Crown's passion for teaching is legendary at Queens, from where he retired this year after nearly four decades.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 18, 2009) – Rick Crown, an art professor who inspired his students and colleagues at Queens University of Charlotte for nearly four decades, has retired with the school’s most prestigious teaching honor.
 
Crown was honored with the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award during commencement on May 9.  Nominations for the award come from alumni and current students. Crown - who is a prolific potter - received a standing ovation during the ceremony as he was recognized for his passion and dedication as an educator.
 
“His teaching style allows students to freely create their art without an overbearing feeling of trying to appease the professor’s tastes and wants,” one student wrote in his nomination letter.
 
“He has the energy of 10 professors and can be more obstinate than the surliest of students,” Jayne Johnson, a fellow art professor, wrote. “Conversely, he has the patience of an oyster with the finesse to coax the most timid of talents from a student. I have watched him do this for 20 years with amazement and envy.”
 
Along with the recognition, Crown received $15,000 to share with the Art Department. Half of that money will establish a fund to send Queens students to the Penland School of Crafts in the N.C. mountains.  Crown has studied there and said the center provided great inspiration for his work.
 
Queens University of Charlotte is a private, co-ed, Presbyterian-affiliated comprehensive university with a commitment to both liberal arts and professional studies. Located in the heart of historic Charlotte, Queens serves approximately 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students through its College of Arts and Sciences, McColl School of Business, Presbyterian School of Nursing, Wayland H. Cato, Jr. School of Education, School of Communication and Hayworth College for Adult Studies.
 
 

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