Russ and Susan Schultz music scholarship established

The Lamar University Foundation has established a new scholarship in honor of Russ Schultz, recently retired dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, and his wife Susan. Endowed by their daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Jennifer S. and Omar Hernandez, the Dr. Russ and Susan Schultz Scholarship in Music will benefit students in the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music.

“Any time students receive funds to offset the cost of college, they are encouraged to continue to achieve their goal of a college degree,” said Derina Holtshausen, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. “When a couple like Dr. Russ and Susan Schultz is honored with an endowed scholarship, it exemplifies the strong confidence and support given to our students.”

Schultz retired as dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication in May after serving at LU for 16 years. He was previously chair of the music department at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash. He received his bachelor of music from Eastman School of Music in 1969 and his masters from the University of Memphis in 1971. In 1973, he was named chair of the department of music at Shelby State Community College in Memphis and subsequently earned his doctor of musical arts from the University of North Texas.

The Schultzs share their love of music. Susan Snelgrove Schultz earned a bachelor of music and master of music and performer’s certificate from Memphis State University. She plays both the flute and piccolo and has performed with the Memphis Symphony and the Symphony of Southeast Texas. She taught flute at Heidelberg University in Tuffin, Ohio, where her husband served as chair of music. She was an elementary school librarian and while in Beaumont, she taught 2nd grade at Sallie Curtis Elementary. She also served the community through her work with the Gift of Life program and as a volunteer at Christus Hospital - St. Elizabeth.

During his 24-year career as a music administrator, Russ Schultz was active in the accreditation process of the National Association of Schools of Music. In that role, he served on the accreditation commission and visited many schools as an evaluator. While in Beaumont, he served on the boards of the Symphony of Southeast Texas, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Young Audiences of Southeast Texas, Leadership Southeast Texas and the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. He also was president of the Symphony of Southeast Texas and vice president of the Beaumont Rotary Club.

As a trombone player, Schultz performed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, did extensive work as a recording musician and continues to serve as a member of the professional artistic staff for Yamaha Band Instruments. He remains active as a performer and conductor.

For more information about establishing an endowed scholarship, contact the Lamar University Foundation at (409) 880-2117.