Faculty profile:  Russ Mason

Russ Mason
	Russ in the 1960's

A Chinese philosopher once wrote, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

Russ Mason is known to his students as the quiet, disciplined, creative teacher who plays the guitar in their 1960s class. But Russ’s journey has taken him across continents and through identities ranging from rock musician to lumberjack, from boxer to Bible teacher.

Born in Worcester County on the Delmarva Peninsula, an area surrounded by green farms nestled among briny bays and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Russ grew up in the town of Newark—not Delaware, but Maryland. At an early age, Russ became interested in Asian cultures, especially those of China, India and Japan. As a child, he committed to a daily routine of yoga asanas and Zen meditation. By 1967, his interests also included the guitar, Chinese boxing and motorcycles. In the ‘70s, Russ began to study T’ai Chi Ch’uan, and he continues to be both a student and teacher of T’ai Chi. While a student at Snow Hill High School, Russ met a young woman named Abby, whose path would cross his again a bit further down the road.

For Russ, the path of higher learning was full of switchbacks. He considered attending Naropa Institute to major in Tibetan Buddhist studies, but instead, entered Western Maryland College as a religious philosophy major. After a trip to India, Russ changed his major to economics and then transferred to Salisbury State University, where he received his B.A. against the cultural backdrop of the end of the war in Vietnam and the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. Russ admits that his decision was “a puzzling switch from the counterculture to a more traditional direction.”

However, at SSU, forces of another kind may have been at work. Coincidentally, Russ and his high school friend, Abby, both transferred to the same college, and there their separate paths became one. Later, the two would marry, becoming life-long traveling companions.

After graduation, a 12,000-mile trip through North America, and jobs as a lumberjack, factory worker and forest manager, Russ moved to the southwest. Not yet finished with his formal education, he would earn a diploma from Rhema Bible Training Center, a certificate from Oklahoma College of Natural Healing and a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Oklahoma State University.

Russ’ spiritual path has been full of twists and turns, as well. From the age of 12 until the time he was 24, Russ explored three religions simultaneously: Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism. Considering himself to be a “spiritual seeker,” his travels have taken him to India, Nepal, Thailand, Taiwan and the Philippines. In 1979, a friend challenged Russ to “find out who Jesus is.” This inquiry culminated in what Russ calls a “life-changing” personal experience, when he became a Christian.

“The most important thing in life is our relationship with God and with people,” he said. “The purpose of life is to know and love God and to treat people with love and respect.”

Russ has taught at ELI since 1995. Reflecting on his current career path as an ESL professional, Russ said: “I love getting to know the students, who come from all over the world to learn about my language and homeland, and I appreciate their willingness to share their lives and cultures with me.”