Russell Ridenour is a graduate of
University of the Cumberlands. He had a major in Communication Arts and a minor
in Theater. He is 28 years old & is now pursuing journalism.
While
at Cumberlands, Ridenour took part in many activities that were all connected
in some way to the Communications & Theatre departments. His love for the two
departments grew the more involved he became.
Ridenour
played many roles in theatre productions but he says his two most memorable
roles were Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas
Carol & Henry Higgins from My
Fair Lady. Ridenour was also involved in the backstage aspects of theatre
like set construction and lighting. Ridenour won the Thespian of the Year award
for his dedication and work in the theatre in 2012.
His
roles in the Communication department involved UCTV 19 and WCCR 94.5. Acting as
both producer and on air personality for both stations, Ridenour created the
show Figure 4 Fallout, which has grown
leaps and bounds since its creation. Ridenour won the Curtis Brown and Master
DJ awards in 2012. He won the Master DJ award with his radio co-host for R & M in the AM, Maggie Todd. They
are the first and only ever co-recipients of the Master DJ award.
Figure 4 Fallout has also lead to new
opportunities that Ridenour says he “never thought would lead him to where he
is today.” Ridenour is part of independent pro wrestling organization, Pro
Wrestling Freedom (PWF), based out of Corbin, KY. He serves as one of the commentators,
which can be heard and seen all over the world on iPPV. Ridenour’s stage name is
PWF Russell Ryan and he says that he “loves every minute of living his dream.”
Other
than working for PWF, Ridenour has stayed around his alma mater and is now a graduate
admissions counselor for Cumberlands. His job helps students try to reach their
goals by obtaining their masters degree.
Ridenour hopes to make his dream of being part of the
pro wrestling business grow by using his knowledge gained from Cumberlands.
