ARHU Mourns Loss of Longtime Professor and Administrator
February 23, 2024
Charles “Charley” Rutherford served the university for 45 years.
By ARHU Staff
The College of Arts and Humanities mourns the loss of Charles “Charley” Rutherford, retired professor and administrator, who passed away peacefully on December 13 after battling illness. During a career that spanned over 45 years, Rutherford served the college in a variety of positions.
He joined the university in 1968 as an assistant professor of English, teaching Old and Middle English literature and most especially the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. 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. At the time of his retirement in 2013 he was serving as associate dean for faculty affairs.
Assistant Dean for Academic Technology and Administrative Operations Kathleen Cavanaugh ’85 said Rutherford “truly loved all aspects of the college.”
“His academic work was in English but he was a strong advocate for all disciplines,” said Cavanaugh, who was hired by Rutherford in 1985 as his administrative assistant. He served as a “role model” as she transitioned from student to staff, she added, noting that Rutherford was personable and developed close relationships with faculty and administrators across campus.
Professor Emeritus Daniel MacLean Wagner, founding director of UMD’s School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, highlighted Rutherford’s dedication to and support for the performing arts. Wagner joined the faculty of the then Department of Theatre in 1990.
“While heading the dance program multiple times, Charley saw his role as not only administrator, but as cheerleader—for the program, its faculty and its students,” Wagner said. “He knew nearly every student on a first name basis and was endlessly enthusiastic about the many activities and accomplishments of all of them.”
When Wagner took the reins as acting chair of dance and explored the eventual creation of TDPS, he said Rutherford provided consistent support. “For that, and countless other contributions he made to the performing arts, the college and the campus overall, I am eternally grateful to him,” Wagner added.
After retiring, Rutherford continued to be a strong advocate for the arts and humanities. When he shifted to teaching elementary school students, he ran a Shakespeare Book Club at The Green School of Baltimore. His students read “A Midsummer's Night Dream,” “The Tempest” and “Macbeth,” with a culminating trip to see a Shakespeare play at the Folger Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Rutherford rarely traveled without a book to read or a poem to memorize; among his favorite literary characters was Prospero from Shakespeare's “The Tempest.” He was also an avid golfer.
A celebration of Rutherford’s life will be held Thursday, April 25 at 5 p.m. at Mulligan's Grill overlooking the Golf Course at the University of Maryland. To RSVP to the event, please email deborahlindsayb@gmail.com