Allen and Mary Ann Russell Scholarship
Established 2021
The fund has been established by Lisa Russell Hall to honor her parents, Allen and Mary Ann Russell, both of whom had a deep love for Murray High School. The fund will create two $1000 scholarships to be awarded annually to MHS graduates.
Founding
The fund has been established by Lisa Russell Hall to honor her parents, Allen and Mary Ann Russell, both of whom had a deep love for Murray High School.
Mr. Russell, Class of 1945, lettered in three sports while at Murray High. He played football and basketball at Murray State University. After earning his B.A. in Health and Physical Education and his M.A. in Education, he coached high school football for one year. Although pursuing other vocational endeavors, Mr. Russell continued to support Murray High athletics as he kept the clock for Murray High football games from 1946 until 1982. He also refereed First Region basketball for 25 years.
Mrs. Russell was valedictorian of the class of 1950. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Murray State University and her Ph.D. from Peabody College in Nashville, TN. Mrs. Russell taught English at Murray High for 32 years. Noted for her expertise in teaching Shakespearean literature, she received the Ashland, Inc. Teacher Achievement Award, the first teacher from Western Kentucky to receive this prestigious award.
Purpose
The fund will be used to establish two scholarships to be awarded annually. 1. The Allen Russell scholarship will be awarded to a student who intends to major in physical education in college, with a view to becoming a coach. 2. The Mary Ann Russell scholarship will be awarded to a student who intends to major in English.
Selection process
Graduating seniors may apply for the scholarships by completing a form available from counselors or on the foundation’s website. The form requires identification of persons who will provide letters of recommendation, including a coach for the first scholarship and a teacher of English for the second.
Preference and consideration in selection will be based on such qualities as demonstrated character, achievements, and service. Financial need also may be considered.
Participation in sports, including participation as a manager or statistician, will be considered for the first scholarship; participation in creative writing activities or selection as the Outstanding Senior English Student may be considered for the second.
Recipients will be chosen by a committee consisting of the MHS scholarship committee, a member of the foundation’s Endowments Committee, and a representative of the Russell family.
Management
The MISD Foundation for Excellence shall administer accounts for the funds it has created. The foundation shall invest all contributions in a safe and prudent manner. The base or principal of each account consists of contributions and earnings and will be re-calculated periodically.
The foundation may disburse annual payments of as much as 4% from base accounts in order to fulfill the purposes for which the funds were created. Such disbursements will be to reserve accounts.
Donors may agree to provide a fixed amount to be awarded each year until earnings cover the cost. If donations cease before earnings are sufficient, the foundation may either reduce the amount of the award or continue to pay the fixed amount until the base is depleted, the account closed, and the fund dissolved.
Eligibility and Guidelines
Two scholarships will be awarded annually. Applications should identify persons who will provide letters of recommendation: a coach for the Allen Russell scholarship and a teacher of English for the Mary Ann Russell scholarship.
Demonstrated character, achievements, service, and financial need will be considered for both scholarships.
The Allen Russell Scholarship will also consider participation in sports, including participation as a manager or statistician. The Mary Ann Russell Scholarship will also consider participation in creative writing activities or selection as the Outstanding Senior English Student.
