Russell H. Moore Memorial Scholarship Fund

Russell H. Moore Memorial Scholarship Fund

Russell Haywood Moore, Jr. passed away at the age of 82 on March 18, 2025. Russell was born on the family farm in Portageville, MO on September 2, 1942.  He met his wife, Nancy Milligan, in 7th-grade homeroom in Blytheville, Arkansas, and they married on June 5th, 1964.

Russell graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1960. He earned a BA in English from Hendrix College, a MA in English from the University of Memphis, and an EdS from George Peabody College.

In 1969, he was thrilled when Dr. Wilson Wood hired him to join the English Department faculty at Western Kentucky University. It was here that he faithfully served for 49 years, retiring as Assistant Professor Emeritus in 2018. Russell genuinely loved teaching. His laid-back, informal teaching style ingratiated him to thousands of students. Eschewing the tradition of lecturing to rows of students, Russell's classroom was often one of circular seating with open discussions, acting more as a facilitator than instructor. His classes were full of laughter and fun - he was known for ringing a bell before classes and playing music, frequently Elvis. He met individually with every student, and this simple but seldom used policy led to countless mentoring relationships that lasted beyond time in his courses. He was a stalwart in the distance learning department, teaching thousands more students multiple courses year-round for his entire teaching career. His school spirit ran deep, and he began wearing red on Fridays then every day to show support for the Hilltoppers. He served on the faculty senate and spoke often and proudly of his time on the academic probationary committee. It was there that he lent a sympathetic ear to students seeking second and third chances at WKU.

Russell always had a big smile on his face and never met a stranger. 

He often referenced Jesse Stuart's The Thread That Runs So True and shared Stuart's perspective, "I am firm in my belief that a teacher lives on and on through his students.  Good teaching is forever, and the teacher is immortal."

To honor Russell's memory, family and friends established a scholarship fund in his name. The fund assists deserving WKU students pursuing a degree from the University. Through this fund, Russell’s legacy lives on.