Dr. Martha E Russell

People
Professor Emeritus

Martha E. Russell, adjunct associate professor, received her undergraduate training at University of Rochester (1945), her M.S. (1947) at University of Buffalo, and her Ph.D. (1954) from Purdue University. Dr. Russell was the recipient of the 1979 Department of Chemistry Wilkinson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the 1994 LAS Award for Outstanding Teaching at the Introductory Level, the Iowa State University Alumni Association Faculty Citation in 1998, and the LAS Ruth M. Swenson Award for Outstanding Advising in 1999. She is a member of Iota Sigma Pi and Sigma Xi professional societies. Associate Coordinator of General Chemistry Program.

Martha Russell, 88, of Naperville, Illinois, passed away July 6, 2014. A private burial was held July 14 at the Iowa State University Cemetery in Ames.

Martha Ellen Russell was born March 6, 1926 to Reginald and Mattie (Mealing) Havill in Rochester, New York. Martha and Glen Russell were married on June 6, 1953.

Martha was an adjunct associate professor at Iowa State University, received her undergraduate training at University of Rochester (1945), her M.S. (1947) at University of Buffalo, and her Ph.D. (1954) from Purdue University. Dr. Russell was the recipient of the 1979 Department of Chemistry Wilkinson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the 1994 LAS Award for Outstanding Teaching at the Introductory Level, the Iowa State University Alumni Association Faculty Citation in 1998, and the LAS Ruth M. Swenson Award for Outstanding Advising in 1999.

Upon her retirement in 2005, the Iowa State University Department of Chemistry voted to rename the chemistry help room the Martha E. Russell Chemistry Help Center in recognition of her "truly outstanding dedication, effectiveness and boundless energy and enthusiasm as an educator and as an academic advisor to undergraduate chemistry" students throughout her 45-year teaching career at Iowa State. She was a member of Iota Sigma Pi and Sigma Xi professional societies and Associate Coordinator of General Chemistry Program. Martha enjoyed keeping up with current events and politics. She especially enjoyed time spent with her grandchildren.

Martha is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, June Russell and Jeff Bjorklund, of Naperville, Illinois, and their children, Kylie and Tristan, and her daughter, Susan Russell, of Portland, Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Glen.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Glen A. Russell Scholarship Fund at Iowa State University.

Department: 
Chemistry
Area of Expertise: 
Organic & General Chemistry