New Mexico State University's investiture of President Garrey Carruthers and a reception honoring him took place Saturday. The investiture, or formal installation ceremony, opened NMSU's fall 2013 commencement at the Pan American Center.
"When we selected President Carruthers to lead NMSU, we were confident in his experience and skills to serve this great university," said Mike Cheney, chair of NMSU's Board of Regents. "During his first six months, Garrey has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for all students, faculty and staff. We are pleased to honor him as our 27th president."
Carruthers first set foot on the NMSU campus more than 50 years ago as a student. Today he is the only NMSU graduate to also serve as the university's president.
In 1964, he received his bachelor's degree in agriculture from NMSU and went on to earn a master's in agricultural economics from the university the following year. After receiving a Ph.D. in economics from Iowa State University, Carruthers returned to NMSU in 1968, this time as a faculty member. Over the next few decades, he taught in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business and even served as acting director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute.
Carruthers later ran for and won the New Mexico governor's office, becoming the state's 27th chief executive and the first NMSU grad to hold that post as well. After leaving office, he joined the business world. He led a team that founded a managed care company where he served as president and CEO.
In 2003, Carruthers once again arrived at NMSU, this time as dean of the College of Business. He also served as the university's vice president for economic development. NMSU's Board of Regents named Carruthers as NMSU's president this past May.