Maurice Crane received his PhD from University of Illinois in 1953 in American Literature. That same year he secured a job teaching freshman communication skills in the American Literature department at Michigan State College. Crane transferred to Humanities in 1957 and taught for the Honors College from 1959 to 1961. He also taught courses in Justin Morrill College and served as faculty advisor to the MSU Jazz Club. In 1970 he became the leader of the Geriatric Six Plus One, playing clarinet and occasionally saxophone. Crane received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 1979. He also served as Director of the G. Robert Vincent Voice Library beginning in 1974 and was nominated for a Grammy Award for his series on American presidents. Crane retired in 2000. Topics/people covered in the interview include: Paul Bagwell; Bob Baldori; Ken Beachler; Peter Berg; Book of the Month Club; Bill Boyd; Owen Branerd; Breslin Center; Dick Chapin; Mike Cornblue; Hiram Davis; Distinguished Faculty Award; Ron English; MSU Jazz Club; Geriatric Six Plus One; Gordon Guyer; Honors College; Howard Finch Show; Justin Morrill College; John Keller; Kellogg Center; Lansing Community College; Michigan Oral History Council; Gwen Norrell; Russel Nye; Stanley Foundation; University College; Wingspread Foundation; World War II; Ed Zabrusky; G. Robert Vincent Voice Library
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