Family’s Jayhawk tradition is four generations strong

When Will Russell walks Jayhawk Boulevard, music from his iPod pumping into his ears, he can’t help but picture all the generations of his family that walked the same stretch years before.

“I’ll kind of reflect on that for a moment,” the Kansas University senior said. “It’s just a great feeling.”

Russell is a fourth-generation KU student. His family, which includes more than 20 KU alumni and students, will congregate at the base of the Hill today for a tailgating party that is part of KU’s annual Family Weekend.

The Russell family is one of many families with deep ties to the university. Their connection dates back to the early 20th century. Frank A. Russell, Will Russell’s great-grandfather graduated from KU in 1908.

He joined the faculty in 1922 and served as an engineering professor until 1950.

The family house, which Frank Russell built, still stands at 1656 Ill.

Frank Russell’s four children chose KU. The university was an automatic decision, said L.R. Russell, one of Frank Russell’s four children.

Frank Russell, who graduated from Kansas University in 1908, rides a tricycle in this 1942 photo. He was the first of four generations to attend KU. He was an engineering faculty member at KU from 1922 to 1950.

“In those days, it was the Depression, and people didn’t have money to go to other schools,” L.R. Russell said.

Seven family members made up the third generation at KU.

“It’s nice to know that if you chose to go there, it’s a great family place,” said Laurie Russell, Will Russell’s mother and a 1973 graduate.

There are six family members in the fourth generation that includes Will Russell. He wore KU T-shirts as a child. And growing up in Illinois, he always assumed he would attend KU.

Will Russell studies history and journalism. He broke tradition for a family that includes generations of engineers.

To him, it’s more than a school. It’s not that the Russells go to KU, he said, but they are KU.

“It’s just a part of my family,” he said.

Will’s cousin, Cara Zimmerman, continues the engineering tradition. She’s a senior now.

“There’s such a strong KU bond between us all,” she said.

And Will’s younger brother, Charles Russell, just started his freshman year.

Each family member has his or her own perspective on academic life at KU, he said.

“You get the feeling that you’re a part of something bigger, bigger than yourself,” he said. “You get the feeling that you’re a part of something grand.”