Family Social Science alumna Candyce S. Russell died April 8. She was 73. The Manhattan (KS) native received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell and a Master’s in Sociology and Ph.D. in Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. An advisee of Professor David Olson, she was credited with co-development of the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems with Olson and fellow Ph.D. student, Douglas Sprenkle (July 26, 1941- August 16, 2018).

She co-founded the Kansas State University Marriage and Family Therapy program in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and taught there for 37 years.

In 2000, she was named to the College of Human Ecology’s Centennial 100 Distinguished Alumni.

Professor Emeritus David Olson praised Russell for her contributions to the family field and her academic achievements.

“I was Candy’s academic advisor and she always exceeded my expectations with the quality of work she completed,” said Olson.  “Candy and Doug Sprenkle helped to develop the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems.  It is very sad to see that your doctoral advisees have preceded you in passing.  

“She was a very caring and giving Professor who connected with both undergraduates and graduate students.  Her guidance was gentle and she had a significant influence on the lives of hundreds of students.  She will be dearly missed.”

Services were held April 13 in Manhattan, KS. The full obituary is available online.