Briar Cliff Mourns the Loss of Professor Michael Crowley

Professor Michael Crowley leaves behind an impact that will last a lifetime.  

Michael Crowley, 63, a Briar Cliff University associate professor and chairperson of the media communications department, died on Thursday, February 23. 

He taught a variety of classes from freshman Franciscan values classes to the senior capstone project, but students know him best from teaching the basic photography class. Students gravitated toward his love for capturing life's special moments and the world around us through his photographs.  

Kristen Perez, a former student of Crowley’s and current associate professor in the media communications department, was one of those students who found Crowley to be a welcome change from the stereotypical professor. 

“Michael wanted his students to succeed in the classroom, but more importantly, he wanted them to succeed in life,” said Perez. “He genuinely cared about the person, the student.” 

Crowley not only influenced students within the media communications department, but also students pursuing other majors. Lehmann, a math major, started taking mass communication classes just to fill his schedule, but once he met Crowley, continued to take other communications classes because of him.  

“I’m not a major in his department, but he always made sure to check up on me and see how I was doing in my other classes,” said Lehmann. “He always made sure to strike up a conversation, whether it was in class or between classes.” 

Crowley also pushed his students outside of their comfort zones to reach their full potential. This became apparent to Lehmann when he submitted a photo for one of his assignments and Crowley insisted that he submit it to the Briar Cliff Review. 

“Crowley says ‘I’m not asking you, I’m telling you; you need to submit this picture for it’,” said Lehmann.  

Within one week he was accepted into the Briar Cliff Review.  

“If it wasn’t for him, I would have had no idea I could have done that,” said Lehmann. “He really wanted to push me so I could see for myself what I can accomplish.” 

His dedication to teaching and his students is what also garnered him admiration from his colleagues. Once Perez started teaching at Briar Cliff, she looked to emulate Crowley’s teaching with her own students. 

“I looked up to him, so I wanted to have the same relationship that he had with his students,” said Perez. “When I started teaching, that was the moment when he really became my mentor and I tried to live up to his reputation.” 

Sister Janet May, the former director of campus ministry and leader of the Franciscan Mission Team, took a trip to Honduras, which Crowley joined them on. In addition to the repair work they were doing on a boarding school in Comayagua, he captured their trip in photographs.  

“He had a special gift in that. Capturing what their world was like,” said May. “It was an eye-opening experience for him.” 

Not only did Crowley have a passion for photography, but he was also very devoted to his faith and spreading that everywhere he went. May believes he embodied the core values of the school. 

“He really lived through the Franciscan values,” said May. “He was a person of great generosity and cared for the dignity of every person.” 

He had a way of living life that was unlike most. Crowley’s devotion to his faith, career, and students was easily noticed by his caring personality.  

“His passion for life and giving his life away in service is what I’ll remember most about him,” said May. “He took the time with people, and he was really passionate about teaching and working with students. He loved it.”  

Since his passing, Crowley’s Facebook page has been flooded with memories and appreciation for all he has done. 

Among them: 

“He ignited my passion for photography freshman year, his work was incredible.” 

-Annie Schaffer 

“Such an amazing man. I can’t thank Michael enough for taking the chance on me becoming an adjunct professor in his department and giving me the keys to the radio studio.” 

-Justin Barker 

“He was engaging and compassionate. It wasn’t about just grades, he invited you to think, aspire, challenge and study. He fostered creativity and gave me every opportunity to explore and learn.” 

-Brandon Osborn 

“IMPACT, this is you, Michael Crowley! Every day with everyone. You made an Enormous Impact on your students, your friends, your family, BCU…the world! You never needed a reason to extend yourself, be kind to and help others, you just did it.  

-Niki Heck 

He left behind 34 years of a long-standing impression and legacy at Briar Cliff. His memory and love for the school, his students, photography, and his department, will never be forgotten. 

A prayer and remembrance service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Our Lady of Grace Chapel on the Briar Cliff University campus. At 6 p.m., there will be a catered soup meal in the lower part of the Heelan Hall Atrium.  

Additionally, a visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the memorial service to follow on March 4 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel at 3220 Stone Park Blvd. A reception will be held after the service, from 3 to 5 p.m., in the Roth Atrium at Briar Cliff. 

Donations can be made to the Michael Crowley Scholarship Fund at Briar Cliff University here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=b0bd0665-fb45-43fc-a8ef-2d56d9939574&envid=p-QRHd5qkOQUSQDc4OM9VsIw&zone=usa 

“Reading the Bible, Honduras, 2016” by Michael Crowley