Garrey Carruthers

Garrey Carruthers
Former President of New Mexico State University
In office
May 6, 2013 – June 30, 2018
Preceded by Manuel Pacheco (interim)
Succeeded by John Floros (President) and Dan Arvizu (Chancellor)
27th Governor of New Mexico
In office
January 1, 1987 – January 1, 1991
Lieutenant Jack L. Stahl
Preceded by Toney Anaya
Succeeded by Bruce King
Personal details
Born Garrey Edward Carruthers
(1939-08-29) August 29, 1939
Alamosa, Colorado, U.S.
Political party Republican
Profession Professor

Garrey Edward Carruthers (born August 29, 1939) is an American politician, academic, and former Governor of New Mexico who currently serves as president of New Mexico State University (NMSU). He previously served as special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1974 to 1975, director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute at NMSU, state chair of the Republican Party Of New Mexico from 1977 to 1979, and assistant Secretary of Interior for land and resources from 1981 to 1984.[1]

He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from New Mexico State University and a Ph.D. in economics from Iowa State University.

A Republican, he was elected the 27th Governor of New Mexico in 1986. A major focal point of the race was reinstating the death penalty, resulting in outgoing Democratic Governor Toney Anaya commuting the sentences of all on death row in protest.[2] His term ended in 1991: he could not seek reelection, since at that time, New Mexico term limits did not allow governors to seek consecutive terms. Carruthers was replaced by former Democratic governor Bruce King.

After leaving office, he was president and CEO of the Cimarron Health Plan from 1993 to 2003.[1] In 2003, he was named dean of NMSU's College of Business. He helped establish NMSU's economic development operation, the Arrowhead Center, and served as the university's vice president for economic development. He also helped found NMSU's Domenici Institute and serves as its director.[3] In May 2013 he was elected president of NMSU by the Board of Regents in a 3-2 vote.[4] In 2017, the Board of Regents told him his contract would not be renewed. This led to the announcement of his retirement effective July 1, 2018. [5] [6]

Views on science

Questioned by faculty at an on-campus meeting on his candidacy to become NMSU president in 2013, Carruthers said that there was not a scientific consensus on climate change. He stated: "I don't know. I'm an economist. I don't do global warming. It's a scientific judgment that I can't make."[7] Concerns were also raised about his role in a tobacco industry lobby, The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition (TASSC), which he chaired from 1993 to 1998.[8]

In a letter, four state representatives said that science, particularly climate change, is an essential issue for NMSU. They raised concerns about Carruthers's involvement in TASSC. The state representatives said TASSC had "a clear history of industry involvement in staking out positions opposing now widely held beliefs regarding public health and the environment."[9] In response, Carruthers expressed disagreement with the stance of TASSC on the risks of second-hand smoke. "I'm four-square against second-hand smoke," Carruthers said in an interview with the Albuquerque Journal. "I don't think people should smoke, and second-hand smoke is detrimental to other people's health."[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "New Mexico Governor Garrey E. Carruthers". National Governors Association. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Death: Penalty Parting Shot". Time Magazine. 1986-12-08.
  3. ↑ "About the President".
  4. ↑ "Former Gov. Garrey Carruthers to lead New Mexico State University". Santa Fe New Mexican. Associated Press. May 6, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Meeting with regents led to Carruthers' retirement". Las Cruces Sun News. August 23, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  6. ↑ "NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers announces retirement".
  7. ↑ Rene Romo (2013-04-23). "Carruthers makes pitch for NMSU president seat". Albuquerque Journal.
  8. ↑ Romo, Rene (May 2, 2013). "Carruthers led effort backed by tobacco firm". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  9. ↑ Lindsey Anderson (2013-05-02). "State reps rap Carruthers over tobacco, climate change views". Las Cruces Sun-News. Archived from the original on 2013-05-06.
  10. ↑ Rene Romo (2013-05-02). "Carruthers led effort backed by tobacco firm". Albuquerque Journal.
Political offices
Preceded by
Toney Anaya		 Governor of New Mexico
1987–1991		 Succeeded by
Bruce King
Academic offices
Preceded by
Barbara Couture		 President of New Mexico State University
2013–2018		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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