It's been said that Rush Elliott gave his heart to his students--to generations of them through the decades he taught zoology at Ohio University. It is because of the memory of Dr. Elliott's love of teaching that students on whom he had great impact have created the Rush Elliott Endowed Professorship.
C. Frederick Kittle, a former student of Dr. Elliott's, is leading the effort to establish this memorial to his mentor. Some of the comments Dr. Kittle made at the first Rush Elliott weekend in 1966 still ring true.
The professor's paramount function should be in teaching, with other activities following only if time permits....The most important role in teaching and education is to provide a proper environment and various forms of guidance for the student. As a result of a student's undergraduate experiences he should be motivated to continue his scholarship throughout his life....The important idea is to convey that a teacher...does care and that undergraduate students are people whose efforts are important.
Dr. Kittle said that "an educator with such a philosophy is Rush Elliott."
Dr. Kittle was so inspired by Dr. Elliott that he went on to become a
surgeon, eventually performing the first heart transplant in Chicago in
1968. In a Wall Street Journal article about him, Dr. Kittle said he
believes a surgeon has a responsibility to pass on his knowledge to the
next generation of practitioners, so he also teaches, as did his teacher.
Henry H. Roenigk, Jr., J. Philip Fox, and Dennis White have all been supporters and leaders of the campaign. Dr. Roenigk, professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Medical School, made the initial suggestion for the professorship and has been working closely with the Development Office. Dr. Fox maintains a family medical practice in Cincinnati. Dr. White, who is retired from the position of director of radiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, said, "Dr. Elliott was very inspiring to me. I was both his student and his assistant for anatomy classes in 1957 and 1958." All three men are major supporters of the effort.
In establishing the professorship some goals of the former students include ensuring that the Rush Elliott tradition of outstanding teaching and advising is remembered and honored far into the future. They also wish to offer financial resources to those faculty members who continue in this tradition.
The professorship will be held by a professor or associate professor of biological sciences who has demonstrated outstanding classroom teaching, advising of undergraduate students, and research activities. The recipient will be selected by the Chair's Advisory Committee and will retain the professorship for five years. The named professor may use income from the endowment to support his or her teaching and research activities, travel, and other professional activities. Pledges and gifts to the professorship now total almost $1 million. The endowment fund currently totals about $400,000.
Anne Loucks, chair and associate professor of the Department of Biological Sciences, said, "The Rush Elliott Endowed Professorship will provide a reminder to students and faculty alike of the importance of rigorous undergraduate education administered by conscientious faculty. The department is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to utilize this professorship."
Dr. Elliott entered Ohio University as a student in 1920 when he was eighteen years old. He was named a laboratory assistant in 1923 and the next year became a lab instructor. After receiving his doctorate from the University of Michigan he returned to Ohio University in 1930 where he became assistant professor in zoology. He was promoted to associate professor in 1932 and was made a full professor in 1938. During his career Dr. Elliott served as chair of the department, and for nine years was dean of the College. In addition, he served the university as dean of University College and director of the summer school. He retired in 1973 and died in 1981.
For further information or to lend your support in the memory of Rush Elliott, please contact Ellen Fultz, College of Arts and Sciences, 740-593-0564.