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4/19/2004
Contact: K.E.
Schwab -- 724-738-2199; e-mail:
karl.schwab@sru.edu
SRU CAMPUS
SADDENED TO LEARN OF DEATH OF PHILANTHROPIST MRS. ETHEL
CARRUTH
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – “The entire Slippery Rock
University community is deeply saddened to learn of the death of
its longtime friend, benefactor and moving force on campus, Mrs.
Ethel Carruth. We will all miss her leadership, dedication and
enthusiasm for Slippery Rock University,” said Interim
President Robert Smith on learning of Mrs. Carruth’s death
Saturday [April 17].
Mrs.
Carruth, 81, mother to Dr. Carolyn Carruth Rizza, and mother-in-law
to Dr. Paul Rizza, both retired professors at SRU, died in Houston,
Texas.
Honorary
chair of Slippery Rock University’s “Campaign for
Slippery Rock University,” a 10-year, $33-million fund
raising effort, Mrs. Carruth served as a leader in the on-going
campaign by helping launch it with a $2.5 million gift used to
renovate and restore a campus landmark. The building is now known
as Paul and Carolyn Carruth Rizza Hall, in honor of her daughter
and son-in-law, both professors emeritus at SRU with a combined
total of 52 years of service. Her gift is the largest ever received
by SRU.
“A
very generous benefactor, Mrs. Carruth did not attend Slippery Rock
University, but through her daughter and son-in-law saw the need
and the potential of our students and agreed to graciously lend her
support. In her last visit to campus, she enthusiastically visited
with students, faculty and staff and beamed with pride at knowing
she was both helping build our reputation and helping
students,” Smith added.
In
addition, Mrs. Carruth most recently provided $250,000 for creation
of what has been named the “Storm Harbor Equestrian
Center” at SRU. The facility, to be built on 20 acres on the
east side of campus, will allow students to learn about and
implement equine-facilitated therapy within the
adapted physical activity and therapeutic recreation
program.
SRU
trustees enthusiastically expressed their gratitude for Mrs.
Carruth’s latest gift at their recent meeting where they also
approved the project’s name, noting it comes from Dr. Carolyn
Rizza’s award-winning show horse.
“Mrs.
Carruth’s kindness and generosity will forever impact
Slippery Rock University. Her leadership in philanthropy has helped
established a culture of giving at SRU that would not have been
possible without her. Mrs. Carruth’s greatness was her
kindness and her compassion. The university has lost a great
friend. She will be missed, and we extend our deepest sympathy to
her family,” said Robert Mollenhauer, vice president for
university advancement.
“Mrs
Carruth's gift of the equestrian center will have an impact on the
lives of so many for years to come,” said Dr. Jane Fulton,
dean of the College of Health, Environment and Science, “We
will remember her with great fondness.” The center will be
housed in Fulton's college.
In presenting her initial contribution to the university, Mrs.
Carruth said, “My prayer for the university is that the Lord
will continue to guide, direct and bless Slippery Rock University,
and that all of the young people who pass through here will acquire
a love of learning, love of their fellow man and love for all of
earth’s creatures. We also hope that they will be led to give
back to the university, their community and the world out of the
bounty they have received.” Those words are engraved on a
plaque outside Carruth Rizza
Hall.
Mrs. Carruth was awarded an Eberly medal by the Pennsylvania
State System of Higher Education in honor of her philanthropic
efforts on behalf of the university. She also established the Ralph
Emerson Greasley Memorial Scholarship at SRU in honor of her late
father.
Mrs. Carruth’s late husband, Allen H. “Buddy”
Carruth, was a managing partner for the John L. Wortham Insurance
Co., of which his father had been a founder. One of his mentors was
Gus Wortham, who founded the Wortham Foundation, one of the largest
philanthropic foundations in the U.S. A fountain in Carruth Rizza
Hall serves as a memorial to Mr. Carruth.
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