Dr. Russell Dabbs has been the cornerstone for the College of Business since arriving on campus in 2001. He was hired as a Professor of Economics and the Chair of the Business Administration Department, as the College of Business was known at that time. For the past 25 years, he has been driven by his vision of the unlimited potential of LCU and the College of Business.
Dr. Dabbs earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, his master’s degree in economics at the University of North Texas, and lastly, his PhD in Economics from the University of Tennessee. He moved to LCU after serving as the Chair of the Division of Business Administration at LSU-Alexandria. Russell moved to Lubbock with his wife Jennie, who is a Professor of Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
During his time here at LCU, Dr. Dabbs has played a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the College of Business. From his first day on campus—amid an epic March sandstorm—he has given voice to a strong belief in LCU’s mission. His leadership, vision, and commitment have been central to the college’s growth and success. Since 2015, he has served the College of Business as the Chair of Academic Affairs, leading all academic initiatives for the Department. Most notably, Dr. Dabbs was instrumental in driving the COB to ACBSP accreditation in 2020, a milestone that reflects and honors his work.
The study of economics has a reputation for being esoteric and challenging, yet the concepts are central to an understanding of business, politics, and even social interactions. Dr. Dabbs has spent his life teaching these concepts to reluctant university students. Over his long tenure at LCU, he has taught Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Money and Banking, Intermediate Economics, and Health Care Economics. While students may not fully appreciate the study of economics during their university days, it is a core subject for all COB students that they often fully appreciate upon a time of reflection.
When not in the classroom, Russell and Jennie enjoy traveling the United States, visiting all corners of the country and particularly like to explore to historic sites. A 2017 trip driving the west coast from Los Angeles, through San Francisco to Vancouver, BC and then back again to Bakersfield, CA is a favorite memory. They have one son, Sam, who also lives in Lubbock with his spouse Jess.
Dr. Dabbs is known on the LCU campus for his integrity, his dedication to the mission of the university, and for his very, very dry wit. Under his leadership the Department of Business has grown from an enrollment of around 150 students to what is now the College of Business with over 400 enrolled students. Our thanks to Dr. Russell Dabbs.