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Georgia Archives Month 2024: Russell Union

Georgia Archives Month is an opportunity to recognize Georgia’s rich history and to highlight the many ways historical records enrich our lives. Join us as we celebrate Special Collections at Georgia Southern University Libraries as a caretaker of history

Teaching Notes

A page of Dr. Russell's notes on William Wordsworth's "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" (1800)

This Savannah Morning News article celebrating the US bicentennial shows Dr. Russell dressing as Benjamin Franklin: a fitting transformation for a professor known for his witty sense of humor.

Dedication to Dr. Russell in the 1965 Reflector.

In 1932, Fielding Dillard Russell began his forty-three year tenure at South Georgia Teachers College (later Georgia Southern University) as Dean of Men and assistant professor of English. He rose through the faculty ranks to become a full professor, head of the Department of English, and later chair of the Division of Languages. He also coached the boxing team until it was dropped at the outbreak of World War II.

In 1989, then-Georgia Southern President Nicholas Henry broke with tradition and announced that the college would name a new building, the new student union, for someone who was still living. He wanted to recognize Russell’s lifelong dedication to Georgia Southern and its students.

Russell Union

Georgia Southern Magazine (2015). Russell Union

Russell Union dedication ceremony program. November 1993.

UGA Oral History Interview