For the love of teaching:
Devotion to students, profession drives alum

“The professors at Huntington not only talk the talk, but they walk the walk as well. They are open about their faith and it’s easy to see through their love for the institution, the students, and in the way they live their lives that they are leading a genuine Christian lifestyle."

Whether it’s in conversation with his American Government students, showing his players a skill on the baseball field, or leading young adult Sunday School, Russ Degitz just loves to teach. And as a 2002 graduate of Huntington with a degree in secondary history education, Russ gets to do what he loves everyday. 

Teaching high school classes in Advanced Placement United States History and American Government at Huntington North High School, along with juggling his responsibilities as head varsity baseball coach, Russ keeps a fairly busy schedule.  And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I feel as if God called me to be a teacher and to work with young people in general,” says Russ, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a four-year member of the Forester baseball team.  “He blessed my life with many gifts to help me in this area, and I am thankful everyday that I have an opportunity to utilize those gifts.”

Between teaching, coaching and pursuing his master’s degree in Educational Administration, Russ also finds time to lead the “High on Life Club,” a drug-free program for students at his high school. Russ says that while openly sharing his faith in a public school can be challenging, he is still grateful for the chance to be a positive moral influence in the lives of his students and players.  Russ’ desire to impact those he teaches comes from the strong example set by his Huntington professors.

“The professors at Huntington not only talk the talk, but they walk the walk as well,” Russ says.  “They are open about their faith and it’s easy to see through their love for the institution, the students, and in the way they live their lives that they are leading a genuine Christian lifestyle.  They showed how an educator can keep a Christian outlook on life without being directly involved in ministry.”

While his Huntington professors were sharing their faith, they were also preparing Russ for his future teaching career.  “The history professors filled me with the background information I needed in that content area and the education department did an outstanding job of placing me in real-life teaching situations that were extremely valuable.”

Russ encourages students interested in history education to take full advantage of the professors they have the privilege to learn from.  Referring to Dr. Brautigam, Dr. Michelson and Dr. Webb as the “three amigos,” Russ says they are the most knowledgeable and integrity-filled individuals that he has known and “wouldn’t trade my experience in the history department for anything.”

By attending a smaller institution such as Huntington, Russ developed personal relationships with these professors and his fellow students.  “President Dowden knew me by name and the history professors often had students within the department over to their homes,” Russ says. “I felt a close bond with nearly every student at the college.  Students were friendly and it’s nice to say hi to someone as you walk by, even though you may not know their name.”

And through developing those relationships, Russ met some of the most important people in his life.  “I met my wife at college, established long-lasting friendships and discovered role-models among my baseball coaches during my time there,” Russ says.  “For that I am extremely thankful, and I am proud to be an alum of Huntington!”