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2011 SPECIAL SESSION I


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 505
Celebrating the life of George Thomas Crutchfield.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, April 11, 2011

 

WHEREAS, George Thomas Crutchfield, the longtime director of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Mass Communications who influenced thousands of students and made many distinguished contributions to his profession and community, died on March 15, 2011; and

WHEREAS, a native of West Virginia, George Crutchfield began his love of newspapers as a high school student working for his hometown paper; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Florida Southern College, George Crutchfield wrote for the Associated Press and taught at Syracuse University and the University of South Carolina before coming to Richmond; and

WHEREAS, as head of Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) School of Mass Communications from 1970 to 1989, George Crutchfield instilled in his students a love and appreciation for the role of journalism in today’s society; and

WHEREAS, George Crutchfield ably led VCU’s communications program as the field of communications expanded from traditional print journalism to broadcasting, public relations, and other forms of communication; and

WHEREAS, a gifted educator and caring mentor, George Crutchfield had deep roots in newspaper work and encouraged his students to begin their careers in that area to gain a solid communications foundation before pursuing interests in other forms of media and communications; and

WHEREAS, George Crutchfield also profoundly believed in the importance of editing in creating better writers; he served for 30 years as the director of a copy editing training program for the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund that taught hundreds of students the nuances of grammar and spelling; and

WHEREAS, George Crutchfield not only influenced his students but played a major role in the communications field in the Commonwealth; he founded the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame to recognize individuals who have made outstanding long-term contributions in the field of communications; and

WHEREAS, George Crutchfield earned numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Virginia Press Women’s Communicator of Achievement award, the Virginia Press Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Society of Professional Journalists Virginia Pro Chapter’s George Mason Award and Distinguished Service Award, and induction into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, George Crutchfield made numerous contributions to the community through his involvement with the Boy Scouts; an enthusiastic leader, he served as an excellent role model, staffing the National Jamboree, visiting the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico numerous times, and donating funds for Scouting projects; and

WHEREAS, George Crutchfield and his wife, Frances, served as the 2010 Powhatan Christmas Father and Mother, bringing holiday cheer and good will to needy local families; and

WHEREAS, George Crutchfield will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Frances; children Lisa and Larry and their families; stepson Henry and his family; his former students; and numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of an admired leader in the communications field and dedicated community supporter, George Thomas Crutchfield; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of George Thomas Crutchfield as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.