UNR president Joe Crowley stepping down

Sandra Chereb

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 10:28 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - University of Nevada, Reno President Joe Crowley is stepping down after guiding the state's oldest university through more than two decades, the Associated Press has learned.

Crowley, who turns 67 in July, planned to announce his departure at a scheduled 11 a.m. news conference.

"His intent is to go back to the classroom," sources told the AP.

Crowley is one of the longest serving college presidents in the country.

He came to UNR in 1966 as a political science professor.

He became acting president in February 1978 and was appointed to the post on a permanent basis the following year.

During his tenure, enrollment at the university grew from 7,800 in 1978-79 to 12,500 the past school year.

Budgeted faculty increased more than 35 percent and funds for research and development jumped from less than $10 million to more than $70 million a year.

"Nearly half the buildings on our campus have been built...during Joe's watch as president," said UNR spokesman Greg Bortolin.

Crowley also served as president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association from 1993-1995.

Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said Crowley told her of his intent after a meeting Tuesday.

"He was a professor of mine," she said. "I've known him since he came.

"As a political science professor and as UNR's president, Joe was simply first rate," she said. "His legacy is tremendous and higher education in Nevada is indeed very fortunate to have had his guiding hand."