University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher receives resolution honoring his leadership at UR and in higher education

University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher receives resolution honoring his leadership at UR and in higher education

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher was presented with a House Joint Resolution honoring him as a distinguished leader at UR and in higher education.

The resolution was presented by Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg, Virginia House of Delegates, 72nd District. VanValkenburg is a UR alum.

“I want to thank Dr. Ronald Crutcher for his years of service as president of the University of Richmond,” said Delegate VanValkenburg. “As an alumnus, I am proud to see the University’s growth under Dr. Crutcher’s leadership. His commitment to raising the University’s academic profile, increasing alumni engagement, and creating a strategic plan rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and affordability has made the University of Richmond a national leader in higher education. I wish him and his wife, Betty, the very best on their next chapter.”

House Joint Resolution NO. 696 honoring Crutcher, which can be read in full here, was passed by both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate earlier this year.

The resolution recognizes President Crutcher for his outstanding service and leadership both as president of UR for more than five years and in higher education generally.

“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,” the resolution notes.

The resolution also highlights Crutcher for his work to increase engagement with UR alumni, leading to record levels of philanthropy during his tenure, develop an office to support students applying for national grants and fellowships, and create a strategic communications division to raise the institution’s reputation and profile nationally.

The following are just some of the highlights of Crutcher’s accomplishments at UR.

• Strengthen the quality and diversity of its student population, while enhancing the retention and graduation rate of its students.
• Brought the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and affordability to the forefront of UR’s work.
• University of Richmond joined 30 of the nation’s most respected colleges and universities as charter members of the American Talent Initiative, whose goal is to increase socioeconomic diversity in higher education.
• University announced it will meet the full demonstrated financial need for all Richmond Public School graduates who qualify to attend with grant aid — not with loans — up to the full cost of attendance at UR.
• Crutcher served as a mentor to groups of young men of all backgrounds and experiences at the University of Richmond.
• This summer, the University will begin work to establish a pilot for a university-wide mentoring program, which will provide training, support, and funding to cultivate a network of mentors for students as they enter the UR community.
• Installed signage on campus to mark the sacred space of a former burial ground for enslaved persons and describe what is known about the desecration that occurred there.
• The University plans to memorialize the enslaved burial ground on what is now part of the campus and the history of the land on which the University now sits, including its intersections with enslavement.
• Helped establish the University’s first solar array project, which was also the first installed in the Commonwealth under a pilot program. UR also became one of only two higher education institutions in the U.S., and the first in the southeast, to match 100% of its electricity needs with a single solar power source. Spider Solar, is a 20-megawatt solar energy facility that replenishes the electric grid with the same amount of renewable solar energy that the campus uses to run day-to-day operations.
• During the pandemic, he joined musicians worldwide who hosted informal concerts in their homes to lessen anxiety and bring joy in the pandemic environment. He performed on his cello during a Facebook Live performance. President Crutcher said he wanted to provide a measure of inspiration, encouragement, and comfort.

Crutcher will conclude his term as the 10th president of the University of Richmond in August. Additional information about Crutcher’s legacy can be found here.