Northern's Former President, Dr. J.R.Crowley, Dies at Age 91
Summer 2005

Joseph R. Crowley, former president of Northern Montana College, died in Missoula on Wednesday, May 11, 2005. The Butte, Montana native was the son of Margaret and Don Crowley, pioneer Butte residents. Dr. Crowley was a graduate of Boys Central high school in Butte and served three years in the Air Force as a base sergeant major at Fort Myers, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Washington in 1937 and both his master's and doctoral degrees in educational psychology from The University of Montana. He was a teacher and counselor at Butte Public High School for seven years before he accepted an assistant professorship at Northern in 1959-61.

This began a sixteen year career at Northern with one year off for the position of Professor of
Education at Idaho State in Pocatello from 1961-62. J.R. (Joe) Crowley became acting President of NMC on January 1, 1963 and President in April of that year succeeding Dr. Brockmann. He served in that position until his resignation in June of 1975 when he and his wife Pat retired to Missoula.

Under his leadership, the campus grew considerably with the addition to the Student Union
Building in 1964-65; a new Food Service Building in 1971; a new Physical Plant in 1967; and the Hagener Science Center and Electronics Building in 1968. He was instantly known to students on campus and was on a first name basis with most all of them. He attended most of the student government meetings and was well respected by students and staff. Tom Reynolds, former faculty member and Executive Director of the MSU-Northern Foundation remembers that, "Dr. Crowley was a person oriented leader and most interested in the interpersonal relationships on the team, with an emphasis on students first."

Chancellor Alex Capdeville said "I have many fond memories of Dr. Crowley. I was a student at Northern and then a teacher at Havre High during his administration. He was very friendly but was a strong force during the formation of the six main units that comprise Montana's existing university system. He put his neck on the line more than once to insure the survival of Northern."

Three alums and student leaders who worked closely with Dr. Crowley relate some of their thoughts and memories. Rusty Kinkade, '75 of Thompson Falls - "Dr. Joe Crowley was an inspiration to me, not only to become the best I could be, but to make others the best they could be. Dr. Crowley lived his life with this goal driving his efforts to provide "Uniqueness with a Purpose" at Northern. I will never forget and always cherish my years at N.M.C. because of Dr. Crowley's leadership and friendship. The past 30 years I have spent in education have been influenced daily by this wonderful and caring man." Rusty Kinkade 1975 Graduate, Business Manager ASNMC 1974-1975, and Presidential Search Committee member.

Newell Anderson, '70, of Helena - "He was a true believer. He understood and believed in the system. He knew well the lessons of the past, and with that, he strongly believed in the opportunities of the future. He, more than any man I've ever known, believed in the young people and the students of my generation.

As one of the six Presidents in the Montana University System, Dr. Crowley notably served NMC and Montana with integrity, wisdom, and human compassion as well as any man I have ever known. These consistent qualities brought him the open admiration and respect of his peers, members of the Montana Legislature, and the faculty, staff and students of NMC a feat not equaled by many.

It was with this quiet greatness that he brought a significant and enduring educational quality to Northern. He built on past successes, he nurtured solid development and his legacy will benefit many more generations for decades to come. I consider myself very lucky to have known, learned from, and worked with this one-of-a kind Butte Irishman who served as Northern Montana College's President. Dr. Crowley was my friend and my mentor; and even though I miss him, I will never forget him. Because of Joe Crowley, this world is a better place." Newell Anderson, '70, Presidential Search Committee member and President of the NMC Alumni Association at that time. Newell retired after 28 years in state government; the last 20 as Division Administrator with the Department of Commerce.

Charles A. (Chuck) Nelson,'70, of Bozeman - "As President of NMC in the 60's and 70's President Crowley lead the campus in a period of academic quality. He was instrumental in hiring faculty who had excellent credentials in their disciplines. If was important to Dr. Crowley that there be a balance of liberal education and technical education on the campus and that each would enhance the full curriculum and provide a unique type of educational setting that only Northern could provide. He understood the large service area that the campus provided and was aware of the background of the students who attended the College. He let his personality and charisma show through to the students and they warmly received it and had great affection for this bright, kind, and engaging gentlemen."

"I, of course, was lucky to be close to him and he gave me the opportunity to work on the campus when I returned from my military duty. His confidence in me gave me the opportunity to attain a career in Higher Education and I will always be grateful to him for his counsel and genuine interest in me. I owe him a great deal and will always cherish my friendship with him. He helped me understand how to deal with life's challenges and turn them into positive experiences. He also made me understand that a sense of humor will help carry you through many of life's tough moments, and that it was ok to critically view situations and have opinions as long as you could back them up. It wasn't enough to just complain with Dr. Crowley it was important to also work out solutions. Joe Crowley will always be in my thoughts with the warmest of affection." Chuck is currently the Registrar and Director of Enrollment Services at MSU-Bozeman.

Dr. Crowley's family writes that he "loved everything Irish and was very proud of his Irish heritage. He,and his wife journeyed to Ireland several times with good friends Bob and Ann Pantzer." His son, Bob, his wife of 60 years, Pat, his sisters, and a brother, preceded him in death. He is survived by daughters Johanna Nash and Peggy Seel of Missoula; grandson Jim Nelson of Bloomington, Indiana; and his oldest friend from high school days, John O'Donnell of Billings. Donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, P.O. Box 2805, Missoula, MT 59806, or Montana State University-Northern Foundation, PO. Box 1961, Havre, MT 59501 in Dr. Crowley's name.
 

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