Message on Betsy Oliver Croswell
Provost Michael R. Halleran sent the following message to the campus community on Sept. 8, 2017 - Ed.
Dear colleagues,
I write to share the news that Betsy Oliver Croswell, who served the College for more than 50 years, died on September 6. Her career at W&M was a journey that took her from the Virginia Marine Science Institute (VIMS) to James Blair to the Bryan Complex to Jones Hall to the Chancellor’s office and, finally, to Blow Hall and the registrar’s office. An interesting article about her service can be found here.
Betsy was immensely proud of her nearly 52-year career at William & Mary where her affection for students, faculty and staff was genuine and deep. In August 1965, she left Colonial Williamsburg to take a part-time job with the College’s Bureau of Business Research. Then in 1966, when the Business Department established an MBA program, she became its first full-time registrar where she served three deans and generations of business students. When the School established an evening MBA program, she took on the additional role of its director. She remained at the Business School for 36 years and held fond memories of former students, reconnecting with many over the years. Betsy was beloved by her students and loved them in return. Her ability to remember names and faces—and personal stories—is the stuff of legends around the W&M Mason School of Business. Betsy finished her career verifying student records for W&M’s Office of the Registrar where she was known for her keen eye for detail and wealth of W&M institutional knowledge. The family would like to express their extreme gratitude and appreciation for all the love and support from her William & Mary family.
Betsy was born in Gloucester, VA on September 19, 1945. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother. Betsy is survived by her loving husband for over 52 years, Harry Croswell. She treasured her times with her husband, children, grandchildren, neighbors and other special family members. Betsy is survived by her son, Robert Croswell (Karen) and her daughter, Barbara Loader (Curt); five grandchildren, Samantha and Courtney Croswell, Christopher, Tailor, and Elizabeth Hamilton; and four step-grandchildren, Ryan Loader, Adam, Ashley and Derek Martin. She is also survived by her twin sister, Beverly Hudgins; and many special nieces and nephews. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church directly followed by funeral service at 12:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest following the service at Williamsburg Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Community Care or to the William & Mary Business School Foundation. Donations can be mailed to W&M Office of Gift Accounting, P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187 or online at mason.wm.edu/give. Please indicate donation is in memory of Betsy Croswell. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.
Sincerely,
Michael
