Russel Van Wyk studied History as an undergraduate at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned an M.A. in U.S. History at Kent State University and a Ph.D. at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After completing his doctorate, he taught at Chapel Hill for ten years and held administrative posts including Assistant Dean for Technology and Learning. While he holds an adjunct position with the Curriculum in Peace, War, and Defense at UNC, his primary position is Upper School History teacher and Instructional Technology Coordinator at Cary Academy. He also teaches distance education classes for UNC and is completing a book with Samuel R. Williamson on the civil-military relations before World War I.