Former Buhl House grows USN’s endowment

By Juanita I.C. Traughber, Communications Director

University School of Nashville sold its property at 3600 Woodmont Blvd. on Monday, October 31 for $1.5 million. The school has added the funds to its endowment to support all operations of USN in perpetuity, said Chief Financial Officer Teresa Standard.

The late Iris and Arthur “Mike” Buhl III generously donated their 4,236-square-foot family home to USN in 2000. Iris chaired the school’s first Annual Fund campaign, was the second president of the University School of Nashville Association, and served on the Board of Trustees from 1981 to 1985. Mike was an esteemed USN faculty member who taught history and economics and led Youth in Government. Their son, Michael, graduated from USN with the Class of 1985.

“The Buhl family’s direct gift of real estate to USN more than two decades ago was a generous donation that provided for a need at the moment,” said Director of Development Anne Westfall. “We still feel Iris and Mike’s love for USN today. With the leveraging of this highly-appreciated asset, we have been able to achieve greater philanthropic impact and will continue to support academic excellence and school operations for generations to come.”

Located 3 miles south of the Edgehill Campus in the heart of Green Hills, the two-story 1930s residence sitting on a 1-acre lot became home to former Director Vince Durnan to raise his three alumnae daughters and a warm gathering spot for faculty and families. Over the years, faculty holiday parties, welcome dinners for visiting authors, academics, and guest speakers, and intimate conversations with independent school colleagues and USN parents were held at the property, which came to be known as the Buhl House.