Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Russell Church devoted his efforts to a lifelong pursuit of education for himself and his students.  He began his college education at Memphis State University where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in 1968.  He then earned a Master's Degree at Southern Illinois University, followed by a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Communication in 1976 at Temple University in Philadelphia.  He was an active participant in disciplinary organizations at the state, regional and national levels and presented numerous competitively selected papers at conferences.  Russell's passion was debate and he spent long hours training and rehearsing debaters, driving them to tournaments across the country (often on a shoe-string budget!) and offering them advice and encouragement as they aimed for success in their academic and work careers.  Russell served as the debate coach at a variety of universities and, under his guidance, debaters from Middle Tennessee State University, John Carroll University (in Ohio) and the University of Tennessee were among those who competed successfully at regional and national tournaments.  Given his dedication to debate, it was natural for him to serve as President and Treasurer of the Cross-Examination Debate Association (CEDA).  Russ also contributed to debate as the lead author of an argumentation textbook that was the first book to focus primarily upon debating value resolutions.  Entitled Values and Policies in Controversy: An Introduction to Argumentation and Debate , it was published in 1986.  His contributions to debate were recognized with three awards: one from CEDA and two from the Pi Kappa Delta National Honorary Forensics Society.

His efforts were not confined to debate, however.  He taught courses in Persuasion, the History and Criticism of Rhetoric, Political Communication, Communication Theory, and Public Speaking.  He often employed innovative teaching strategies, as when he had students come to class as different rhetoricians and answer current policy questions from that person's point of view. From 1998-2006 Russell served as chair of the Speech and Theatre Department at Middle Tennessee State University.  As a sign of his continued interest in expanding his own knowledge, he took a sabbatical in the spring of 2002 to study Organizational Communication and Culture at the University of Memphis which was to be the basis for future research in those areas. Health issues interfered with those plans, however, and, after succumbing to strokes and the development of Alzheimer's, Russell Church quietly passed away on July 6, 2016.

To his friends, he was an engaging conversationalist who used his quick wit to make insightful observations about life as well as to provide welcome humor.  We have fond memories of the joy he received from having people over for a party, his sweet –often mischievous - smile when in the middle of a lively conversation, and the love he had for his cats.  To his students, he was a caring mentor who encouraged and challenged them to use their abilities to achieve success in life as well as in the classroom.

His remains was cremated and placed in Evergreen Cemetery. For those wishing to honor his memory and support his love of debate, a tax deductible donation may be sent to the General Debate Fund so that a scholarship for debaters can be established in his memory. Information can be found at: http://www.mtsu.edu/debate/giving.php .  He was a good friend with a kind heart who will be missed.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, July 29th at 1 pm, Tom Jackson building on campus.