Rudolph Blair Welch (July 23, 1850 – October 12, 1906) was an American educator and attorney most notable for serving as the fourth president of the Kansas State Normal School (KSN), now known as Emporia State University, in Emporia, Kansas.

[2] After graduating, Welch immediately became the superintendent of schools in Pontiac, Illinois, serving for 12 years.

On August 20, 1879, just fourteen days after Charles Rhodes Pomeroy's resignation, Welch became the fourth president of the Kansas State Normal School.

[4] Shortly after taking over as president, the school built two temporary buildings due to the tornado and fire the previous year.

[6][7] From 1889-1893, he served as Shawnee County Attorney, succeeding Charles Curtis, who would later become Vice President of the United States.