Graduate Alumnus Ashton Ellett was appointed the director of the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies in 2025. Ellett, who has served as the Russell Library’s politics and public policy archivist since 2018, will also oversee the Georgia Capitol Museum in Atlanta as part of his new role. He succeeds Sheryl Vogt, who recently retired after marking 50 years with the Russell Library, one of three special collections units within the University of Georgia Libraries. A double dawg, Dr. Ellett received his Master's (2010) and doctoral (2017) degrees in history at the University of Georgia. Research Research Areas: African American Capitalism and Economics Political & Legal U.S. 19th & 20th Century U.S. South Public History Dissertation/Thesis Title: Recasting Conservatism: Georgia Republicans and the Transformation of Southern Politics since World War II Degree Completion Date: Thu, 05/18/2017 - 12:00pm Selected Publications Selected Publications: Washnock, Kaylynn, and Ashton Ellett. “Food, Power And Politics: The Story Of School Lunch”. New Georgia Encyclopedia. 2015. Web. Ellett, Ashton. “Not Another Little Rock: Massive Resistance, Desegregation, And The Athens White Business Establishment, 1960-1961”. Georgia Historical Quarterly (2013): n. pag. Print. Ellett, Ashton. “Organizing The Right: Service Clubs, Conservatism, And The Origins Of The Two-Party South In Cobb County, Georgia, 1942-1968”. James C Cobb. 2010: n. pag. Print. Ellett, Ashton. “Recasting Conservatism: Georgia Republicans And The Transformation Of Southern Politics Since World War Ii”. 0: n. pag. Print. Education Education: MA, University of Georgia, History 2010 PHD, University of Georgia, History 2017 BA, Westminster College, History and Political Science 2008 Other Information Of note: Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, UGA Graduate School, 2011 Award for Excellence in Student Research – Graduate Level, Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board (GHRAB), 2012 Carl Vipperman Teaching Assistant Award, UGA Department of History, 2013 Vincent J. Dooley Graduate Research Award in History, University of Georgia, Research Grant , 2013 Jason Manthorne Memorial Award, UGA Department of History, 2014 Grants for Research in Congressional Collections Award , Association of Centers for the Study of Congress, 2014 Vincent J. Dooley Graduate Research Award in History, University of Georgia, Research Grant, 2015 Award for Excellence in the Educational Use of Historical Records, Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council (GHRAC), 2016
