Crowley stepped in as Acting President after the death of Founding President J. Burton Vasche in 1962 and served for a little more than a year. He joined what was then called Stanislaus State College in 1960 as one of its charter administrative staff members, serving as Executive Dean until his retirement in 1983. He resided in Turlock and had been enthusiastically involved with CSU Stanislaus until illness recently limited his activities. Gerry played a vital role in the foundation of this University and its development as an outstanding institution of higher learning.
A native of Boston, Crowley previously served as a facility planner with the Department of Education and taught Naval Science at Stanford University where he did post-graduate work. He earned his Bachelor's Degree at Loyola University, Baltimore and Master's Degree in Education at Boston University.