LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. — The Siena College family announced the passing of men’s cross country/track legend Dr. Joseph B. Rukanshagiza in a news release on Friday afternoon. A four-time All-American and the 1975 NCAA College Division three-mile champion, the most decorated runner in school history had passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the age of 72.
Originally from Kabale town, Kigezi District, Uganda, Dr. Rukanshagiza was a four-time All-American at Siena – twice in cross country and twice in track. He won the 1975 NCAA College Division three-mile run in outdoor track in Sacramento, California, and finished third at the 1973 Division II National Cross Country Championships with a five-mile time of 24:10.
Undefeated in four years of dual meet competition, Dr. Rukanshagiza won both the 1971 and ’72 New York State Championships, with record-setting performances both times on the 5.8-mile course. He finished first in 12 of 14 cross country meets as a freshman in ’71, and held personal career records of 4:14.5 for the mile and 13:52.4 for three miles, in addition to his personal-best five-mile time of 24:10
Outside of collegiate competition, Dr. Rukanshagiza also captured the 1974 Schenectady-to-Albany 25-kilometer Bankathon.
A Capital Region native of more than 50 years, Dr. Rukanshagiza graduated from Siena with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 1975. He pursued graduate studies at the State University of New York at Albany, where he earned a master’s in sociology with an emphasis on political sociology, a Master of Regional Planning (MRP), and a Ph.D. in Political Development and Africa. In 1981, he was inducted into Siena’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Dr. Rukanshagiza was a scholar, teacher, author, and lifelong advocate for African studies, dedicating his work to the critical issues of race, politics, and development. He taught and lectured back in Uganda as well as at Siena, The College of Saint Rose, North Adams State (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts), Schenectady County Community College, and UAlbany, where his graduate-level topics included African political thought, pan-Africanism, and race theory. An author of several books, most recently “The African Question: Problems and the Future of the Continent,” Dr. Rukanshagiza was a professor emeritus at The Sage Colleges.
Dr. Rukanshagiza is survived by his children, Jaqueline Busingye, Emmanuel Bakarema (Jewel), and Derrick Kihembo (Gabriella), and by five grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Sunday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McVeigh Funeral Home, located at 208 North Allen Street, Albany.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 12, at 12 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, located at 23 Crumitie Road, Loudonville. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Dr. Rukanshagiza can be made to the Cross Country – Coaches Discretionary Fund, or to Siena College for The Joseph Rukanshagiza Fund for International Students.
Included in Friday’s news release was a reflective statement from Siena men’s and women’s cross country/track head coach Elizabeth DeBole, who was a longtime family friend of Dr. Rukanshagiza.
“Growing up, I knew Joe was a good runner. I knew he used to be fast and that he ran at Siena. He used to tell me that running long, slow distances is the key to being a great runner (but at the time he was an old guy, so what did he know?). He was one of four people that my dad will truly laugh with – making me realize that being a teammate with someone creates a bond that cannot be replicated in any other phase of life,” DeBole wrote.
“But it wasn’t until I started coaching here that I really understood HOW good he was and the impact he had on the Siena program,” she continued. “Joe continues to be the best runner to ever walk on campus. He set an incredibly high bar – and while he may not have the fastest times on the track anymore – he holds the most accolades, and I’d bet on him every time in a head-to-head race.
“Joe showed up on campus never having been to the United States before, he barely spoke English. And thinking of all he overcame to become a doctor and create a life for himself thousands of miles away from his home, really is incredible,” she added. “His photo and story are in our Hall of Fame to remind me, along with everyone else, of all he accomplished while wearing a Siena singlet and beyond…Joe will be missed. I hope I can continue the legacy of greatness that he began as I coach here. This program changed his life, and I hope it can continue to change lives in the future.”
