Provost Ron Rochon has named James M. Beeby the new dean of the College of Liberal Arts, according to a press release today.

The appointment is effective as of July 1.

Beeby serves as the chair of the History Department at Middle Tennessee State University and is originally from Northamptonshire, England. He has a doctorate in history and American culture studies and has published two books about the southern United States.

The previous liberal arts dean, Michael Aakhus, retired in December.