The interim dean at Washington and Lee University in Lexington has been selected to take over the post permanently beginning Dec. 1.
The appointment of Paul Youngman was announced this week by Provost Lena Hill after a national search was completed.
Youngman has been serving as interim dean of the College since July 1.
“He rose to the top of an impressive candidate pool, and the search process revealed how deeply his work is admired and appreciated,” said Hill. “His colleagues praise his breadth of experience, work ethic, strong communication and listening skills, collaborative spirit, trustworthiness, good humor and warmth, efficient workstyle, and genuine care for faculty, staff and students. I could not agree more with these sentiments.
“We are fortunate Paul is willing to accept this appointment at such an important moment for the College.”
The dean of W&L has responsibility for 21 departments and 13 interdisciplinary programs.
During his tenure as interim dean, Youngman has been instrumental in the creation of the Hal and Barbra Higginbotham Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, a discretionary fund to invest in creative projects to bolster student interest and enrollment in W&L’s arts and humanities programs.
He has also established two faculty committees to assist with the planning and design of Washington and Lee’s science center renovation and expansion and is leading a feasibility study for the accreditation of its undergraduate engineering program. He will continue to lead these strategic efforts moving forward.
“This is an exciting time to be leading the College, with meaningful work underway to enhance our programs and facilities across the arts, sciences and humanities,” Youngman said. “As critical as that work is, I see my most important role as providing robust advocacy for the liberal arts and for W&L.”
A 1987 graduate of Washington and Lee, Youngman joined the university’s faculty as an associate professor of German in 2012 and was named a full professor in 2014. Prior to joining Washington and Lee, he held various teaching and administrative roles at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a holder of the bronze star for valor in a combat zone.
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Crystal Graham
