Carruthers Hall History: the Bursar's Portrait and Chair

Elmer Carruthers, UVA Bursar from 1912-1947

One of the first things any visitor to Carruthers Hall notices (if they come in the front door, that is) is the polished wooden chair and accompanying portrait immediately to their right upon entering.  

The portrait depicts Elmer Carruthers, the man for whom the building is named, and the chair is the one he occupied during his 35 years as bursar at UVA.

When Carruthers occupied the position, UVA did not have a Controller or VP of Finance.  "Bursar" was essentially the chief financial position at the University, reporting to the President on UVA's finances and overseeing financial operations. 

Carruthers's portrait was not always so prominently featured in the Carruthers Hall.  After he retired in 1947, other bursars came and went and his portrait was in and out of storage as the building changed.  

By the time renovations to the Finance office space were complete in the early 2000s, however, Carruthers' living relatives had applied enough gentle pressure that the beautifully framed portrait and carefully restored desk chair had a place of honor waiting for them.

What's a Bursar?

Steve Kimata, now AVP for Enrollment and Student Financial Services, recalls that during his time as bursar at UVA (he was actually the last person to hold the role of bursar), both of Mr. Carruthers' great-granddaughters visited from time to time to check in on their great-grandfather and to share stories about earlier days at UVA.  

__________________________________________________

Do have an interesting story from Carruthers' and/or Finance's history?  Let us know!