Margaret Ruthven Perry

PERRY WINSTON-SALEM - Mrs. Margaret Ruthven Perry, 89, Registrar Emeritus of Wake Forest University, passed away Monday, September 6, 2010, at University Health Systems Inpatient Hospice in Greenville, North Carolina. Mrs. Perry was born February 2, 1921 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. She was the eldest child of Joe Duncan and Agnes Ruthven. Mrs. Perry was married to Dr. Percival Perry, Summer Session Dean and professor of history at Wake Forest University. At the end of World War II, Percival returned to Duke University to complete his doctorial thesis. He and Margaret, who had attended Winthrop College and graduated from the University of South Carolina, moved to the old campus in Wake Forest, N.C. to begin their life-long tenure as loyal faculty and staff members in the Wake Forest University family. Mrs. Perry began work as a clerk in the Registrar's Office and, over time became the Associate Registrar and then the first woman Registrar at Wake Forest, a position she retained until her retirement. She also modernized the registration process by generating a computer program that streamlined the procedure. Students no longer had a congregational registration and could pre-register in the spring. The only other college in North Carolina to have already implemented this was Duke University. Mrs. Perry also became an active participant in local, regional, and national professional organizations, including the Southern Association of Registrars and Admissions Officers. The Margaret Ruthven Perry Distinguished SACRAO Journalism Award was named in her honor following her completion as editor. The award is presented annually to the author whose article promotes and advances knowledge, techniques, and standards of competence in the profession. She held many prominent positions over the years, culminating as the president of the national organization. As she neared retirement, a formal dinner was held for her in Charlotte where she received many recognition plaques, including The Carolinas Association, The Southern Association, and The American Association Achievement awards. She was also awarded the prestigious Charlie Hendricks Award for "Contributions Above and Beyond the Call of Duty." After her retirement, she was commissioned to write a history of the Wake Forest Registrar's Office. Mrs. Perry was preceded in death by her husband, their younger son, Alexander Ruthven Perry, her parents, and her sister, Virginia Ruthven Hough, of Lexington, N.C. Survivors include her son, William Percival Perry and his wife, Karen Pickles Perry, of Greenville, N.C. and three brothers, Joe Perry Ruthven and wife, Judy of Lakeland, Florida and Sedona, Arizona; William Duncan Ruthven and wife, Juanita; and Jerry Donald Ruthven and wife, Sara, of Lakeland, Florida. She is also survived by eight nieces and nephews, and their families. From Lakeland, Florida: Joe Lawton Ruthven and wife, Karen, and sons Niles, Zachary, and Tyler; Greg Ruthven and wife, Kim, and their children, Gregor and Lauren, Donald Ruthven and wife, Robyn and their son, Collin; Cindy Ruthven and husband, Scott and their daughter, Kiley, Cathy Ruthven Flyte and husband, Jack, deceased, and Matt Ruthven and wife, Lisa and their daughters, Caroline, Maggie, and Natalie. From Greensboro, N.C., U.S. Senator Kay Ruthven Hagan and husband, Chip and children Jeanette, Tilden, and Carrie and Jean Hough Young and companion, Micky from Winston-Salem. Mrs. Perry was fortunate to have her grand-nieces, Haley, Jenna, and Jordyn Young and grand-nephew, Taylor, whom she saw as her "adopted" grandchildren, nearby as they visited her often in the last few years. Mrs. Perry was a member of the Wake Forest Baptist Church. The funeral services will be held at Wait Chapel on the campus of Wake Forest University at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2010. Interment will be at the Chesterfield Cemetery in Chesterfield S.C. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Williams Adult Day Center at 231 Melrose Street Winston Salem, NC 27103. On line condolences may be made to www. frankvoglerandsons.com.