SR738: Commending Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher.


SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 738
Commending Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, August 5, 2021

 

WHEREAS, Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, a distinguished leader in higher education administration, has served as president of the University of Richmond for more than five years; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Miami University in Ohio, Ronald Crutcher holds master’s and doctoral degrees from Yale University and is an accomplished cellist who formerly played with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Crutcher previously served as the director of the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin and dean of the Cleveland Institute of Music; he led the administration of Wheaton College as president for 10 years before joining the University of Richmond in 2015; and

WHEREAS, as the first African American president of the University of Richmond, Ronald Crutcher emphasized the institution’s commitment to fighting racism and sexism wherever it was present, championed free expression and civil debate, and promoted diversity and inclusivity by hiring more women and people of color; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Crutcher worked to increase engagement with University of Richmond alumni, leading to record levels of philanthropy during his tenure, developed an office to support students applying for national grants and fellowships, and created a strategic communications division to raise the institution’s reputation and profile throughout the Commonwealth and the United States; and

WHEREAS, under Ronald Crutcher’s leadership, the University of Richmond was ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News and World Report; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Crutcher is chair of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education, served on the board of the American Association of Colleges and Universities and is a founding co-chair of Liberal Education and America’s Promise; he also led the University of Richmond to become a charter member of the American Talent Initiative, an organization that advocates for socioeconomic diversity in higher education; and

WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ronald Crutcher helped support the institution and set an example for higher education administrators nationally by taking a pay cut to help offset the unanticipated and significant expenses associated with responding to the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, outside of his work with the University of Richmond, Ronald Crutcher offers his leadership and expertise to the board of the Richmond Symphony and has performed throughout the United States and Europe as a member of the Klemperer Trio; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher hereby be commended for his years of outstanding service as president of the University of Richmond; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for his work to advance the field of higher education and contributions to the Richmond community and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 738

Offered August 4, 2021
Commending Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher.

Patrons-- McClellan, Barker, Bell, Boysko, Deeds, Favola, Hackworth, Hashmi, Howell, Lewis, Marsden, Mason, McPike, Morrissey, Ruff, Saslaw and Spruill

WHEREAS, Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, a distinguished leader in higher education administration, has served as president of the University of Richmond for more than five years; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Miami University in Ohio, Ronald Crutcher holds master’s and doctoral degrees from Yale University and is an accomplished cellist who formerly played with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Crutcher previously served as the director of the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin and dean of the Cleveland Institute of Music; he led the administration of Wheaton College as president for 10 years before joining the University of Richmond in 2015; and

WHEREAS, as the first African American president of the University of Richmond, Ronald Crutcher emphasized the institution’s commitment to fighting racism and sexism wherever it was present, championed free expression and civil debate, and promoted diversity and inclusivity by hiring more women and people of color; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Crutcher worked to increase engagement with University of Richmond alumni, leading to record levels of philanthropy during his tenure, developed an office to support students applying for national grants and fellowships, and created a strategic communications division to raise the institution’s reputation and profile throughout the Commonwealth and the United States; and

WHEREAS, under Ronald Crutcher’s leadership, the University of Richmond was ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News and World Report; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Crutcher is chair of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education, served on the board of the American Association of Colleges and Universities and is a founding co-chair of Liberal Education and America’s Promise; he also led the University of Richmond to become a charter member of the American Talent Initiative, an organization that advocates for socioeconomic diversity in higher education; and

WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ronald Crutcher helped support the institution and set an example for higher education administrators nationally by taking a pay cut to help offset the unanticipated and significant expenses associated with responding to the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, outside of his work with the University of Richmond, Ronald Crutcher offers his leadership and expertise to the board of the Richmond Symphony and has performed throughout the United States and Europe as a member of the Klemperer Trio; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher hereby be commended for his years of outstanding service as president of the University of Richmond; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for his work to advance the field of higher education and contributions to the Richmond community and the Commonwealth of Virginia.