friend and led Bible study for the middle school boys at Redeemer Presbyterian Church during 3 of those 4 years in San Antonio. During the same time, Emily took numerous college courses in music, ASL, and occupational therapy, before deciding to become a middle school math teacher! During Noel’s senior year, they got married! After the RUF internship, Noel hopes to go to seminary where he will either get a masters in divinity or in family counseling, and Emily hopes to continue her education to be a middle school math teacher.
Needless to say, they were both excited to leave Texas for the beautiful state of South Carolina, but they certainly didn’t leave Texas behind! If you come into their new home, prepare to see many cow and Texas themed decorations. In their spare time, Noel and Emily love watching action and comedy movies, singing, traveling, hosting friends, and playing with their two dogs, Shark and Toast (not to mention their small Western Hognose snake named Cheesecake). Individually, Noel enjoys playing guitar, running, skateboarding, playing soccer, reading, and talking with students from all backgrounds. Emily enjoys arts and crafts, trying out fun and creative acrylic nail sets, and helping animals. This is their first year in the RUF internship.