Garrey Carruthers on retirement: “My real love was to be at New Mexico State University”

Before New Mexico State regents announce the university’s next chancellor, Garrey Carruthers sat down with ABC-7 to reflect on his service to the college and the state.

“You ought to do what you enjoy most,” Carruthers said. “When push came to shove, my real love was to be at New Mexico State University.”

Long before he was chancellor, Carruthers was a student, a faculty member and a dean of the university. At seventy-eight years old, he wanted to continue as chancellor of the university, but the regents chose not to extend his five-year contract.

“I can’t speak for the regents, but I think some of them who are going out of office look at this old white haired guy and see he’s not going to last much longer,” Carruthers said with a chuckle.

However, the chancellor said he has been in touch with the university to be a medical economics professor.

“If I can be helpful to teach, it will be a joy for me to teach,” Carruthers said.

The outgoing chancellor also has plenty of other plans. He said he will join a task force on higher education, serve on a panel to evaluate federal magistrates, campaign for a constitutional amendment to have an independent New Mexico ethics commission and remain on the board for Molina Healthcare.

“And then, I’ve got my application in to Uber,” Carruthers said. “If you call me on Uber, when I get my license I will give you a ride in one of three ’67 Mustangs. A fastback, a coup or a convertible, but it’s going to cost you extra.”

Carruthers told ABC-7 he’s proud of boosting enrollment at the college. When asked about athletic success, he jokingly said “it’s a good thing I was able to coach all those sports and give them a lot of advice.”

Expect ABC-7’s live coverage of Friday’s chancellor announcement at 4, 5 and 6 p.m.