Washington and Lee Names LaRiviere New Associate Dean of the College Fred LaRiviere, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Washington and Lee University, is the new associate dean of the college, beginning Feb. 11.

By News Office
February 11, 2019

Fred LaRiviere, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Washington and Lee University, is the new associate dean of the college, beginning Feb. 11. He succeeds Gwyn E. Campbell, who has held that post since 2017. Campbell will continue to work with students and faculty on fellowships until June 30, when she will begin a previously awarded sabbatical before her retirement.

LaRiviere, who teaches courses in biochemistry, general chemistry, writing 100 and forensic science, came to W&L in 2006. He holds a B.A. in chemistry from Clark University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Prior to joining the faculty at W&L, he held post-doctoral research and teaching positions at Brandeis University and Colby College.

An active researcher in the field of RNA biochemistry with a focus on quality control mechanisms involved in translation and ribosome degradation, LaRiviere has supervised over 35 student researchers at W&L and has been published in numerous journals, including Science, Molecular Cell, and RNA. He is the recipient of grants and fellowships from the National Science Foundation, the Jeffress Memorial Trust, the Dreyfus Foundation, and the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. He has served on several committees, including the President’s Advisory Committee, the Faculty Executive Committee, and QEP Selection Task Force.

“I am grateful to Dean Hill for this new opportunity,” said LaRiviere. “Although I will miss teaching every day, I look forward to serving W&L in this new role. I am excited to work with Dean Hill and Dean McCoy and to work with and support students and faculty from across the college.”

The associate dean of the college focuses on academic performance and support, collaborating when appropriate with the Office of Student Affairs. The associate dean will also work to strengthen faculty development programs and strategic priorities.

“Fred brings thoughtfulness, commitment and considerable experience,” said Lena Hill, dean of the college. “He possesses a detailed understanding of university processes and policies. He is a strong advocate of student success, diversity and inclusion, and the importance of bridging the many disciplines of the college. He also brings important disciplinary knowledge to the Science Center project. I am excited to welcome him to the associate dean’s position.”

Campbell, professor of Spanish at Washington and Lee, arrived at W&L in 1985. She holds an honors B.A. in French and Spanish, summa cum laude, from McMaster University, an M.A. in Spanish from the University of Western Ontario, and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Spanish from Princeton University. She served for a number of years as head of the Spanish division of the Department of Romance Languages, and as affiliate faculty in both the Medieval and Renaissance Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies programs. In addition to the committees she chaired or on which she served as associate dean, as a faculty member Campbell served on many university committees, including the Graduate Fellowships Committee, the Committee on Courses and Degrees, the Student Affairs Committee and the Faculty Executive Committee. She was the university’s Fulbright program adviser for three years before being appointed associate dean of the college in 2017.

“When Gwyn accepted the appointment to serve as associate dean from then-Dean Keen, she graciously put off a sabbatical leave,” said Hill. “Her passionate, focused work has helped establish a culture of fellowships at Washington and Lee and will be part of her legacy to the university. We are enormously grateful for her contributions to the Dean’s Office and the university as a whole, and we wish her all the best as she begins her long-awaited sabbatical and retirement.”