Antioch University Chancellor, New England Provost and President, and Student and Alum
James H. Craiglow served as Antioch University Chancellor for three years after serving as Provost and then President of Antioch’s New England campus from 1986 to 2002. Jim retired from Antioch University in 2005.
Jim was an Antiochian and a New Englander through and through. He spoke his mind freely and expressed his views directly, and you always knew where he stood on an issue. As former Antioch Chancellor Al Guskin reminisced, “Jim never shied away from questioning those of us in leadership positions, and he was also a good colleague trying to solve difficult institutional problems. At his core, Jim was a gentle soul and a pragmatic idealist.”
Toni Murdock, former Provost and President of Antioch’s Seattle campus who also became University Chancellor, reflected: “Naturally, Jim was always partial to the New England campus, but was able to set that aside as chancellor and work to strengthen all the campuses for the benefit of the University. I grew to admire Jim’s resilience and approach to the many challenges and problems we faced during his tenure. He showed courage and empathy.”
Dale Johnston, former Provost and President of Antioch’s Los Angeles campus shared, “My best memories of Jim occurred at the dinners we had after University leadership and/or Board meetings. His irascibility expressed his passion for an action that should have occurred, but that was not approved. Or some policy that had been approved that he objected to. The next minute we were talking about our families, and his concern and love for his wife and daughter were equally expressed in a gentle, loving fashion.”
Everyone who remembers Jim recalls his deep commitment to Antioch’s mission.
Al Guskin shared, “Jim always had a deep commitment to both Antiochian values of social justice and a pragmatic perspective to develop successful academic programs attractive to students. “Whether it was a new doctorate in clinical psychology or environmental studies or leadership and change, or the detailed financial planning needed to create a new attractive physical facility, Jim was always focused on Antiochian values, student learning, and faculty creativity.”
So many colleagues from the New England campus wanted to share memories about Jim Craiglow, about years gone by, and about his lasting impact on them personally and professionally. You can find many beautiful thoughts shared here.
In reflecting back on Jim’s leadership, Chancellor Groves writes, “Jim was the epitome of a servant leader committed to the mission of Antioch. At the same time, he was pragmatic and understood that without a viable business model, there could be no mission. Antioch was so fortunate to have Jim for so many decades. In my many roles here at Antioch, I had the opportunity to work with Jim in many ways. It was a true honor.”
After retiring, he continued to live in Keene for another decade, pursuing his lifelong commitment to community service on the boards of Monadnock Developmental Services and Stonewall Farm, also serving as president of each board for a length of time before moving in 2016 to Connecticut.
