USN remembers Betty Werthan

A noted and long revered parent of alumni who shepherded the school through its transition from Peabody Demonstration School to University School of Nashville died on May 18, 2020.
In 1974, when Betty Werthan learned of Peabody College’s plans to close its Dem School, she and husband Bernard Werthan Jr. gathered like-minded parents around their dining room table on a Saturday morning. This Transition Committee of parents later leveraged their homes to purchase the school and shape it as a new entity yet still connected to its educational roots.

Their humility should continue to inspire our steps, but it carries the risk of their signal accomplishment being lost in the mists of time and current day urgency,” Director Vince Durnan wrote in a 2017 column. “When the Werthans and their compatriots came back to USN for visits, I could not help asking if we’d become what they hoped we would, and they invariably answered that they could not have imagined where we are today—deftly turning the spotlight away from them and toward us.”

Betty remained connected with the school over decades since the graduation of her children (Betsy Werthan Schwartz '75, Kay Werthan '78, Tim Werthan '80, Tony Werthan '83) as an Emeritus Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees and generous benefactor, even after her last breath. Click here to read her obituary in The Tennessean.
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • The Quiz Bowl team poses for a photo after another successful tournament.

    MS Quiz Bowl team heads to national championships

    The Quiz Bowl team traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to face several top teams from across the country at this year's South Warren Tournament. USN's second-place finish earned the team an invitation to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments' National Championships in May.
    Read More
  • Alumni and students pose for a photo during the first-ever health care career spotlight at USN.

    Alumni return to share insights with students

    In an inspiring new initiative, USN's health care career spotlight, organized by Ruchika Ramachandran ’27 and Yvonne Wang ’27, brought a wealth of alumni back to the school for an evening of shared expertise and personal stories. This first-of-its-kind event was a great example of the power of connection, mentorship, and community evident throughout the USN community.
    Read More
  • Band Director John Hopkins conducts the band as composer Larry Clark looks on.

    Band students meet composer Larry Clark

    Ahead of the All Bands Winter Concert, students got to play for Larry Clark, the composer who arranged the holiday medley that the band will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 9 in Durnan Auditorium.
    Read More
Archive
USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.