Established in 1998 by Katherine Jaberg to support for the University of Florida Department of Religion.

Russell was a retired professor emeritus of religion at the University of Florida. He was a graduate of Indiana University and McCormick, Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Russell earned graduate degrees from Temple University and Princeton University. He was an ordained Presbyterian minister and served parishes in Indiana, Illinois, Delaware, Oklahoma and Florida.

Russell passed away in 1992. Katherine passed away in 2006.