The University of Richmond School of Arts and Sciences will have a new dean June 1.

He is Dr. Patrice Rankine, currently dean for Arts and Humanities at Hope College in Holland, Mich.


“Dr. Rankine is an experienced and accomplished scholar and administrator who deeply appreciates the importance we, at Richmond, attach to our deans being student-focused and committed to faculty development,” University of Richmond Provost Jacquelyn S. Fetrow stated Tuesday in announcing the appointment.

Dr. Rankine will succeed Dr. Kathleen Skerrett, who has served as dean since 2011. She will become a tenured professor in the university’s Department of Religious Studies.

At Hope College, Dr. Rankine oversees nine departments and several interdisciplinary programs, including a new museum, music building and art gallery.

Prior to Hope College, he served as assistant head of the School of Languages and Cultures and as director of the Interdisciplinary Program in Classics at Purdue University.

“At Hope College and Purdue University, he has provided inspired academic leadership to faculty colleagues for more than 10 years, while also distinguishing himself as a colleague and a scholar,” Dr. Fetrow stated.

“We look forward to what he will do to build upon the achievements of Dean Skerrett and further advance the outstanding programs of our College of Arts and Sciences.”

Dr. Rankine, a professor for nearly two decades, stated in the announcement that he is “delighted to join the faculty and leadership team at the University of Richmond.”

He stated that he is “honored to be chosen” to work with “colleagues who are national leaders in their areas of research and teachers who produce productive citizens.”

Dr. Rankine is a graduate of City University of New York’s Brooklyn College and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Yale.

He is an award-winning scholar who has published books, articles and book reviews and lectured widely in his field.