Andrew Carruthers Chapter History
Organized November 3, 1909
By Mrs. Neil Carothers

In recognition of Andrew Carruthers’ service at the Battle of Kings Mountain, using the Colonial spelling of his name, this chapter was named in his honor and in compliment to Mrs. Neil Carothers. Mrs. Carothers conceived the idea of the chapter as a means of stimulating patriotism in University girls so they could take the ideals of DAR home with them, and also as a means of furthering the ambitions of girls faced with struggles and privations to obtain a college education. According to the original by-laws, only students and ex-students of the University of Texas were eligible for chapter membership. This special requirement was later expanded to include members and wives of the University staff, as well as women who have completed two years of University work. In current times, any woman eligible for membership in the National Society is eligible for local membership.

The chief purpose of formation was the founding of a scholarship for girls attending the University of Texas. To Mrs. Carothers is due credit for the vision, untiring zeal, and enthusiasm which led to the achievement of this goal. She preferred a scholarship to a loan fund because she had seen many girls leave college burdened with debt. Tradition has marked the passing years and the observance of special days have been instituted: Constitution Week in September, Founders' Day in October, and American History Month with Washington's Birthday in February. In April, the chapter holds a High Tea, where money is raised for a different scholarships. In 1925, Mrs. Thomas Henderson, mother of Mrs. Boyd Wells, gave the chapter a gavel, carved from cedar wood taken from the old mission on the Brazos.

The chapter has continued to foster education, patriotism, and Americanism, for which the DAR was founded, and looks back with pride on the accomplishments of the ancestors of its members. Remarkable congeniality and harmony have prevailed throughout the chapter’s existence. Mrs. Caruthers established the annual statement of renewed devotion in the belief:

"Looking backward with pride to the accomplishments of our ancestors and pointing forward with zeal and hope!”