Message From The Dean: Charley Rutherford Announces Retirement

A 45-year veteran of the college and associate dean for faculty affairs announces intent to retire.

COLLEGE PARK, Md.- A 45-year veteran of the university, Charley Rutherford has announced his intent to retire from his position in the college effective December 31, 2013. Because of the nature of Charley’s role, it’s safe to say that everyone has had the privilege of working with this trusted advisor, thoughtful administrator and college historian.

Charley has served the College of Arts and Humanities in a variety of faculty and administrative positions. He joined the university in 1968 and is an assistant professor of English, teaching Old and Middle English literature and most especially the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Alumni often approach me with fond memories about his teaching and advising. In 1980 he was tapped by former provost of the division of arts and humanities, Shirley Kenny, to serve as assistant dean. He also served the dual role of associate dean and chair of the department of dance, from 1981-83 and again from 2004-07.

Charley has dedicated more than a quarter-century to championing the needs and concerns of faculty and stewarding processes crucial to the college’s success. He has supported college leadership committees like: Collegiate Council; Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure (APT); Academic Planning and Advisory Committee (APAC); and Programs, Courses, and Curricula (PCC). For 33 years, in addition to ensuring faculty needs are represented and addressed, he has been deeply engaged in college governance; faculty appointments, promotions and tenure; resource (re)allocation and strategic planning; and development of new programs, curricula and courses. Most significant for me is the unparalleled counsel he has provided not only to faculty and staff, but to me and the deans who served prior to my administration. 

Throughout his long career in the college, Charley has worked as a strong advocate for the arts and humanities. He encouraged the allocation of enhancement funds to programs like the college’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program which launched in 2005. Through this program Charley collaborated with college units to bring to campus and the region outstanding and inspiring artists, helping elevate the profile of the arts and humanities on campus.

Starting July 1, 2013, Charley will stay on with the dean’s office part-time and has agreed to help transition the college’s new associate dean for faculty affairs until his departure in December. We have the next nine months to acknowledge his contributions and will celebrate in the fall.

Charley takes little personal credit for the accomplishments of the dean’s office, instead humbly stating “I serve at the pleasure of the dean.” I want to publicly acknowledge that the pleasure has been mine, and that of my predecessors, to know and serve together with Charley in administering the business of the college.

The college has initiated an internal search to fill the position of associate dean for faculty affairs. The committee is chaired by Philip Soergel, professor and chair of the department of history. The position announcement is being disseminated and is now available on the web at: https://www.arhu.umd.edu/node/7241.