Bruce Russell, II

Bruce H. Russell II (Col ’97 CM) was awarded first prize in the 2025 Alpha Delta Phi Foundation Alumni Literary Competition for his original poetry cycle, The Fellowship of the Turning Road.

His poetry explores themes brotherhood, faith, justice and the transition from boyhood to manhood. From folk protest to prophetic blues inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, the cycle features biting wordplay, spiritual reflection, and a final sequence of haikus that mark the journey’s quiet resolution. In keeping with his Appalachian roots and lifelong commitment to literacy, he donated his monetary prize to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, helping ensure that children throughout the region have access to books and the joy of reading from an early age.

When not pursuing literary endeavors, he is kept busy with his law career, currently serving as president of the Russell County Bar Association as well as chairman of the Virginia State Bar’s Bench-Bar Relations Committee. He is part of the Boyd-Graves Conference and represents the 28th Circuit on the VSB Council. He lives in Abingdon with his wife, Shannon, and their two sons, Clark (16) and Eamon (13), plus assorted miniature dachshunds.