Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, a national leader in higher education, distinguished classical musician, and accomplished administrator, became the 10th President of the University of Richmond on July 1, 2015. Dr. Crutcher is President Emeritus of Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Prior to Wheaton, he served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Miami University of Ohio. 

In recognition of their tremendous contributions to Wheaton College, the Board of Trustees established the Ronald and Betty Neal Crutcher Endowed Scholarship. Under Dr. Crutcher’s leadership, Wheaton developed the largest capital project in its history, a $46 million science center, designed to promote science education and interdisciplinary scholarship. A LEED Gold-certified complex, the Mars Center for Science and Technology opened in fall 2011 and was one of several priorities in “Go Beyond: Campaign for Wheaton.” In April 2013, the Campaign reached its $120 million goal 14 months in advance of the targeted conclusion. At its conclusion on June 30, 2014, the Campaign had raised more than $137 million, eclipsing previous campaigns in the College’s 179-year history. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Crutcher has actively promoted access, affordability, and inclusive excellence. As President of University of Richmond, he leads a highly selective private university that is one of the few institutions in the country that is both need-blind in admission decisions for domestic undergraduate students and committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all admitted students. 

Dr. Crutcher is founding co-chair of Liberal Education and America’s Promise (LEAP), the Association of American Colleges & Universities’ national campaign to demonstrate the value of liberal education. He writes and speaks widely on the value of liberal education and the democratic purposes and civic mission of higher education. Under his leadership, the University has 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. In 2012, he received the Posse Star Award for an individual who exhibits leadership, makes a significant contribution in the field of education, and positively affects people’s lives. 

A former member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and several other symphonies, he currently performs in the U.S. and Europe as a member of The Klemperer Trio. He serves on the board of the Richmond Symphony and has served on the boards of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, and Berklee College of Music. Earlier in his career, he was President of Chamber Music America, Director of the highly ranked Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Conservatory at the Cleveland Institute of Music. 

Dr. Crutcher began studying cello at the age of 14 with Elizabeth Potteiger, a faculty member at Miami University. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in March 1985 and was the first cellist to receive the doctor of musical arts degree from Yale University, where he also earned his master’s degree. During his graduate study, he received a Fulbright Fellowship, a Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellowship, and a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Miami University, he has received honorary degrees from Wheaton College, Colgate University, and Muhlenberg College.