Longtime Head of University of Nevada at Reno to Step Down

RENO — Joe Crowley announced Wednesday he will step down after nearly 23 years as president of the University of Nevada, Reno, and return to one of his first loves--teaching.

“I am going to be stepping down. Or I should say stepping up,” an emotional Crowley told a crowded news conference at UNR.

“I said I will not let this happen,” he said, trying to control the tears.

“But it’s difficult. It’s been 22 years. It’s been a great job.”

His wife, Joy, and the couple’s four grown children looked on as Crowley announced a decision that he’s thought about for years but postponed because of things he wanted to accomplish.

“What you learn is, there’s never a good time,” he said.

“I am an academic person, a social scientist of sorts. But I also believe in the gut. I’ve just had this growing feeling that the time is right.”

Crowley, who will turn 67 in July, is the longest-serving president at a single institution among the nation’s principal public universities.

He will leave the job Dec. 31 but remain at the university as a faculty member.

Crowley joined UNR’s political science faculty in 1966. He became chairman of the department 10 years later before being named acting president in February 1978. He was appointed permanently the next year.