Tribute
McCrea Hazlett: 1916–2007
McCrea Hazlett, a former University provost, vice president, and diplomatic officer,
never retired from his love of teaching. Just a few weeks before his death on July 5 at the age of 91, the noted professor of English presented a film series on Shakespeare at his residence at St. John’s Meadows in Rochester. He offered insights about characters and situations to the delight of his audience of 25.
“To still have the passion and the drive to think of doing this and actually pull it off, that is impressive,” says Phyllis Andrews, a friend and librarian at the University. “He found ways to keep his imagination alive.”
Born in 1916 in Tarentum, Pa., Hazlett graduated from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, and earned master’s and doctoral degrees in English from the University of Chicago. His academic specialties included English literature of the 17th century, and the art, literature, and culture of India.
He and his wife, Doris Hill Hazlett, moved to Rochester in 1957. He became dean of students after serving in a similar post at Chicago, and also was named assistant professor of English. He was appointed dean of the College of Arts and Science in 1958, and became provost in 1961. Two years later, he was named University vice president.
The first provost to live with his family in the newly restored Patrick Barry House on Mt. Hope Avenue, Hazlett and his wife entertained notable figures of the day, including legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar and his entourage. The Hazletts often opened their home for cultural activities and discussions, bringing together diverse audiences for an opportunity to share literary, musical, and cultural traditions.
Robert Sproull, University president emeritus and professor of physics emeritus, describes Hazlett as “a scholar who understood the University and was loyal to it.” Sproull succeeded Hazlett as provost in 1968, when Hazlett became the vice president for special academic activities and later vice president for public affairs during the presidency of W. Allen Wallis.
“He was a very gracious and down-to-earth person,” says Paul Burgett, University vice president and general secretary. “He was able to put people at ease, yet he had a keen point of view and was quick and insightful.”
Russell Peck, the John Hall Deane Professor of English, says Hazlett’s associations with the English department were deep and longstanding. “He was much admired during those years as provost,” Peck says. “He worked well with [dean of the College] Kenneth Clark and put Rochester liberal arts on the map.”
In 1971, Hazlett was appointed cultural affairs officer to the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, where Kenneth B. Keating, New York’s former U.S. senator, was ambassador.
He returned to the English department in the 1980s and 1990s to teach advanced writing and speech. He started the department’s speech program and the practice of giving annual speech awards to undergraduates. The McCrea Hazlett Award is given to a student who demonstrates excellence in public speaking.
Hazlett is survived by a daughter, Janet Clarke-Hazlett of Brighton; two sons, William Hazlett of Clifton Park, N.Y., and Alec E. Hazlett of Rochester; seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Doris Hazlett died in 2003; the couple had been married for 63 years.
Contributions in his memory can be made to the Creative Workshop School Fund, Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14607, or to the Friends of the Library, 236 Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y. 14627-0055.
—Sharon Dickman
