Richard Rankin Russell Appointed University Scholars Director
Baylor University’s Honors College is pleased to welcome Richard Rankin Russell, Ph.D., professor of English, as the new director of the University Scholars Program. A longtime Baylor faculty member, accomplished scholar and dedicated mentor, Russell brings more than two decades of experience teaching and mentoring undergraduates, along with a longstanding connection to University Scholars.
“University Scholars unite exceptional academic talent, bold aspirations, and broadly inquisitive minds. They are a joy to teach and mentor,” Honors College Dean Douglas Henry, Ph.D. said. “Richard Russell’s long record of inspiring such students to achieve their best will serve him very well as he steps into the UNSC director’s role. I’m excited for all the ways his intellectual acumen, classroom excellence, and generosity of spirit will benefit our students and fulfill Baylor's mission.”
Russell joined Baylor’s Department of English in 2001 after earning his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The author of nine books and dozens of articles on modern and contemporary British, Irish and South American literature, Russell has built a distinguished record as a teacher, scholar and mentor during his 25 years at Baylor.
His new role also marks a return to University Scholars. From 2009 to 2013, Russell served as assistant director of the program, advising students, leading exit interviews and helping shape the program’s vision.
“I have always loved teaching undergraduates, and this position gives me a chance to work with some of the best and brightest on campus,” Russell said. “Current Scholars such as Melody Goh, Jay Abbott, Elizabeth Alwine and Colson Tschirhart have inspired me to become a better teacher and reader and thinker, and I pray I have inspired them in these ways in turn.”
Mentorship has been a defining part of Russell’s career at Baylor. He has regularly directed undergraduate Honors Program theses and holds the distinction of being the first Baylor faculty member to direct three F. Ray Wilson Award winners for best thesis in the humanities.
“It’s quite thrilling to work with such intelligent students who share my passion for literature,” Russell said. “Enabling them to ask the type of probing questions that lead them into the heart of a writer’s work, teaching them formal methods of poetry analysis, honing their prose, all these mentoring activities lie at the heart of what I have been able to do these past 25 years at Baylor in my mentoring of undergraduates.”
Russell’s contributions to Baylor were recognized in 2012 when he received the Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year Award, one of the University’s highest faculty honors recognizing excellence in teaching, research and service.
As director, Russell hopes to build upon the work of those who have led University Scholars before him while continuing to strengthen the program’s integration of intellectual inquiry, Christian faith and vocational formation.
“My priorities as the new director of University Scholars first involve striving to maintain this program established by the excellent work of former directors and the outstanding Assistant Director Charmaine Cheeseman,” Russell said. “I want to serve my colleagues and students in a Christ-like manner and exemplify the life of the mind and faith to them. I am most excited about getting to know more current University Scholars, recruiting future Scholars, and working with dear faculty friends and staff in the Honors College as we pursue the Lord Jesus and learn our vocations together.”
The Honors College is grateful to the search committee of Erika Abel, Ph.D., chair; J. Todd Buras, Ph.D.; Charmaine Cheeseman; and Ted Cockle, Ph.D., as well as College of Arts & Sciences leaders James R. Brockmole, Ph.D., Kim Kellison, Ph.D., and Michael DePalma, Ph.D., for their partnership and support throughout the appointment process.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Russell and welcoming him into this new leadership position.