Roberta Rubenstein and Charles Larson’s love story took root in American University’s Department of Literature, where they met.
So when she decided to honor Larson—her husband and colleague of more than five decades, who died in May 2021—Rubenstein planted the seed of something special for the entire campus community to enjoy.
A longtime supporter of the AU Arboretum and Gardens, she made a gift to create the new Companion Garden. Nestled between the McKinley Building and Bender Library, the garden, which was dedicated in September, features five 34-inch-tall, eco-friendly containers filled with fragrant thyme, parsley, cilantro, peppermint, sage, basil, and other herbs.
The AU community is invited to take cuttings—only as much as they’ll use—for cooking, teas, tinctures, aromatherapy, and propagating in container gardens in their residence halls, offices or homes.
The garden serves as a “companion” to AU’s larger Community Garden, located on a plot between the Katzen Arts Center and Nebraska Hall. The Companion Garden is also a nod to Rubenstein and Larson’s enduring love—of one another and of gardening.
“His specialty was tomatoes and other edibles, while mine was—and continues to be—flowers and shrubs, with a recent focus on native plants,” says Rubenstein, who earned her Master Gardener certification in June from the University of Maryland Extension Center.
“For over 50 years, Chuck and I collaborated on many gardening projects in our backyard,” she continues. “As an avid gardener and supporter of the AU Arboretum and Gardens, I thought the Companion Garden was a fitting way for me to honor my life companion in these endeavors.”
Rubenstein joined the faculty at the College of Arts and Sciences in 1969; Larson followed a year later. The couple married at AU’s Kay Spiritual Life Center in 1971.
She was the inaugural chair of the women’s studies program, now women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, while he taught some of the first classes on African writers ever offered to students in the United States.
The couple coedited Worlds of Fiction, an anthology of works by Western and non-Western authors, published in 1993—although Rubenstein says their greatest collaboration is their two children.
Ransom Schutt, assistant director of ground operations, vehicle maintenance, and support services, helped Rubenstein bring her vision to life.
“One of my favorite things about working with Roberta is her passion for the AU Arboretum and Gardens,” he says. “She is always genuinely interested in what we are doing [and] wants to learn the ‘why’ behind our design plans and maintenance.”
Sandra Walter, senior director of strategic initiatives in University Advancement, says the herbs in the Companion Garden are like AU itself—a community that supported Rubenstein and Larson’s professional endeavors and sparked their lasting personal connection.
“They all bring something very special to the dish.”