James Alvin Russell

Background

James Alvin Russell was born on December 25, 1917, in Lawrenceville, Virginia, the oldest son of James Alvin Russell and Nellie P. Russell. He grew up in a family closely associated with Saint Paul's College: his grandfather, Archdeacon James Solomon Russell, founded the institution, and his father later led it. Russell graduated from Saint Paul's High School and remained connected to the college throughout his professional life. He was married to Lottye W. Russell for 68 years; she died in 2012.

Education

Russell graduated from Saint Paul's High School and pursued a long academic career through several institutions. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College in 1940, a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University in 1941, and a Master of Science degree from Bradley University in 1950. He completed additional study at Wayne University, the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois, and the National Science Foundation, and received a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1967. His doctoral research examined changes in critical thinking and achievement in electronics instruction.

Career

Russell began his professional career in higher education as an assistant professor at Saint Paul's College after completing college. In 1950 he joined Hampton Institute, later Hampton University, where he organized a four-year Department of Electronics Engineering Technology with a cooperative work-study component. He served there as a professor of electronics engineering technology, director of graduate studies, department head, and dean of engineering and technology through 1971. From 1971 to 1981 he was president of Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, the institution founded by his grandfather and previously led by his father. During his presidency he strengthened the faculty, secured a grant that enabled faculty and staff participation in the TIAA-CREF retirement system, and oversaw construction of several buildings. In 1981 and 1982 he directed instructional programs and student services for the Virginia Community College System. He subsequently served in leadership roles in the Division of Professional Studies at West Virginia State College, including chairman and acting president, and later served as an executive assistant to the president. He was president of Southern West Virginia Community College and later served as its interim president after retirement. At West Virginia State, he was also associated with the industrial technology faculty and helped guide the Electronics Engineering Technology program to professional accreditation by ABET. Before moving to West Virginia, he served as president of the Peninsula Council on Human Relations in Hampton and Newport News, working to secure equal opportunities for Black people in public facilities and employment.

Achievements

• Organized a four-year Department of Electronics Engineering Technology at Hampton Institute, including a cooperative work-study component linking students with major industries.

• Led the Electronics Engineering Technology program at West Virginia State College to professional accreditation by ABET.

• As president of Saint Paul's College, strengthened the faculty, secured a grant establishing TIAA-CREF retirement coverage for faculty and staff, and oversaw the construction of several buildings.

• Worked through the Peninsula Council on Human Relations to advance equal opportunities for Black people in public facilities and employment.

• Served as chair of the Commission to End Racism of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and participated in the diocesan council.

Works

• doctoral dissertation

  • An Investigation Into the Changes in Critical Thinking and Achievement in Electronics as the Result of Exposure of Subjects to Specific Techniques of Critical Thinking

    (Doctoral dissertation completed at the University of Mary...)

    1967

Religion

Russell was an Episcopalian who worshiped at St. James Episcopal Church and later at St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Charleston, West Virginia. He served in parish leadership, including as a vestry member and senior warden, and participated in the work of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia.

Membership

Russell belonged to a wide range of professional, educational, civic, and fraternal organizations. His memberships included the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Association of University Administrators, the American Vocational Association, the American Technical Education Association, the National Association of Industrial Technology, the American Association for Higher Education, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Education, and the Brunswick Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of Sigma Pi Phi, Alpha Kappa Mu, Iota Lambda Sigma, and Omega Psi Phi, serving as chaplain of the Xi Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and as treasurer and social-committee chair of the Upsilon Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi.

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers , United States

• American Society for Engineering Education , United States

• American Association of University Administrators , United States

• American Vocational Association , United States

• American Technical Education Association , United States

• National Association of Industrial Technology , United States

• American Association for Higher Education , United States

• National Association for Equal Opportunity in Education , United States

• Brunswick Chamber of Commerce , United States

• Member of the Upsilon Boulé; served as treasurer and social-committee chair.

  Sigma Pi Phi , United States

• Alpha Kappa Mu , United States

• Iota Lambda Sigma , United States

• Member of the Xi Alpha Chapter; served as chaplain.

  Omega Psi Phi , United States

• Served on the vestry and other church committees.

  St. Christopher Episcopal Church , United States

• Served on the vestry and for several terms as senior warden.

  St. James Episcopal Church , United States

• Served on the diocesan council and chaired the Commission to End Racism.

  Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia , United States

Personality

Russell was described through his lifelong engagement with education, community relations, church service, and the arts. He maintained an active intellectual and cultural life, lectured occasionally on music and recordings, and remained involved in civic and religious affairs after retirement.

Interests

• Russell was an avid reader, a patron of the arts, and an enthusiastic traveler who visited Europe, South America, and Asia.

• Music & Bands

  Russell had a keen interest in music and collected jazz and classical CDs and other recordings. He occasionally lectured on music and recordings.

Connections

Russell belonged to a multigenerational Saint Paul's College family. His grandfather, Archdeacon James Solomon Russell, founded the institution, and his father, James Alvin Russell, led it before him. Russell himself became the college's fourth president. He and his wife, Lottye W. Russell, had a son, James Alvin Russell III, and a daughter, Charlotte Russell Coley.

Father:

James Alvin Russell

Clergyman and educational leader who served as president of Saint Paul's College before his son.

Mother:

Nellie P. Russell

Educator associated with Saint Paul's College.

Wife:

Lottye W. Russell

Russell's wife of 68 years; she died in 2012.

Son:

James Alvin Russell III

Completed a business administration degree at Hampton Institute and later worked in sales and financial services.

Daughter:

Charlotte Russell Coley

References

• James A. Russell Obituary Documents Russell's birth and death dates, education, academic and administrative career, community-relations work, church service, memberships, interests, marriage, children, and burial.
  2015
• Inaugural Address by James A. Russell, Jr. Records Russell's inauguration as the fourth president of Saint Paul's College and preserves his presidential address.
  1971