COVER STORY
James W . Crawford III , Lessons in Life , Leadership and Learning
Felician ’ s President strives for excellence in an environment of Diversity , Equity & Inclusion .
By Diane C . Walsh Contributing Editor
When James Crawford III hung up his uniform and retired from the U . S . Navy , he was drawn to a new career in education , hoping it would give him the same purpose and joy that service had .
For Crawford , his 35-year military career was a “ privilege and a blessing .” Raised in North Carolina , he is the son of a teacher and building custodian , and grandson of a sharecropper . A graduate of Belmont Abbey College , Crawford earned his law degree at the University of North Carolina .
In the Navy , he served under six presidents , rising to the rank of vice admiral . President Obama appointed him the 43rd Judge Advocate General in charge of the Navy ’ s entire legal organization .
His skills and background greatly impressed the board of directors of Felician University , a private Catholic school serving more than 2,400 students with campuses in Lodi and Rutherford . They tapped him for interim president in September 2020 and nine months later elevated him to president .
“ There is a deep connection between a military leader and the president of a university ,” Crawford reasons . “ They share a sacred trust of caring for and transforming the lives of those who are trusted into their care .” His new role is invigorating because he is “ able to help young men and women identify their potential and live up to it and not shirk from the challenges that confront them .”
Crawford spells out his vision for Felician in a simple sentence . “ I want a diverse , sustained , engaged community of creativity and learning .” But attaining his goal will be a test of his leadership skills .
Higher education is facing a “ time of great disruption ” in Crawford ’ s estimation , as traditional academics evolve to fit into the digital world , while also bracing against the latest consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic . He believes that author and columnist Thomas Friedman provided sage advice in his book , Thank You for Being Late , which the president is recommending to all his students .
Friedman talks about living through an “ age of acceleration ” brought on by globalization , technology and climate change . He warns against an incremental approach , favoring speed and alacrity instead . Faced with the challenges
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of COVID , Crawford heeded Friedman and quickly established a vaccine , and now booster , requirement for all on-campus activities . He also formed a committee to oversee the return to campus , which continues to help guide the school ’ s response to the pandemic .
As the new president continues to adopt Friedman ’ s approach , Crawford said he is focusing on four points : how to deliver learning , how to finance it ; how to market the university experience and how to measure it .
His goal is for Felician University to provide “ full-spectrum access ,” meaning students recruited there can expect to graduate with the skills and knowledge to impress their employers at the entry level or , alternatively , enable them to be self-starters . It will be an “ immersive education experience ,” the new president said , explaining the university will strive to maximize students ’ strengths , identify their weakness and develop their potential for success .
Crawford also recognizes these goals must be achieved in sync with the Franciscan values cherished by the Felician sisters who founded the school in 1942 . These core values include : respect for human dignity , compassion , openness to a transformative spirit ; and solidarity with the poor , justice and peace .
Felician University ’ s historic campus
Photo : Clear Tunnels
Crawford , who rose to the rank of vice admiral in the U . S . Navy , is the sixth president of Felician University — and the first man and the first African American to hold this position .
As a Catholic himself , Crawford embraces the sisters ’ values , having been steeped in the church ’ s teachings from a young age . He was taught by the Oblate Sisters of Providence , the Sisters of Mercy and the Benedictine monks and credits them with helping mold his character .
Crawford is the sixth president in the school ’ s history . He is also the first man and the first African American . He does not like to be in the spotlight , however . “ It ’ s never about you , it ’ s always about your team ,” he said , pointing to the success of two new deans .
Dean Mildred Mihlon of the School of Arts and Science was instrumental in securing a $ 4.46 million grant from the U . S . Department of Education to expand the education of Latinx students in STEM ( science , technology , engineering and mathematics ). Dean Heather Pfleger of the School of Business and Information Sciences is initiating a plan that will bring the Bloomberg terminals and education platform into the university to immerse students in the financial markets .
The programs will move Felician toward Crawford ’ s vision for the school . “ It was such a privilege and great blessing to be in the military . Now I see an equivalent blessing being here at Felician University ,” he said .
Photo : Felician University