Meet Theda Russell, November’s Staff Member of the Month

Theda Russell

Theda Russell, a teller in the Office of the Bursar, has been selected as Staff Council’s Staff Member of the Month for November. To help us get to know her better, she answered a few questions for Inside Ole Miss.

IOM: How long have you worked at Ole Miss? 

Russell: 21 years and counting.

IOM: What is your hometown?

Russell: Oxford, Miss., but I grew up in New Mexico!

IOM: Talk about your favorite Ole Miss memory.

Russell: I remember the excitement leading up to the presidential debate here in 2008. I wish we could have another debate here someday!

IOM: What do you enjoy most about your position or the department in which you work?

Russell: The people I work with and getting to work with students. This is a great office and the students are always interesting.

IOM: What do you like to do when you are not at work?

Russell: Travel, read, spend time with family.

IOM: What is one thing on your bucket list?

Russell: To travel to many more states in the U.S. I would especially like to go to New York and Rhode Island.

IOM: What is your favorite movie or book?

Russell: “Apollo 13.” I love anything about space travel and exploration.

IOM: What is your favorite Ole Miss tradition?

Russell: The Grove on game day! I love the excitement, and I like to see all the different people.

IOM: What is a fun fact about you?

Russell: I love to go to estate sales. I never know what I might find!

IOM: If you could have lunch with anyone alive or dead/fictional or real, who would it be and why?

Russell: My parents, to be able to see and talk to them again, and to tell them what has been happening all these years.

IOM: What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Russell: Calm, compassionate, inquisitive.

IOM: If you could visit one time or place in world history (past, present or future), what would it be?

Russell: The future in 50 years to see the medical and technological advances.

IOM: If I could be an animal for a day I would be _____.

Russell: A bird.

To nominate a colleague for Staff Member of the Month, email staffcouncil@olemiss.edu with the name of the individual you’d like to nominate as well as why you feel he or she should be recognized.