University of Michigan. Henry Russel Lectureship Committee.

Lectureship and award established in 1925 by bequest of University of Michigan alumnus Henry Russel to honor faculty members for distinguished achievement in research and instruction.

From the description of Henry Russel Lectureship Committee (University of Michigan) records, 1925-2005. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 85777076

The Henry Russel Lectureship Committee of the University of Michigan is charged with nominating a distinguished university faculty member to deliver the annual Henry Russel Lecture, the highest award the university bestows on a member of its faculty. The committee also nominates a junior faculty member for the Henry Russel Award for distinguished scholarship and teaching ability.

The Board of Regents of the University of Michigan created the Henry Russel Lectureship on 25 May 1925. They authorized the giving of a special lecture by a distinguished member of the university faculty who would be known as the Henry Russel Lecturer. The Board of Regents also authorized the appointment of a junior member of the faculty as the recipient of the Henry Russel Award in the same action.

Henry Russel, three-time graduate of the University of Michigan (A.B. 1873; LL.B. 1875; A.M. 1876), was a prominent Detroit lawyer for many years. Upon his death in 1920, Russel bequeathed to the University of Michigan $10,000 for an endowment fund, "the income of which was to be used only to pay additional compensation to members of the instructing staff of the University." (Russel will) The Board of Regents of the University of Michigan created the Lectureship and Award in his honor through this fund

The Henry Russel Lectureship has been awarded annually since 1925 to an active senior member of the faculty, selected for distinguished achievement in research and instruction. The Russel Lecturer nomination is presented to the Regents of the University of Michigan by the Henry Russel Lectureship Committee, consisting of former Russel Lecturers and the Council of the Research Club. The Lectureship Committee nominates the most distinguished candidate for the Russel Lecturer from letters of recommendation sent from each nominee's peer group of study from the university and internationally within an academic year. There is a stipend associated with the Russel Lectureship which is provided by the bequest from Henry Russel.

From the guide to the Henry Russel Lectureship Committee (University of Michigan) records, 1925-2005, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)