Champion of the liberal arts
Wheaton President Emeritus Ronald A. Crutcher, a national leader in higher education and a distinguished classical musician, has received the President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Education from the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU).
The award recognizes an individual or organization that has provided dedicated service, consistent advocacy and outstanding leadership to the higher education community nationally or internationally.
As the AAC&U noted in its announcement, “His career reflects a commitment to accessible, equitable leadership and the transformative power of the arts in education.”
“My liberal arts education and career have taught me that learning happens through both speaking up and actively listening,” Crutcher said. “This award affirms my belief that the ultimate goals of education are about fostering connection, fueling curiosity, and engaging thoughtfully.”
President Crutcher received the award during the 2026 AAC&U Annual Meeting. An accomplished cellist, he later performed for those attending and was then interviewed by AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella on a range of topics, including the power of mentorship, the importance of belonging and community and fostering difficult conversations among people with differing perspectives, cultural traditions and experiences.
Crutcher served as president of Wheaton from 2004 to 2014, leading the college through a time of growth, including the introduction of new interdisciplinary programs and the most successful fundraising campaign in the institution’s history. At the same time, he and his wife Betty Neal Crutcher also showed their commitment to personal and impactful education by organizing mentoring groups for Wheaton students. To honor their many contributions to the college, the college’s Board of Trustees established the Ronald A. and Betty Neal Crutcher Endowed Scholarship at the end of his tenure.
During his tenure at Wheaton, President Crutcher also played a leadership role in national higher education advocacy. He also served as co-chair of the National Leadership Council for the AAC&U campaign Liberal Education and America’s Promise and advocated for the value of the liberal arts in many settings, including White House conferences convened by President Obama.
Following his tenure at Wheaton, President Crutcher served as president of the University of Richmond from 2015 to 2021 where he continues as a faculty member. He is a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute, serves as vice president of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and sits on the boards of the Richmond Symphony, the Richmond Forum, the Jepson Scholars Foundation, IES Abroad, Agnes Scott College, Smith College, and Bard College Berlin.