Newcomb Appointed Dean of Arts and Sciences at University of Richmond
April 5, 2002
The University of Richmond has appointed Andrew F. Newcomb, a professor of psychology at Richmond since 1984, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He has been acting dean during the current academic year.
Newcomb's appointment is effective April 15. He succeeds David E. Leary, who stepped down last spring after 12 years as dean.
During his tenure at Richmond, Newcomb has compiled a distinguished record of achievement in teaching and research in his specialty of clinical psychology and childhood development. He also has won numerous honors, including the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia's outstanding educator award in 1995 and the university's distinguished educator award in 1994.
Newcomb holds the university's MacEldin Trawick professorship in psychology and served as chairman of the department from 1992-2000.
"Dr. Newcomb was selected from a pool of over 70 applicants in a vigorous national search." said university Provost June R. Aprille. "He stood out among a fine group of finalists for the qualifications, achievements, vision, experience, and specific abilities that he will bring to the position."
After receiving a bachelor's in psychology from Occidental College, he earned a Ph.D. in child psychology from the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development and completed additional training in child clinical psychology at the University of Washington's School of Medicine. He served Michigan State University as assistant professor of psychology from 1980-84.
At Richmond, Newcomb has won research grants for 17 projects and written 28 articles for scholarly journals, often with undergraduates as co-authors. He has written 10 books or book chapters on child psychology topics and gave presentations at dozens of conferences around the country.
Newcomb has served on key university academic, governance and planning committees over the years. From 1999-2001, he was associate dean for planning and director of program and resource development of the School of Arts and Sciences. His duties included leadership of planning and implementation efforts for the arts, social science and science initiatives, plus other key aspects of the University's strategic plan.
"Having risen through the academic ranks at Richmond, his historical perspective will play an important role in bridging the past and future development of the School of Arts and Sciences," Aprille said.