Distinguished Alumni Recognition for 2007
Marie Russell '25
- John Dawson '06
- Clifford Hope Sr. '17
- Marie Russell '25
- Delmas Hill '29
- Richard Donnelly '38
- Jack Campbell '40
- Jerry Michaud '51
- Senator Robert J. Dole '52
- Sherman Parks '55
- Delano Lewis '63
- Kay McFarland '64
- William H. Kurtis '66
Marie Russell came from a family of lawyers. Russell earned her A.B. degree from Kansas University plus the equivalent of one year's law school work. She graduated cum laude from Washburn Law in 1925. She was admitted to the Kansas bar that same year. Russell earned a Masters degree in Social and Economic Research from Simmons College in Boston.
Russell stayed at Washburn Law for one year as assistant to the Dean of the Law School and law librarian. She helped Dean Harry K. Allen with research for a book he was writing on real property. She then took a position with The Farm Mortgage Trust Company in Topeka, Kansas. Russell left that position to become state law librarian and stayed at the library the rest of her working life, a period of over 40 years. In 1928, Russell started what turned into a 30 year stretch of part-time teaching at Washburn Law, and was the first woman lecturer at Washburn Law. Russell taught common law pleading and conflict of laws.
After retirement from the State Library, Russell traveled extensively. She also maintained her interest in and attendance at bar meetings, institutes, and the various clubs and organizations of which she was an active member.
The School of Law has the Marie Russell Law School Scholarship. Marie Russell died April 28, 1981, at the age of 82.
