Washington and Lee Names New Associate Dean of the College

By News Office
January 2, 2017

Gwyn E. Campbell, professor of Spanish at Washington and Lee University, is the new associate dean of the college, beginning July 1. She succeeds Marcia France, who has held that post since 2012. After a sabbatical, France will be returning to the classroom, where she teaches organic chemistry.

Campbell, who teaches Spanish language, literature and culture, as well as courses in the Medieval and Renaissance Studies program, came to 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 is currently also affiliate faculty in both the Medieval and Renaissance Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies programs. A member of the Graduate Student Fellowship Committee, Campbell previously served on many university committees, including the Committee on Courses and Degrees, the Student Affairs Committee and the Faculty Executive Committee. She has been the university’s Fulbright program advisor since 2015. The appointment as associate dean of the college is a capstone to Campbell’s career at Washington and Lee.

“I am honored to accept this appointment and delighted to be able to serve the university in this capacity, as well as to have the chance to collaborate closely with Dean Suzanne Keen and Associate Dean Wendy Price,” said Campbell. “While I will miss the exhilaration of teaching, I welcome this exciting opportunity to work with our students, in all disciplines across the college and beyond, in a different role.”

The associate dean of the college focuses on academic performance and support, collaborating when appropriate with the Office of Student Affairs. The associate dean also coordinates undergraduate and graduate fellowship applications for students.

“Expanding and promoting fellowships opportunities for students is a top priority, and Gwyn Campbell has already shown remarkable skill and dedication in her work as the Fulbright adviser,” said Keen. “Gwyn will help us capitalize on the momentum that Marcia has built up in that area.”

Marcia France, the John T. Herwick, M.D. Professor of Chemistry at Washington and Lee, arrived at W&L in 1994. She holds an S.B. in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an M.S. in chemistry from Yale University and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology. She helped develop and serves as co-director of W&L’s partnership with the University of St. Andrews, in Scotland, which provides a study-abroad opportunity for W&L students studying science and preparing to enter a health profession. She created and teaches the Science of Cooking course in Italy. France is active in the university’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, having served in several posts, including president.

“We are grateful to Professor France for her outstanding service,” said Keen. “She has been a tireless advocate for students in need of support and made an impact through committee leadership, behind-the-scenes work on behalf of students and collaborations across campus.

“In academics, she ran the first-year seminar program at W&L, expanding the offerings of these small discussion- and project-based courses,” Keen continued. “She contributed substantially to global learning through membership on the International Education Committee and her continuing work as a liaison to St. Andrews. She has also enjoyed great success as a fellowships adviser, including the university’s first Rhodes Scholar in many years, its first Schwarzman Scholar, a Gates winner, a Beinecke winner, many Fulbrights, and more. In strategic planning, she chaired the ad hoc Futures of STEM Pedagogy committee, serving as first author of a superb report that was subsequently incorporated into the college’s Strategic Plan in 2016. Her work as associate dean will have a lasting impact on the university.”

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