Gene C. Crume, Jr.

Dr. Gene C. Crume, Jr. was named Judson University’s sixth president in February, 2013. Dr. Crume started his service at Judson in April, 2013, and his formal installation as President was October 24, 2013.

Since arriving at Judson, Dr. Crume led the University through its first comprehensive strategic planning process. The Board of Trustees approved the plan, Shaping Our Future: The Strategic Plan for Judson University, 2014-2019, in February, 2014. He has also helped secure $11.84 million in gifts from individual donors since arriving at Judson in support of the strategic plan. During his tenure, overall enrollment has increased by 4.5% and over a half dozen new academic programs have been developed as well as men’s volleyball and football.

Before coming to Judson, Dr. Crume served as an independent consultant working with institutions such as Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and the Peru State College Foundation (Nebraska) on issues related to external relations (marketing, communications, fundraising) and strategic planning. Dr. Crume spent a significant portion of his career at his alma mater, Western Kentucky University (WKU), where he served as the Executive Director of the WKU Alumni Association and taught as an adjunct instructor. His career also includes serving as Executive Vice President and Assistant Professor at Midland Lutheran College (now Midland University) and President of the Indiana State University Foundation.

Dr. Crume grew up in Owensboro, Kentucky, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and his Master’s degree in Communications from Western Kentucky University. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Education with a minor concentration in organizational leadership from the University of Virginia. Throughout his career he has served as an assistant professor or adjunct instructor for classes in business, public relations and communications at several institutions, including Western Kentucky University, Indiana State University, Midland Lutheran College, Mars Hill College and the University of Virginia. He has also served as a keynote speaker at college commencements, leadership seminars and association meetings. Dr. Crume has authored articles for national magazines, newspapers and academic journals.

Dr. Crume is married to Cindy Smith Crume of Bowling Green, Kentucky, also a Western Kentucky University graduate with a degree in Public Relations. Gene and Cindy’s daughter, Alexandra (Allie) and her husband Grant are teachers in Tennessee. Their son, Gene III (G3), is a sophomore at Judson University studying Music Business.