After 46 years of working for Harding, and 29 in his current position as the director of public relations, David Crouch will retire at the end of March. A successor will be announced in June.

According to the office of Public Relations, Crouch will be moving to part-time at the end of March to help with the transition.

During his time at Harding, Crouch has worked with three of the five Harding presidents. He said working with great leaders and meeting people all over campus were the best parts of the job.

“I have worked for three Harding presidents, and that is time I will cherish — memories I will cherish — of working with three outstanding men of character,” Crouch said. “In my position I have worked with people all across the campus, unlike some positions that deal with just a certain group of people, my work has covered the whole span of campus.”

Tom Buterbaugh, assistant director of public relations, works with Crouch on a daily basis. Buterbaugh has held the same role for the past 25 years.

“(Crouch) is a true servant leader,” Buterbaugh said. “I’m still working here years later because of him. He’s the best boss you could ask for — he puts everyone above himself, and he truly cares about Harding. He never cares about recognition for himself — he only cares about advancing Harding and advancing the people in (the public relations) office.”

Buterbaugh said Crouch has always taken an interest in his life and knows Buterbaugh’s kids like they were his own.

“I think one of the most important things I have learned is the fact (that) if you hire talented people to work with you, then your office can achieve some unbelievable things,” Crouch said. “I have been extremely blessed to have been able to surround myself with very talented individuals.”

Senior public relations major Toria Parrett has worked in the public relations office for the past two years and said she talks to Crouch on a regular basis. “He will seek me out and ask about what’s going on in my life,” Parrett said. “He actually takes a personal interest in his employees. But he also gets the job done so everyone does really good work for him, and that’s the kind of mutual relationship you want with a boss.”

Parrett said she hopes the new director sees the significance in the way Crouch did things, but also brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to the job. She said she hopes a new person will shake things up a bit.

Buterbaugh said he hopes Crouch’s replacement will share similar values.

“I want somebody that has the same values that David Crouch had, somebody that loves Harding, that is invested in the people in this office and that wants to promote the best in everything,” Buterbaugh said.

On March 11, a reception was held in the Founders Room celebrating Crouch’s service.

Crouch said he looks forward to spending more time with his family and delving deeper into photography in his retirement.

“I want the new director to be better than I am — more talented, more skills and to lead the office to greater levels of achievement,” Crouch said.