James Crawford, a longtime faculty member at Lakeland University and a prominent figure in the university’s theatre program, died on December 5 at the age of 83. Crawford, who was affectionately known as JC, joined Lakeland’s faculty in 1977 and taught theatre and speech until his retirement in 2007.
During his three decades at Lakeland, Crawford played a key role in shaping the university’s theatre program. He directed 74 out of 82 full-length productions staged during his tenure and designed 58 of them. The period also saw the production of 58 one-act plays, bringing the work of more than 60 different playwrights to campus audiences.
“The whole idea of a collaborative art, an art in which many people with many diverse talents and skills can work together to create a single, completed artistic work, is one of the things that drew me to the theatre,” Crawford said in a 1987 interview with the Lakeland Mirror.
Crawford chaired the college’s theatre and speech department. His interests extended beyond traditional theatre; he founded Lakeland’s Early Music Ensemble early in his tenure due to his focus on medieval studies and medieval drama and music. He later served as advisor to Lakeland’s Samurai Action Team.
He was recognized for his contributions by being named Professor Emeritus at commencement in 2007, which is considered Lakeland’s highest honor for faculty members. In 2012, he was inducted into the Fine Arts Gallery of Distinction.
Crawford’s family has deep ties to Lakeland University. In 1983, he married Lucretia Hediger ’80—a fellow faculty member who retired in 2023 but continues as Archivist Emerita—and their son Ramsay graduated from Lakeland in 2008. The couple were married behind Ley Chapel by Rev. David Lauer.
In his final year at Lakeland, two plays—Jeff Daniels’ “Escanaba in Da Moonlight” and Jane Martin’s “Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage”—were staged as tributes to his favorite works.
Crawford encouraged student involvement throughout all aspects of production; eight productions were directed by students and another 24 were designed by them under his mentorship.
“I like to let the students have their creative freedom,” Crawford said in that same interview from 1987. “Oftentimes the students come up with incredible ideas.”
Crawford held degrees from the University of Pittsburgh (bachelor’s degree in English-creative writing; master’s degree in theatre-directing and playwriting) and Indiana University (doctorate in theatre and medieval studies). Before joining Lakeland University, he taught at institutions including the University of Maine and U.S. Armed Forces Institute while serving with the U.S. Army.
A memorial fund has been established at Lakeland University benefiting John Esch Library; donors are asked to note James Crawford Memorial when making contributions online through the university website.
Per Crawford’s wishes there will be no formal services; cremation has taken place with ashes interred at Immanuel Cemetery north of campus. A private Celebration of Life is planned for 2026 with discussions ongoing about an informal remembrance event involving Lakeland University community members.
Zimmer Westview Funeral and Cremation Care Center is handling arrangements; additional details can be found or condolences left via www.zimmerfuneralhome.com.
