Two lifelong Razorback supporters are making sure the University of Arkansas Libraries remain a place where truth is preserved and history is explored in full. Bill Russell B.S.E.’70, M.A.’74 and Mary Ryan B.A.’70, both deeply connected to the university and the state of Arkansas, have established endowments that will enrich library collections for generations to come — each reflecting their personal passions and professional journeys.

Mary Ryan grew up in Walnut Ridge, the third of nine children. College was always an expectation, but it would have to be achieved through her own hard work. After a year and a half at Arkansas State University, chosen for affordability, Mary visited Fayetteville for the first time with her twin sister and knew she had found her place.

For her work-study program, Mary worked in the one-room Lawrence County Public Library during the summers. She went on to work in Tulane University’s medical library and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Library.

Bill Russell’s connection to the University of Arkansas runs deep. The son of a career military officer — an Arkansan who earned eight Purple Hearts in World War II — Bill knew from junior high that he wanted to attend the U of A. After earning his undergraduate degree in speech and serving in the military during the Vietnam era, he returned for graduate school in the early 1970s.

It was then that he discovered the library as more than just a study space. “I enjoyed being in the library. It was peaceful, and I liked being surrounded by books,” he said. The library also sparked his interest in genealogy, giving him a new appreciation for research and archival collections.

Over time, Bill came to see libraries as vital defenders of factual, well-documented history. “You may not find all the truth in libraries, but that’s the place to go for truth, if you’ll just dig for it,” he said.

Both Mary and Bill have established endowments that support the Special Collections Division of the University of Arkansas Libraries.  Mary’s endowment relates specifically to medical history materials, while Bill’s focuses on social justice materials.

*This post is condensed from a longer article by Kelsey Lovewell Lippard B.A.’11, B.A.’13, J.D.’14 published in the fall 2025 issue of Arkansas Magazine.  Lippard is the project/program specialist for the University of Arkansas Mullins Library.