UNLV emeritus professor of theatre Jerry Crawford recently received the Excellence in Theater Education Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

"This award has special significance to me because it comes during the early years of my emeritus status and represents the recognition of my colleagues and peers," Crawford said. "It is a great honor."

Crawford received the prestigious national award for his years of service and dedication to theater education. He was one of seven theater faculty members from across the country to receive the award this year.

Crawford, who retired from UNLV in 1994 after 32 years on the theatre department faculty, continues to write plays and serve as director of literary seminars at the Utah Shakespearean Festival.

During his tenure at UNLV, Crawford served in several administrative capacities, including as dean of faculty and department chair.

He received the 1994 Nevada Regents' Award for Creative Activity and is a two-time recipient of the Theatre Arts Outstanding Teacher Award. He has produced more than 27 scripts and written more than 30 scholarly articles on literature and film.

In addition, his textbook, "Acting in Person and Style," has been one of the most widely adopted textbooks on acting in the United States, Canada, and England.