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More than 100 colleagues, former and current students, administrators, relatives, and friends gathered at Colton Chapel this morning for a memorial service honoring James P. Crawford, professor of mathematics, who died May 8 in Easton Hospital at age 68.
Crawford, who had been the current Lafayette faculty member with the longest continuous service, taught at the College since 1957 and was head of the mathematics department from 1985-91. Speakers extolled his extraordinary ability and dedication to teaching, love for Lafayette, generosity, and enthusiasm for the mission of the College. Crawford’s passionate addresses on important issues at faculty meetings were a recurring theme. Relatives in attendance included Crawford’s sisters, Barbara, Nancy, and Mary, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.
College Chaplain Gary Miller gave a welcome and prayer of invocation. He noted that Crawford did not like drawing attention to himself, feeling embarrassed when receiving awards and preferring to stay out of the spotlight – except when acting on stage. When the subject of a memorial service was raised, Crawford consented on the condition that the service be simple and joyful, Miller recalled.
Robert Weiner, Jewish chaplain, director of Hillel Society, and Thomas Roy and Laura Forrest Jones Professor of History, followed with readings from Jewish religious texts. Like the Ark of the Covenant, Crawford was “covered with gold on the outside and inside,” he said.
“Indeed, Jim Crawford was the essence of wisdom (to aid and to serve),” Weiner added.
The Rev. Charles J. Norman, O.S.F.S., Catholic chaplain, read passages in Luke, including Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
In his further remarks, Miller noted that in a row of old trees outside Pardee Hall, there are two gaps of more than 30 feet, indicating that trees have been lost.
“This year, we at Lafayette have lost in similar fashion some very stately, distinguished members of the faculty: James Lusardi, William McLean, and now James Crawford,” he said. (Minott L. “Mike” Coombs, who guided hundreds of students in performances during 35 years as director of theater at Lafayette, passed away Oct. 21.)
Miller highlighted two qualities that he said God gave Crawford. “He was one of the most generous people you could ever meet,” he said, citing the professor’s many hours given to students struggling in mathematics, colleagues, College committees, and student activities. Crawford had mentioned his desire to spend some time in retirement teaching for free so a junior faculty member could pursue scholarly work. He gave freely to college and community causes, almost always anonymously.
Crawford also was extremely dedicated, said Miller: “No one has served the College with more loyalty and passion.”
Thomas Hill, associate professor of mathematics, extolled Crawford’s devotion to teaching.
“Few things in life gave him greater pleasure than teaching first-year calculus,” he said. “His knowledge and interest in mathematics was both deep and broad.”
Crawford worked to build unity in the math department among its faculty and majors, Hill added. “Lafayette College is, and always will be, better because of him.”
He quoted from a letter sent in March by a former student of Crawford and resident of McKelvy House when the professor lived there as adviser. “The abilities you have as a teacher transcend the classroom,” the student wrote, praising him for helping others learn about life and how to grow as individuals. “You did this as you do so many things – in a quiet, unassuming way.”
Crawford already had been at Lafayette for nine years when William Jeffers began teaching here, noted the professor emeritus of physics and former dean of studies.
“As far as Jim was concerned, we all had to work together in our common commitment to provide the best education to our students,” said Jeffers.
Crawford strengthened the advising system by explaining its importance to advisers and played an important role when the faculty had lost confidence in a president, according to Jeffers. He suggested a way of proceeding that satisfied the faculty while avoiding confrontation.
While serving as faculty adviser for the McKelvy House Scholars program, Crawford was called “Mr. McKelvy” by a young College Hill resident. He evolved to become “Mr. Lafayette” for his colleagues and students, said Jeffers.
Donald McClay said that he became friends with Crawford 50 years ago as a fellow student at Grove City College. He recalled Crawford’s seriousness as a student and work on set construction for plays. His leading role in a production of As You Like It as a junior sparked a lifelong interest in theater.
McClay also mentioned lengthy conversations that began in college and continued over the decades, as well as experiences together at McClay family reunions, where Crawford was “adopted.” He noted that what appeared to be a math puzzle for one of McClay’s grandchildren was found in Crawford’s home.
Lafayette President Arthur J. Rothkopf ’55 expressed regret that Crawford would not be able to hear expressions of appreciation for his service to Lafayette at the annual trustee-faculty dinner on Saturday, when he retirement – a reluctant one – would have been announced.
“Jim just wanted to keep teaching because he genuinely loved it and excelled at it,” he said, adding that Crawford loved the College and his students.
Rothkopf listed Crawford’s many awards, praised his unassuming manner, and mentioned his interest in Lafayette traditions and history, such as the burning of calculus textbooks by students in the 19th century. As an example of Crawford’s unifying approach, he cited an instance when Crawford expressed strong disagreement with Rothkopf by writing a letter and then meeting privately with the president to resolve the issue without creating division.
The president also recalled a Marquis Society dinner in the mid-’80s when Crawford delighted guests with a portrayal of the Marquis de Lafayette, complete with military coat, powdered wig, sword, and French accent.
A reception followed the service in the Wilson Room of Pfenning Alumni Center.
In 1998, Crawford was honored for “extraordinarily successful teaching” by the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware section of the Mathematical Association of America. He was the recipient of the association’s Distinguished Teaching Award, which is presented annually for excellence in teaching and influence beyond the recipient’s own institution.
In 1966, Crawford received Lafayette’s Thomas Roy and Lura Forrest Jones Faculty Lecture Award recognizing excellence in teaching and scholarship. In 1967 he received the College’s Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for distinguished teaching and outstanding contributions to campus life. In 1981, students voted him the recipient of the Student Government Award for Superior Teaching.
A major annual Lafayette teaching award bears Crawford’s name. Established in 1993 through a grant from Jonathan R. Bernon ’84, the James P. Crawford Award is given annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated a high standard of classroom instruction. The prize consists of $500 for the recipient and an additional $500 going to the recipient’s department to enhance teaching.
In 1966 he taught a six-week summer institute in math for junior and senior high school teachers supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Born Feb. 8, 1935, Crawford was a native of Brookville, Pa., and a graduate of Brookville High School. In 1957 he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Grove City College, Grove City, Pa. He was elected to Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society for college students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character.
As a senior at Grove City he was president of the college chapter of Theta Alpha Phi, the national honorary fraternity for theater arts, and during his career at Lafayette was a well-known amateur actor in campus and community theater groups.
Memorial gifts may be made to Lafayette for the McKelvy House Scholars Program.