Thomas Cronin
Encyclopedia
Thomas Edward Cronin is a noted political scientist and professor. He served as President of Whitman College
from 1993-2005. He is currently the McHugh professor at Colorado College and an expert on campus lore. An authority on the expanding power of the American Presidency in the 20th Century, Dr. Cronin has written or edited several books,
Before that he taught at Colorado College
(1979–1983), Princeton University
(1985–1986), and The University of North Carolina
(1967–1970). In 2005, he returned to Colorado College
to teach and to write. According to one of his anecdotes, CC called Dr. Cronin for guidance as to who to hire to replace him; instead of providing them with recommendations, he informed the college that he would like to return as the McHugh Professor of American Institutions and Leadership at Colorado College. Many current students refer to him as a "boss" because of his ideological fervor, home-town sensibilities and because he was Interim President of the Colorado College and the President of Whitman College. Cronin is especially loved for his fondness of bringing students into his home under the guise of delicious Chinese food and pancake breakfasts. He is known around the Colorado College campus as having a unique style; a synthesis of rural farmer Massachusetts looks with a distinctive western flair. Unbeknownst to many, Cronin is a fundraising whizz and without his expertise it is unlikely that the Baca campus would have been acquired by the college. His classes are laden with anecdotal experiences and guests speakers which lighten the stressful environment of the block plan. Students are in awe of his ability to remember minuscule details about all of his students lives and see it as his deep love of all who seek knowledge.
Whitman College
Whitman College is a private, co-educational, non-sectarian, residential undergraduate liberal arts college located in Walla Walla, Washington. Initially founded as a seminary by a territorial legislative charter in 1859, the school became a four year degree granting institution in 1883...
from 1993-2005. He is currently the McHugh professor at Colorado College and an expert on campus lore. An authority on the expanding power of the American Presidency in the 20th Century, Dr. Cronin has written or edited several books,
Before that he taught at Colorado College
Colorado College
The Colorado College is a private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It was founded in 1874 by Thomas Nelson Haskell...
(1979–1983), Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
(1985–1986), and The University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
(1967–1970). In 2005, he returned to Colorado College
Colorado College
The Colorado College is a private liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It was founded in 1874 by Thomas Nelson Haskell...
to teach and to write. According to one of his anecdotes, CC called Dr. Cronin for guidance as to who to hire to replace him; instead of providing them with recommendations, he informed the college that he would like to return as the McHugh Professor of American Institutions and Leadership at Colorado College. Many current students refer to him as a "boss" because of his ideological fervor, home-town sensibilities and because he was Interim President of the Colorado College and the President of Whitman College. Cronin is especially loved for his fondness of bringing students into his home under the guise of delicious Chinese food and pancake breakfasts. He is known around the Colorado College campus as having a unique style; a synthesis of rural farmer Massachusetts looks with a distinctive western flair. Unbeknownst to many, Cronin is a fundraising whizz and without his expertise it is unlikely that the Baca campus would have been acquired by the college. His classes are laden with anecdotal experiences and guests speakers which lighten the stressful environment of the block plan. Students are in awe of his ability to remember minuscule details about all of his students lives and see it as his deep love of all who seek knowledge.