Michael E. Crawford, chancellor of the Palmer Chiropractic University System since its inception in 1991, announced his decision to retire effective July 1, 2003, drawing to a close a 35-year career in higher education.

Vickie A. Palmer, chairman of the Palmer Board of Trustees, issued a statement thanking the chancellor for his "tremendous contributions to the cause of Palmer Chiropractic and the development of the Palmer Chiropractic University System."

"Having been with Palmer the last decade has been an exciting and rewarding time," said Crawford, a former Palmer trustee and certificate holder. "Palmer's future prospects are bright."

Ms. Palmer noted that Crawford "has demonstrated a passionate commitment to both educational excellence and the chiropractic mission. It was with considerable regret that the Board accepted Crawford's plan to retire." She added that she and the Board executive committee hope to name a successor before he retires.

Crawford was hired when Palmer College of Chiropractic and Palmer College of Chiropractic West were brought together under a single Board of Trustees in 1991. A new Palmer campus was opened in Florida on Oct. 7, 2002.

While declining to speculate on possible Board directives regarding organizational structure for the three campuses once he retires, Crawford said he had "no doubt" there will continue to be a connected and integrated system of colleges.

"My retirement in no way signals that the Board is changing its commitment to expanding a unified Palmer Chiropractic speaking with a single voice through the Palmer Chiropractic University System," Crawford explained.

During the Crawford tenure, the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, the Palmer Institute for Professional Advancement and the Palmer Foundation for Chiropractic History were established as separate entities of the University System.

"The success of the Research Center is especially gratifying in view of the fact it has been awarded the first-ever federal dollars to address the vital need for chiropractic research," Crawford said. "The Research Center, the Palmer Institute and the History Foundation all represent the far-reaching Board vision of Palmer service to the entire profession."

He said he was also proud to be a part of the recent multi-million dollar campus improvement in Davenport and, with reference to his civic activity, the development of closer ties between Palmer College and the Quad-City community. He is serving or has served on the Board of Directors of Davenport One, the Downtown Davenport Development Corp. and the Quad-City Development Group. "Palmer College will continue its positive community relationship. In a similar way, Palmer West and Palmer Florida will be involved community citizens."

"During my remaining months as chancellor," he said, "the Board of Trustees expects me to be involved in a number of projects." After Crawford retires, he will continue to work for the University System in a consulting capacity for a period of time.

Crawford began his career in higher education in 1967 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as a marketing and business instructor. He served in a variety of positions at that institution and, in 1978, was appointed chancellor of the Eastern Iowa Community College District. From 1986 to 1991 he served as chancellor of the St. Louis Community College District.