Russell to give Wooster’s commencement address
National Teacher of the Year and 1994 graduate Kurt Russell will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree from The College of Wooster during the ceremony for the Class of 2023 on Saturday, May 13.
National Teacher of the Year and alumnus Kurt Russell will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree from The College of Wooster during the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2023 on Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m. in Gault Recreation Center inside the Scot Center.
Named National Teacher of the Year in 2022 by the Council of Chief State School Officers, Russell traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive the award at the White House last spring and has been engaged in policy discussions at the state and national levels. During his tenure he spoke with the senate committee on health, education, labor and pensions; the National Education Association; and National Parent Teacher Association, among others.
A 25-year veteran of the classroom, Russell teaches history and is head coach of varsity boys basketball at Oberlin High School in Oberlin, where he was born and raised. He also serves as faculty advisor for the student-led Black Student Union.
First inspired to become a teacher in middle school when he encountered his first black male teacher, Russell is advocating for classrooms to reflect students’ backgrounds and identities.
Russell’s classes include African American history, which he has taught since the late 1990s, and race, gender and oppression, a class he developed. Part of his inspiration for the course came from an African politics course at Wooster with Akwasi Osei, then assistant professor of political science and black studies, and an intro to black studies course with then associate professor of sociology Terry Kershaw.
After completing his Bachelor of Arts with a major in history and a minor in black studies at Wooster, Russell earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University. He continues to take courses in child development at Oakland City University.
The 2023 commencement ceremony at the college also will include speakers from the Class of 2023 who have been nominated by their peers as having made an impact on the Wooster community during their time on campus. Speakers include Ethan Dasilva, Zoe Seymore and Britta Treu.
Approximately 480 students are expected to receive degrees from Wooster. Seniors and families who don’t come to campus will be able to access livestreams of many commencement events and digital programs. For more information on the full schedule of events and guest services, visit the commencement website at www.wooster.edu/commencement.