Ithaca College

Posted on behalf of Vincent Wang, Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences

It is with deep sadness that I inform the campus community of the sudden passing of a member of our faculty. Steven Russo, assistant professor of chemistry, died at home on Saturday, April 7.

Steve’s area of specialization was chemistry education. He was deeply passionate about teaching, which he had been doing for nearly four decades. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1979, winning both the DuPont and Clark awards as a teaching assistant. He served as the associate coordinator for freshman chemistry at Indiana University before returning to Cornell in 1992 as coordinator of the freshman chemistry program. He joined Ithaca College in 2008.

Please join me in keeping Steve’s family and friends, along with his colleagues and students in the chemistry department, the School of Humanities and Sciences and across the campus, in our thoughts as we process this loss.

A gathering will be held in Muller Chapel at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 9, to allow students, faculty, and staff to come together to support one another.

Support services to all members of the Ithaca College community are available through the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling 607-274-3136. Students needing to speak with someone outside of regular business hours can contact their RA on duty, or reach assistance through the Office of Public Safety at 607-274-3333.

Faculty and staff can access the counseling services of the Employee Assistance Program by calling 1-800-327-2255.

Information on funeral or memorial services will be shared with the campus community when it becomes available.