For Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, president of the University of Richmond, higher education leadership is like performing in a chamber music group. In an orchestra, the conductor leads, telling the musicians how loud or soft, fast or slow, to play.
But in chamber music, the musicians play off each other.
Crutcher recently announced that he’s preparing to take the ultimate step back, retiring from the presidency before July 1, 2022 and returning to his role as a professor of music.
From a young age, Crutcher knew he wanted to go into academia. His first cello teacher, who taught him when he was 15 years old, worked as a professor at Miami University. He looked up to her as a role model and always imagined leading a life like hers, playing in a string quartet and teaching university students.
And that’s what he did. He was the first cellist to receive the doctor of musical arts degree from Yale University, debuting at Carnegie Hall in March 1985. As a graduate student, he received a Fulbright Fellowship, a Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellowship and a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. A graduate of Miami University, he also received honorary degrees from Wheaton College, Colgate University and Muhlenberg College.
He didn’t know he wanted to be an administrator until he was asked to serve as interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for undergraduate instruction.
